Joe Allon: Brentford 56 appearances, 28 goals; Newcastle United 10 appearances, 2 goals

Geordie native Joe Allon, pictured below middle row, third from right, began his career with The Magpies as a junior, helping them to win the FA Youth Cup in 1985, but failed to establish himself in the first-team at St James’ Park. After spells at Swansea City, Hartlepool United, and Chelsea, Phil Holder signed Allon in 1992 for a club record fee of £275,000. Joe’s six goals couldn’t prevent relegation from Division One and was loaned out to Southend United the following season. On his return he scored nine goals in eight games before a broken jaw ruled him out again. He added another five goals in nine games, including a hat-trick against Bristol Rovers, before joining Port Vale after less than 18 months at Griffin Park.

Carl Cort: Brentford 34 apperances, 7 goals; Newcastle United 28 apperances, 10 goals

Carl cost Newcastle United £7 million in 2000 as Sir Bobby Robson bought the England Under-21 international to St James’ Park with great fanfare. A goal on his home debut against Derby County promised much but soon the injuries took hold, restricting him to just 13 games in his debut season. It was a similar story the following season as he managed just one goal in an injury ravaged season. By now 31, Carl joined The Bees in August 2009 and found the net seven times in his first season, including a memorable late goal against MK Dons, earning a one-year contract extension. However, he featured just four times the following season and left Griffin Park in January 2011.

Les Ferdinand: Brentford 3 appearances, 0 goals; Newcastle United 84 appearances, 50 goals

Given what he achieved later on in his career, Les’ month at Brentford in 1988 wasn’t memorable as he was substituted on all three appearances in red and white stripes. Les joined Newcastle United for £6 million in 1995 and enjoyed two remarkable years on Tyneside. The striker netted 25 league goals during the 1995/96 season, form which saw him named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, as Newcastle let a 12 points slip lead slip to finish second in the Premier League. A further 21 goals arrived the following season as The Magpies again finished second behind Manchester United before another big money move to Tottenham Hotspur.

George Stobbart: Brentford 64 appearances, 23 goals, Newcastle United 72 appearances, 22 goals

George, pictured below alongside Jim Towers, made his name as a prolific wartime forward for Middlesbrough, scoring 125 goals in 168 games, but lost his place when the Football League resumed in 1946. A move to Newcastle United followed as did two goals on his debut against Coventry City. George spent three years at St James’ Park, scoring nine goals in the 1947/48 promotion winning season, before transferring to Luton Town, Millwall, and finally Brentford in 1954. George’s first season in West London yielded 19 goals, including our fastest ever goal, a ten second effort in the 3-2 win over Aldershot that November. George made only 13 appearances the following season, scoring four goals, before slipping into non-league football, eventually returning to Brentford to run a pub in the town.