NEWCASTLE UNITED F.C.
It was in the early 1880’s when two sides, Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, which were both the offshoots from cricket clubs, that football in newcastle was taking off. Although great rivals with each other, the dominant team were ‘East End’ and after a financial problem with the ‘West End’ both teams were soon to merge and in 1892 came the formation of Newcastle United along with the West End’s stadium, St James’ Park. In 1893 they joined the football league and won the league championship three times in the early 1900s; 1905, 1907, and 1909. they won the FA Cup in 1910 against Barnsley in a replay. This was their fourth attempt and a further followed but lost in 1911.
In 1924 was the FA Cup final between Newcastle United and Aston Villa which was held at Wembley Stadium, and Newcastle were to lift the cup, winning 2 – 0. this was the clubs second FA Cup Trophy in its short history. The league was won for a fourth time in 1927 which included some key players from the time such as Hughie Gallacher who became a legend in his own right, Neil Harris, Frank Hudspeth and Stan Seymour who spent 40 years at the club as player, manager and director.
In 1932 came another FA Cup victory against Arsenal at Wembley, this game was to become known as the ‘over the line’ final, after which Newcastle played a long ball and appeared to go over the line and out for a goal kick, but the ball was played on by Jimmy Richardson and consequently Jack Allen scored the goal. The referee ruled the ball in play, however it was later proven that the ball did go over the line via photographic evidence. After such a great victory their form began to take a tumble and by 1934 they had been relegated.
After the war was over in 1945, Newcastle set about being promoted and did this in 1948. With Seymour in charge, The Magpies lifted the FA Cup on three more occasions in the 1950s – 1951, 1952, and 1955. The Magpies had gained a good reputation and were now well known as a top class team with some top class players, such as ‘Wor Jackie’ Milburn and Bobby ‘Dazzler’ Mitchell who were well known in their day, others included Frank Brennan and Ivor Broadis.
