The Squad 1947/48

Smiling Jack cost United a British record fee for a goalkeeper when he was signed from Preston in the close season. He was not so happy when he was dropped after a shaky start and he handed in a transfer request.

Regained his place in the side when Garbutt was injured but never really performed consistently at his best and a hand injury ruled him out for a while.

Garbutt was relegated to the reserves at the beginning of the season but returned to the side for two separate periods earning high praise for some grand displays and on each occasion only lost his place due to injury.

Nicknamed "The Duke" because of his stylish day wear, Graham started the season as the first choice left-back. Unfortunately an injury suffered in December robbed him of much of the season.

The experienced Craig started the season at right back, but was dropped after the disastrous home defeat against Chesterfield. Returned to the first eleven in December on the opposite flank to cover for the injured Graham. Was in excellent form to the end of the season helping to stiffen the rearguard.

Blackhall pitman Bobby Cowell took over from Craig at right-back but was dropped after the next disastrous display (the 3-0 defeat at Fulham). Injury to Fraser gave him another chance in the last couple of months of the season.

The third player to be tried at right-back was Glaswegian Fraser who had been bought in the previous season as cover for Brennan. He was in decent form until he broke his foot in the home draw with Coventry.

Geordie Corbett played four times at left-back in September but struggled and lost his place after the 3-0 defeat at Fulham.

Captain Harvey was a fine leader of men and he missed only a couple of games all season. Without his leadership skills promotion could not have been achieved.

At a time when the manager did little more than pick the team the skipper had a vital role and Harvey rose to the challenge.

Joe Harvey Profile

The only ever present, Brennan had a superb start to the season and although he suffered a loss of form in the New Year it was he who often held the defence together when those around him were struggling.

Frank Brennan Profile

Gateshead born Dodgin was a hard grafting left-half who was very much a team man. Made his debut in the Chesterfield debacle (seven years after he first signed on for the club) and was promptly dropped. Bounced back later in the season and played in over half the matches.

From Rutherglen, the experienced Woodburn demonstrated his utility by starting the season at half-back before being dropped (that Fulham game again) and then returning later on as an inside forward.

Handed in a transfer request in January

Attacking wing-half Houghton made his debut in the home win over Leicester in January, a couple of weeks after he had been signed from Ballymena for £6,000.

It was Houghton - playing as an emergency right-winger - who scored the two late goals in the top of the table clash with Sheffield Wednesday which virtually clinched promotion. He broke his arm in the process of scoring the second and had to be carried off.

One of the stars of the title winning Central League side, local youngster Crowe got a couple of run outs towards the end of the season.

This despite the fact that he had spent part of the season on the transfer list.

Charlie could only train in the evenings as he left home at 5.30am in the morning and spent all day working down the pit.

Charlie Crowe Profile

Although his class still shone through he seemed to be struggling fitness wise and in October he was given a "holiday" to recuperate.

He was sold to Chelsea in January for £12,500 and went on to become an England international and captain The Pensioners to their first Championship

The fantastically gifted Shackleton was brilliant one game then frustratingly wasteful the next. He received a lot of criticism in the press for playing to the crowd rather than playing for the team.

He was becoming increasingly disenchanted with life of Tyneside and when he was dropped in January he slapped in an immediate transfer request. The fans were unhappy to see him go but there appeared to be little or no effort from the management to persuade him to stay.

His move to Sunderland set a new British record transfer fee of £20,050

Wayman was still smarting over his omission from the FA Cup semi-final side in the previous season and when he was dropped after the first few games he asked for a transfer.

He moved to Southampton for £10,000 in October.

This was the season when Wor Jackie really arrived. Injury to Walker allowed him to start the season on the right wing but as United's much vaunted forward line began to be sold off George Martin moved Milburn inside.

Jackie finished top scorer with 20 goals and also got married.

Pearson and Shackleton were as thick as thieves and both were occasionally guilty of allowing their undoubted talents to revert to showmanship rather than effective team play.

It was perceived that the pair were the fulcrum of a "disruptive" element in the club and when Shack left Tommy said he wanted to return to Scotland and was sold to Aberdeen in February after 14 years on Tyneside.

Tommy Walker's (now demobbed) season was decimated by injuries with the most serious (a broken arm sustained in training) ruling him out for almost the complete campaign.

Not only was Hair vertically challenged (5' 4") he was also short sighted and was one of the first footballers to wear contact lenses. His perky displays on the left-wing as a replacement for Pearson earned him great praise.

He lost his place in October and did not play again that season.

Top scorer for the Central League side six foot Geordie Donaldson was renowned for his heading ability and was given a handful of chances. Scored his first senior goal in the draw at Leicester.

Right winger Sibley enjoyed his most productive season with Walker injured and Milburn moving into the middle.

Played in over half the games and was second top scorer behind Milburn despite being dropped for a month.

Played at 7, 8, 9 and 10 at various times.

Little Ern was 22 but hadn't played at all in the previous campaign. He got 8 outings at outside-left (mainly after Shack's departure)

His class was noted although he found it difficult to impose himself on games.

Welsh centre-forward Lowrie cost £18,500 when he was signed from Coventry in March with United wanting to bolster their forward line for the promotion push.

But he only played a handful of games before getting injured.

Winger McCall arrived on Tyneside in exchange for Pearson whose place he took in the side

A speedy little winger he helped pep up the Magpies attack and bagged four goals.

Nineteen year old Tommy was only 5' 6" but he was power packed with a good touch. He made his debut in the match at Coventry with the daunting task of filling Shack's boots.

Scored twice in four games before he made way for the recalled Stobbart.

He was an apprentice joiner with Houghton council.