newhouse was just 15 years and 350 days old when he was brought on a substitute by manager harry mcnally on the final day of the 1987–88 season in a 1–0 third division win for chester city at bury. this made him the youngest player to appear for the club in a football league match. as a 16-year-old apprentice, newhouse enjoyed a regular place in the chester side during the 1988–89 season, with his first goal coming in a 3–0 win over huddersfield town in september 1988. by the 1989–90 season newhouse was a member of the england youth squad and a full-time professional, and in february 1990 he moved to wimbledon for an initial fee of £100,000.