NUFC - 1950's Keepers

Genial Jack had joined United in the forties and was an ever present during the first season of the decade when he was rewarded with a Cup Winners medal at the age of thirty three.

But at the height of his success Fairbrother was to find out just how precarious a footballer's life could be. At a banquet in London to celebrate the victory over Blackpool Fairbrother found out that a director had been overheard saying that he had played his last game for the club.

The allegation was denied and Fairbrother was still there at the beginning of 1951/52 only to suffer a broken collar-bone in the match at Old Trafford which turned out to be his last game. At the end of the season he moved to Peterborough as player-manager.

Child prodigy who had already been playing first class football for seven years when he joined United at the age of 21. In contrast to Fairbrother's geometric style, Rocket Ronnie was renowned for his cat-like agility and reflexes.

He took over in goal for the 1951/52 season and helped United win the cup in 1952 and 1955. A serious injury suffered during a close season tour of Romania ruled him out for the whole of the 1958/59 season.

United were never convinced that he'd fully recovered and he was demoted and ostracised. There was talk of retirement, but he moved back to Scotland where he continued playing for another decade and won international honours and a European Championship medal.

Little Glaswegian Stewart (5' 9") was vertically challenged in custodian circles and was strictly second or third choice during his time on Tyneside.

He stayed for almost ten years but didn't break the 50 match barrier. He made his debut in 1954/55 and in his four games that season conceded 15 goals.

Simpson's injury led to him starting the first eight games of 1958/59 but he broke his finger allowing new signing Bryan Harvey in. Mitchell returned to his homeland in 1963.

The injury to Simpson forced United into the transfer market and they went to non-League Wisbech Town to sign up their twenty year old 'keeper Harvey. When Mitchell was also injured he found himself thrown in at the deep end.

He remained as first choice through into the sixties until the traumatic 1960/61 team saw him lose confidence and his first team place. At the end of the season he left for Cambridge City.

Shiremoor lad Harker was first spotted as a schoolboy playing for West Allotment. He joined the junior side whilst working as an apprentice in the shipyard. Fed up with playing for the "N"s he returned to the amatuer side, but United came back for him and gave him a part-time contract.

He made his debut three years later at the age of twenty in the last game of the 1957/58 season at Burnley. But, having finished his apprenticeship, he was called up for his two years National Service.

Whilst in service he was involved in an accident where he suffered severe injuries after being thrown out of a military vehicle. He returned to United in 1960 where - during a Combination game - the stitches in the side of his body burst open! This put him out for a couple of months and Mitten, perhaps because he was a bit squeamish - suggested a loan move to Aberdeen.

After the loan period he joined ex-United skipper Bob Stokoe who had taken over as manager of Bury.