Newcastle United's most controversial sale explained as Magpies legend gives rare interview

Newcastle United cult hero Barry Venison has given his theory on one of Kevin Keegan's most controversial decisions as Toon boss - the day he agreed to sell Andy Cole to Manchester United.

The £7million deal rocked the world of football and saw Keith Gillespie come in the other direction but that was of little consolation to supporters at the time and many gathered outside St James' Park to demand what was going on.

Speaking in a new book out for Christmas, Venison said: "Andy Cole, would I have kept him? I think the question is why he was sold? He wasn’t the best trainer and some people aren’t. He was a nightmare if he was in your five-a-side team because you were a man down.

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"I don’t know what happened to be honest but maybe his head was turned, maybe someone was tapping him up. I don’t know that of course but his performances and commitment to the club, players and team dropped a little bit and I think that’s why Kevin was happy to sell him.

"Kevin couldn’t stand for anything like that. It was fantastic business for the club and Coley. He went on to prove he could score goals on the biggest stage. At the time, I was thinking, ‘What is he (Keegan) doing?’ But at the same time, I had inside knowledge knowing Cole’s standards were starting to drop. So, overall, a fantastic move by the manager."

Venison's own transfer to Newcastle in 1992 caused shockwaves at the time given his links with Sunderland. But the Consett-born star, who now lives a life away from the limelight in the USA, stated he could have signed for the Magpies first had they taken him as a youngster.

Venison went on to be Sunderland's youngest captain at just 18 and led the Wearsiders out at Wembley in the 1985 Milk Cup final.

He said: "I’ve heard a few people say ‘eyebrows were raised’ when I, a former Sunderland player, signed for Newcastle. Think it was more likely pick axes were raised rather than eyebrows. I could hear fans in my imaginary mind saying, 'Get that Mackem bar steward out of here!’ Not many people know this but I was rejected by Newcastle as a youngster. I used to train with them but they wouldn’t sign me as a schoolboy and that is how I ended up at Sunderland."

Giving an insight into his own transfer discussions back in 1992, as he made the journey from Liverpool to Newcastle, Venison said: "I met Kevin halfway down the motorway, we had a good chat. You know what Kevin’s like, he could sell second-hand shoes to you if he wanted to.

"I’d been at Liverpool for six years. I knew my worth, what I could bring to a team, what I could bring to a club, and what I could give to a manager because I had confidence in my ability.

"Straight away I bought into his vision for the club and where he wanted to take it. He told me about the players he was going to bring in and I never had any second thoughts about joining. The fact that I had played for Sunderland in the early part of my career didn’t even cross my mind. I think the fans could see I was fully committed to the club through those early games where we won 11 games in a row.

"I’ve given my all for every club I’ve played for, I’ve had to because I wasn’t talented enough so, I had to work hard. I was all about energy, passion, organisation and helping those around me. I certainly enjoyed my time at Newcastle, that’s for sure."

The Entertainers 1992-1997 Kevin Keegan's Legacy by Will Scott is available in all BACK PAGE Shops in the North East and online at Amazon or www.newcastlelegends.com