Quick Facts
Biography
Jon Newsome (born 6 September 1970) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender from 1989 until 2000, notably in the Premier League for Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United and Norwich City. He also appeared in the Football League for Bolton Wanderers.
Career
Newsome began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, where as a YTS scholar was present at the Hillsborough disaster carrying out ball boy duties. He joined Leeds United in 1991. At Leeds he played in ten games and scored twice (against Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United) as they won the First Division in 1992, meaning Newsome was eligible for a medal. Norwich City manager John Deehan paid Leeds £1,000,000 for his services in 1994. It was the first time that City had paid seven figures for a player and he remained the club's record signing until 2005 when City paid £3,000,000 for Dean Ashton.
Newsome was immediately installed as Norwich captain and became a popular figure with supporters. They voted him Norwich City player of the year at the end of his first season. His good form was not enough, however, to prevent Norwich from being relegated to division one. While Newsome could have doubtless returned to the Premiership he decided to remain at the club to help Norwich regain promotion. He signalled his intent with two excellent headed goals in a 3-1 victory on the opening day of the season against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
However the latter part of the 1995/6 season saw Norwich in a perilous financial position and they were forced to sell Newsome to Sheffield Wednesday for £1,600,000 in a move that enraged supporters and increased the protests against chairman Robert Chase. Newsome's career at Hillsborough was frequently interrupted by injury and despite frequent interest from other clubs, he was forced to retire through injury in 2000.
After playing
Newsome has remained popular with Norwich City supporters, and he returned to Carrow Road in September 2002 to play in the exhibition match against Harwich & Parkestone that marked the club's centenary.
Upon retirement, Newsome briefly worked as a scout for Grimsby Town before becoming the owner of a Sheffield-based car sales company, AutoMarques.
Honours
- First Division: 1991–92
Awards
- Norwich City player of the year: 1995