NUFC 1926/27 - Season Review

Having invested so much during the previous campaign it was hardly surprising that the directors kept their wallets closed during the summer, but they did surprise the Tyneside faithful with their decision to make the brilliant, but fiery, Gallagher captain.

Gallagher was in sensational form from the off, scoring four on the opening day of the season and bagging 20 goals by Christmas. The addition of the classy Robert McKay helped the Magpies put a shaky start behind them and they climbed to the top of the table by mid-January.

A fabulous run of 10 wins out of 12 meant that they led Huddersfield (champions for the previous 3 seasons) by 3 points by mid-March.

When United beat The Terriers 1-0 at home in April it gave them a 6 point advantage over the Yorkshiremen and second placed Sunderland, but there were still five games to go. Huddersfield closed the gap to 2 points by beating Newcastle on home turf.

With 2 games left United had a four point advantage and a much better goal average and when Bolton thumped the Champions 4-0 in the next game United became Champions for the first time since 1909.

United finished up five points clear at the top, with their home form proving decisive. They won 19 out of 21 games on Tyneside whereas they only won 6 times on their travels. They notched 96 goals in total (second to Sunderland's 98) and let in "only" 58; the best in the division.

Despite the economic crisis crowds were huge at some games and a new attendance record was set in the Tyne Wear derby when 67,211 crammed into St James'.

In the Cup United recorded their record victory (at that time) when they beat Notts County 8-1, but were once again turfed out by Second Division opposition when Southampton beat them in the Third Round.

Gallagher's 36 League goals is still a record although his 39 League and Cup goals was usurped by Andy Cole.

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