Menu Players Managers Fans Seasons Miscellany


NUFC 1928/29 - Season Diary


May


Edmund Wood

28/05 - Edmund (Ted) Wood, the Rhyl centre half-back is signed for £950. He previously played for Northampton and Birmingham and impressed for Wales in their junior international match against Scotland earlier this year. He is 25-years-old and 6ft.


30/05 - United's annual report reveals that gate receipts dropped by £13,500 compared with last season, and the club's income was £8,000 less than last year. Consequently, the profit was £43, compared with £2,300 in 1926.


June


01/06 - Llewellyn Tudor (Tommy) Owen, Welshpool's goalkeeper last season, signs professional forms for Newcastle. He was the most impressive player in the Wales v Scotland junior international match at the end of last season. There was a lot of competition for his signature.


Billy Halliday

02/06 - Third Lanark sign inside-forward Billy Halliday (21) who joined United from Queen of the South a year ago. He is the brother of Sunderland forward David Halliday. He came with an excellent reputation, but has failed to adapt to the English game, making only tbc first-team appearance.


03/06 - United Chairman JP Oliver is re-elected to the Football League Management Committee.


Stanley Barber

12/06 - Bristol City sign half-back Stanley Barber for £500. Barber is 20 years of age, 5ft. 10ins. and 11st 8lb. He can play on either wing or in the centre, but the left is his favoured position. He joined in September 1925 and made one appearance.


15/06 - The club hold their AGM. Mr A Wardlaw argues that the annual report is "shockingly bad from the playing and financial point of view" and compares United's paltry profit with that of Middlesbrough (£8,000), Sunderland (£3,000) and even South Shields (£1,200). Mr Graham replies on behalf of the Board and admits it had been a disappointing season after such a good start. He cites the bad run of injuries and "shocking bad refereeing" as excuses, but states they are fully aware that certain positions needed strengthening. He goes on to say that the club would sign "one of the best half-backs in the country" in the next few days. "A six-footer, 12 stones and a young fellow 22 years of age".


David Flannigan

20/06 - David Flannigan, left half-back of Scottish Second Division side Third Lanark, signs for £2,500. Well sought after, he is 22 and sturdy and is reputed to possess the Newcastle style.


30/06 - Alf Brown (the ex-Morton forward), Jimmy Hunter (late of Falkirk) and Jimmy Low (the ex-Ranger) are all on the transfer list of Newcastle United.


July


02/07 - Chesterfield sign United reserve centre-forward Jack Lees. He is 22, stands 5ft 11in and weighs 11st 10lbs. He made 18 appearances tor Newcastle United Colts and the North-Eastern League team last season, and scored 28 goals. Lees has also played at inside left, but prefers to lead the attack.


06/07 - Third Lanark have been making inquiries about Frank Hudspeth, but have been informed that this player is not to leave St. James’ Park at the current time.


07/07 - At Airdrie Sheriff Court there is a hearing of an action at the instance of Mrs Hugh Gallacher against her husband, for aliment in respect, of herself and her child, Catherine, of £2 10s per week. Mr Hughes, appears for the pursuer, and says that in this case impoverished circumstances could not be pleaded. The defender is a professional footballer, and is presently in the employment of Newcastle United. He has been chosen to play for Scotland more than once, and with bonuses, etc., must be earning about £10 per week. However, he is at present £97 5s in arrears with his payments. Mr Cassells, solicitor, for defender, denies the amount his client is alleged to be in arrears. Sheriff King Murray continues the case till 31st July, on the understanding that the defender pays the continuation of the current aliment.


31/07 - In the Sheriff Court, the action for civil imprisonment of Hugh Gallacher on account of his failure to pay aliment for the support of his wife, is again called. Gallacher's solicitor states that he has been paying aliment since the last calling of the case. Mr Bell and Mr Cassells had been negotiating, and were still doing so. It was certainty that the case would be settled in a few weeks. Bell had agreed to continuation until the end of the month. Mr Bell said they were very anxious to get Gallacher started "working". The Sheriff continues the case accordingly.


August


13/08 - The " Sporting Chronicle " reports that Gallacher has informed the directors that he wishes to be transferred, and they are prepared to consider offers. Gallacher was suspended for a long period last season, and though he returned to the side, it was then reported that he would like to leave Newcastle. He was also "barracked" during one of the practice games.


15/08 - United's secretary refutes the Gallacher rumours: "There is not the slightest truth in it. Gallacher has not made any request to be placed on the transfer list. Nor are we prepared to consider any offers for him."


22/08 - The report from the Emergency Committee into the suspension of Jimmy Low from 25th August - 30th September "for having failed to observe his agreement with the club" is to be considered by the FA Council on 27th August. Low made his mind to retire in April, but he evidently had retired before his contract with Newcastle had expired. On the last Saturday of the season he declined to play for the Reserves in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup against Bedlington United. The Scot has previously stated that he has "had it with football" anyway.


25/08 - D1: Newcastle 1 Cardiff 1 - In glorious weather, reluctant new captain Harris leads out the side; the new Leazes Stand is open for business although it is still without a roof at present. In a brisk but undistinguished game Gallacher gives United an early lead and the visitors equalise from a second-half penalty.

29/08 - D1: Newcastle 2 Burnley 7 - Burnley, who are a revelation in football craft, are 6-1 ahead at the interval and have Newcastle floundering from start to finish. There are warnings galore as the game degenerates into "rough and tumble" with the focal point being the (regular) duel between Jack Hill and Gallacher which sees Hughie attempt to walk-off ten minutes from time. There is a storm of hooting at the final whistle; with Hill the main object of disapprobation.

September


Johnson scores his first of three

01/09 - D1: Sheff. United 3 Newcastle 1 - Although both sides struggle with the lively ball in an even half, the Magpies could easily have been three or four ahead at half-time and take the lead soon after the interval. However, famous centre-forward Johnson scores three goals in fifteen minutes to turn the game around.


Evans goes into hospital to undergo a cartilage operation.


07/09 - Arsenal are on the lookout for a new centre-forward and it is widely reported that they have made enquiries about Gallacher. There are also rumours that Gallacher would be interested in the move.


© Football Monthly

08/09 - D1: Newcastle 2 Bury 1 - Despite dominating the game against bottom-placed Bury, United have to come from behind and need two goals in the last fourteen minutes to secure their first victory of the season.


09/09 - Chairman Oliver states that they will not part with Gallacher "for a kingdom".


10/09 - D1: Burnley 4 Newcastle 3 - Another goal-fest with Burnley in which all the goals come after the break. United are leading with only fifteen minutes left, but once again are hit by a quick goal burst which sees them concede three goals in a disastrous six minutes.

15/09 - D1: Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 1 - Two teams that have been known historically for the quality of their football play out a sternly contested game in which both sides play with a dour determination. Villa take the lead midway through the first period but United equalise within minutes. An out of sorts Gallacher gets involved with some of the crowd during the match and the referee has to call a policeman across.

22/09 - D1: Newcastle 1 Leicester 0 - The Leazes stand is almost fully covered now and lots of spectators are starting to occupy that end. It is a hard fought game decided by Hudspeth’s powerful free-kick.


24/09 - D1: Blackburn 2 Newcastle 0 - The Lancastrians are unbeaten at home and United are a shade unfortunate not to get something out the game although weak finishing is the main cause of their downfall. It's a bad day for Hudspeth who misses a penalty and scores an own goal.

29/09 - D1: Man. United 5 Newcastle 0 - A disastrous defeat against a side which is not overburdened with footballing ability and had thus far failed to win. The defence struggles badly and all the goals are preventable whilst the forwards are woefully weak. Of all the teams in the Scottish and English Leagues, only Second Division Swansea have conceded more goals than Newcastle.

October


01/10 - Newcastle desperately need to strengthen at the back and they approach Cardiff for their international back Nelson, but Chairman Mr. Parker makes it clear that they "have not the slightest inclination to part with Nelson".


Bob McKay
Bob Thomson

02/10 - Newcastle swap inside-right McKay (28) for Sunderland left-back Thomson (25). McKay joined United from Glasgow Rangers in November 1926 but has struggled for form this season and Chalmers (when fit) has been preferred. He has made 66 appearences and scored 22 goals.

Thomson joined Sunderland in the summer of 1927 but has been kept out of the side recently by England. Both players have represented Scotland. The meeting between the two clubs lasts six hours and Newcastle also try to negotiate for another back (Oakley) but Sunderland are not prepared to sell him.


06/10 - D1: Newcastle 3 Leeds 2 - Although the visitors play the more scientific football, United's pluck and enthusiasm wins over in the end. The Magpies twice come from behind and then McDonald scores a fluky winner with a shot from fifty yards out. In all the excitement a couple of spectators invade the field; one remonstrates with the referee whilst the other seems to have completely lost his head.


??/10 - Dr: Newcastle 0 Hearts 1

In a game to celebrate today's opening of the Tyne Bridge by the King, the Scots deservedly win.

13/10 - D1: Liverpool 2 Newcastle 1 - Boyd gives Newcastle the lead within five minutes but Liverpool end up winning with a goal two minutes from time following a controversial free-kick decision.

Liverpool (11th) - Anfield - 35,000

15/10 - The pre-season practice games raised the rather disappointing sum of £315 for charity.


20/10 - D1: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 3 - The visitors give a debut to their new (transfer record) signing David Jack and on a windy day United are comfortably beaten. It is Gallacher's eighth game without scoring and United are now one off the bottom.


22/10 - Former Darwen back Clem Rigg completes a month’s trial but is not kept on.


23/10 - Assistant Secretary Watts and two directors meet with Burnley officials to negotiate for the transfer of Jack Hill, the international centre half-back. Officials of the Burnley club state that no deal had been completed, but it is understood that discussions will continue.


25/10 - Sunderland hold talks with Burnley in Harrogate but a deal cannot be agreed. Arsenal and a Lancashire club are also believed to be interested.


26/10 - Newcastle are made aware that Sunderland are trying to sign Hill and immediately make an offer which Burnley accept. Hill agrees terms and will be available for tomorrow's derby. He is regarded as one of the best pivots in the game. His great height of 6ft. 3in. gives him a tremendous advantage over his opponents, and he weighs well over 13 stone. A native of Hetton-le-Hole, Durham, his clubs before going to Burnley were Durham City and Plymouth Argyle. He joined the Lancastrians five years ago and has made 310/216 appearances for them. He has 6 England caps and has captained both Burnley and England, it is a huge fee for a 29-year-old.


27/10 - D1: Sunderland 5 Newcastle 2 - Jack Hill makes his debut at Roker Park but he looks nervous and there is no instant fix. Former player McKay scores twice and Newcastle have now conceded 36 goals in only 13 games. Gallacher scores a hat-trick for Scotland against Wales.


November


03/11 - D1: Newcastle 4 Huddersfield 1 - Shell-shocked custodian Wilson is replaced by Burns and Hill takes over as captain. And it is the new skipper who inspires United to a comfortable victory in a scrappy game which Gallacher at last nets (twice).


04/11 - A prominent Huddersfield official scotches rumours that they are involved in negotiations with United regarding their brilliant outside-right Alec Jackson.


05/11 - United sign outside-right T L Wilkinson from White-le-Head Rangers. He is 21-years-old, 5' 10" and 10st 9lb. He had a trial with West Brom a couple of seasons ago and is speedy and clever.


10/11 - D1: Man. City 2 Newcastle 4 - The home side have two-thirds of the game but the Novocastrians are infinitely the better team and fully deserve their first away victory. Hill's arrival has imbued the side with confidence and they combine individual artistry with great team-work and combination. Gallacher scores a hat-trick in the first thirty minutes.

14/11 - In an effort to recoup some of the Hill fee, United place six defenders on the transfer list including veteran Frank Hudspeth who is the last survivor from United's pre-war side. The other players listed are: (Derby Daily Telegraph 15/11)


17/11 - D1: Newcastle 1 Birmingham 0 - A strong wind - which reaches gale-force at times - spoils a game in which the visitors are left aggrieved. They believe that they have a legitimate goal disallowed and that their keeper is clearly impeded by Gallacher when Wilkinson scores the only goal.


21/11 - Former player Jimmy Low - signs up with Buckie Thistle.


23/11 - A terrific gale sweeps Britain and the roof is blown off the pavilion at St. James' Park.


24/11 - D1: Portsmouth 0 Newcastle 1 - It is still windy on the South coast and when the ball is in the air it is as lively as a Portsmouth blue-jacket on leave. Despite losing Thomson after only twenty minutes United's ten men battle bravely and Harris fires in a terrific winner.

26/11 - Preston deny that United have made an offer for Alec James.


December


01/12 - D1: Newcastle 4 Bolton 1 - Bolton are in excellent form having won five of their last six. United are bubbling over with enthusiasm in a game brimful with incident, but the scoreline flatters them with Magpies custodian Burns thrilling the crowd with an amazingly polished display. They become the first club to record five successive victories in Division 1 this season. Tragically, a spectator collapses and dies during the game.


01/12 - Amateur George Wilson Nevin's excellent performances in the reserves have attracted the interest of several big clubs so United sign him on professional forms. He is young, tall and well-built and comes from a well-known West Durham footballing family.


08/12 - D1: Sheff. Wed. 3 Newcastle 1 - Both sides line up before the game as the Band plays God Save the King in respect of the ill King George. An entertaining game, despite the treacherous surface, is heading for a draw until the home side score twice in three minutes towards the end. It is a tremendous game full of sparkling football in which league leaders Wednesday's more robust methods triumphed over United's artistry

15/12 - D1: Newcastle 4 Derby 1 - Once again, the teams line up for the National Anthem amid an impressive silence within the ground. There’s a couple inches of snow on the pitch and the fog is too dense to risk an interval. It is a splendid exhibition of attacking football with United eventually asserting their superiority, but it needs another excellent performance from Burns when the second-placed visitors are on top in the first-half.

19/12 - Chairman JP Oliver (68) dies with tragic suddenness at his home (Oakdene, Jesmond Park West) shortly before six o'clock in the evening. Mr. Oliver has not had the best health since he had a seizure whilst attending a meeting of the League Management Committee in London in 1921. A member of the directorate since 1902, he was appointed chairman in 1918. Mr. Oliver succeeded the late Mr. John Cameron on the Management Committee of the League, and since football was resumed after the war had been actively engaged in the government of the game.


22/12 - D1: Everton 5 Newcastle 2 - A rousing struggle in which both teams contribute, but whereas much of the old United artistry is apparent there is little end result. Chalmers gives United an early lead before the returning Dean scores a hat-trick for the reigning Champions.

25/12 - D1: West Ham 1 Newcastle 0 - Newcastle are unlucky not to get a point.

26/12 - D1: Newcastle 1 West Ham 0 - Although some players are rested United dominate the return fixture and would have won by more than McCurley's header if England international custodian Hufton had not been in such fine form.


29/12 - D1: Cardiff 2 Newcastle 0 - A fourth successive away defeat as the Welshman's more direct tactics are better suited to the heavy ground than United's short passing style.

January


Hutton clears

01/01 - D1: Newcastle 0 Blackburn 2 - Although the pitch is a mix of sand, frost and ice, second placed Blackburn are a class above. Playing fast, open football they are strongest in all departments and fully deserve their win. United's attack is far too small and lightweight to disrupt the Lancastrians sturdy defence.


04/01 - A reason is not supplied, but the club orders the players to meet at a city-centre hotel in the evening whereupon they will be kept under close supervision until tomorrow's match.


05/01 - D1: Newcastle 4 Sheffield United 2 - Unbounded determination and a will to win are the main attributes which bring victory. The forwards are more enterprising and dashing than in any other game this season, but United also have to withstand some severe and sustained pressure in the first-half.


07/01 - Newcastle travel to Weston-Super-Mare to prepare for the Cup match with Swindon. They will be staying at the Grand Atlantic Hotel which is located on the seafront and is the largest in the town. They will be getting lots of rest and relaxation and will be undergoing very little training. Although the railway company are running an excursion from Tyneside to Swindon and back for less than a pound note, it is not expected that Newcastle United will have a big following at Swindon.


08/01 - Newcastle officials travel to Glasgow to enquire upon the availability of the famous international Andy Cunningham, but an agreement on a fee cannot be reached. It has been suggested that he may be required at St James's Park with a view to, sooner or later, utilising his ability and experience in a team manager capacity. He is fine two-footed forward, being almost equally at home in either inside-forward position. Since the war Cunningham has been one of the greatest personalities in Scottish football.


09/01 - Watt states that following the failed negotiations with Rangers "there was no probability whatever of Cunningham coming to Newcastle United". One player who is coming to Tyneside is young half-back, Hugh Angus, who is signed from the Coquetdale League team. Angus comes from Ashington and is 5ft. 10in. and weighs over 11st.


12/01 - FA R3 - Swindon 2 Newcastle 0 - Despite the fact that it soon becomes apparent that United's short-passing tactics or not going to work on the hard ground they persist and are beaten by a Swindon side which does not need to raise its game.

17/01 - Stockport County sign veterans Frank Hudspeth (38) and Thomas Curry (34).

Hudpeth joined United in March 1900 and in his 29 years at the club has made more appearances than any other outfield player (482). Although a left-back he has scored 38 goals, all but 4 of which were penalties. South Shields born Curry has been at United for almost 17 seasons, amassing 248 appearances and scoring 5 times.


18/01 - Owing to their perilous financial position, caused by a lack of support, South Shields Football Club are considering a proposal to transfer their headquarters to the Newcastle racing track. No definite decision has yet been reached, but the proposal is likely to meet with strong opposition from the Newcastle United Club.


19/01 - D1: Bury 2 Newcastle 0 - United lose for the sixth time in succession away from Tyneside. They play plenty of pretty, constructive football, but bottom placed Bury's open methods are much more suited to the conditions and once again the small, lightweight attack fails to make much impression on a heavy ground and against a hefty set of defenders who don't stand on ceremony.


27/01 - Despite persistent rumours linking them with the player Newcastle deny that they are negotiating with Preston for Alec James, as, though they require forwards of his ability, their present need is for players of greater weight. A Newcastle official also states that they thought the fee placed on James "a fancy one”.


30/01 - Vastly experienced inside-forward Andy Cunningham signs from Rangers for an undisclosed fee thought to be about £2,500. He has been one of the finest players in the Scottish game, but is 38-years-old tomorrow. He has been at Rangers for fourteen years following six years at Kilmarnock. A master schemer and great tactician, Cunningham has won 12 Scottish caps and has appeared in 10 Inter-league games. He has been considering retirement and unsuccessfully applied for the Tottenham manager's job a couple of seasons ago.


February


01/02 - Newcastle make enquiries with Sunderland over outside-left Len Hargreaves but they do not want to sell.


02/02 - D1: Leicester 1 Newcastle 1 - Cunningham makes his debut and helps United end their away day blues in a keen and exciting game on another quagmire of a pitch. Gallacher equalises after the home side take the lead.

04/02 - Athletic News report that the fee for Cunningham was £2,250. a large share of which went to the player.


05/02 - United list seven players Owen (goalkeeper); Gillespie and Moody (backs); Park, Wood, Flannigan and Gibson (half-backs)


09/02 - D1: Newcastle 5 Man. United 0 - Gallacher scores a hat-trick against the wooden-spoonists who have custodian Staward to thank for preventing a rout. That the Mancunians are in a sad pickle is beyond question.


11/02 - Swindon secretary Sam Allen denies rumours that an agreement has been reached with United to sell centre-forward Morris to them at the end of the season. Although he admits that they have an obligation to sell him as soon as an acceptable offer is received.


16/02 - D1: Leeds 0 Newcastle 0 - More awful conditions as the frostbound pitch is covered in an inch of snow. Both sides put in the required effort but there are precious few clear chances as both defences are on top. At one point the referee gets in the way of a free-kick by Lang and is knocked out; the kick is retaken and the official gets in the way once more.

21/02 - United have been invited to Spain for a close-season tour.


23/02 - D1: Newcastle 2 Liverpool 2 - Lang scores twice in the first half-hour but Liverpool pull one back just before half-time and Maitland heads into his own net ten minutes after the break


23/02 - Gallacher scores four goals in Scotland's 7-3 victory over Wales.


March


09/03 - D1: Newcastle 4 Sunderland 3 - The club raise the minimum admission price to 1 shilling. Half an hour before the start the massive crowd spills on to the pitch and mounted police are requisitioned to clear the arena. In a thrilling game Sunderland equalise thrice, but Gallacher scores again two minutes from time with Sunderland down to ten men. A bus driver carrying supporters to the match takes a wrong turning when they are passing through Sunderland and lands his passengers in a cemetery.


Olney punches away

13/03 - D1: Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1 - Newcastle recover from a shaky start in which Villa take an early lead and Gallacher scores another brace as United play fast, dashing football. Villa are unlucky to hit the bar twice.


16/03 - D1: Huddersfield 2 Newcastle 1 - Huddersfield have not won at home this year and Cunningham's penalty puts Newcastle in front. But they are guilty of persisting with pattern-weaving tactics when a more direct method is called for and the homesters bounce back to win.


18/03 - At a meeting of the FA Council, Gallacher is reprimanded and warned for his conduct following his behaviour during the match at Leicester in February. He made a remark, rather strongly phrased, to an opposing player which was unfortunately overheard by the referee.


23/03 - D1: Newcastle 4 Man City 0 - Although Gallacher scores two penalties in a comprehensive victory, he also picks up an injury.


30/03 - D1: Birmingham 0 Newcastle 0 - United are the more artistic side but the Birmingham men have the clearer chances and are unlucky not to win; Briggs twice hitting a post and Hicks shooting straight at Burns when clean through.


April


01/04 - The director's revised list of open-for-transfer players contains no fewer than 16 men, including some big names. The most prominent are Seymour (who is due his second benefit next season), Gibson and Wilson. Flannigan, Evans, Park, Owen, Gillespie, Bradley, Moody and McCartney are also amongst those listed.


02/04 - D1: Arsenal 1 Newcastle 2 -


02/04 - It is reported that one of the directors who attended the Arsenal match said that it was unlikely that Gallacher would play again this season due to a weak knee and a damaged ankle.


03/04 - Secretary Watt states that the reports on Gallacher's condition are untrue, he is reporting regularly for training and should be available for the Portsmouth game on Saturday.


06/04 - D1: Newcastle 0 Portsmouth 1 - Newcastle are guilty of too much short passing as struggling Portsmouth earn a surprise victory on Tyneside with the only goal coming direct from a corner-kick.


08/04 - The club have applied to the Football League for permission to grant Seymour the £468 in accrued benefit that he would have been due next season.


09/04 - Fr: Hearts 3 Newcastle 3 - A capital game in benefit of Heart's player Johnston.

13/04 - D1: Bolton 1 Newcastle 0 - Cup finalists Bolton are without a number of players in a game delayed until the evening so as not to clash with the local point-to-point races.


George Scott

16/04 - Outside-left George Scott signs from South Shields for £1,250. He is 23-years-old 5' 3" and 11st. He comes from Blackhill and had an unsuccessful trial at Tottenham during the 1924/25 season.


20/04 - D1: Newcastle 2 The Wednesday 1 - A win for Wednesday will secure them the League title but in a bruising encounter on a bone-hard pitch it is United who secure the spoils with a couple of goals in the first thirty minutes from the returning Gallacher.


22/04 - Jack Hill is selected for this summer's FA Continental Tour Team.


The club have had to abandon plans for a summer tour of Germany. Plans had been at an advanced stage but the German F.A. have vetoed it indicating that visits by English teams are not desirable.


27/04 - D1: Derby 1 Newcastle 2 - Chalmers gets both goals on Cup Final day.


30/04 - Inside-forward J Harcus signs a professional contract - he has been operating as an amateur in the reserves this season. Dipton United inside-forward J. T. Greenwell is also signed.


May


04/05 - D1: Newcastle 2 Everton 0 - United struggle before the break and are indebted to Burns for keeping them in the game; after half-time they play with more purpose and slack defending allows Gallacher to score twice.


05/05 - Everton and Newcastle are both believed to be interested in Dundee United centre-forward Hutchinson.


06/05 - A match in aid of Hartlepool Hospitals is played in which a Hughie Gallacher XI (consisting of Newcastle and Sunderland players) plays a Carr XI (consisting of Middlesbrough and Sunderland players).


Bob Dennison

16/05 - Norman Bruce (centre-half) and Robert Dennison (inside-left) sign from Ratcliffe Welfare. Born in Amble, Dennison (17) is an inside-left and a six-footer. He cost £10.


20/05 - An estimated 50,000 Catholics from the diocese of Newcastle and Hexham attend an open-air mass at St. James' Park to celebrate the centenary of the Roman Catholic emancipation.


19/05 - Ambrosiana Milan 1 Newcastle 1

22/05 - Sunderland echo reporter Argus receives a sensational account of Sunday's game in Milan from Tommy Urwin and Bob Thomson and the paper reports it in their own words (written in the hotel on the evening after the game). "We witnessed some of the most amazing scenes to-day. We were one up in the first ten minutes, scored by Chalmers, our inside right. Then it began to get rough, but we were still in front at half-time. After changing over things got worse on account of the referee being very weak. He allowed the worst fouls imaginable and this at last led to Tommy Lang our outside left and their right back being sent off. Things went from bad to worse. They were given a penalty, what for nobody knows! Anyhow, the player deliberately missed the goal. After many more stoppages the game finished with the United still leading 1-0. All the boys played well, and our opponents were quite a good side, but the crowd was full of excitement and bitter against us. Well when we had to leave the stadium fully 5,000 awaited us, and we had to be escorted by the Army and the police, for our bus windows were smashed by the missiles thrown. Several players were hit. Burns, our goalkeeper, was cut about the face, and we were all lucky to escape. After being in the hotel a few minutes we were visited again by the mob, still strong, and flashing knives, and they are at this moment still outside giving us our "Sunday names". We have had orders not to leave the hotel tonight, and I can assure you we won't leave until train-time tomorrow (Monday)".


22/05 - Vienna Athletic Sporting Clubs XI 2 Newcastle 0 - Sporttagblatt criticises United's outdated tactics and ponders "poor Newcastle, what has become of you! The scientists without science". They also lambast the team's approach suggesting that they think they are on a pleasure cruise.


27/05 - The President of the Vienna FA (Herr Alexander Neumann) and the manager of the Rapid club (Herr Dionys Schoenecker) criticise United's "conservative, old-fashioned, machine-like safety first and unimaginative methods". They go on to say that "the British are perfect gentlemen, but they play as if their primary reason was to earn a day's wage instead of putting their heart into the game". They also suggest that the United players did not enter the field as fresh as they might have done.


27/05 - Sports Club Bratislava 8 Newcastle 1 - Local officials have enlarged the ground and built new grandstands in anticipation of the game but only 3,500 turn up. Bratislava take the lead through Uher after only five minutes and although Macdonald equalises on the half hour Priboj makes it 2-1 just before the interval. After the break Bratislava score five times in the first twenty minutes through Uher (48m), Bulla (53m), Cambal (54m and 60m) and Uher (65m). With fifteen minutes left Priboj gets injured and retires; Newcastle do not permit a substitute. But the home side stay in control and Uher scores his fourth in the last minute with a fine solo effort. At the conclusion of the game the crowd whistles vociferously in complaint. "Der Morgen" describes United's performance as the "peak of indolence" and argues that "this complete failure of the English" proves that "the gentlemen make only pleasure trips" and are not interested in providing "sporting value". "Reichspost" calls it "almost a scandal... without parable in the history of international football life".


29/05 - Slavia 1 Newcastle 1 (0-0)


30/05 - The Vienna newspaper "Sportagblatt" calls upon the Austrian FA to prohibit visits from English clubs in the future as "teachers who have nothing to teach, fighters who don't fight, and players who have no ambition to play are unwelcome visitors here."


30/05 - Milan newspaper "Corriere della Sera" flatly contradicts the claims against the Italian crowds. It claims that the English players lost their tempers when they perceived that the Italian team was tougher than they thought and they resorted to brutal methods in an attempt to disable their adversaries. They also claim that when the penalty was awarded the English players attacked the referee, kicking and bruising him. As a protest the Milan team refused to take the kick. Finally they say "we are astonished at the Newcastle United team's unchivalrous and unsportsmanlike behaviour, rendered worse by their attempt to throw the blame on the Italians".


30/05 - Mr. F. G. Wall, secretary of the Football Association, responds to the Italian newspaper reports: "I have seen these statements. If there had been any improper behaviour by the English players in Italy it would have been the duty of the referee to bring such behaviour to the notice of the Italian F.A., who would then communicate with the English F.A. We have had nothing. I think it is sufficient for me to say that."


30/05 Hungarian Professional XI 4 Newcastle 1 - United suffer another defeat. Gallacher scores a penalty in the first half but he and Maitland are given their marching orders after the break as the play assumes a very rough character. After the game the Hungarian FA officials refuse to pay Newcastle the sum of money agreed when the match was arranged; £165. It is believed that a part of the amount is paid after a strong protest by the United officials.


31/05 - Newcastle's display in Budapest results in very strong adverse comment in the Hungarian Press. It is claimed that the Hungarian FA are considering the advisability of refusing to arrange further tours and that they have refused to pay the sum of £165 due Newcastle United for the match. The money will be sent to the English FA, who will be asked to exercise their discretion as to whether Newcastle United should receive it or whether it should be refunded to the Hungarian authorities.

The "Magyar Hirlap" says the English players did not play and claims they boxed, struck, and kicked the Hungarian players.

"Ujsag" remarks that the Hungarian public will be represented by its enemies abroad as lacking in self-control and being too temperamental. Would the London public, it asks, have taken it calmly if the foreign players had been guilty of brutal conduct? It also claims that the spectators remained calm and preserved their dignity.

The" Pesti Naplo" says Hill and Burns alone were above criticism.

The " Budapest Hirlap" and the " Magyarsag" express the opinion that British professional football has spoilt itself in Budapest for years to come.