Now into his seventh year at St. James' Park, Czech Interantional Pavel
was signed by former United boss Jim Smith from Banik Ostrava for £350,000
in February 1991, when the Magpies were but a modest side in the old Second
Division. While other goalkeepers have come and gone, Pavel has remained
at United even though many clubs have shown a keen interest in him. After
losing his place to Shaka Hislop midway through the 1996-97 campaign, Pavel
was recalled by Kenny Dalglish for the last four matches and kept a clean
sheet in each of them as United stormed into second place and the European
Champion's Cup.
