03/06 - UNITED SACK CHIEF COACH DAVE SMITH - There have been ongoing issues with Dave Smith for some time. He was unhappy about the rumours that United were looking to appoint an Assistant Manager above him, he had clashed with Harvey over future team policy and had been angered that his request for a wage-rise had been deferred until Christmas. The matters came to a head at last night's Board Meeting resulting in his sacking. Having joined from Sheffield Wednesday four years ago Smith was hailed as the tactical genius who led United to Fairs Cup glory.
03/06 - John McNamee is set to sign a new improved contract next week and has also closed down his wastepaper business to concentrate on football.
05/06 - James Thompson signs for Grimsby. The dainty little midfielder has been wanting a move for some time and went on loan to Dunfermline and Barrow last season.
06/06 - There are further delays in the proposed Green transfer due to the fact that Blackpool have reached the Final of the Anglo-Italian Cup which will be played next Saturday. Stokoe has made it clear that there will be no more talks whilst they are in the competition. Also, Green is currently on international duty.
10/06 - Reserve team coach Keith Burkinshaw is promoted to First Team coach following the departure of Dave Smith to Arsenal.
10/06 - Sheffield Wednesday have had a £60,000 offer accepted for Wyn Davies and hope to speak to the Welshman shortly.
11/06 - Truck-driving weightlifter Ron Brown has been employed to do weight-training sessions with the juniors. If the experiment is a success Ron (who finished 5th in the recent Mr. World competition) will work with the senior players too.
13/06 - Reports suggest that there is a 50/50 chance of the Green deal going ahead although Harvey states that there is no chance of Keith Dyson going in the opposite direction. Notts. County are said to be interested in Alan Foggon.
14/06 - Joe Harvey reveals that he is trying to agree a deal with Blackpool for Tommy Hutchinson after admitting that the Tony Green deal collapsed last Tuesday because the clubs could not agree on a fee.
16/06 - Blackpool manager Bob Stokoe reveals that although the club do not want Green and Hutchinson to leave, they will be allowed to go if someone offers £150,000 for either of them. Harvey is not willing to pay this much and is aggrieved that "six weeks work have gone down the drain". Hutchinson is also disappointed as it was an opportunity to move closer to his home town of Fife.
19/06 - United refuse to accommodate Leeds' request to postpone their game with them. Leeds' Elland Road Ground has been closed for three weeks due to the incidents in the game against West Brom at the end of last season. John Tudor signs a new two-year contract.
Jimmy Smith has a cartilage operation on his right knee. Bobby Moncur has an x-ray on his left ankle; it has been troubling him for a while and flared up again during the Home Championships.
23/06 - Wyn Davies turns down a move to Sheffield Wednesday.
24/06 - Strapping full-back Alan Kennedy (who is the younger brother of current reserve Keith) signs as an apprentice professional. Young winger Michael Hale departs for Gateshead on a free.
25/06 - Harvey makes a tentative enquiry for wantaway Arsenal midfielder Jon Sammels.
Middlesbrough want John Craggs who is determined to move on. "I have made up my mind, I can't stay in the reserves any longer. I've already had five years of it and it won't do my career any good prolonging it".
SHOCK COMEBACK FOR ALLEN? - Joe Harvey is considering bringing Geoff Allen out of retirement despite the fact that he was told in March 1970 that he was unfit to play again. Allen spent last season coaching the youth team and the club have already received compensation. "I have had a long chat with him about the way he's been moving and he is as keen as I am to give it a go. We've never had the sort of strength down the left flank we need since we lost him". Harvey plans to give him a game during pre-season as there is "nothing to lose".
.12/07 - The team photo-call takes place at St James'. Meanwhile sacked first-team coach Dave Smith is appointed Reserve Team Manager at Arsenal at a considerably higher salary than he was earning on Tyneside.
13/07 - Bob Moncur's shin injury has flared up again and he will need to go back into plaster for three weeks.
16/07 - The FA Commission into the incidents at Old Trafford when United played there in February orders the ground to be closed from 14-28th August, lam McFaul was pelted with various objects and Ron Guthrie found a knife on the ground which he handed over to a policeman.
17/07 - Wyn Davies holds talks with Manchester City.
18/07 - Newcastle supporting Lynne Charlton from Gateshead wins the Golden Girl competition run by weekly magazine Goal.
21/07 - A new set-back for Jim Smith who has pulled a calf muscle.
25/07 - Wyn Davies is set for a move to Manchester City after holding talks with assistant manager Malcolm Allison on Saturday night. Allison is "very confident" the deal will go ahead but Davies says he needs to consider their offer along with the one from Sheffield Wednesday. Jim Smith starts light training but is unlikely to be fit for the start of the new season. Bob Moncur - whose leg is still in plaster - is also highly unlikely to be ready.
30/07 - Fr: St. Etienne 2 Newcastle 1 - Macdonald scores his first goal for the club, but the French champions play with verve and aggression and win very comfortably.
31/07 - Tony Green refuses to sign a new contract at Blackpool and will remain on the option period of his current contract which has twelve months to run.
John Craggs signs a new contract, but states that this does not mean he is happy to play in the Reserves.
03/08 - Wyn Davies' move to Man City is completed for a fee of £60,000.
03/08 - Dyson and Tudor are both ill after contracting a stomach bug in France.
04/08 - Alan Foggon moves to Second Division Cardiff.
05/08 - Newcastle have agreed terms with Leeds for the purchase of left-sided midfielder Terry Hibbitt. He is going to talk the move over with his family and give a decision on Monday.
07/08 - Fr: Newcastle 1 Benfica 0 - EUSEBIO SAVES THE SHOW - A tame and disappointing victory against Portuguese giants Benfica is only enlivened by the skill and shooting power of Eusebio. The great man hits the post with an incredible free-kick (taken from a spot six yards from the goal-line and half-way between the penalty-area and the touchline) and has numerous other pots at goal.
08/08 - It is reported that the local police have set up a special "skinhead force”.
08/08 - In an interview with the Sunday Sun John Tudor predicts that he, Macdonald and Dyson will score more than fifty goals in the League between them. Quite a claim considering the whole team only managed forty-four goals last term. “I've never looked forward to a season more than this. I feel an important part of a club that is really going somewhere".
09/08 - Left-sided midfielder Terry Hibbitt signs from Leeds for £30,000 where he has made 11/14 appearances. He is 5’ 6.5” and 9st 10lb.
10/08 - Fr: Aberdeen 3 Newcastle 2 - Burton suffers an ankle injury after 28 minutes in a competitive friendly.
14/08 - D1: Crystal Palace 2 Newcastle 0 - UNITED HAND OUT TWO GIFT GOALS - The Magpies are the better side for long periods of the game, but gift Palace two goals. Whilst Macdonald struggles to adapt to the pace, Hibbitt is tremendous.
18/08 - D1: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0 - FIVE GO IN THE BOOK IN SPURS FIASCO - Another blank day in the Smoke in a match that reaches the headlines for all the wrong reasons. McFaul, Macdonald and Hibbitt are all hit by staples fired from a catapult (by two 14-year-old boys) at the start of the second half. As the new disciplinary code is enforced (an unheard of) five players are cautioned in a game which is far from dirty. "It's crazy. The game seems to be going to the dogs" is Harvey's opinion.
21/08 - D1: Newcastle 3 Liverpool 2 - HAT-TRICK HAILS A SHOOTING STAR - Macdonald scores a brilliant hat-trick on his home debut before staggering off to a standing ovation after a brutal challenge from Liverpool 'keeper Clemence. It is a thoroughly entertaining game in which both teams play their part. Rookie ref Terry Farley is drafted in as the allocated official Maurice Fussey ricked his neck on the train journey north. Harvey also misses the game as he is back on his travels scouting for a new young centre-half to partner Moncur. He is also still in search of a midfielder. Youtube highlights
25/08 - D1: Newcastle 0 Huddersfield 0 - IAN TOOK STOCK ON MAC - Terriers manager Ian Greaves phoned Macdonald’s former boss Alec Stock for advice on how to stop him scoring and it seems to do the trick. It is a poor game in which the visitors pack the middle of the park and United fade alarmingly after the break much to the disappointment of the big midweek crowd. Macdonald comes closest when he hits a post.
27/08 - CRAGGS FOR BORO FOR £60,000 John Craggs moves to Middlesbrough; “with David Craig as competition it was obvious one of us had to go”.
28/08 - D1: Coventry 1 Newcastle 0 - UNITED SUNK BY BLOCKLEY - United are reasonably comfortable for the first hour, but after they take the lead the Sky Blues dominate.
30/08 - United announce that Malcolm Hoole has been promoted to Club secretary following the resignation of Denis Barker.
01/09 - D1: Leeds 5 Newcastle 1 - UNITED CRUSHED AS LEEDS ROAR BACK - The match is played at Hillsborough due to Elland Road being closed following the disturbances at the West Brom game last season and after a powerful second-half performance from the Yorkshireman Newcastle are on the end of a thrashing.
Reserve ‘keeper Martin Burleigh is likely to be out for weeks with a wrenched ankle. Peter Ewart is called up for the reserves.
04/09 - D1: Newcastle 2 West Ham 2 - ROBSON’S SMILE TELLS A TALE - United struggle creatively and the fans sing the praises of Jimmy Smith, but he is not yet match fit.
04/09 - Seymour and Harvey scout Aberdeen centre-half Willie Young and are so impressed they attempt to open negotiations, but The Scots are not willing to sell at any price.
06/09 - NEW MONCUR BLOW FOR NEWCASTLE - X-rays confirm a recurrence of Moncur's shin problem and his left leg is put in plaster again. He is expected to be out for 2 months. He will also be on a diet for excessive calcium. As a result Harvey will look to sign a sweeper rather than a centre-back.
08/09 - LC R2: Newcastle 2 Halifax 1 - UNITED LAY THAT BOGEY - The Magpies start as if they mean business and score twice in the first 17 minutes. But complacency sets in and the Third Division side should have scored twice before they grab a consolation. It is only United's fourth victory in the competition in the twelve years of its existence.
11/09 - D1: Man. City 2 Newcastle 1 - Although it is a much improved performance and Macdonald gives them the lead United slump to another defeat. Meanwhile back on Tyneside Jimmy Smith doubles the usual reserve attendance as he returns from injury.
13/09 - UNITED BEAT DEADLINE FOR HOWARD - United sign Pat Howard (23) from Third Division Barnsley for £21,000. He has played as a sweeper and a centre-back for his hometown club.
West Brom reserve keeper John Osborne has turned down a chance to move to Tyneside on loan.
15/09 - TC R1 L1: Hearts 1 Newcastle 0 - ANDY HEADER “LYNCHES” UNITED - United are by far the better team in the first-half but are toothless upfront once more and have no response to falling behind. Nattrass has to drop into defence following an early injury to Burton and is United's star.
18/09 - D1: Newcastle 2 Wolves 0 - GENERAL HIBBITT SPURS NEWCASTLE REVIVAL - An injury to Ollie Burton means new signing Pat Howard makes his debut.
24/09 - The team have a nightmare trip to Ipswich as their train breaks down twice.
25/09 - D1: Ipswich 0 Newcastle 0 - NATTRASS THE STAR IN NEWCASTLE DEADLOCK - Macdonald again struggles to make any impact in a close-fought and generally tedious game.
Dundee United make an approach to take Ian Mitchell back, but he turns down the move as he would have to take a pay cut.
28/09 - ARENTOFT SIGNS FOR ROVERS - Preben Arentoft moves to Blackburn for £25,000.
28/09 -TC R1 L2: Newcastle 2 Hearts 1 (agg 2-2 - Newcastle win 4-3 on penalties) - UNITED SCRAPE WIN AFTER A HEART-STOPPER - Macdonald levels the aggregate scores five minutes from time with the Scots players’ protests being followed by bottles from the visiting supporters. Both sides score in extra-time and United win on penalties.
Guthrie’s injury jinx strikes again as he suffers a recurrence of his hamstring injury.
United sign 20-year-old Willie Coulson from North Shields.
29/09 Secretary Hoole states that the boys gates will be closed on Saturday to teach them “a sharp lesson”. They have been coming onto the pitch after goals are scored and it was particularly bad on Tuesday.
01/10 - Charlton turn down a £100,000 bid for centre-half Paul Went.
02/10 - D1: Newcastle 0 Derby 1 - NEWCASTLE IN A DAZE - With Colin Todd completely subduing Macdonald, Derby could easily have won by five as they dominate from start to finish.
04/10 - Tottenham are fined £200 as a result of the metal staple firing incidents.
06/10 - LC R3: Arsenal 4 Newcastle 0 - NIGHTMARE FOR CRAIG AS UNITED SLUMP - United's makeshift defence somehow keeps the Gunners out for fifty minutes with three shots cleared off the line and one striking the bar. But Arsenal's four second half goals see United crashing out of the League Cup and to make matters worse Jimmy Smith suffers an injury to his opposite (left) knee in his much-awaited return game.
08/10 - David Craig has added to the ever-growing defensive crisis with an achilles tendon injury.
09/10 - D1: Arsenal 4 Newcastle 2 - MAC’S GOALS BRIDGE THE GAP - The Gunners score within a couple of minutes and lead 4-0 with six minutes left. Macdonald (who was annoyed by pre-match comments from Arsenal goalkeeper Wilson who said most of their players didn't rate him) struggles to make an impression and suffers constant barracking from The Gunners fans. But he gets some revenge by grabbing a late brace.
10/10 - SMITH - HE’S OUT FOR THREE MONTHS - Jimmy Smith will need an operation on his left knee to remove the cartilage.
13/10 - Bobby Moncur has been fearing for his career due to the problems caused by bone calcification in his leg, but following a meeting with director Bob Rutherford he says he is “utterly confident” about returning.
13/10 - Gordon Hindson moves to Luton for £27,500.
16/10 - D1: Newcastle 1 Crystal Palace 2 - TWO-GOAL TAMBLING RAPS OUT A RELEGATION WARNING - Bottom of the table Palace have lost five and drawn one of their six away games so far. Bobby Moncur declares pre-match that United are "too strong" to go down and in the programme Harvey ridicules rumours that there is "serious discontent" in the dressing room and slams press speculation that fans could start boycotting games as "cheap sensationalism". The Magpies are terrible and some of the crowd call for Harvey to be sacked and after the game he admits "we are in serious trouble now". Blackpool officials are at the game watching Dyson and it is thought that United may be about to go back in for Green.
18/10 - Newcastle and Ipswich agree on an exchange deal for Tommy Gibb and Colin Viljoen.
20/10 - TC R2 L1: Coventry 1 Newcastle 1 - HOWARD LIFTS UNITED HOPES - Howard scores with the last kick of the match to equalise. Macdonald hits the bar twice and Guthrie has a goal controversially disallowed.
21/10 - NEWCASTLE LAND ALEC REID IN MITCHELL SWAP - Harvey swaps Ian Mitchell for Dundee United midfielder Alec Reid. Former U23 international Mitchell is adjudged to lack the stamina and pace for the First Division and hasn’t even been selected for the reserves this season.
23/10 - D1: Newcastle 0 Man. United 1 - NEWCASTLE BRAVES BATTLE IN VAIN - The men in blue keep a very close eye on George Best following death threats from the IRA. Unfortunately, the Black and Whites are less attentive allowing the Ulsterman to secure a single goal victory for the League leaders. It is an unlucky day for Tudor who sees a magnificent header come back off the bar then suffers concussion after another goal bound effort is blocked and the ball whacks him in the face, United play with a lot of heart and Chris Guthrie makes a promising debut. Clashes between rival fans lead to 13 arrests and 31 requiring treatment.
25/10 - BEST FOR GIBB IF HE MOVED - CHAIRMAN - It is alleged that Tommy Gibb gave the "V" sign to a section of supporters towards the end of the the game. The Scot claims that this is not true; he says he was standing on the touchline when the ball was dead and after receiving some more abuse he was simply "waving my hands in the air in frustration". However, Westwood and Harvey decide that he has to go and he is transfer listed. A disappointed Harvey states "people have said in the past that when Tommy Gibb plays well Newcastle play well. This is true but it is best for Tommy Gibb that he leaves now". Gibb himself accepts that his relationship with some of the Gallowgate crowd is "beyond repair” and that “things are not going to get any better here, that's obvious so if I get the right offer I will consider it".
27/10 - Harvey's hopes of signing Carlisle forward Bob Hatton are dashed when he moves to Birmingham.
28/10 - UNITED SIGN TONY GREEN - Harvey finally gets his man when Tony Green is signed from Blackpool with Keith Dyson and a cash adjustment going in the opposite direction. Blackpool number 2 Harry Johnstone gives him a glowing reference and clams that “this lad can do for Newcastle what Bobby Charlton has done for Manchester United”.
30/10 - D1: Everton 1 Newcastle 0 - BALL’S CANNONBALL SINKS NEWCASTLE - Green has an excellent debut despite only meeting his team-mates for the first time thirty minutes before kick-off. It is a scrappy game between the two struggling sides and United are now rock bottom. Despite this, a re-energised Harvey remains upbeat: "all we need now is a few goals and a couple of wins and we can be on the way back".
02/11 - Tommy Cassidy is transfer listed.
03/11 - TC R2 L2: Newcastle 5 Coventry 1 (agg 6-2) - CONJURER TONY BOOSTS HOPES - Green is the inspiration for an excellent all-round team performance and Harvey is full of praise for his embattled troops: “the fighting spirit has never died despite all the misery and torture of defeat after defeat".
06/11 - D1: Newcastle 3 Southampton 1 - GO-GO GREEN GREAT! - Another man-of-the-match performance from Green who also scores his first goal for the club. "We're off the bottom and I don't think we'll be back there again" bravely predicts a confident Harvey.
12/11 - A Special Football League/Football Association Appeals board rule that Newcastle have to pay Robson his 5% plus another 5% to the League Provident Fund. They had earlier ruled that West Ham should pay the money but the Hammers appealed.
12/11 - MAC GOES - John McNamee moves to Blackburn for £12,500.
13/11 - D1: Leicester 3 Newcastle 0 - FREE-KICK CLANGER GIVES IAM THE BLUES - United’s weakness in dealing with dead ball situations is cruelly exposed again. Despite conceding early United compete well until the Foxes grab a second just before the break.
20/11 - D1: Newcastle 2 Nottm. Forest 1 - MAC SHATTERS FOREST - On a snow-covered pitch Macdonald grabs a brace as United recover from a shaky start to win. Alex Reid has a quiet debut.
24/11 - TC SF L1: Derby 1 Newcastle 0 - BRAVE UNITED HAND DERBY A POSER - Despite conceding early United fight with great heart.
27/11 - D1: Stoke 3 Newcastle 3 - UNITED’S FIGHT EARNS GLORY - Two goals in the last ten minutes salvages a well-earned point as United avoid an away defeat for the first time in two months.
03/12 - Tommy Gibb's proposed move to Southampton breaks down as the club refuse to pay him a loyalty bonus. The club state that "they only pay loyalty bonuses for exceptional club service of ten years or more. Gibb is only in his fourth year and his demands will not be met". The Scotsman is having second thoughts about leaving now and Harvey states "I don't want Tommy to go but it's up to him, I only put him on the list for his own good".
04/12 - D1: Newcastle 0 Chelsea 0 - BRAVE UNITED LACK HIBBITT’S CLASS - United miss the skill and guile of the injured Terry Hibbitt and make little impact against the Blues in the fourth goalless draw of the season.
05/12 - United are believed to be interested in Charlton and Eire striker Ray Treacy. They had hoped to use the money from the sale of Tommy Gibb, but as this has fallen through any deal may be scuppered.
08/12 -TC SF L2: Newcastle 2 Derby 3 (agg 2-4 aet) - DERBY SMASH AND GRAB STUNS UNITED - Newcastle take a two-goal lead but the Rams pull one back to equal the aggregate score and take the tie into extra-time. And it is Clough’s men who get the goals to reach the Final.
06/12 - LUTON FIX £50,000 FEE ON BUSBY - Harvey makes use of the new loan system to take Supermac's former strike partner, Viv Busby, from Luton on a month's trial. He will come to Tyneside on Wednesday and at the end of the period they will have the option to buy him for £50,000.
11/12 - D1: West Brom. 0 Newcastle 3 - UNITED LAND BARGAIN IN BASEMENT - Debutant Busby scores as United record their first away victory of the season against the bottom-placed Throstles. It is their sixth defeat in a row and all the three goals are headers which come in a 14-minute spell.
18/12 - D1: West Ham 0 Newcastle 1 - VIV-A BUSBY! - The Magpies are outplayed for most of the match and it requires a resilient defensive performance - with Howard in particular excellent - to secure the points.
20/12 - MAC WINS HIS FIRST HONOUR - Macdonald is selected for the England-U23 squad to take on Wales in January.
20/12 - Southern League Hereford beat Northampton to line up a Third round tie with United.
27/12 - D1: Newcastle 1 Sheff. United 2 - UNITED LICKED BY OLD BOY’S NETWORK - Over 53,000 turn up on a bitterly cold day to see United take on the fifth placed Blades. The visitors are ahead after only 20 seconds and - despite dominating - United cannot find a goal before the break. Sheffield score again and although Hibbitt pulls one back the visitors hold on with former 'keeper Hope performing confidently between the sticks. Frank Clark needs twenty-five stitches after receiving a boot to the face (and - as he could not shave above his mouth - his distinctive moustache was born.)
01/01 - 01: Wolves 2 Newcastle 0 - UNITED MAKE IT SO EASY FOR WOLVES - McFaul is badly at fault for the first when he allows a long distance shot to slip through his raised hands. United are very poor and Harvey admits that the pressure is back on.
05/01 - Macdonald blasts in from 20-yards as he marks his England-U23 debut with a goal.
07/01 - Viv Busby’s loan is extended for another month.
08/01 - D1: Newcastle 4 Coventry 2 - TWO-GOAL TUDOR HAS THE PERFECT ANSWER - John Tudor scores his first goals since September in a scrappy but entertaining victory.
13/01 - The City Council Town Planning and Civic Service Committee give the go-ahead for the ground redevelopment tp commence and work will start next Monday. United will spend at least £1m on the ground over the next ten years. The Popular Side, which houses 12,000, will close after Saturday’s game so that demolition work can begin. Harvey accepts that this will be a bit distracting for the players but "it means the new stand will be ready for the beginning of next season". The new East Stand, which will be ready for next season, will cost £350,000 and provide accommodation for 9,500 including 3,500 seated.
15/01 - The FA Cup match with Hereford is postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Demolition work will be postponed until after the game. The amateurs are angry that they have wasted travelling and accommodation costs. The game is rearranged for Wednesday.
18/01 - The Third Round tie is postponed once more.
19/01 - Following talks with Joe Harvey an arrangement has been made to bring Tommy Cassidy’s parents across from trouble-torn Belfast.
22/01 - D1: Newcastle 3 Tottenham 1 - MAC SWITCHES ON NEWCASTLE POWER - United steamroller their tired looking opponents. The game has extra significance as the Popular Side is being used for the final time.
24/01 - FA R3: Newcastle 2 Hereford 2 - HEREFORD BULL-DOZE UNITED SUPERSTARS - Both Jimmy Smith and Bobby Moncur are now fit, but Harvey decides not to change a winning side as United take on Southern League side Hereford. The visitors stun the crowd by taking the lead within seventeen seconds and although the Magpies fight back to lead they concede a 30-yard equaliser from player-manager Colin Addison, all this within the first half-hour.
26/01 - United make the 600-mile round trip to Hereford only for the replay to be postponed. Two thousand supporters also have a wasted journey.
Busby replaces the dropped Barrowclough for Saturday’s game, the youngster meets with Harvey and is likely to ask for a transfer.
29/01 - D1: Huddersfield 0 Newcastle 0 - NEWCASTLE SPLIT LEVEL CUP BID - United dominate the game against a poor Huddersfield side but an amazing miss by Tudor in the last few seconds sums up United's finishing and the game in general. Burton falls over a prostrate McFaul and injures himself.
31/01 - Players and fans have another wasted journey as the replay is called-off again due to the pitch still being frozen.
02/02 - Newcastle fan Alan Jones has been staying at the Tabard Hotel for a week now. His room costs £2 a night but kind hearted Hereford Chairman Frank Miles has said he will pay. He has also refunded travelling expenses to another couple of fans. Although the pitch is no longer frozen it is now waterlogged and the match is postponed until Saturday. To add to the problems the Midlands Electricity Board warn that due to the power strike they cannot guarantee power for the floodlights. Consequently the game will kick-off at 2.30pm.
05/02 - FA R3r: Hereford 2 Newcastle 1 (aet) - DAY OF SHAME - At the fifth time of asking the FA Cup Replay goes ahead although Hereford's compact Edgar Road ground resembles a swamp. United are unlucky in that they hit the bar twice, but they are also guilty of missing loads of good chances. Macdonald scores with only eight minutes left, but Radford equalises almost immediately prompting a mass invasion of the pitch by Hereford fans (all of them seemingly wearing parkas). The game goes into extra time and United should be the fitter team, but it is Hereford who finish stronger and get their reward when substitute Ricky George nets. Despite desperate attacking from the Magpies Hereford held out to become the first non-league club to defeat a First Division side since Yeovil Town's 2-1 win over Sunderland in 1949. Macdonald is rather less effusive than usual stating "I am too sick to speak". Moncur simply says: “we have no excuse at all. We made chances and missed them".
07/02 - Busby is sent back to Luton.
09/02 - Chairman Westwood makes it clear that “Joe Harvey will not be sacked - there is no question of that”.
11/02 - Youngster Irving Nattrass is not happy with being dropped to the bench believing he is being made a scapegoat.
12/02 - D1: Man. United 0 Newcastle 2 - SUPER GREEN ENDS NEWCASTLE AGONY - United restore some pride with a brilliant performance and a deserved 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. The whole team are on top form, but the best player on the pitch is Tony Green who gives a mesmerising performance.
19/02 - D1: Newcastle 0 Everton 0 - GREEN IS ONLY STAR - There is a 2.30 kick off for the visit of Everton due to the power restrictions in force. The Toffees haven't won away from home for seventeen months and their all-out defensive approach makes for a very poor game. Terry Hibbitt blasts Everton's tactics as "disgraceful".
26/02 - D1: Southampton 1 Newcastle 2 - NEWCASTLE TURN ON THE STYLE - United’s fluid football throughout the game results in one of their best performances for many a day. Southampton captain Paine (with 15 seasons experience) says “this was the best display I have ever seen from any Newcastle side”. Although David Craig scores an unfortunate own goal to give Southampton the lead, the Magpies deservedly hit back to win.
04/03 - D1: Newcastle 2 Leicester 0 - EXPENSIVE MAC GOAL - Macdonald scores his 20th of the season and triggers a clause which means United have to pay Luton another £1,000. The crowd are also delighted to see Jimmy Smith return to first team action for the first time in five months.
08/02 - United are not involved in any big deals on Transfer Deadline Day; £2,000 is enough for York City to capture Billy Yeats.
11/03 - D1: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 0 - SMITH CROWNS SUPER SHOW - Arsenal seem to be distracted by their upcoming European Cup tie and United - who play with a verve reminiscent of their Fairs Cup days - are well worth the victory.
15/02 - Macdonald plays for the Football League team in their match against the Scottish League at Ayresome Park.
18/03 - D1: Liverpool 5 Newcastle 0 - EUROPE? NOT NOW, UNITED - United’s unbeaten League run has seen some of the more optimistic fans dreaming of a European return, but a thrashing at Anfield dampens spirits. Liverpool are not five goals better, but it is a poor defensive performance from United. Macdonald is booked after a hefty challenge on Clemence; retribution for the 'keepers’ assault on him on his home debut.
23/03 - Hibbitt is fined £50 and suspended for four weeks (from Monday) after being booked three times this season. He is likely to miss seven games.
25/03 - YOUTHS ATTACK SOCCER FANS’ COACH - A gang of thirty odd United fans (one armed with a crowbar) attack one of the Man City supporter’s coaches as it parks on Stanhope Street.
25/03 - D1: Newcastle 0 Man. City 0 - NEWCASTLE HOLD TITLE-CHASERS - Newcastle take the game to the League leaders in a match played in an electric atmosphere, but despite attacking almost continuously they cannot find a way through.
01/04 - D1: Sheff. United 1 Newcastle 0 - FORD ROBS UNITED - Newcastle are undone by two former Magpies in a game they should have won comfortably. Keeper John Hope produces some excellent saves and David Ford volleys a late winner.
01/04 - FIFTY-TWO ARRESTS AS FANS GO WILD - Scores of fans (mostly from the North-East) are arrested after the worst soccer violence seen in Sheffield this season. There is fighting during the match when bottles are thrown which cause many injuries. There is loads of trouble before and after the match too. Windows of houses near the ground are smashed, shopkeepers are forced to close and board-up and police are attacked. Twenty-nine adults and twenty-three juveniles will appear in court this week.
03/04 - D1: Derby 0 Newcastle 1 - UNITED BRAVES START TITLE EARTHQUAKE - Substitute Cassidy (playing for the first time in five months) scores the only goal against leaders Derby who had been unbeaten on their home mud for over a year. United have to withstand a lot of pressure, but stand firm and Green plays a blinder.
05/04 - D1: Newcastle 0 Ipswich 1 - WHAT A FIASCO! UNITED HIT ROCK BOTTOM - There is a sustained spell of slow-hand clapping and chants of “we want football” from the Leazes End. Unfortunately it is to no avail as the fans have their pants bored off them in a dire game.
07/04 - WARNING TO UNITED FANS - Nottingham police are to make special preparations for tomorrow’s match. They have had their own issues this season and earn Newcastle fans to beware of the Trent End aggro-boys.
08/04 - D1: Nottm. Forest 1 Newcastle 0 - IT’S TOUGH ON UNITED’S BOYS - An inexperienced United side rarely trouble the bottom-of-the-table Midlanders in a game spoilt by a strong wind.
18/04 - SUPER MAC IS CALLED UP BY SIR ALF - Mac is one of a clutch of youngsters included in the full England squad for the Nations Cup tie against West Germany on 29th April. And Moncur is recalled to the Scotland squad for the first time in 18 months, joining Tony Green.
19/04 - D1: Newcastle 1 Leeds 0 - MACS SUPER GOAL SHATTERS LEEDS - In a cup-tie atmosphere United once again shake one of the championship contenders, a spectacular header from Macdonald is the only goal. Barrowclough and Green are the stars.
21/04 - Lord Westwood admits that United are prepared to let Jimmy Smith leave though he makes it clear that rumours that they may let him go for a free “are completely unfounded". There is better news for two other midfielders whose future has been uncertain. John Cowan’s excellent form in the reserves has earned him a further stay and Harvey confirms that he surreptitiously took (settled again) Tommy Gibb off the transfer-list weeks ago.
22/04 - D1: Chelsea 3 Newcastle 3 - SIX-SHOOTERS - An entertaining and error-strewn match at Stamford Bridge that could easily have ended up being 6-6.
Tommy Cassidy’s brother Jim has left trouble-torn Belfast and joined him on Tyneside and his parents and two other brothers will join them once they have a mortgage on a house.
26/04 - Bobby Moncur is one of the stand-out performers as he returns to the Scotland side in their 2-0 victory over Peru at Hampden.
27/04 - CASSIDY IS TRANSFER-LISTED - Harvey confirms that Tommy “Cassidy is for sale”. There are expected to be more departures announced soon.
27/04 - BURTON - “I COULD BE FINISHED” - Worried that his knee ligament injury is not showing any signs of improvement, Ollie is concerned that he may not be able to play again.
28/04 - Macdonald is left out of the 16-man squad for the Nations Cup tie with West Germany.
29/04 - Harvey and his scouting team plan to step-up their search for a new striker putting some doubts over John Tudor’s future.
01/05 - Moncur and Green are both included in the Scotland squad for the Home Internationals.
03/05 - Macdonald is called up again by Ramsey, for the return match with West Germany.
03/05 - Following on from the Wheatley Report into the Ibrox Disaster the Government release a charter for making grounds safer. The Charter calls for all rugby and football grounds to be licensed annually to ensure they meet appropriate standards. United Chairman Westwood is concerned that it would mean raising ticket prices unless the clubs were awarded grants. He also states that regular safety checks are already carried out and that when the ground is fully-developed in ten years time the standard will be “near perfect.”
03/05 - D1: Newcastle 4 West Brom. 2 - Before the game four youngsters take part in the Evening Chronicle penalty-kick competition final.
05/05 - Macdonald is included in the Home Internationals squad.
05/05 - Barrowclough damaged knee ligaments during the game at the Hawthorns.
07/05 - THREE LISTED - Three members of the first-team squad are listed: David Young, Ron Guthrie and Tommy Cassidy. Seven other professionals are also being released. Although there are disagreements within the club, Harvey wants Jimmy Smith to stay.
08/05 - D1: Newcastle 0 Stoke 0 - UNITED LIMP INTO TEXACO - The campaign ends in disappointing style with the eighth goalless draw of the campaign, five of which have been at home. It is likely to be enough to qualify the Magpies for next year’s Texaco Cup.
09/05 - MAC MUST GO ON UNDER-23 TOUR - United had asked the FA to release Macdonald from the England U23 Eastern Europe tour as they want him on their own Far East tour. The FA have informed the club by letter that they will not release him. It puts the club in a tricky situation as their contract with the tour sponsors, the Thailand FA, requires Macdonald’s presence.
11/05 - At an emergency meeting The Board decides to ask the FA again on the basis of their contractual obligation.
11/05 - ADVERTISING CASH BOOST FOR UNITED - The new lease will allow United to have advertisements within the ground, the current lease forbids it and has cost United thousands in recent years.
16/05 - MAC HOPES TO SCORE IN THE FASHION GAME - The grand opening of MALCOLM MACDONALD FOR EXCLUSIVE MEN takes place in the Newgate Shopping Precinct. It is a business venture along with Alan Owen. They are concentrating on quality menswear and products include a new corded-type velvet two-piece suit with tulip lapels for £29.50 and two-piece denim suits in peach or blue with 26” bottoms at £21.
19/05 - In line with other clubs Season Ticket prices are raised substantially in anticipation of the expected rise in minimum admission price from 30p to 40p.
20/05 - Macdonald collects his first full England cap (and lays on a goal) in the 3-0 victory over Wales. England manager Ramsey said "he did extremely well, it's never easy in your first game but he has tremendous confidence and it showed in the way he played today”.
26/05 - United make one last, unsuccessful, appeal to both the F.A. And the Football League to get Macdonald released for their tour.
28/05 - Moncur and Green play for Scotland against England.
28/05 - United set off for their Far East tour.
28/05 - Macdonald picked up a groin strain in the match against Scotland.
30/05 - Macdonald is one of three players who pulls out of the England Under-23 tour.
31/05 - John Tudor bags a hat-trick as United kick-off their tour with a 3-1 victory over Thailand Champions Rajpracha Nukraw in Bangkok.
