NUFC 1938/39 - Season Review

Despite struggling away from Tyneside, United won their first 8 home games and when they beat leaders Fulham at St. James' in November they took over at the top of the table. Centre-forward Cairns was in great form scoring 17 goals in 18 games.

In the New Year the goals dried up and United failed to score for six games in a row.

However, with 9 games left Newcastle were in 2nd place and still in line for promotion.

But in what was an extremely tight table a run of 5 draws and 3 defeats saw United slip out of contention.

Before New Year United's home form was excellent (10 wins and 2 draws), but fell off markedly with 5 defeats in the last 9 games. Away from home they struggled to score and their record was not promotion material.

R3: United deservedly beat Division 1 strugglers Brentford on a peat-covered pitch.

R4: Division 3 South side, Cardiff, provided tougher opposition and United needed a replay and a late goal surge to see them off.

R5: Newcastle gave Cup holders Preston a tough game in which all the goals were of the soft variety.

Although the annual report and balance sheet revealed a small profit the club was in debt to the bank and all the directors had to pay guarantees.

Former United player Stan Seymour become a director of the club and became the major mover as far as transfers was concerned.

Trainer James McPherson and coach Harry Bedford both resigned.

Norman Smith, the former Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town right half was appointed trainer-coach to Newcastle United. He had previously coached England and gained an excellent reputation coaching abroad.

Mr G. Rutherford, director of Newcastle United, was elected to the Football League Management Committee in succession to the late Mr. Phil Bach.

Fierce critic of the Board, Mr McKeag, failed to get elected but took the opportunity to have his say at the AGM. "There can be no doubt that the playing experiences of last season can only be described as utterly and completely deplorable. Surely at no time in the whole life of the club has there been such a monotonous succession of poor displays on the field, of miserable ineptitude fumbling and foozing, and lack of cohesion and concerted action. "

Sunderland director John Cochrane attempted to set up a midweek League for the leading clubs in the North East. However Middlesbrough and Newcastle turned down the idea straight away and the idea never got off the ground.

Goalkeepers

Swinburne [31] got the nod at the start of the season but was replaced by new signing Theaker [15] in the New Year.

Backs

Richardson [34] was backed up by Craig [9] on the right and Ancell [46] was an ever present on the left.

Half Backs

Gordon [28], Denmark [34] and ever present Wright [46] were the regulars with Carver [11] in reserve.

Forwards

Birkett [26] and Park [15] shared the outside-right position with Stubbins [24] or Clifton [33] generally used on the inside.

Cairns [33] was the pivot for most of the matches.

The left side was usually covered by Bowden [31] with Mooney [42] on the outside.

Total number of players used: 24

Though languishing in Division 2 United were the fourth best supported team in the country.

The home match with Fulham attracted a crowd of 64,166, the second highest attendance of the season.

Despite objections from the police, Newcastle magistrates granted an application for a two-hour extension of the licensing hours (from 4pm to 6pm) for the visit of Cardiff in the FA Cup. The application from Mr. Forster argued that with a large crowd expected "it is desirable in the interests of good order that the crowds be off the streets as quickly as possible".

Following "incidents" at the Bradford home game the FA ordered Newcastle to post warning notices around the ground and in the next four home programmes. The spectator who caused the trouble at that match was refused admission to the ground for the rest of the season.

One of the first Preston supporters to arrive in Newcastle for the Fifth Round cup tie was Britain's championship hitch-hiker Thomas Davis who had not missed a Preston match in years. The journey took him ten hours and the ex-Tynesider immediately went to see Tom Mather to get a ticket (he had never been refused at any ground).

Park and Kelly (the new signing from Leeds) ended up brawling after a religous argument got out of hand.

In the home game against Coventry United had a goal disallowed because the referee had been knocked over in the build up.