The story of the eighties right backs is a testament to the resilience of a certain John Christopher Patrick Anderson. Not the best defender to play for the club, but certainly one of the most loyal and hardworking. Never one to shirk a challenge he saw off a number of competitors in the right-back slot and turned out in a number of defensive and midfield positions.

The [appearances[sub appearances]/goals] for each player refer to their complete career at The Toon and not just games during the eighties.

Peter Kelly (1974-1981) - Kelly has to be one of the unluckiest players ever at the club. He was at SJ for eight years but rarely played due to a series of bad injuries that finally forced him to retire in 1981 at the age of 24. He was an excellent prospect who combined sound defensive skills with regular upfield sortees and was selected for the Scotland Under 21 squad. With John Brownlie out injured he started 1980/81 as the first choice but only managed 9 games before his injury jinx struck again. [36(2)/0]

John Brownlie (1978-1982) - Scottish International Brownlie returned from injury in February 1981 and reclaimed the right-back berth. One of the original Toon exponents of the eighties bubble-perm he continued to provide an attacking option down the right during 1981-82 and weighed in with three goals of his own. With the imminent arrival of KK and Terry Mac there were simply not enough curling tongs around and John had to go. [135(1)/3]

John Craggs (1982-1983) - With Brownlie gone Cox had a gap to fill and Craggsy had the ample to fill it. It was a case of out with the curly and in with the burly. John is one of the select few players to have had two different spells at the club. When he returned he was 33, but Cox managed to squeeze another 10 (3) games out of him. [68/[5]/1

John Anderson (1982-1992) - Ando arrived as a free transfer reject from Gordon Lee at Preston and gave United ten years loyal service before being forced to retire through injury. His tough uncompromising style and his never-say-die attitude made him a firm terrace favourite despite being skilfully challenged. Although a right-back at heart he played right across the back-line and in midfield for the club. [322(17)/15]

Malcolm Brown (1983-1985) - Brown played 259 games in a row for Huddersfield; before playing for United he suffered an achilles tendon injury which kept him out for 12 months. Jackie Charlton made him first choice as United returned to the top-flight with Ando reverting to sub. He retained his place until just before the end of the season whereupon he was returned to The Terriers. At 6' 2" (and 13 stone) he is the tallest full-back ever to play for United. [45/0]

Neil McDonald [Carlisle 08/82 £10,000 - Everton 07/88 £525,000] - Spotted playing for Wallsend Boys Club he became United's youngest ever debutant (16 years and 326 days) when he played against Barnsley in 1982/83. Preferred to play in defence, but often used as a midfielder he had a decent shot and fine range of passing. Left in the summer of 1988 to the dismay of the United fans... oh no, sorry that was Gazza [190(18)/28].

Ray Ranson [Birmingham 12/88 £175,000 - Man City 01/93 Free]One of the many experienced players that Jim Smith brought in to try and regain top flight status. The twenty eight year old took a while to win over the fans as he displaced crowd favourite Anderson. Smith would eventually move him into the centre of defence before a bad run of injuries ended his SJP career. [96(6)/1]

Other players who turned out at right back whose "normal" position was elsewhere were Peter Haddock, Alan Davies, Steve Carney, Chris Hedworth, Bjorn Kristenson and Kevin Scott.

In a mirror image of the way John Anderson dominated the right flank during the decade, Kenny Wharton saw off all-comers on the left. He may have been small and lightweight but he was a determined tackler who always gave his all.

The rest of them failed to impress; a mixture of internal products with tidy side partings, bought-in youngsters with unfulfilled promise and a couple of old lags well past their sell buy date.

Ian Davies [June 1979 - Aug 1982] - The transfer fee paid for for Davies in June 1979 [£175,000] was only £25,000 short of United's record at the time. It was a lot of money for an inexperienced youngster. A left-back of the attacking variety, he never really impressed and Cox allowed him to leave on a free. Lets face it, how hard can a defender be with a middle name of Claude? [81(1)/4]

Chris Withe [Oct 1980- Jun 1983] - Unlikely brother of gnarled old Peter Withe, Chris looked more like a member of a New Romantic boy band. Immediately after turning professional - having just turned eighteen - he was given a chance in the first team. Unfortunately his second and last game was the 6-0 drubbing at Chelsea. Another one who left for nowt. [2/[]/0]

Wes Saunders [Jun 1981 - Nov 1985] - Replaced Ian Davies during 1981/82 and kept his place to the end of the season. During the following year he lost his place to Wharton but returned in the promotion campaign as a centre-back in place of the injured Jeff Clarke. Formed part of a three man central defence under Jack Charlton in 1984/85 before reverting to left-back and then going out on loan. Has been suggested that he was handier off the field than on it. [93(0)/1].

John Ryan [Aug 1983 - Sep 1984] - Great things were expected of England U21 international Ryan when he arrived at SJP on the eve of the promotion season. Looked decent going forward but found wanting as a defender and the crowd were soon on his back. A disastrous performance in the home match against Huddersfield saw him substituted against a background of cheers from the crowd and that was the end of his perticipation. Reinstated by Charlton in 1984/85 he soon upset Big Jack who sold him because he "played too much football." [31(0)/1]

Wharton Kenny [Jan 1979 - May 1989] - Along with Ando, "the pride of Blakelaw" was one of United's greatest servants during the eighties. "Bones" played in defence and midfield and was a tigerish competitor despite being physically challenged. Loved kicking the ball over his head and reserved a place in history by sitting on the ball during a game. Has since returned and left and returned to SJP as a coach to the juniors [303[24]/37]

Rob McKinnon [Oct 1984 - Jun 1986] - Signed by Charlton, McKinnon was captured from Scottish junior football. When Wharton was injured in September 1985, McFaul handed him his debut against Spurs at the age of 19. Unfortunately United were thrashed 5-1 and McKinnon was pulled off before the match ended. He never got another chance. Seemed to have found his level at Hartlepool but then played so well that he ended up at Old Trafford on loan and capped by Scotland. [1(0)/0]

John Bailey [Oct 1985 - Sep 1988] - With Wharton still injured Willie McFaul looked to the experienced Bailey [28] to add some class and weight to the defence. The latter was achieved comfortably with the Laurel like Wharton being replaced by the Hardy like bubble permed Scouser. Known for his scouse "wit" boxer Bailey failed to see the funny side when Kenny muscled him back out the side. 41[1]/0.

Brian Tinnion [Feb 1986 - March 1989] - Yet another left-back product of the youth team who emerged during this decade, Tinny made his debut at the end of 1986/87 in midfield. Got a handful of games during the following two seasons and even made the England U21 squad. However, never really established himself and left on a free. [35(2)/2]

Kenny Sansom [Dec 1988 - May 1989] - During 1988/89 new manager Jim Smith tried to save stricken United buy buying experience. Thirty year old former England international Sansom looked an excellent buy (even at a hefty £300,000) but he didn't seem to have a stomach for the fight. He was on the winning side only three times. [24(0)/0]

Mark Stimson [May 1989 - Jul 1993] - £150,000 was a lot to pay for a Tottenham reserve but the weedy looking Stimson held off the threat of the thistle Sweeney during the last season of the decade. His relationship with the Gallowgaters would gradually sour in the next decade. [96(4)/3]

Paul Sweeney [Mar 1989 - May 1991] - One of Jim Smith's many purchases as he tried to save United from the drop the 24 year old Scot was drafted in as an emergency midfielder. Never established himself and soon returned to his homeland. Hard working and hard tackling but skill wise not such a "hot toddy" [33(9)/0]

Other players who turned out at right back whose "normal" position was elsewhere were Pat Heard (midfield) and John Anderson .