Shoot! would like to wish Newcastle United legend Peter Beardsley many happy returns as the former forward celebrates his 56th birthday today.

The Hexham-born player also starred for the likes of Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United, Manchester City, Carlisle United, Bolton Wanderers and Fulham, as well as representing England – competing at two FIFA World Cups (1986, 1990) and UEFA Euro 1988.

Beardsley, who made 322 appearances in all competitions for The Magpies, scored 119 goals for the club during three spells with Newcastle, after being released as a teenager in the late 1970s.

Although the forward failed to win silverware with the St James’ Park outfit, the 56-year-old helped lift the club back into the top-flight after a six-year absence by forming an exciting strike partnership with a certain Kevin Keegan during his debut 1983-84 campaign.

Having worked his way into the England set-up, Liverpool came calling and lured Beardsley to Anfield for a then British record transfer fee of £1.9m in 1987.

On Merseyside; the Three Lions ace enjoyed a successful silverware spell with The Reds, before joining their rivals Everton in 1991, only to return to Newcastle two years later for his third and final spell with The Magpies.

In honour of Beardsley’s latest milestone, Shoot! looks back on Beardsley’s career in a series of pictures…

Second time lucky at St James’

Having being released as a teenager by his hometown club Newcastle United in the late 1970s, Beardsley started his career at Carlisle United, helping them win promotion to the Second Division in 1982.

Shortly after; the forward signed for Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps, then flew back to England to join Ron Atkinson’s Manchester United for £250,000, only to make one first-team appearance for The Red Devils.

Beardsley gave Vancouver another crack in March 1983, although his second spell was short once more, before this time re-joining The Magpies in September 1983 for a reported £150,000.

Instant success

It was fair to say the centre forward was an instant hit for the Toon, helping Newcastle finish third in the Second Division, only behind champions Chelsea and runners-up Sheffield Wednesday, to seal promotion to the First Division after a six-year absence.

Beardsley netted 20 league goals during the 1983-84 campaign and formed a lethal strike partnership with Kevin Keegan.

His first goal for the club came against Cardiff City in October 1983, before netting his first-ever hat-trick against Manchester City in his next outing.

England debut

Having become a prolific goalscorer for club, it was time for Beardsley to show what he could produce for his country, as Bobby Robson handed the Newcastle United forward his England debut against Egypt in January 1986, coming on for Gary Lineker.

On his fourth Three Lions outing, he bagged his first international goal, coming in the 3-0 friendly win over Mexico in May 1986.

His England displays convinced Robson to include him in the Three Lions’ 1986 FIFA World Cup finals squad in Mexico, where Beardsley scored in the 3-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 stage.

In the quarter-finals, against Argentina, Robson’s men were knocked out, rather famously by Diego Maradona’s iconic “Goal of the Century” in a 2-1 defeat.

Goalscorer to Goalkeeper

Upon promotion to the First Division in 1984, Newcastle sealed a solid 14th place finish the follow campaign, with Beardsley netting 17 league goals.

However, the 1985-86 season threw up a new challenge for the Newcastle legend – forcing him to swap his goalscoring boots for goalkeeping gloves!

In April 1986, injuries to first-team and replacement ‘keepers saw the forward feature between the sticks for United against West Ham United – who won 8-1 overall, with Beardsley conceding the final three goals.

Record breaker

Following the 1986 World Cup, Beardsley helped Newcastle steer clear of relegation in 1986–87.

But the Toon were soon to lose their key asset when Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish came calling, sealing a then national record £1.9m transfer on July 14, 1987, leaving for Anfield.

In his debut 1987-88 campaign on Merseyside, Beardsley helped The Reds storm to the First Division title, going a record-equalling 29 league games unbeaten.

Captaining his Country

Having previously featured for England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, Beardsley was also called upon for UEFA Euro 1988 in West Germany and the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

But, one of Beardsley’s finest moments in a Three Lions shirt was when he was named captain during a goalless draw against Israel back in February 1988.

Hillsborough heartache

In April 1989, Beardsley was among the Liverpool stars left heartbroken after the Hillsborough disaster claimed the lives of 96 Reds supporters.

He attended several funerals and visiting injured fans in hospital during the aftermath.

Beardsley was part of the Liverpool squad that won the 1989 FA Cup final the following month, defeating rivals Everton 3-2 (A.E.T) at Wembley Stadium, although they lost the league title on the final day of the season to Arsenal.

The following term saw Liverpool roar back and lift the First Division, finishing nine points clear of second-placed Aston Villa – Beardsley’s second league title.

Merseyside switch

One year later, the 30-year-old was pursued by Liverpool’s arch-rivals Everton, before rubber stamping the move in August 1991 for a reported £1m.

Beardsley netted 25 goals in 81 appearances for The Toffees during his two-year spell at Goodison Park, although the club never finished higher than mid-table.

Third and final Toon spell

With Everton suffering financial difficulties, former club Newcastle offered The Toffees £1.5m for the forward’s services, which was accepted in July 1993.

Former strike partner Kevin Keegan was now manager at St James’ Park, having won promotion to the Premier League, finishing as Division One champions in 1992-93.

He played for a further four years for his hometown club, almost captaining The Magpies to the Premier League title in 1996, only to be pipped by Manchester United.

Beardsley later went onto play for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Fulham, Hartlepool United and Australia outfit Melbourne Knights after leaving St James’ Park in August 1997.

Coaching career

After curtailing his playing career down under in 1999, Beardsley returned once more to Newcastle United, joining the coaching staff.

However, he left his role when Glenn Roeder took over as manager in 2006, instead opting for a media role at the Toon.

As well as serving as assistant manager to Howard Wilkinson during his first caretaker period as manager of England (1999), Beardsley was re-appointed as an academy coach with The Magpies in March 2009, then promoted to become Reserve Team manager the following summer.

Come December 2010, the former forward was placed in caretaker charge of the Premier League squad following Chis Hughton’s dismissal, only for Alan Pardew to take over the reins a few days later.

But since 2011, Beardsley has been working as Football Development Manager at Newcastle United.