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The Game that Didn't Count: Newcastle v Nottingham Forest - 9th March 1974

An excellent victory over West Brom in the 5th Round meant that United had reached the FA Cup Quarter Final for the first time in 13 years. They were drawn against Second Division Nottingham Forest

Despite their second rung status Forest boasted a number of decent players including Ian Bowyer, Duncan Mckenzie and a certain Martin O'Neill.

Thirteen thousand Goose Fairers made the trip to Tyneside and helped create an electric atmosphere in the ground from well before kick-off time.

1973/74 9th Mar FAC 6th Nottm Forest [H] Won 4-3 [1-2] 54,500
  • McFaul
  • Craig [1, s]
  • Clark
  • McDermott [1]
  • Howard
  • Moncur [1]
  • Barrowclough
  • Smith
  • Macdonald
  • Tudor [1]
  • Hibbitt
  • Kenneddy [s2]

In the first half United attacked The Gallowgate but it was the visitors who went ahead after only 90 seconds. Ian Bowyer and David Craig chased an up-and-under and with United's Irishman expecting McFaul to collect the Forest player nipped in to head home.

The set-back knocked the Novacastrians out their stride and despite Smith's inventive promptings their attacks were easily soaked up by the alert Forest rearguard.

But on the first occasion that they lost their concentration United equalised when Lyall failed to deal with a low Hibbitt corner and Craig was first to react to flash the ball home.

Forest did not crumble and Mckenzie's silky skills upfront combined with the commitment of Lyall in midfield and O'Kane at the back meant they were marginally the better side in a tight first period.

Just before the break they regained the lead when O'Kane drove in from 20 yards after Moncur had struggled to deal with a Lyall corner flicked on by Bowyer.

Harvey must have laid into his team at half-time because they certainly came out exhibiting a greater spirit. Unfortunately frustration was causing them to use it in a negative way and after a number of niggling fouls and heavy challenges McKenzie fell down in the penalty area after a clumsy Craig challenge. Referee Kew immediately pointed to the spot.

The United fans situated in the Leazes were going mental and the pressure was causing younger fans to get crushed; many took refuge on the pitchside.

Pat Howard was not best pleased either and he remonstrated with referee Kew who promptly ordered him off. The temperature on the terraces rose another few notches.

When Lyall drove the penalty home some of the Forest fans celebrated on the pitch in front of the the Gallowgate.

That was one insult too many for about 500 Leazes Enders who - led by a middle aged, folically challenged personage - swarmed onto the pitch and ran towards the Forest supporters.

"Here they come" said ITV commentator Brian Moore; "this is what they have been waiting to do"

The players initially stood and watched in disbelief and it was alleged that two Forest players - Dave Serella and Martin O'Neill (perhaps that's why!) - were assaulted.

Kew signalled for the players to leave the field and both sets of players raced off the pitch through the onrushing crowd.

The club and the police had been prepared for trouble with 70 officers inside the ground and 70 more outside with dogs and horses. As a result they reacted quickly and it took a relatively short 8 minutes for them to regain control of the situation and clear the pitch.

Once order had been restored, the referee asked both sets of officials if they wanted to carry on with the match and they both concurred. Forest 3-1 up and playing against 10 men clearly fancied their chances.

During the break the United players realised that despite being two goals down and down to 10 men they had only one alternative: attack, attack, attack-attack-attack! They had 25 minutes to save themselves

When the game restarted Forest seemed to have been completely unnerved. Poise had been replaced by panic as their rhytm was disrupted by a transformed United side committed to going forward.

When Forest 'keeper Barron tipped a Moncur header over for a corner it was his first real save of the match but when Hibbitt swung over a dangerous cross the geordie custodian made contact with Macdonald who went to ground. Kew pointed to the spot again.

Mcdermott cooly slotted home the penalty and with 22 minutes left everything was still to play for. Three minutes later and the crowd was going beserk when Tudor bulleted home a brilliant diving header from Hibbitt's left wing delivery.

Urged on by the crowd which was in a state of manic uproar United pressed for the winner although McKenzie ensured Forest were still dangerous on the break. With time running out a replay looked to be on the cards.

Then in the last minute Supermac headed a Tudor centre across goal where skipper Moncur arrived to volley home a sensational winner.

The Reaction

In the immediate aftermath of the match Forest appeared to accept the result with their chairman allegedly wishing Newcastle the best of luck in the rest of the competion.

Forest manager Allan Brown was lass magnanimous; "the crowd and the referee undoubtedly won the game for Newcastle When we were taken off we were playing brilliant stuff. Newcastle were finished. But after the hold up, with the crowd baying all the time, the referee gave everything to Newcastle".

United Chairmen Lord Westwood did not hold back either: "I was disgusted with the behaviour of a section of the fans". He went on to say that the club had done "all that it could" by ensuring there was a large police presence.

John Tudor: "Really, I still can't quite believe it all happened. That second half is still a combination of a dream and a nightmare"

The headline on the front page of the Sunday Sun was "INCREDIBLE"; the subtitle was DISGUSTING - THE ONLY VERDICT

Not surprisingly the national press also came out firmly against United, with many papers calling for the tie to be awarded to Forest. Typical of the media reaction was the comment made by Goal editor Alan Hughes. "They have ensured that if Newcastle do win the cup this season they will never get the credit they deserve"

Many critics went further suggesting that the tie should be awarded to Forest.

Twenty four hours later Forest decided to appeal against the result and a four man FA Cup Committee met on the following Thursday.

The Decision

At the hearing referee Kew stated that he thought the result should stand but the FA were worried that it would send out the wrong message and would encourage similur incursions in the future.

Therefore they ordered that the match should be replayed at a neutral venue and that Newcastle should be forced to pay all their games in 1975 FA Cup away from home.

Chairman Lord Westwood said he thought it was a "fair decision", but the players who had performed so heroically in their comeback were not so happy; indeed it was alleged that some of them were in tears.

Supermac was the most outspoken when appearing on a radio show. "My reaction is one of total disgust, but not surprise. I have expected a ridiculous solution and they certainly have come up with one". He was promptly charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

The fans were equally incensed claiming that the media had exaggerated what had happened and that Forest had agreed to play on.

Forest player George Lyall gave a candid interview some days later in which he said "for the good of the game, Newcastle had to be punished - so hooligans all over the country wouldn't be given the go-ahead to do it....but deep down Ifeel we didn't deserve to go through. We just weren't professional about it .... when we came back we were a shambles".

A riot?

23 fans required hospital treatment (including 2 people with fractured skulls) and 103 received first aid treatment at the ground including youngsters who were crushed against the barriers and fainted and others who were knocked to the ground and trampled on.

A number of police received minor injuries and in all 39 people were charged with violent conduct and another 40 were ejected from the ground.

What Happened Next

The replay took pace at Goodison Park and ended goalless. The second replay (controversially played at Goodison again) saw United win 1-0 thanks to a typical barnstorming goal from Supermac.

The club reacted by putting the junior gates up to full price until the end of the season. But the authorities wanted more and even the Minister for Sort Denis Howell got involved. He demanded that ground improvements were made to increase safety and reduce trouble

Losers and Losers

It is hard to find out any real winners from the whole escapade. The invasions certainly unnerved the Forest players and they may well have gone on to win if it hadn't taken place. But they also "bottled it".

The United players were robbed of a famous victory and had to play twice more to earn their semi-final place. They were punished for something they had no control over.

Forest and their fans missed out on a potential semi place, Newcastle's name and the reputation of their fans was publicly dragged through the mud.

There was no doubt that the FA had to act decisively but in part the decision was forced upon them by the television coverage and the media reaction. A substantal number of people - mainly youngsters were hurt - but the vast majority of these were not caused by the invasion they were due to crushing

Although this was recognised to an extent in the ground improvements demanded the authourities were more interested in punishing the club for the behaviour of the minority rather than looking after the safety of the majority.