1952 FA Cup Run

United's first opponents in that year's competition were Aston Villa who were managed by former United manager George Martin. Villa were a mid-table side whilst Newcastle were 4th in the table at the time. A month earlier the two teams had shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at Villa Park

With home advantage United were regarded as strong favourites and they swarmed around the Villa goal from the off. But two breakaway goals (both scored by former United player John Dixon) within the first 13 minutes shocked players and fans alike

But United who had the most feared strikeforce in the country made a habit of pulling back deficits although they were to leave it late.

Inside right Foulkes pulled one back before the interval but with only eight minutes left United were still trailing and Villa were looking the more likely scorers. Masses of fans had already started to wend their way home. But then came "the most devastating two minutes that St James' Park has ever known".

Bobby Mitchell rattled in two scorchers and then waltzed down the wing before crossing to Robledo who wrapped it up.

United got the toughest possible tie when they were drawn away against the previous season's Champions Spurs. They had already met three times that season. Spurs had won their home League match and the Charity Shield but United had recorded a remarkable 7-2 victory in the match at St. James'.

In the week before the game the United party stayed at a top class Brighton hotel. Seymour explained it was to both give the players some rest and to get them away from the touts and the pressure generated by the "cup-tie mad public".

The team trained at the Greyhound Stadium and feasted on top notch cuisine; many of the players developing a taste for the oysters. They were in fine fettle by match day but the same could not be said about the weather.

The pitch was passed fit only hours before kick-off; the middle was "a sea of clarts" whilst the flanks were bone-hard.

Despite the atrocious conditions the match was a classic and at the time was regarded as one of the greatest Cup Ties of the century. There was "cut-throat thrills and tight-rope tension that had the crowd dizzy with excitement".

United opened the scoring just before the quarter hour mark when Nicholson "foozled his clearance" and the ball fell to United's inside-right Foulkes. Billy passed through for Robledo who seemed to "spring out of the ground with that uncanny position knack" and score "almost casually". It was a goal which GLOWED with football greatness".

The second was scored by Mitchell who gave Spurs' right back Alf Ramsey a torrid time all game. It was an "extraordinairy shot which found the one whole in a packed Tottenham defence".

Robledo was the outstanding player and his second just before the end whilst lying prone on the deck rounded off a superb display. But it would be misleading to think that it was all Newcastle, Spurs had periods of dominance and they may well have scored if it had not been for an exceptional display of custodianship from Simpson

"Newcastle are going to need a team of demi-gods to stop them. I could not fault them. There was no doubt about it the cockneys were crushed by the finest footballing machine in the country".

The lucky few that owned a television got to see United's great performance as the match was televised and shown in the North East.

In the Fifth Round United faced a tricky tie at the Vetch Field against Second Division strugglers Swansea. This time the team settled in Porthcawl

Cheered on by the partisan crowd - which had been whipped into a state of nationalistic fervour prior to the game by a baton wielding conductor who orchestrated the singing of Welsh anthems - the dragons made a roaring start to the game.

They pounded the United rearguard and Simpson twice had to race off his line to effect clearances whilst both Brennan and McMichael needed treatment after blocking goal laden shots with their heads.

United stood up to the Swans storm and tried to reply with craft. But although the playing surface was pitch perfect, the Welshman decided to cut up rough. There were only twelve minutes on the clock when Turnbull made the first of numerous "unorthodox and dangerous" tackles carried out by him and his cohorts.

On numerous occasions during the first period the referee had to pull up play and offer stern words to the opposition; but they carried on kicking regardless.

Robledo missed with the goal at his mercy but the decisive breakthrough came four minutes before the break. A Swansea defender failed to deal with a Walker corner, heading it straight to Mitchell who volleyed in from 20 yards.

In the second period the Welsh Champions abandoned their "rugby" tactics and settled into a more refined game.

Prompted by the skilful scheming of Ivor Allchurch they had United under severe pressure but The Toon kept their composure. With Harvey combating the Allchurch threat, Brennan throwing himself in front of shots and Simpson outstanding once again between the sticks Swansea were held at bay.

Milburn and Walker both missed presentable chances to make the game safe and Simpson made a brilliant point-black block in the last minute.

Joe Harvey would later admit that this was the hardest game in the run.

It was clear that United were going to have to defend the cup the hard way when they were drawn away again against high-flying Portsmouth who had won the Championship twice in succession in 1948/49 and 1949/50.

If anything this game even topped the Tottenham game; it was a fantastic game which was played in an incredible atmosphere

Portsmouth had already beaten United at Fratton Park in October and they played up right from the start. With less than four minutes gone they took the lead when Gaillard headed in at the far post.

United recovered well and worked hard to take the initiative. No one was trying harder than Milburn whose exertions caused him severe stomach cramps which required touchline treatment.

The magic sponge clearly worked as four minutes later Milburn equalised. A clearance fell to Brennan who returned it with credit. Jackie - on the edge of the six yard box - swivelled and with the slightest of touches despatched the ball into the Pompey net.

A smart save by Butler stopped a ferocious Milburn effort but the inspired Ashington lad was not to be denied and when Foulkes played him through just after the hour he hooked in a shot which hit the angle, bounced down and rolled over the line.

Portsmouth fought back when Reid equalised with twenty minutes to go. A couple of minutes later only a fabulous headed clearance by Cowell prevented the same player from putting the South Coasters ahead.

But just as it looked as though United were wobbling Milburn completed a brilliant hat-trick. He made a run from his own half and despite the attentions of three Pompey defenders he created enough space to flash a 30 yarder passed a bemused Ernie Butler. Little wonder Jackie rated it his equal best goal.

Just before the end Mitchell and Milburn linked up to set-up Robledo for United's fourth and when the final whistle sounded the United players were mobbed by jubilant supporters.

After the game players of both teams could be found enjoying a light beer or a ginger ale in the boardroom; a remarkably enlightened approach during a time when the feudal system still operated in football.

United at last got the luck of the draw in the semis as they avoided the other top division teams: Arsenal and Chelsea. Blackburn had fallen on hard times since the war and after being relegated to Division 2 in 1947/48 they had failed to mount a promotion challenge.

Twenty thousand Geordies travelled to Sheffield including thirteen train loads, thousands more had their ticket requests turned down.

Perhaps United were over confident but on the day too many players simply did not perform at a gale-swept Hillsborough.

The defence were capable enough; they had to be against some lively forward play by the Ewood Parkers. But United's much vaunted attack had an off day.

Milburn was the only one who got anywhere near his usual standards but even his finishing was not up to scratch. Foulkes was blotted out by a seventeen year old and Robledo was out-of touch, missing a sitter from within the six yard box.

United had been poor but were still in the Cup and most people thought the underdogs had had their day.

United started the replay in much better fettle but were guilty of missing a number of excellent chances early on. United became dispirited and Blackburn rallied. Simpson saved brilliantly from Crossan and Cowell made a point-blank block from a Quigly effort.

"The very air cracked and sparked with the high tension of the game , and the Rovers walked in at half-time having once again shaken the giants from the North-East".

Eleven minutes into the second half United went ahead when Milburn centred and Robledo headed in. The confidence flooded back and the "fancy football" started.

But the bonny Blackburn brigade had not given up the fight and Quigly smashed in from close range in the 80th minute prompting delirious celebrations amongst the Lancastrian followers.

Five minutes later Blackburn defender Campbell punched away Robledo's shot; penalty!

The United players looked towards penalty taker Milburn but he was walking away with head bowed. Captain Harvey questioned what he was doing in his normal sympathetic style. Jackie explained that he was carrying an injury and didn't want to take such an important kick.

Whilst all the other players averted their gaze from the skipper, Bobby Mitchell picked up the ball and placed it on the spot.

The tension was racked up as the penalty was delayed so that Blackburn's injured right-back David Gray could be removed from the penalty area. Stan Seymour covered his face in his coat lapels. The crowd was stilled.

Mitchell ran up and hit the ball as hard as he could and it whistled past lvey's ear and hit the back of the net. United were back at Wembley for the second year in succession.