Newcastle United were riding a crest of a wave atop the Premier League, then Kevin Keegan left, and so nearly did Pavel Srnicek – to Sunderland.

In the previous campaign the club had finished runners-up to Manchester United and Srnicek was fighting for the number one jersey with the recently-arrived Shaka Hislop. The rollercoaster continued the following season, Newcastle leading the table in November for a period – but there was discontent in the ranks.

As the festive season rolled around, the club dropped to sixth and without a win in seven; Keegan was becoming anxious and the strains were showing. Then either side of New Year, Tottenham Hotspur (7-1) and Leeds United (3-0) were put to the sword.

Keegan though was gone, the announcement he had left the club was made on January 8 and, with Hislop having played the two New Year fixtures, Srnicek was worrying on his future. Next up was a trip to Villa Park, a trip which didn’t go down well with the Czech shot-stopper.

“Kevin Keegan quitting was a massive bombshell,” he admitted. “Keegan had gone and I was thinking of doing the same. I’d had enough. I couldn’t take any more of the yo-yoing in and out of the team so I went to see Arthur Cox and told him I wanted to move.

“Arthur listened to what I had to say and was very understanding and acknowledged my circumstances. But he asked if I could wait and show some patience. Arthur promised he would take care of my situation if I promised not to do anything impetuous, like put in a transfer request. I gave my word I wouldn’t. But, when I found out I wasn’t in the starting XI for the Aston Villa match, I was furious.”

The game at Villa Park finished 2-2 with Alan Shearer and Lee Clark netting, and Hislop was beginning a lengthy run in the first team, a run that would have Srnicek contemplating his future elsewhere and of all teams to come in for him, Sunderland headed the queue.

“I deliberated for a while but then thought I’m not waiting any longer. I’ve had enough of this. I’d had six years of being in and out of the side. I was angry and frustrated. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back, so I went to Russell Cushing’s office and put in a transfer request.

“I’m thinking that Keegan is not here now and I’m still not getting a game. I thought Arthur would have selected me for the fixture at Villa Park. It certainly looked that way when we had our chat. I let my emotions get the better of me. I know my behaviour upset Arthur and I don’t think he has ever forgiven me for this.

“When I put in my transfer request I got a call from Peter Reid. I don’t know how he got my number or who gave it to him…Peter didn’t call Newcastle, as far as I’m aware, he just rang my home number.

“He had a house in Sunderland, somewhere, so I went to see him. We had a friendly chat and he told me he rated me as a keeper and tried to sign me before but was refused permission to talk to me.

“The Black Cats boss explained how he wanted to build a new side and wanted me to be part of it. He said there was no pressure and that I should go away and think about it. I seriously thought about the move.”