1893/94 Season - The Squad
Custodians
Andrew Ramsay [1 - 0]
Scottish keeper who kept goal in United's first ever match but was one of the players who left after refusing to take a drop in wages.
Joseph Ryder [1 - 0]
Locally born, he replaced the departed Ramsay for the match at Burton; one of only 2 appearances for the club.
W. Lowery [28 - 0]
Another Tynesider, Lowery - a former Trafford custodian - took over for the rest of the season and by all accounts was in excellent form. He even saved two penalties.
Backs
Harry Jeffrey [27 - 3]
Geordie Jeffrey only missed three games (as a result of illness or suspension?) and scored his three goals in consecutive games including United's first ever penalty in League football. A cool customer equally adept with his head and his feet he had a reputation for "beautiful long shots".
James Miller [9 - 0]
Scotsman who partnered Jeffrey for the first nine matches before being suspended because he couldn't be bothered to turn up for training.
Tom Rogers [18 - 0]
Took over from his disgraced fellow countryman for the rest of the season.
J Laverick [3 - 0]
Local lad who deputised on a couple of occasions
Half Backs
Robert Crielly [30 - 1]
Fierce barnetted Scot who had a temperament to match. Crielly was an ever present although he occasional turned out as a back and once on the right wing.
William Graham [30 - 5]
Scotsman Graham was United's captain and played in every game that season. A very popular and respected player he also became "mine host" at a local hostelry during the season. If Crate didn't score United's first goal then he probably did.
Joseph McKane [30 - 0]
The third member of United's ever present Scottish half-back line
JW Barr [1 - 0]
Youngster whose only game for the club was the defeat at Burton Swifts
Forwards
Tom Crate [30 - 13]
Ayrshire born Crate was used right across the front line and also made a handful of appearances at half-back. Played in every game and scored United's first ever League goal (possibly). He played with "swiftness" and unflagging energy.
Jock Sorley [1 - 1]
Prolific scorer from North of The Wall, but he wasn't prepared to take a drop in wages and moved on to Middlesbrough after the first game.
William Thompson [28 - 12]
Small but fast and tricky centre-forward renowned for the accuracy of his shooting; he averaged a goal every two games during his stay on Tyneside. Northumberland born he missed only a couple of games and scored United's first League hat-trick in the home win over Arsenal beating Wallace by a couple of minutes.
Joseph Wallace [27 - 17]
A tricky Scotsman who was United's top scorer that season playing either as an outside or inside left.
Robert Willis [16 - 5]
Amatuer who arrived from renowned local side Shankhouse as United searched for a successor to Sorley. Scored on his debut and never looked back.
J Bowman [1 - 0]
Signed just before the season started his one and only game for the club was the inaugural fixture at Plumstead.
Toby Gilhespy [4 - 0]
Local who got four outings but would never play in the first team again
Thomas Bartlett [3 - 3]
Locally born inside-left who made all his trio of appearances during this season. Scored a hat-trick in the 5-1 victory over Lincoln City.
John Inglis [3 - 0]
Arrived in October or trial from Dalmuir Thistle and played three games at outside left but was not retained.
M Keir [1 - 0]
Taken on trial along with Inglis but only got one game, the 1-3 defeat at Notts County. In some sources he is credited with United's goal but was also held responsible for County's third.
John Law [10 - 2]
Another Scottish import he arrived in November and made all his ten appearances during this season.
John Patten [1 - 0]
Geordie, whose only senior outing for the club was in the victory at Ardwick.
C Quinn [25 - 5]
Used chiefly on the right but also appeared on the left and inside this was to be the only season that the local lad was to be a regular member of the side. A smart player who dodged well and had a decent shot.
Isaac Ryder [1 - 0]
Another local who was a one game wonder. His only game was the 6-0 drubbing of Arsenal but his performance was described as "not too good".
William Simm [1 - 0]
Ditto Simm who only made the card for the home defeat by Small Heath; he was one of seven players tried at outside right.