"Naturally I'm flattered that my name has been linked with such a job, but I'm very happy at Middlesbrough and am not interested in leaving the club." Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren on the vacant Newcastle job (September 1 2004)

"Yes, I'm a Geordie and Newcastle's where my roots are and everyone knows what the club means to me, but nothing's changed. I'm committed to Birmingham." Birmingham manager Steve Bruce on the vacant Newcastle job (September 1 2004)

"What we must not forget is that it is the future of Newcastle United which is at stake here and the most important thing is that we get the right man." Freddy Shepherd on the vacant Newcastle job (September 3 2004)

"Terry Venables has not been here (St. James' Park). I have not spoken to Terry Venables. I can't remember the last time I saw him." Freddy Shepherd refuting claims that Terry Venables has been interviewed for the vacant Newcastle job (September 3 2004)

"I went to see the chairman and simply told him I was too young and did not want to take on the manager's position. This is a huge club and a huge job and I do not think I am ready for it. I decided to grasp the nettle before things got out of control. Yes I want to be a manager one day. If it was at Newcastle in the future then that would be great. But I believe that is a long way off, if indeed it ever happens." Alan Shearer doesn't want the manager's job (September 3 2004)

"I feel very happy with the way things went. We had a meeting, a good chat and our conversations will be on-going. I have an open mind about the situation now. Sir Bobby Robson would be a difficult act to follow - but to manage Newcastle is a great opportunity and I am very pleased to be considered." Terry Venables contradicting Freddy Shepherd's denial that the former England man hadn't been offered the job (September 5 2004)

"FIFA has informed the French Football Federation of their duty to immediately release his international transfer certificate (ITC) to the English FA, as the player has signed for Newcastle." A FIFA Spokesman confirming that Charles N'Zogbia is a United player (September 5 2004)

"Newcastle United have this morning announced that Graeme Souness will be the new manager. Souness has been in talks with both Blackburn and Newcastle over the weekend and will officially join the club next Monday 13th September after the two sides meet in the Premier League this Saturday. Graeme Souness resigned from his position at Blackburn Rovers on Monday morning." An official statement issued by Newcastle United announcing the appointment of Graeme Souness as manager (September 6 2004)

"I think I'm ready for a big challenge, and they don't come much bigger than this. "I don't need to be told by anyone that Newcastle are one of best supported clubs around. Everything is geared to be successful, and I hope I can bring success." Graeme Souness on becoming Newcastle manager (September 6 2004)

"He's a winner. A manager who wins trophies and that's what we want at Newcastle United Football Club." Alan Shearer on Graeme Souness (September 8 2004)

"They have so much passion and when I've been to St James's Park my recollection is that they are up and out of their seats backing their team and I love that." Graeme Souness on Newcastle's fans (September 9 2004)

"I was hugely flattered. It's great to be associated with such a massive club. There's too much here to leave. I had a look at it, but I didn't want to walk out and made the decision to stay. Time will tell if it's the right decision." Bolton manager Sam Allardyce reveals he turned down the Newcastle job (September 9 2004)

"We've all said our goodbyes to Bobby and shaken him by the hand because we all appreciate what a fantastic job he's done." Alan Shearer on Sir Bobby Robson (September 10 2004)

"I want to dedicate this win to Bobby Robson because it was the hard work he put in to this club that came out today." Caretaker manager John Carver speaking after Newcastle's 3-0 win over Blackburn (September 11 2004)

"All I ask of the players is to respect their team-mates, this football club and the people that work for this club on the staff side. If they have that attitude, we will not have any problems." Graeme Souness lays down the law (September 12 2004)

"I have a five-year-old lad and I'm pleased he will be brought up with a Geordie accent!" Graeme Souness (September 12 2004)

"What I've heard about Souness is if you play well in training then you play. If you don't, then you're out. That's great for me." Craig Bellamy on Graeme Souness (September 13 2004)

"Name me one Newcastle player who has got a better attitude than me. If anyone wants to doubt my commitment and say I'm a bad influence, that's not the case. Ask the fans. The reason why they sing my name is because I work my butt off, and always have done. I work that hard in training too. I say the odd stupid thing in the Press because I'm honest but perhaps I should tone it down. I shouldn't come out with comments like did after the Norwich game." A belated apology from Craig Bellamy for his comments about Wayne Rooney after the Norwich match (September 13 2004)

"Everybody starts with a clean sheet. I've been frustrated with the emphasis on my discipline. I was one of the lads when I was a young player, nobody liked their nights out more than me." Graeme Souness hoping to give everyone a chance (September 14 2004)

"He gives the impression that he has made his mind up so we will have to see what happens over the coming months." Graeme Souness hoping to persuade Alan Shearer not to retire as planned (September 14 2004)

" I've inherited some world class players and, with a few tweaks and a bit of luck, we can definitely win some silverware. I've been at big clubs before, but this is as big as any of them. Everything here is geared to success" Graeme Souness on what he has inherited from Sir Bobby Robson (September 14 2004)

"We can see Graeme going on even longer than Sir Bobby. He has got the whole package. This club needs somebody with stature to manage it. There's not just a local focus on Newcastle United. It's worldwide. Sir Bobby was the right man five years ago and we've had some great times. But it's time to move on." Freddy Shepherd on his appointment of Graeme Souness as Newcastle manager (September 15 2004)

"We got off to a great start and by half time at 2-0 we were happy, but we cannot be too disappointed. We were favourites to win the game but you don't get cricket scores any more in European football, and we take a cushion over there which we are confident of building on." Graeme Souness on beating Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin 2-0 at St. James' Park in United's UEFA Cup 1st Round 1st leg tie (September 16 2004)

"Newcastle is a giant club with ambitions, that I really want to play for. Now I can only smile. It's just such a big club and it will be exciting to play here." Out of contract Ronny Johnsen on signing for Newcastle on a 3 month deal (September 16 2004)

"We haven't achieved everything I supposed we might under Bobby. There were big problems in the dressing room which were well documented. The problems in the dressing room seemed to continue through into the season and I can understand Freddy Shepherd." Sir John Hall on the decision to sack Sir Bobby Robson (September 19 2004)

"We have to be happy with that result, not just because it ended a bad run at Southampton but because it is a while since this club has picked up maximum points away from home." Graeme Souness on United's 2-1 over Southampton at St. Mary's (September 20th 2004)

"The manager knows my best position and so do I - and it's not in midfield. But if he wants me to play out wide and do a job, I have to try to do it to the best of my ability, and that's what I did on Sunday." Craig Bellamy on playing out of position on the right wing (September 21 2004)

"The first thing I am going to ask Patrick Kluivert is just where did he get such a terrible shirt!" Graeme Souness on pictures printed in a newspaper showing Patrick Kluivert leaving a nightclub early in the morning (September 23 2004)

" Since I have been here Patrick Kluivert could not have worked any harder." Graeme Souness on Patrick Kluivert's efforts in training (September 23 2004)

"I still think it was a big mistake to let Woodgate leave. We desperately needed a top-class replacement for him, but we didn't really have enough time to find one and so we've been left short in that department." Shay Given on Jonathan Woodgate's sale (September 25 2004)

"I didn't really know what to expect from the new manager because I didn't know him before he came here, but I think everyone has been impressed." Shay Given on Graeme Souness (September 25 2004)

"Well, to be quite frank, the sacking was a shock. I was bewildered. I did not anticipate it, although I know that in the four games from the start of the season we hadn't won a match. We drew, lost, drew, lost." Sir Bobby Robson on life without United (September 26 2004)

"We had to be patient, but I had every confidence we would eventually break them down. They made it tough for us and you have to give them credit for that, but we knew they would do that before a ball was kicked." Graeme Souness on Newcastle's 3-1 win over West Brom at St. James' Park (September 28 2004)