Our 10 striking photographs from the ChronicleLive archive recall some of what was going on around Tyneside 35 years ago
You may have noticed that Newcastle United and Brazilian footballers have figured in the news of late.
And it was the same 35 years ago.
Back in summer of 1987, United signed Francisco da Silva – known to all as Mirandinha – from Palmeiras for £590,000.
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‘Mira’, as he was soon nicknamed, was effectively the replacement for the departing Peter Beardsley at a time when foreign players were a rarity in the domestic English game.
For those who recall the first Brazilian to play in English football, he was fast, head-down direct, and had an eye for goal.
Fans’ hopes that we might have another Pele on our hands were sadly unfounded, but the striker’s record of 24 goals in 67 appearances for the Magpies was respectable enough.
Our main image shows the newly-signed player meeting Newcastle fans at St James’ Park.
It’s one of 10 photos we’ve plucked from the ChronicleLive archive that recall a…
