The minimum admission price rose to five shillings as a result of the March 1968 budget and this partly explains the half million drop in spectators with the afterglow of 1966 starting to wear off.
Newcastle's League average fell by 3,525 to 33,714 but the total average (taking into account the Fairs Cup games) was 39,296.
Entry to the Fairs Cup combined with cheaper air prices made Euro support a reality for the first time for the most loyal fans. Travel deals were offered by both the Supporters Club and the Development Association (in conjunction with the Evening Chronicle).
The Supporters Clubs provided packages for all the away ties, although the New Year's Day Zaragoza trip had to be cancelled due to a lack of demand.
The Supporters Club lost both their Saturday sales outlet (the club's gym) and the club headquarters (Working Men's Club). Sales were made from Strawberry Lane and the Bridge Hotel Pub became the new meeting place.
The number of outbreaks of hooliganism continued to escalate and there was major trouble when Man City played on Tyneside in January. Four arrests were made and 70 people were injured (including 7 who required hospital treatment). Most of the others were young fans who were crushed against the barriers or fainted in the near capacity 57,994 crowd.
Bottles were thrown on the terraces and a fight broke out at The Magpie pub opposite the ground.
There were more than 100 police at the game and it was generally agreed that the crowd was reasonably well behaved.
But the worst ever violence thus far witnessed at a British football match occurred at St James' Park in June when Rangers arrived for the Fairs Cup semi-final second leg.
Undeterred by trouble caused by other supporters the Supporters Club also arranged a "soccer special" railway coach for some of the games in London. The 64 seater carriage was (judiciously) attached to the rear of the 7.50 am train to Kings Cross.
Tickets sold out and it was suggested that plans were afoot to use two coaches in the following season.
The songs and chants aired at grounds across the country were becoming a darker shade of blue and the Leazes Enders were no exception.
The club issued a plea in the Everton home programme: "sing by all means but keep it clean" but their concerns fell on deaf ears.
The Sunday Sun went on the offensive after the home match with Real Zaragoza and launched a campaign against the lavatory language now regularly heard on the terraces.
The game had the well-established "Oh my darling clementine" chant which suggested the referee was born out of wedlock as well as a bespoke chant for the visiting Spaniards who were given a "luridly descriptive recommendation for a place for their Spanish onions".
The Miss Magpie Finals were held at a Gala Ball at the Mayfair Ballroom on 25th July 1969.