For all of Ossie Ardiles’ faults as Newcastle manager, his legacy was the blooding of some excellent, young, local talent in the first team.

Steve Watson, Steve Howey, Alan Thompson, Lee Clark and stylish left-back Robbie Elliott all got games when most other managers wouldn’t have taken the chance and all of them went on to pick up England honours at one level or another.

It would be easy to argue that these lads represent the best generation of young players we have produced in decades. Encouragingly, the current crop could well surpass those lads but the difference is that, unlike the league of nations players that we enjoy watching today, all of ‘the Class of 91/ 92’ were local.

Robbie made his first team debut in 1991 and went on to make 142 appearances scoring 11 goals over two separate spells – not a bad return for a full-back. He also picked up a couple of England U21 Caps.

Robbie is probably best remembered for his reaction to scoring his first goal for the club in a 3 v 1 win at Filbert Street on the opening day of the 94/ 95 season – The Funky Chicken was born. (If you can’t remember, think of the three goal celebrations Kevin Nolan demonstrated on October 31st 2010!)

These days Robbie is working for Nike and US Soccer. I caught up with him earlier this week…..

Nobby and Robbie Famously it was Ossie Ardiles who blooded you and a number of other promising youngsters at Newcastle. What was it like playing for Ossie? Could you understand him? It was great playing for Ossie. He came in and gave a lot of young players an opportunity very early. I remember he came to watch a couple of youth team games and obviously liked what he saw as a few of us ended up in the first team. You certainly had to listen very carefully when he talked but it was mainly "play, play, play". He gave me the freedom to attack as a fullback which I loved. That was a Golden Generation as far as the Newcastle United talent production line goes – Stevie Watson, Lee Clark, Alan Thompson, Steve Howey and yourself, all collecting England caps at various levels – why are so few young Geordies coming through now? I have no idea. I watch a lot of youth football and there are some incredibly talented players out there. Who do you see as the stand out young player at Newcastle now? I think the players who are pushing at the first team right now, Sammy Ameobi, Haris Vuckic and Shane Ferguson. The chicken dance! Was that planned or just something that happened? It was something that was devised whilst on a summer holiday with Andy Hunt. We made a pact that whoever scored first would do it. Andy was playing week in week out as a centre forward so I thought I was pretty safe, but obviously I wasn't How much did Kev Nolan pay you for the rights to it? Lol I used to see a lot of Kev in Newcastle as our daughters went to the same school. It was amazing the number of people who remembered the 'chicken'. After Kev did his version it was all people would say to me on the street 'do the chicken'!!! You played a few games for that lot down the road. I’m guessing you wore one of Clarky’s ‘SMB’ T-shirts under the shirt?! It was a strange 6 months there. I went in with Niall Quinn who is one of the nicest men you will ever meet in football. He left and in came Roy. It seemed that anyone who was associated with Niall wouldn't get a chance so I wasn't going to hang around and made a quick exit to Leeds. Speaking of Lee Clark - he is making a bit of a name for himself in the management game at Huddersfield. Was he always destined for management? Definitely! Even at a young age you knew Lee was always destined for management. Just as well as I don’t think he would get a job in the city! How far can he go as a manager? I know he has been linked with some higher profile clubs already. Lee has done a fantastic job, getting results with a team playing good football, the perfect mix. Is management something that you can see yourself doing in the future? No, I did a coaching course whilst playing and didn’t enjoy it, maybe I was too young. I decided to go down the fitness route instead. I think I will go back and finish my coaching badges at some point. You worked at Newcastle when your playing days came to an end. Where are you plying your trade now? I work for Nike and US Soccer. I am the strength and conditioning coach for the mens and womens youth national teams. I have already worked at 2 youth World Cups and been to places id never even heard of. I’d love to see a Milan style backroom of ex players in various roles – can you see yourself working at the club again? Yes. I enjoyed my time at the club immensely working with some great people. I remember seeing your son dribble the ball half the length of the pitch before scoring at the Gallowgate when he can’t have been any more than two years old! Is he still kicking a football around? Yes, I have two sons now (and a daughter). Ethan plays for Forest Hall and Cramlington and Max plays for Red House Farm and Seaton Burn. 4 games at the weekend and 4 training sessions makes me appreciate what my parents did for me when I was younger!! Ps he has the shirt framed in his room with some photos and the match report in which he was mentioned We have made a great start to this season – where will we finish? I wish I knew! I think this season is going to be wide open apart from the top 5 or 6 maybe. On any given day anyone can give you a hard game. Its exciting as you just don’t know what to expect when game day comes along. Ryan Taylor has been filling in your old position – how do you think he has done? Ryan has done a great job. Its not as easy as people think changing from right to left back or vice versa. Also his goals and set piece delivery are even more important this season with the players who have left. Thanks again for your time Robbie and best of luck in your career. Robbie is relatively new to Twitter and you can find him @robbieelliott3 If you want some NUFC chat and thoughts, you can also catch me @MarcSDuffy Tweet Follow ESPNsoccernet's Football Correspondents on Twitter and Facebook Comments   Post your comment Name: Email Address: Comments: characters left