WIP version 0a - 20/10/23

03/06 - United place an advert in the Scottish Referee for right and left half-backs and forwards, all positions.

04/06 - A Grand Military Sports and Display event, organised by the officers of the Newcastle garrison, is held at Jesmond Athletic Ground (near the Station) in aid of the Scheme for the Reconstruction of the Newcastle United Football Club.

08/06 - United sign three forwards. They beat off competition from Woolwich for centre-forward James Logan (formerly of Sunderland and Notts County) who scored 68 goals for Notts in 1894/95, but last season he was severely impacted by three bouts of influenza. Centre-forward/inside-right William Mackay (Glasgow Rangers) is a young player of great promise and played a great game at centre-forward when Rangers came to Tyneside April last. Inside-left Andrew “daddler” Aitken (Ayr Parkhouse -19) was a reserve international for Scotland last season and is regarded as the most promising player in Ayrshire. Preston were interested in signing him too. The Military Sports event raised about £80 for the club.

Secretary Golding announces that next season’s team is complete except for an outside-left forward. Goal, J. Henderson (Clyde); backs, R. Clements (Rotherham), R. Foyers (St. Bernard's), and R. M'Dermid (Cosmopolitan Bob); half-backs, W. Miller (Kilmarnock), W. Graham, and J. Stott (Grimsby); forwards, J. Logan (Notts County), W. Milne, Jas. Collins (Notts Forest), W. Mackay (Glasgow Rangers), Aitken (Ayr Parkhouse), and W. Thompson.

08/07 - The club have decided to run a first-class Second Team in the Alliance and, to prevent their players being poached by other clubs, it will be a professional one with the players liberally paid for their services. Secretary Mr. Golding of 75, Mowbray Street will be glad to receive applications from local players of ability desirous of having a place in the team.

08/07 - Season tickets will go on sale this week, the prices are: 10s (admittance to ground), 12s 6d (first reserve) and a limited number of one guinea tickets for which a portion of the field will be railed off their exclusive use.

10/07 - At the Football League Management Committee meeting in Birmingham the signings of Logan, Clements and Henderson are confirmed as is Dickson’s move to Loughborough.

15/07 - There is a delay in the issue of Season Tickets as all the printers in the region are busy with General Election work.

29/07 - The season tickets are now on sale, and may be had at the hotels of Messrs Black and McConachie in Newcastle, and the hotels of Messrs Bell and Neylon in the East End district. They will also be out on sale at Mr Yates's hairdressing saloon in Westgate Road, and Mr CT Gent's shop in Byker. The season tickets are strictly limited in numbers, and early application for same should be made as none will be sold after the 10th of August.

05/08 - The players commence training, the Scottish contingent and new secretary Ferguson (who has drawn up a very strict set of rules for training) will travel down from Glasgow on Friday (9th).

09/08 - Mr Golding submits the annual report at the annual AGM where the club report a profit of £100 8s 10d. He talks of "bright prospects" and states that at the end of the previous season the club had sent out a circular "to those who were desirious of seeing a first-class team". As a result of the meeting a scheme was formulated and £220 had been subscribed as share capital through the efforts of the special committee which was formed. All the directors are re-elected except Mr Young who is replaced by Mr Black. The following players have been signed on: Keeper Henderson (Clyde); backs Clements (Rotherham), Foyer (St Bernard’s) and McDermidd; half-backs Miller (Kilmarnock), Graham, Stott (Grimsby); forwards Collins (Nottingham Forest), Mackay (G Rangers), Logan (Notts County), Aitken (Ayr), Thompson and Milne.

12/08 - Training commences under new trainer John Peers. It is reported that numerous local players want to join United who are now paying for a second team. The Shields Daily Gazette comments that "’oof’ is a wonderful allurement".

24/08 - Practice games have been taking place twice daily and Saturday’s trial match is watched by 5,000. Heavy rain makes conditions difficult and the game ends as a 2-2 draw between the first and second teams.

27/08 - Second trial match also ends in a draw.

29/08 - Final practice.

02/09 - Fr: Newcastle 1 Hibernian 2 - United have most of the play but are withheld by the Scotsman's effective rearguard. Mackay gets United's only goal between the visitors two.

04/09 - Fr: Newcastle 3 Glasgow Celtic 0 - In a fast game Milne puts United ahead early on and Logan adds a brace in the second period.

05/09 - The transfers in of Stott, Wardrope and Collins are officially sanctioned by the FA.

07/09 - Fr: Newcastle 3 Loughborough 0 - United play with the wind and sun in their favour in the first period which they dominate; scoring twice. The second-half is more equal but Logan adds a third just before the end.

11/09 - Fr: Sunderland 5 Newcastle 3 - In a game to entertain the Channel Fleet who are visiting Sunderland, United come back from two goals down to draw level by half-time but are outclassed by the current champions after the break.

14/09 - D2: Liverpool 5 Newcastle 1 - The opening manoeuvres are all in favour of Liverpool and they are 2-0 ahead after only six minutes then Ross completes a first-half hat-trick to make it 4-0 at half-time. Logan pulls one back after the restart but there is no way back. It isn’t all one-way, but Liverpool are firm defensively and United’s finishing is weak.

21/09 - D2: Newcastle 5 Notts County 1 - In lovely weather United are excellent in the first half despite playing up the incline. They storm into a 2-0 lead after only ten minutes and dominate the game thereafter. It is judged to be one of the club's best performances, thus far, in their short history.

28/09 - D2: Rotherham 1 Newcastle 1 - On a very hot day in Yorkshire the home side have to start with ten men because McCabe has gone to Worksop by mistake, although they eventually get a reserve on. The home side take the lead with fifteen minutes left only for Logan to equalise two minutes later. It is an even game with both keepers kept busy; United play well; with Henderson and Foyers excellent. During the game the referee is knocked over when he is hit on the head by the ball.

05/10 - D2: Newcastle 1 Liverpool 0 - United beat early leaders Liverpool in a well contested match on Tyneside. The life and vigour that is at once imparted into the game by both teams starts a wave of enthusiasm that never ceases until the final whistle blows. The Magpies play with the wind and hill in the first half and Wardrope's thumping early goal proves decisive. It is a very promising performance in which United combine resolute, fearless and speedy defence with dashing and swinging work on the part of the forwards. Henderson is once again excellent with his great fisting out of shots and Foyers is playing as well as any backs in the country. Aitken and Wardrope are the pick of the forwards and their cleverness in dribbling and running frequently elicits loud applause.

07/10 - United are fined 10 shillings for failing to send in results within the prescribed four days and fined 1 guinea for non-payment of subscriptions.

12/10 - FAC QR1: Newcastle 8 W Hartlepool NER 0 - Hartlepool had agreed to switch venue, however the railway men are hopelessly out the running throughout. They play pluckily, but in their passing and tackling the teams are completely unequal.

19/10 - D2: Newton Heath 2 Newcastle 1 - At Bank Lane Clayton, the homesters are well on top in the first half, but United defend really well with Henderson in particular excelling again. Home reporters suggest the Magpies may have the best defence in the League.

26/10 - D2: Newcastle 2 Newton Heath 1 - United, playing downhill, are the cleverest team in a disappointing first period but only have an own-goal to show for it at the break. The Magpies play the whole of the second half with ten men after Logan has to retire. It is rough but even in the second forty-five and although Kennedy equalises Wardrope grabs a late winner.

01/11 - Secretary JS Ferguson has resigned. Former secretary WG Golding will step in until a new paid secretary is appointed. A question of salary is stated to be the reason.

02/11 - FAC QR2: Newcastle 4 Middlesbrough 1 - The amateur cup holders come to Tyneside with a great name but fail to uphold their tradition and the scoreline is a fair criterion of the game. United prove much too strong for them especially in the second half when they send in a whole host of stinging shots.

09/11 - D2: Darwen 4 Newcastle 4 - Heavy showers have made the ground slippery underfoot and this combined with a strong wind makes conditions difficult for the players. Despite this they serve up an exciting, topsy-turvy, encounter. United are 3-0 down at the break but it is harsh on them. After the break they storm back to lead 4-3 before the Lancastrians equalise.

11/11 - United place an advert in the Scottish Referee for a new secretary.

16/11 - D2: Newcastle 7 Darwen 2 - The return fixture with Darwen produces another high-scoring game with United winning convincingly this time. United start down the hill and are all over their listless visitors. Mcdermidd scores with a free-kick after only 2 minutes and with Wardrope bagging a hat-trick United lead 5-0 at the break. Darwen pull a couple back at the start of the second half before United grab two more.

23/11 - FAC QR3 - Newcastle 5 Rendal 0 - United take advantage of the slope to storm into a 4-0 lead against their feeble amateur opponents. Aitken adds a fifth after the break meaning the Magpies have scored twenty goals in the last four games.

30/11 - Fr: Newcastle 0 Sunderland 4 - Henderson will have been disappointed with the first two goals which are of the soft variety in another humbling from United's illustrious neighbours. The Magpies become demoralised after the third goal and the game becomes very uninteresting from that point.

07/12 - D2: Burton Swifts 3 Newcastle 1 - At Peel Croft United, despite having the wind advantage in the first half, find themselves three goals down at half-time. Wardrope pulls one back soon after the game recommences and the game is even after that with no further goals scored.

16/12 - FAC QR4 - Newcastle 4 Tow Law 0 - United have the terra firm advantage but it is the plucky visitors who start the stronger. Stott scores on the half hour and after that United take control although Low defend bravely. Three goals without reply after the break secure another comfortable victory in the Qualifiers.

21/12 - D2: Newcastle 6 Rotherham 1 - Another thumping home victory for the Magpies. Despite playing uphill they dominate the first half but have to wait until just before the break to open the scoring. In the second half it is all United and the final humiliation for the visitors came when a Lennox corner is fumbled in by the custodian for the sixth.

25/12 - D2: Newcastle 6 Crewe 0 - Crewe are one off bottom. In the first -half Newcastle have all the best of the game and lead 5-0 at the break. In the second-half the visitors defence is sounder and the game is more even.

26/12 - Grimsby 2 Newcastle 1 - In a very fast game Collins puts Newcastle ahead before the home side, who have a strong wind in their favour, hit back to lead. United try hard to equalise.

28/12 - D2: Lincoln 4 Newcastle 0 - It is a bitterly cold and wet day on which struggling Lincoln are well on top in the first-half with the wind behind them. Although United play better after the break they are thwarted by an excellent display by French custodian Boullemier.

“Famous Footballers No 14” is issued which includes a Newcastle United team picture.

01/01 - D2: Newcastle 1 Leicester 0 - The injured Foyers and Miller, arguably United's two most important players, are replaced by Warburton and McDonald. Playing down the hill Aitken scores just before the break

02/01 - Newcastle 5 Lincoln 0 - In exceedingly miserable weather the Magpies start up the hill. The going is very deep and the ball soon becomes so heavy that it greatly affects the play. United lead 2-0 at the break and have the second period almost all to themselves.

04/01 - D2: Manchester City 5 Newcastle 2 - United stayed overnight at the Douglas Hotel on Corporation St and at the match there are upward of 600 Novocastrians on the Popular Side. The Magpies make a calamitous start and are 2-0 down within ten minutes. By the half hour mark they pull level only for City to regain the lead before the break. The homesters dominate proceedings in the second half and only wasteful shooting stops them from bagging even more.

11/01 - D2: Newcastle 1 Grimsby 5 - The weather is most favourable and there are many fans without wraps of any sort. They crowd the embankments around the barriers and some perch themselves on top of the palisading on the Park Side. With Foyers and Miller still both missing the backs are rejigged in an untried arrangement which results in total disorganisation in a total debacle. They concede twice within the first ten minutes and an expression of blank dismay perceptibly clouds the faces of not a few of those who had raised the banner with such cocksure confidence as the game commenced. Although Collins bangs one in for United a disastrous mistake by Henderson presents McCains with an open goal and the Fishermen adopt tactics of continually kicking the ball out which calls forth a good deal of remark from the home crowd. Things do not improve in the second half with United creating little despite having lots of possession and the visitors grabbing two further goals.

Shareholders send a deputation to the directors inviting in a friendly spirit their attention to the constitution of the team who were thrashed. The directors, through their chairman, promise better displays in the future. Stott is to remain as captain.

18/01 - Newcastle 3 Woolwich 1 - Despite last week's disaster a decent crowd shows up on a bright and clear day and the welcome given to the team shows forgiveness. Kick off is delayed for fifteen minutes and as the game starts the enthusiasm of the crowd is intense. With Foyers and Miller returning and United playing downhill with the sun and wind behind them they dominate the first half and score twice. The second period is even and after Arsenal net with a controversial penalty McKay restores the two-goal advantage.

25/01 - D2: Crewe 3 Newcastle 0 - Heavy rain in the morning and during the match makes the surface soft and greasy leading to fast play. United once again appear disorganised and are comfortably beaten.

27/01 - It is reported that Newcastle tried to lure Tom Watson from Sunderland but he did not want to leave.

01/02 - FAC R1 - Chesterfield 0 Newcastle 4 - It is dull but fine and the surface is very slippery; Derbyshire League Chesterfield are missing a number of men through illness. The attendance of approximately 5,000 is a new record for the homesters. The game is fast and furious from the start and with Wardrope in excellent form and well supported by the rest of his team United win in a canter.

08/02 - In the Lancashire press there are allegations that both players and directors at Newcastle are divided into East and West factions and that the East Enders might be considering forming a new club.

08/02 - D2: Newcastle 4 Burton W 0 - The United team take the field at the allotted time but only five Burton players have arrived; the others having missed the connection at Sheffield. The kick-off is delayed by which time three more have arrived. United play up the incline and almost immediately score. After about fifteen minutes the missing players arrive. In the second period United have both hill and wind advantage and add three further goals.

United are preparing for the cup tie with Bury at Talkin Tarn, Brampton.

15/02 - FAC R2: Newcastle 1 Bury 3 - The entrances are opened two hours before kick off and the stands and cinder banks soon fill with the ground full 30 minutes before kick-off. It is a record crowd and some venturesome fans mount railings around the ground. Newcastle enter the arena to a loud cheer and there is a lusty and prolonged cheer when they win the toss. And when the match official tries to start the game early numerous watches are forked out and the referee is loudly reminded that the eventful minute has not arrived. Thompson heads United in front sending the supporters into a perfect frenzy of delight. At half-time the United players leave the field as usual but the Bury players saunter about whilst the Workhouse Boys band entertains the crowd. It had been an even first half, but in the second period a three goal blast in six minutes from the Division 1 side turns the game on it's head and as a thick fog swirls in United's chances of another great Cup victory on Tyneside vanish. United are beaten but certainly not disgraced. A record £422 is taken in receipts.

22/02 - D2: Burton W 0 Newcastle 3 - United record their first League victory on foreign soil since December 1894, a period of almost 14 months, against 3rd placed Burton Wanderers. Despite playing against the wind Newcastle get off to a great start when they score with their first attack and although it was even after that Lennox scores twice more.

29/02 - Fr: Newcastle 2 Sunderland 2 - With rain falling all day the ground is very soft and the attendance is disappointing. Stott wins the toss and opts to play down the hill. The game is soon going at a great pace and Sunderland take the lead twice only to be pegged back on both occasions. In the second period both sides try their best with United encouraged by loud cries of "play up United!", - but the defences hold firm.

07/03 - D2: Loughborough 1 Newcastle 0 - In splendid weather the first-half is a bit of a non event with neither set of forwards really troubling the opposing keepers. The game is very even throughout even and appears to be heading for a pointless draw until the Luffs score three minutes from time.

14/03 - D2: Notts County 0 Newcastle 1 - A stormy Nottingham morning turns into a beautiful afternoon. Despite the fact that the home side do most of the pressing Wardrope is unlucky to have an effort disallowed for offside and then he does score just before the interval. Notts lose Bull to injury just before the goal and have to play the rest of the game with ten men. They try their best but cannot find a way through with Henderson in brilliant form. At times the crowd is tantalizing in its behaviour to the Novocastrian players and referee White has to speak to some objurgating individuals.

21/03 - D2: Newcastle 4 Manchester City 1 - City are in the race for the title with Liverpool and on a gloriously fine day they attracted a bumper crowd to Tyneside. Winning the toss United opt to go up the hill and they outplay the Mancunians in every direction to lead 3-0 at the break. Collins makes it four but although there are repeated cries of "Play Up United!" they ease off allowing Davis to grab a consolation.

03/04 - D2: Newcastle 4 Burslem Port Vale 2 - In beautiful weather struggling Port Vale shock United by scoring twice in the first fifteen minutes. United recover to make it 2-2 by half-time and perform much better after the break with only an excellent performance by the visiting goalkeeper preventing them scoring more than two goals.

04/04 - D2: Newcastle 5 Burton Swifts 0 - There is a decent crowd for the final home game considering the Easter fete (Hoppings) is taking place on an adjoining field which ensures a gratuitous cacophony soundtracks the game. With the weather dull and showery innumerable umbrellas are on show and the game starts twenty minutes late due to the late arrival of the visitors. It is fairly even for a while, but once the Magpies score they dominate proceedings.

06/04 - D2: Woolwich 2 Newcastle 1 - Although Woolwich forward Boyd fractures the fibula of his right leg after only five minutes United are beaten in a fast game at Plumstead. The Magpies’ sole reply is an own-goal by Powell in the last minute.

07/04 - D2: Leicester 2 Newcastle 0 - On a fine day Fossee have the best of matters in the first-half without scoring. In the second period a quickfire double settles the game.

11/04 - Fr: Newcastle 0 Clyde 0 - Showers are the order of the day in an evenly contested game which is spoiled somewhat by the blustery wind. United wear a change kit of light/Cambridge blue jerseys and dark blue shorts; purchased for the games with Notts County who also play in black and white stripes.

15/04 - Fr: Newcastle 3 Newcastle East End 3 - There are only about 200 at the game. United trail 2-0 at the break.

17/04 - At the monthly meeting of the Northern Alliance Committee at the Express Hotel in Newcastle a letter is read from J Graham, the secretary of the A team. He complains that when they played at Jarrow on the 21st March some spectators hurled stones and used abusive language. The Committee asked Jarrow to do their utmost to void a repetition of such a scene.

18/04 - Fr: Newcastle 3 Sheffield United 1 - This is the first in a series of exhibition matches with first League clubs. On a fine spring day Wardrope notches a couple of clever goals in the first half as United attack down the slope. After the break the visitors pull one back and it is not until just before the end that Lennox secures the victory with a hot shot.

20/04 - D2: Burslem Port Vale 2 Newcastle 0 - The League season comes to a close with another away defeat in the re-arranged fixture with Burslem; the original game in March being postponed due to the weather. Newcastle do most of the early pressing and have two goals disallowed but it is the home side who get the goals. The game finishes in semi-darkness due to a late start.

22/04 - Fr: Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 1 - A 7,000 crowd turns up to see United take on the League Champions in an entertaining friendly . Lennox screws a great corner right under the crossbar which Wilkes fails to gather and the ball goes straight into the net. This awakens the Villans and Devey hits a beauty that no custodian could be blamed for failing to stop its career.

25/04 - Fr: Newcastle 4 Derby 2 - The Peakites were the surprise package of the season, finishing in second place behind Villa They were allegedly offered a "capital guarantee" to travel to Tyneside and attract a crowd of some 10,000. Playing in broiling heat, Derby start down the hill and with the benefit of a stiff breeze whilst United have the glaring sun in their eyes. Within 7 minutes the Peakites are 2-0 ahead. United attack vigorously and square the match by half-time. Newcastle press relentlessly after the turn around and though they are up against a capital defence they score twice more.

27/04 - Fr: Newcastle 1 Sheffield Wednesday 4 - Although it is a fine day there is a strong wind down the hill which benefits the Cutlers in the first forty-five. The cup holders take an early lead and Aitken soon responds. Although it is fairly even in the second-half the Wednesday defence is very sound and their attack takes its chances well. It is a very poor performance overall.

30/04 - Fr: Newcastle 3 Sunderland 3 - Sunderland are poorly represented and Newcastle score three times without reply in the first-half. The roles are then reversed and in what is a very mediocre exhibition, the game finishes all-square.

18/05 - Newcastle’s squad is announced as follows. Goalkeepers: Watts (Burton Wanderers), Kinnear. Backs: White (Clyde), Foyers, Mcdermidd, Lockey, Warburton. Half-backs: Miller, Graham, Stott, Adam, Dixon, Walton, Carr. Forwards: Lennox, Collins, Smellie (Nottm. Forest), Aitken, Thompson, Wardrope, Hedley, Bartlett (Willington Ath), L Purvis (Jarrow-Rendel), Bell, Gillespie.

19/05 - At the Football League AGM United’s proposal to abolish the “absurd” Test Match system and replacing it with a straight two up two down is not carried.

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