chroniclelive.co.uk

Newcastle United's class of 1997 - where are the stars that beat Barcelona now?

The Magpies beat the Catalan giants 27 years ago but what happened to the likely lads of 97!

Newcastle United line up before their 3-2 win over Barcelona in the Champions' League, September 17, 1997

Newcastle United line up before their 3-2 win over Barcelona in the Champions' League in 1997

(Image: Getty Images)

It's 27 years since Newcastle United's famous win over Barcelona in the Champions League at St James' Park.

Those who were there or watched the match on TV will never forget how the Magpies tore into Barca, with Colombian maverick Faustino Asprilla - supported by flying winger Keith Gillespie - playing the game of his life and giving United a sensational 3-0 lead to send the 36,500 crowd into a frenzy.

The Spaniards came back strongly in the second half with relentless one-touch passing, and scored twice, but Newcastle held on, just, to claim a 3-2 victory - one of the most famous in the club's history.

So where are the boys of 1997 now?

Newcastle United legend Shay Given

Newcastle United legend Shay Given

Shay Given

Works as pundit for BBC and TNT Sports and as Newcastle global ambassador on overseas trips

Warren Barton

Lives in California these days and works as a pundit on Fox Sports.

Steve Watson

Currently boss of Darlington in the sixth tier of English football and was recently youth coach at Newcastle

Philippe Albert

Part-time grocer in Charleroi and pundit on Belgium TV. Albert was fuming when he was sold by Ruud Gullit after five happy years on Tyneside.

John Beresford

Newcastle match day host and club ambassador. Won an MBE for spearheading Show Racism Red Card campaign where he remains a key figure, educating schools across the north.

Photo shows Keith Gillespie in action for Newcastle United

Former Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie

Keith Gillespie

The architect of two of Tino's headers is now a football agent who also advises players on mental health after previous problems with betting addiction.

Rob Lee

Remains a legend on Tyneside after his key role in the Entertainers. Works on the talk-in circuit and runs Speedflex gyms.

Was voted into Newcastle's hall of fame and worked as an Evening Chronicle columnist during the barren Mike Ashley era, often irking the Sports Direct tycoon with some strong views.

John Barnes

An ambassador and match day host for Liverpool after managerial stints at Tranmere and Celtic following his playing career.

David Batty of Newcastle United challenges Barcelona's Luis Enrique in 1997

David Batty of Newcastle United challenges Barcelona's Luis Enrique

David Batty

The former England star chose to live a life away from the limelight and is a recluse figure in Yorkshire. Has been spotted at the odd Leeds game.

Tino Asprilla celebrates scoring with Jon-Dahl Tomasson

Tino Asprilla celebrates with Jon-Dahl Tomasson(Image: Daily Mirror)

Jon Dahl Tomasson

Currently, Sweden's national team manager after a stint at Malmö and Blackburn. Has recently found himself caught up in the Alexander Isak affair after calling the striker up for international duty while on strike.

Faustino Asprilla scores one of his three goals in Newcastle United's 3-2 Champions League win over Barcelona at St James' Park, September 17, 1997

Faustino Asprilla scores one of his three goals in Newcastle United's 3-2 Champions League win over Barcelona in 1997

Tino Asprilla

The hat-trick hero against Barca lives back in Colombia and has a business selling condoms and making his own sugarcane. Comes back to Newcastle at least once a year to relive his younger days with wild nights out.

Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.

And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Everything is Black and White podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.

Read full news in source page