On this day in 1996, Geordie super-sub Graham Fenton dented Newcastle's title hopes at Ewood…

Newcastle United’s infamous capitulation after leading the Premiership by 12 points in January 1996 reached its nadir on April 3rd as Liverpool beat them 4-3 in an all-time classic match. Just five days later, Rovers delivered another huge blow to their title hopes thanks to a Geordie striker’s late double. (No, not that one…) 

Rovers signed England U21 international Graham Fenton from Aston Villa in November 1995, but Alan Shearer and Mike Newell’s productive partnership ensured that his chances were limited until spring. He suddenly made his name as the most famous Rovers super-sub ever with five goals from the bench in five weeks. Most memorable of all was that heroic brace in another dramatic match against Newcastle in front of 30,717. 

Rovers had to wait 67 matches for David Batty’s first and only goal for the club, before he joined Kevin Keegan’s team. Months later on his first return to Ewood, he only went and scored a crucial goal in the 76th minute to give Newcastle the lead. 

Fenton, a product of the Wallsend Boys Club, then clinched two goals in the last five minutes to break their hearts. The winner was a breakaway classic as the visitors pushed for a winner – Jason Wilcox sent a long ball forward and Shearer played in Fenton to beautifully clip the ball over Shaka Hislop. 

“My family and mates were all down for the game and when I spoke with them beforehand they made it clear that I hadn’t to score!” revealed Fenton. “I have never taken so long getting changed after a game – I had to face them up, they were so disappointed and there was me on cloud nine!”

After failing to continue his form when starting matches in the difficult 1996/97 season, Fenton moved on to Leicester City having scored a total of seven goals for the club.  

The above piece is taken from Issue 111 of 4,000 Holes, which provides a light-hearted review of the nineties – ORDER VIA THIS LINK.