Profile of Peter Beardsley on Famous Like Me

Peter Andrew Beardsley (born Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, January 18, 1961) was a footballer who graced the English game at both domestic and international level for more than 15 years.

Beardsley was released as a teenager by hometown club Newcastle United but found his way back there in 1983 after successful spells with Carlisle United and Canadian outfit Vancouver Whitecaps. He then rejoined the Magpies after a short spell with Manchester United who only played him in one League Cup tie before letting him leave.

A pacey, incisive and skillful forward, Beardsley was an instant hit with the passionate Newcastle crowd, scoring spectacular goals and making plenty more as the club made its way back to English football's top flight in 1984, captained by the inspirational Kevin Keegan in his final season as a player.

Beardsley played for a further four seasons at Newcastle and also became a regular in the England side as the perfect foil for star striker Gary Lineker, who described Beardsley as 'the best partner I could ever have'. England scored seven goals in the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico, of which Lineker famously got six (and the Golden Boot for doing so), but few know that the other goal came from Beardsley in a 3-0 rout over Paraguay in the second round.

In 1987, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish paid an English record transfer fee of £1.9 million for Beardsley to come to Anfield, and there he won his first domestic honour with the League title, which Liverpool captured in a most convincing fashion. Beardsley became a darling of the Kop, scoring goals and making plenty more as the side suffered only two League defeats all season. However, there was disappointment at the end when Wimbledon denied them the 'double' with a shock 1-0 win in the FA Cup final.

Liverpool won the FA Cup the following year, but lost their League championship in the last minute of the last game of the season against Arsenal. They did win the championship again in 1990, but Dalglish quit soon after, and Beardsley found himself out of favour with new manager Graeme Souness, even though he maintained his place in the England team and featured in both Euro 88 and the 1990 World Cup.

Beardsley crossed the city to join Liverpool's rivals Everton, a move which would normally instil lifelong hate in Liverpool supporters, but he was forgiven because the fans were as equally bemused as Beardsley himself about why he was not a permanent fixture in their team. He played well and scored freely for the blue half of Merseyside, though won nothing. His England career ended after gaining 59 caps.

In 1993, Beardsley went home to Newcastle after his old team-mate and strike partner Kevin Keegan became manager. He played a magnificent swansong of four years at his favourite club, almost captaining them to the FA Premier League title in 1996, though they ultimately just missed out to Manchester United. He left Newcastle in 1997 and went on to play for Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Fulham and Hartlepool United before retiring at the age of 38. In 1995, he was awarded the MBE for services to the game.

He is now on the coaching staff in the Academy at Newcastle United. He is married with three sons.

Honours

• 1987/88 Football League First Division (Level 1)
• 1988/89 Charity Shield
• 1988/89 FA Cup
• 1989/90 Charity Shield
• 1989/90 Football League First Division (Level 1)
• 1990/91 Charity Shield Shared
• 1998/99 Football League Second Division (Level 3)

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