Newcastle 1970/71 Squad

Despite banking a decent sum of cash from the Fairs Cup run Harvey struggled to get the right players at the right price and faced a season of frustration trying to strengthen the squad.

It had quantity rather than quality and although the defence was strong the midfield and attacking areas were still lightweight.

Youngsters Stewart Barrowclough and Tommy Cassiddy were signed for the future whilst junior Nattrass impressed everyone with his fine performances.

A number of players who did not command a regular place throughout the season became unsettled including Jimmy Smith, Keith Dyson, Alan Foggon and John Cowan (who never made a single appearance)

Pop Robson's sale was - at £120,000 - twice the record amount previously received; the club hadn't wanted him to go but at least they now had the extra purchasing power to buy a top class player. The question was could they get one?

Goalkeepers

Iam McFaul (26) [48/0 - 0] Willie was only nillie for one game that season; the 3-0 defeat by Leeds on Boxing Day. He had another sound season although he admitted at one stage that the lack of goals was making him more nervous as he knew that one slip at the back could cost them the game.

There was no repeat of his penalty heroics in the Fairs Cup as he failed to stop any of Pesci's efforts in the shoot-out.

Martin Burleigh (19) [1/0 - 0] With John Hope on his way out teenager Burleigh had become McFaul's deputy . Made his debut in the 3-0 defeat at Elland Road on Boxing Day.

Full Backs

David Craig (26) [38/0 - 1] Established at right-back for club and country and recognised as one of the best players in his position in the UK the modest Craig had another excellent season despite missing most of the last two months through injury.

Frank Clark (26) [37/0 - 0] After a cartilage injury at the end of 1969/70 Clark spent the summer regaining his fitness before again succumbing on the eve of the new campaign.

John Craggs (21) [11/0 - 0] Stepped in when Craig was ruled out in March but with the Irishman in such brilliant form he knew he would never be a regular and decided it was time to move on . He joined the euphemistically heavyweight brigade in Smogsville at the start of 1971/72

Ron Guthrie (26) [13/1 - 0] An experienced deputy for Frank Clark he got a couple of good runs in the side but a hamstring injury ruled him out of the latter stages. Harvey was always full of praise for a player he thought could be "good enough for England" if he could establish himself in the side .

Centre Backs

Bobby Moncur (25) [48/0 - 3] Bobby Moncur had a great season; the captain hardly missed a game and was rewarded for some excellent displays for Scotland by being handed the captaincy of his country too.

John McNamee (29) [30/0 - 1] Continued to vie with Burton for the place alongside Moncur. The Welshman's regular injury problems meant he got plenty of opportunities.

Ollie Burton (28) [17/1 - 0] Another season blighted by injury for the Chepstow chappie as he struggled to shake off the effects of a knee injury picked up on their North Atlantic tour.

Irving Nattrass (18) [1/3 - 0] Irving Nattrass had only just signed professional during the summer but was rewarded for some excellent displays with the juniors and reserves by being called into first team action. Made a couple of substitute appearances before making his first full appearance at centre-back in the last game of the season.

He received rave reports for his cultured displays and Harvey believed he could go "right to the top". Skipper Moncur compared him with the classy Colin Todd.

Midfielders

Tommy Gibb (25) [49/0 - 2] Played in every game to keep up his remarkable record of not missing a game since August 1968. Certain sections of the crowd never appreciated his style and he found himself on the end of so much abuse that Frank Clark was moved at one point to criticise the fans publicly

In the home game against Stoke Gibb "gestured" to the crowd and he even asked to be excused from playing in home games although he only actually missed the derby friendly.

Jim Smith (23) [28/0 - 3] After starting in the first half dozen games the inconsistent but highly skilled scotsman was out of the picture until the New Year when he replaced Arentoft.

When he returned his commitment level seemed higher than usual and many thought that the penny had finally dropped that he had to contribute more to the overall play.

Preben Arentoft (27) [18/0 - 0] United accepted a £25,000 offer from Portsmouth for the Dane during the summer but he turned them down.

Recalled to the first team when Jimmy Smith was out of favour, but made his last appearance for the club in a 1-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest in January. He would be sold during the following campaign.

David Young (25) - [28/1 - 2] David Young, who had been at the club since 1964, had his most productive season appearing in roughly half the games. A defensive midfielder he was often used as a man marker. A job in which he excelled against Mazzola in the matches against Inter

Dave Elliot (25) [1/0 - 0] Well out of favour Elliot made his last appearance for the club in the drab home draw with Ipswich. He was sold to Southend in January.

Ian Mitchell (24) [3/2 - 1] Signed in the summer from Dundee for £50,000, Mitchell had an excellent pedigree in Scotland. But he struggled to adjust to the pace and physicality of the English League and was often on the treatment table.

Attackers

Wyn Davies (28) [41/0 - 6] Wyn Davies was once again brilliant in Europe, but home sides were developing tactics to deal with his threat and he scored only 2 goals in 37 domestic matches.

Rumours persisted through the second half of the season that United were ready to cash in on Davies before his market value dropped too much. After getting injured in March he struggled to get back into the side and he indicated he wanted to leave.

He got his wish when he was sold to Man City just before the 1971/72 season.

Bryan Robson (24) [36/0 - 10] Despite the fact that he struggled to score regularly and joined West Ham in February Robson still ended up as top scorer with a mere 10 goals. Pop caused a sensation when he called a press conference during wish he poured out his weeping heart and labelled the club as "unprofessional".

Keith Dyson (20) [39/1 - 7] Dyson who had established himself in the team towards the end of the previous season was also a regular fixture in the side, but his goals return was also unimpressive. He turned out at outside right, inside right and even centre-forward and attracted an inquiry from Bobby Robson at Ipswich

Alan Foggon (20) [14/2 - 4] Alan Foggon who could play on the wing or further infield, never forced himself into the side on a regular basis and professed himself unhappy with second string football. Alan was sold before the beginning of the next season

David Ford ( ) [15/2 - 2] Injury prone winger who replaced Alan Foggon on the left-wing from October to December but the 3-0 defeat at Leeds proved to be his last game. He moved to Sheffield United in January along with 'keeper John Hope in the exchange deal that brought John Tudor to Tyneside.

John Tudor (24) [16/0 - 5] Tudor signed from Sheffield United in January 1971 as Harvey looked to replace the unhappy Robson. Scored regularly after six initial blanks.

Stewart Barrowclough (18) [2/1 - 1] Eighteen year old right winger Stewart Barrowclough had been signed in the close season from Barnsley (£23,500) after only making a handful of appearances for the Tykes. He was given a couple of opportunities; scoring once on his debut

Gordon Hindson [2/1 - 0] Had appeared a couple of times in the previous two seasons, before but always away from home. Outside-left Hindson played twice (both at SJP) and scored in the 2-1 home defeat by Blackpool