Newcastle United fans still sing his name to this day but despite being a cult figure on Tyneside, Liam O'Brien has rarely spoke about anything but his derby goals for the Magpies.

Or at least until now, after ex-Republic of Ireland international decided to put this life story into an excellent autobiography with Pitch Publishing. O'Brien was always deemed a cultured midfield with a superb range of passing and survived a series of managers at St James' Park as he played under Colin Suggett, Jim Smith, Ossie Ardiles and Kevin Keegan between 1988 and 1994.

The Dubliner was signed from Man United and went through something of a black and white roller-coaster after enduring injury pain, relegation, promotion, derby joy and a taste of the Premier League - scoring the club's first goal in the revamped top flight.

Long before the dubious goals panel was introduced in 2007, O'Brien stepped up to take a trademark free-kick in a 2-1 defeat, and that turned out to be Newcastle's first goal in the Prem.

In his new book Pass Master, O'Brien said: "In our second game, away to Coventry City, I did start but...