They Crossed the Tyne

A Plague of Cats

It goes without saying that no player of sane mind or a regular first team slot would countenance making the move from Tyne to Wear. But for some poor unfortunate souls there is no hiding from the big red "X" that marks them out as a victim of the Makonic plague.

In all only 15 players have suffered this ultimate humiliation and they range from those ready to be put out to grass (eg Paul Bracewell) to those who horizontally unfettered (Ron Guthrie) to those of temporary insanity (how else do you explain Lee Clark's move)

The early seventies was the time when United's export trade to the uncivilised colonies was at it's greatest. Former Toon hero Bob Stokoe had taken over in the Roker hot-set and made regular trips on his horse and cart to pick up Geordie jumble.

So without further ado here's a team of players who have crossed the great divide and Toonarama's verdict on the move.

Albert McInroy

Now Albert was a bit of a star as contemporary quotes illustrate "never foozles a ball" and a "bundle of agility as many a forward who has been beat by his catlike agility will testify". He had served his apprenticeship at Sunderland before arriving at SJP in October 1929.

He stayed 5 seasons at United before he got into a squabble with the directors over benefit payments. His penance? A return to Roker Park at the age of 33.

Verdict: Even Einstein could not have explained this move

Ray Ellison

Newcastle born Ray Ellison was one of a number of horizontally unchallenged full-backs that turned up at SJP in the early seventies. He played 5 consecutive League games for Newcastle (all lost) during the early part of 1971/72 and never played again.

Such excellent form tempted Bob Stokoe to take him to Roker Park for the princely sum of £10,000 in March 1973. A year and 2 games later he was shipped out to Torquay on a free.

Verdict: Don't buy fullbacks with a waist measurement bigger than their chest measurement. John Bailey anybody?

Ron Guthrie

Another of the aforementioned "heavyweight" brigade Guthrie joined United as a 19 year old in 1963 and remained at the club for nearly 10 years. A perennial reserve - due to his failure to dislodge that friend of everyone's father, Frank Clark, from the left-back slot - he played in only 60(6) matches.

He moved to Sunderland for free in January 1973 - in time for him to pick up an FA Cup Winners medal - and stayed for two years making 77(1) appearances.

Verdict: See Ray Ellison.

Steve Caldwell

Time will tell whether Stevie can alter the course of history; he certainly looks as though he could make a decent "Championship" (sic) player.

Verdict: To be confirmed.

Bob Moncur

Joe Harvey used to say that United were only half a team without Moncur. But when only a quarter of the team bothered to turn up for the 1974 FA Cup Final skipper Moncur paid the ultimate price; he was sold to the makems for £30,000.

Although the move surprised many he was touching 30 and had started to lose the little pace that he had, besides Glen Keeley was on the way! Bob Stokoe made him captain and he helped them to promotion in 1975/76 when he was the supporters Player of the Year.

Verdict: A good short term investment. Sunderland's gain was United's loss.

Paul Bracewell

Sunderland captain Bracewell's move to Newcastle in the summer of 1992 was a mirror image of Moncur's to Sunderland and caused great controversy on Wearside.

The thirty year old gave United three years good service before his legs finally went and we let him to return to Roker for £50,000.

Verdict: A bracer for United

Lee Clark

When Lee Clark joined Sunderland in June 1997 for £2.75 million he became the Wearsiders record signing. Clark had resigned himself to the fact he was no longer a first team regular and was so desperate to stay in the area that he had a mental breakdown and agreed to go to Sunderland

In 2 seasons at Joker park he won over the Sunderland crowd with his skilful and combative displays, making 81(2) appearances and scoring 16 goals.

The Toon fans could have regarded him as a traitor, but everyone knew the move had been forced upon him. And then he was photographed wearing that T-shirt, an incident that will ensure his place in Geordie folklore.

Verdict: Never trust a Mag in Makems clothing

Tommy Gibb

Despite seven years service and over 250 appearances it is fair to say that there were few tears shed when Gibbo departed on a free to Sunderland in the Summer of '75. Gallowgate seemed a good place for a Gibbet, but most fans who have heartily hung him from one.

He played in the first six matches of 1975/76 before being dropped; he made one more full and three substitute appearances before leaving for Hartle (aka dead players) pool.

Verdict: Gibberish

Raymond Robinson

Corporal Raymond Robinson had fought in the tank corps during the First World War. The Blaydon born outside-right stayed just over a year at SJP (30 games and 4 goals) before being sold to Wearside in August 1920 for £750, which was a hefty fee in those days.

He went straight into the Sunderland team but soon lost his place and was sold to Grimsby at the end of the season. When Grimsby got shot of him a year later he returned to Roker Park where he remained unnoticed for 2 months before he was packed off to Eden Colliery.

Verdict: Would have been better off with famous TV presenter, Robert Robinson.

Harry Bedford

Bedford was a prolific scorer in the early part of his career and Newcastle forked out £4,000 in December 1930 for his services. He was an old banger well past his best and never really got on the right track at Newcastle.

A year later we traded him in and he was off to Reg Vardy Land. The Makems got seven matches and two goals out of him before he wore out altogether and was wheeled out to Bradford.

Verdict: Clapped out trucker

Len Shackleton

Len Shackleton's departure to Sunderland in February 1948 for £20,050 broke the transfer record set by Tommy Lawton's move to Notts County and also broke the hearts of many United supporters.

His departure was very controversial in that it seemed to have more to do with internal bickering within the club and a desire by the directors to rid themselves of players that they regarded as trouble makers. In one famous episode Shackleton and Joe Harvey had gone on strike over the club's reluctance to provide them with the houses they were promised

Verdict: Left blank in appreciation

The subs

David Young

When United had some old tat to get rid of you could bet that Bob Stoke would be sniffing around. Joined Sunderland at the same time as Ronald for a combined fee of £30,000. In 18 months on Wearside Newcastle born Young played 33(7) times and scored 1 goal

Joseph Devine

Unlike his heavyweight namesake it is not thought that Joseph liked to dress up in womens' clothes nor is there any evidence of him eating dog excrement off the pavement; although if he had done this during his two and half year on Wearside it is possible that no-one would have noticed. (76 appearances and 7 goals)

James Raine

Amateur Raine made only 4 appearences for the Toon before joining Sunderland in December 1906. In 18 months he made 27 appearances and scored 7 goals.

Tommy Urwin

Yet another outside-right Urwin was a makem who spent 6 years at Newcastle between 1924 and 1930. At the age of 34 he was sold to Sunderland for £525 and he continued to play until he was thirty nine (55 appearances and 6 goals)