Newcastle United legend visits Whitley Bay care home to share football memories and World Cup thoughts

Malcolm ‘Supermac’ Macdonald is regarded as one of the Magpies’ best ever number nine strikers after amassing 138 goals in 258 games over five seasons with the club - he also went on to play for England.

And, after England’s 4-2 victory against Croatia in Dallas, USA, he was the guest of honour at a football themed open day at Bay View House, Whitley Bay.

The home – which is owned by Prestwick Care and was opened last year after a £12m renovation – threw open its doors to families and potential residents keen to explore its rooms and facilities.

There was also the chance for residents to sit down with the former player for a special screening of the 1966 World Cup – and to pick his brains on the current England team’s World Cup performance so far.

“There were one or two players that didn’t look right to me,” said Malcolm, who, during his career, played with many of those who made up the 1966 World Cup team.

“Stones looked as though he lacked fitness,” he said, but he had nothing but praise for captain Harry Kane.

“He stood out,” said the former striker. “Not only did he do a great job of captaining but of course he scored those two goals.”

But he said it was too soon to say which team would go on to lift the famous Jules Rimet Trophy.

“We haven’t seen enough of them yet,” he said. “There have already been some strange results and we need to see each team at least twice in my opinion.”

And, as he chatted about football past and present with residents at the home – which was also displaying the Northumberland Cup – won by Whitley Bay Football Club – he had little doubt about who was, in his view, the greatest footballer of all time.

“Johnny Haynes,” he said. “When I signed for Fulham he was the captain and Bobby Robson was the manager, but before that he captained England 22 times. He was a fantastic player.”

And it takes one to know one.