Martin Burleigh

Burleigh was born in Willington, County Durham. He played football for his local club, Willington A.F.C., before joining Newcastle United as a 17-year-old on amateur forms in October 1968. He replaced the injured Dave Clarke in a strong Newcastle team for Barrie Thomas's testimonial match in November, and turned professional in December. Burleigh was a member of the Newcastle United youth team that won the 1969 Rotterdam International Youth Tournament, defeating Arsenal's youngsters in the final. He made his first-team debut on 26 December 1970, in a 3–0 defeat away to Leeds United in the First Division, and Leeds' manager, Don Revie, was complimentary: "I thought he had a fine game. He had no chance with the goals. Some of the saves he made showed he has a fine future ahead of him". Burleigh had to wait over a year before making another senior appearance; his home debut came on 8 January 1972 in a 4–2 league victory over Coventry City. An injury to undisputed first-choice goalkeeper Iam McFaul in February 1973 allowed Burleigh a run of games in the first team, which ended when his left index finger was broken by a kick from Mick Channon during a 1–1 draw away to Southampton and he was ruled out for the rest of the season. A dispute with manager Joe Harvey stemming from his return to pre-season training seriously overweight caused him to walk out of the club. He returned, but played only twice more, the last of his 15 first-team appearances for Newcastle coming on 11 May…

Newcastle United

Anglo-Italian Cup: 1973