Newcastle 1966/67 Diary
Pre Season
Pre-season games suggested that nothing much had changed. They struggled to secure a draw at SJP against Danish part-timers Aalborg before drawing and losing a double header against Carlisle. As a result most believed that an unstrengthened United would do well to survive again.
August
United opened up at Villa Park with Ron Guthrie (making his debut) and Ollie Burton deputising for the injured Clark and McGrath. Harvey adopted for a 4-3-3 formation and this was successful in nullifying Villa's more attacking 4-2-4 formation.
There was not much class on display but United ground out a draw at Villa Park with an honest, workmanlike performance.
Harvey sent the same eleven out for the next match, a trip to Brammall Lane and in an undistinguished match the only goal of the game came from a Ron McGarry penalty.
Spurs were the first visitors to SJP and with the influential Iley added to the injury list United were outclassed and could have easily suffered a heavier defeat.
The last game of the month saw a speedy return fixture with Sheffield United who had started the season with three straight defeats. United won 1-0, although it took an opposition own goal to give them the two points.
The result left United in a respectable 13th position despite only scoring three goals in four games.
September
A bad month with three defeats and two draws in the League and a first hurdle exit from the League club left the fans unamused.
A narrow 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford in no way reflected The Red Devils superiority with United only saved from a much heavier defeat by stout defending, lackadaisical finishing and the woodwork.
Two home games followed but United put in a dire performance against West Brom when they were deservedly beaten 3-1 before performing better in a home draw against Burnley [1-1].
The League Cup Final moved to Wembley for the first time but there was no chance of us getting there as Leeds beat us 1-0 at Elland Road in the 2nd Round.
After being comprehensively beaten by Forest [0-3] the Magpies were trailing 1-0 at home to Fulham and only a last gasp goal by Noble prevented another defeat [1-1].
The Cottagers struggle had seen the crowd voice their displeasure and United had dropped to 14th.
October
If September had been depressing then October was enough to make any Geordie suicidal.
Things didn't start too badly as United came away with a point from Goodison Park after a 1-1 draw.
It was a battling performance and with The Toffees struggling to shake off some post European lethargy Albert Bennett deservedly gave Newcastle the lead. In the second period the Evertonians woke up and a stout defensive play ensured our fortress was only breached once.
Highbury was the next destination and this time there was no making up for the gulf in class as the coasting Gunners strolled into a 2-0 half-time lead. Keeper Marshall had to be stretchered off after 74 minutes and Dave Hilley had to take over in goal. It was the eight winless game
The crowd voted with their feet and the visit of Man City drew only 16,253. For the first three quarters of the game the missing thousands seemed to have taken the right decision as neither side looked capable of scoring. But goals from McGarry and Suddick brought a victory at last.
Any thoughts of a resurgence were firmly swept away on the Lancashire coast when United were thrashed 6-0 by bottom of the table Blackpool. To put it in context, The Tangerines were relegated that season, it was their only home victory all season and they only scored 17 home goals in total.
Things started badly when 'keeper Hollins scored an own goal after only 6 minutes and the other 5 goals were all scored within the first hour. United simply fell to pieces; it was a disgraceful performance that demanded action.
By the time Sunderland had arrived on Tyneside the following Saturday Joe Harvey had made his long awaited transfer breakthrough when the club forced out a club record fee to bring in Wyn Davies from Bolton.
Almost 58,000 crammed into St James' to see his debut (almost 4 times the size of the last game!) but there was to be no instant fix. Sunderland cantered to a 3-0 victory that saw United drop to 20th.
November
Man City were ahead of United on goal difference only and a 1-1 draw preserved their advantage. The match itself hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons when Mike Summerbee was sent off after chasing the referee down following his decision not to award a penalty
A Man City fan tried to get to the referee but he was caught by two policeman and the man in black needed a police escort off the pitch. Mounted police were later needed to disperse a lynch mob chanting "we want the referee".
Dave Hollins had been culpable for the goal at Maine Road and he was dropped for the visit of Liverpool. New signing Iam McFaul took his place.
Although another defeat ensued [0-2] it was a much improved performance which appeared to offer some hope of a brighter future. This was soon dissipated when the trip to West Ham brought another defeat [0-3]
Sheffield Wednesday's trip to Tyneside brought together two sides currently shipping goals but - despite missing a hatful of chances - it was United who at last added some potency upfront. Davies finally broke his duck but it was Pop Robson who was the star turn.
December
As with the Man City victory in October the win against The Owls proved to be another false dawn. Six games in December heralded a single point and United dislodged Blackpool from the foot of the table.
Southampton took a while to get going at The Dell but in the last half hour they scored twice and had a further three efforts disallowed for offside as United caved in again. Solid defence had saved them in the previous campaign but they were now shipping goals at an alarming rate.
The steadying influence of the returning Craig, the agility of McFaul and the prodigious aerial power of Wyn Davies combined to allow United to earn a creditable 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea. Then in typical United fashion they performed abysmally as they were crushed 0-3 at home by Villa.
Christmas Eve brought a third home game in succession followed and Leeds were the vanquishers this time [2-1] .
A Boxing Day return fixture at Elland Road ended in a 5-0 thrashing and Harvey decided that he needed to take a major gamble. He decided to cash in on crowd favourite Alan Suddick and use the funds to strengthen the squad. John McNamee, Dave Elliot and Tommy Robson were all brought in and all three made their debut at White Hart Lane. The result, a 4-0 defeat.