GoS-DB Players

JOHNNY NEWMAN

Born: 13 December 1933

Came from: Leicester City Went to: Exeter City

First game: 16 January 1960 Last game: 28 October 1967

Appearances: 327 (327/0) Goals: 11

Newman was born in Hereford and began his career with his local club, Hereford United, playing for their reserve side as a 15-year-old. He joined the Birmingham City groundstaff in 1949 and captained their nursery side, St Andrews Athletic, before being awarded a professional contract two years later. Despite only making 65 appearances in over six years with Birmingham, Newman did play an important part in the 1954-55 side which won Division Two and was also on the losing side in the 1956 FA Cup Final. He moved on to Leicester City in 1957 in search of first team football and, after being appointed club captain, helped the team avoid relegation.

Just over two years later, in something of a surprise, he was persuaded to join Argyle. Again he helped his side avoid relegation and became a fixture in the team for the next seven years. His class and experience were evident, whether he played at his favoured position of left-half, on the right-side or at centre-back. Newman was rewarded for his service when he was named the first ever Argyle player of the season in 1965-66. In 1967 he moved on to Exeter City, for whom he played for almost five years, the last three of which were as player-manager. He remained at St James Park as manager until 1976 and went on to take charge of Grimsby Town, Derby County and Hereford United.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION

If you can add to this profile, perhaps with special memories, a favourite story or the results of your original research, please contribute here.

From Steve Rhodes in Romsey,Hampshire on 10/11/2013 ...

January 1960 saw the arrival of John Newman from Leicester, in a busy week that also saw Jim McAnearney and George Kirby sign from Sheffield Wednesday. I first saw Newman prior to his debut against Middlesbrough. He was dressed in a stone coloured mackintosh and wore a yellow silk scarf with a paisley pattern. He looked what he was, a tough and uncompromising defender and a leader of men. The more he played, the more I admired him.

Fast forward 50 years and I wanted to write this man's life story, part of a book I am writing about Home Park in the early 60s. I spent a day with him at his ... More

From John Pickford in Surrey on 12/11/2013 ...

While my Peverell friends could boast of walking past Wilf Carter's house on the way to school I was lucky enough to live just a few doors down from Johnny Newman and his young family on Churchway in Weston Mill. A schoolfriend of my Mum actually lived next door to the great man. Despite all these advantages I never plucked up the courage to knock on his door for an autograph or better still a chat about all things Argyle. Apart from all the good times of those early 1960s my great memory of Johnny was his winning goal in the League Cup tie against Northampton. I was in the old Enclosure in ... More

From Margaret Howson in Perth, Australia on 07/07/2017 ...

My father Leonard Prottey was a very dear friend of John Newman when he lived and played for Birmingham City in the mid 50s. I have lots of photos from our wonderful holidays in Margate. Have lived in Perth, Western Australia since 1971 but like most people of a certain age doing family history and came across lots of holiday photos. Just wanted to say hello from Margaret Howson, nee Prottey, and my brothers Michael and Gary. And good old Uncle George Akers who is now 93. Thank you for accepting my contribution.

APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]

The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.