NUFC - 1950's Forwards

The one and only JET Milburn was the undoubted star of United's great team of the early fifties and can still lay claim to being Tyneside's favourite son. With his lightening pace and thunderbolt shooting Jackie was regarded as one of the greatest players in the World.

In the first years of the decade he was played at centre-forward but over the years he was used as both an inside forward and as an outside right where his career had begun.

Featured in every match during the Cup Final years of 1951, 1952 and 1955 and scored both goals against Blackpool and the first against Manchester City.

The little maestro from was one of the stars of the 1951 Cup winning side and missed only 2 games of the 1950/51 campaign. He was the schemer with the precision passing who made the team tick

Then sensationally - at the beginning of the 1951-52 season he was controversially sold to Blackpool after handing in a transfer request following his exclusion from a pre season friendly tournament.

Formed a lethal partnership with Milburn at the beginning of the decade stocky Chilean George was a perfect foil. Robledo was a grafter and a sharp shooting opportunist with a lethal finish.

His best season was 1951/52 when he equalled Hughie Gallagher's 39 goals in a season record and finished as the top scorer in Division 1. Returned to his home country at the end of the 1952/53 season.

Un-Irish toe poker Hannah provided a more subtle alternative to Robledo at inside left. Frail but fleet of foot he had silky skills and an accurate shot but never fully established himself in the side despite some extended runs in the first team

Was excellent in the 1955 Cup Final; scoring one of the goals that won the day.

Allowed to leave as he approached thirty but he continued playing for almost another decade.

A big money signing from Southend Welshman Davies stayed on Toon for seven years without ever establishing himself as first choice despite a decent strike rate of one goal every three games.

His footballing finesse earned him international recognition; but domestic success evaded him when a bout of tonsilitis ruled him out of the 1955 Cup Final.

It took a significant outlay to capture the 23 year old centre-forward from Millwall but he rarely featured in the first team despite an impressive 50% strike rate.

A seven goal burst in only six games at the end of the 1953/54 season helped United steer away from the relegation zone and he scored both goals in the victory over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup 5th Round replay of 1955.

Signed initially as a right winger he would play in all the forward positions during his nine year stint on Tyneside.

He was only 5' 7" but made up for his lack of inches with great strength, pace and shooting power and had an impressive 50% strike rate.

He was a great favourite of the fans and players alike, but was constantly overlooked by the England selectors. Jackie Milburn dubbed him the greatest uncapped forward.

Welsh international William Isiah had a virtually identical build and similar style to Len White but couldn't match the Yorkshireman's goalscoring exploits..

He was signed from lowly Chester for a big fee, replacing Ernie Taylor and appearing in all the matches of the 1952 Cup Run.

He appeared at both inside and outside right during the following two seasons before leaving for Southampton. The Saints would later demand their money back when a back injury became apparent but their appeal was dismissed.

Six foot army man Victor was one of a number of big money forward signings during the early fifties. He started as a deputy but took over the Number 9 shirt during 1954/55 as Milburn moved back out to the flanks.

"The Camel" was brilliant in the air but less effective on the ground but still managed a highly respectable 50% goal per game ratio.

Victor played a major part in United's 1955 Cup run scoring five goals during the earlier rounds and led the United attack for a couple more seasons before he fell out of favour.

Vertically challenged Scotsman who got a good run in the side when he first joined but rarely featured again before moving to The Dell

Ivan was an established England international when he arrived on Tyneside for a hefty fee at the ripe old age of 31

On his arrival he took over the No. 8 shirt from Reg Davies but he was an outspoken figure and during the 1954/55 season he gradually appeared less and less.

He clashed with a number of people at the club. A fall out with trainer Norman Smith meant he was soon on his way.

Plucked from Southport at the age of 21 Mr Gaskell was seen as a future star, but never lasted the season. His one game was a 3-2 Boxing Day defeat at home to Middlesbrough.

Trainee teacher who joined United as a teenager and stayed for 24 terms. Although he was a carrot-top the crowd took to his pacy, hard-working displays.

Despite his abilities he never got that many opportunities but had an excellent 11 game run during 1956/57 which included a hat-trick against Sunderland in United's 6-2 victory at SJP in December. He is one of only three players to achieve such a feat.

Walker born William graduated from the junior side and stayed at the club for almost six years although he was another who spent time away doing his "Service".

Small for a centre-forward Curry's goal return was impressive; he was hard working, decent in the air and had a powerful shot. But he failed to dislodge the White/Keeble partnership and the arrival of Eastham and Allchurch pushed him further down the pecking order.

Destined to become one of the most controversial and significant footballers in the history of the game the frail looking Eastham was plucked from Irish football as a teenager. Fabulously skilful, a brilliant passer and with an excellent football brain he was destined to become a full England international.

He was a star performer in what was a struggling side and he won U23 honours whilst at Gallowgate. It was when he decided to move onwards and upwards in the summer of 1960 that the fireworks really began.

Arthur had impressed United with his performances during the 1955 FA Cup Final and when we were falling perilously close to the drop zone towards the end of the 1957/58 season he was drafted in.

He scored two goals on his debut to secure a first United win in five games and seven goals in eight games helped avert relegation. Three more appearences in the following season and three more goals but he was still dispensed with when Ivor Allchurch was signed up. Just unlucky or something more sinister?

One of a number of small, stocky forwards on United's books during the fifties Ken was very much a reserve to the classy partnership of Eastham and Allchurch. The departure of the star duo and relegation brought increased opportunities for Hale to show his abilities. But he was not so hearty when he was sent to Coventry

Unlike his more illustrious namesake the Irishman's impact on Tyneside was minimal with his main claim to fame being that he arrived on in exchange for a certain Jackie Milburn.

Started 1957/58 in the first team but soon lost his place in the side to Gordon Hughes and left for Norwich in the summer.

Charlie Mitten had been appointed to try and revive United's ailing fortunes and one of his first acts was to sign Ivor Allchurch "The Golden Boy" of Welsh football. It was an inspired signing and the classy Welshman inspired an upturn in fortunes in the last two decades of the sixties.

A brilliant schemer who passed to perfection; Ivor also possessed a venomous shot. He maintained a high level of consistency but United's sixties decline and his family's homesickness led him back to his homeland.

One of the many players who only got one chance in the seniors Wilson arrived as a seventeen year old but was on his way when he was still in his teens.

His one chance came in the second game of the 1958/59 season whilst Len White was out injured. He put in a combative display but United slumped to a 3-0 defeat and that was end of his wave.

Well respected in his homeland, Scotsman Bobby was signed as cover for Len White. Too small and lightweight to make an impact in England although he scored twice in his last match; a 7-2 rout of Fulham at the beginning of 1960-61.