NUFC Fans - 1972/73

Yobbusters

We just haven't got a clue what to do!

Attendances fell dramatically in the League . Newcastle's average - despite their improved form fell to 28,308 - although this was partly due to the unfinished redevelopment work.

The top crowd was for the game against Leeds on September 23rd (38,964); the lowest crowd was for the next home match against Norwich two weeks later (18,103).

Defeat at home to Luton in the FA Cup Fourth Round had thousands of fans streaming out well before the end. One of them was Robert Bullock of Hewitson Terrace Felling. "I've been going to St James' for 25 years but I don't think I'll be going again. I've never walked out early before but today was the end.

Meanwhile a number of youngsters gathered outside Supermac's boutique and following threats that they would smash the windows in the manager called in dome glaziers to board them up.

There was much heart searching about what was to blame and all the old favourites were mentioned. Sir Andrew Stephen (FA Chairman) summarised the general feeling perfectly citing hooliganism ("there is no doubt there is an urgent need to investigate the madness that takes place on the terraces"), television over-exposure, a saturation of matches/competitions and a lack of entertainment.

They've got to be caught, they've got to be taught

Hooliganism hit the headlines from the very first day of the season. Chelsea received the most press criticism for chaotic scenes before and during the match with Leeds.

On the second Saturday fifty Newcastle fans were arrested after the match at Brammal Lane "everyone of them was a discredit to this Football club and everything it stands for" according to the programme.

Before the League match with Liverpool fighting broke out between rival supporters in The Strawberry. New manager William Stewart (a week into his residency) said "glasses were being thrown about and broken an tables were overturned. There was blood everywhere"

Matters did not improve during the game with fighting breaking out intermittently behind both goals with most of the trouble appearing to be caused by the home fans. In one incident a policeman was knocked to the ground then kicked in the face and had to be removed on a stretcher". Fifty fans were ejected, fourteen were arrested and a number were taken to the RVI for treatment.

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In other instances; a policeman had to rescue a drowning supporter from the River Trent and 75 people were arrested when Man Utd fans invaded the pitch before the home game with Liverpool.

Does anybody know the way, there's got to be a way

FA Secretary Dennis Follows' - whilst admitting that the real answer was all-seater stadia (something he thought impossible with the financial state of the sport at that time) - suggestion was a ban on all youngsters under the age of 18.

Ben Sullivan and the Newcastle Development association was certainly doing its bit with £200,000 net being raised over the last six years in support of ground improvements.

Football League President Alan Hardaker refused to accept it as football's problem and demanded to know what the government were going to do about the "increasing violence which is appearing in all walks of life.. (of) ...which football's problems are merely the tip of an offensive iceberg".

He also attacked the press for their sensationalist reporting of incidents ridiculing one reporter with an "ill-conceived opinion that it was practically an actual danger to life and limb to attend matches!!".

In Scotland a novel idea was tried when the Old Firm derby kicked off at noon. It was hailed as a success as there were only 7 arrests.

You better not go, you never know what you'll find

In an effort to reduce vandalism on the way to the game the Football League invested in a 12 coach train from British Railways for £50,000 and spent a further £15,000 on customising it. It wasn't a new idea; clubs such as Chelsea and Coventry had also chartered their own trains for selected away matches.

For trips to London, the NUSC used to hire their own railway carriage on standard passenger services as well as providing coach travel. The trip to London for the Crystal Palace match cost £4 on the train and £2.10 on the coach.

You better beware, you better take care

Newcastle's new million pound East Stand was finally (partially) opened in February (Luton at home in the FA Cup) , it's completion being delayed as a result of the fuel crisis industrial action within the building industry.

The stand was fully completed for the home match with West Ham in April at a cost of £420,000; almost half of the estimated cost for the whole stadium. The capacity was now 54,500

Most clubs were reluctant to invest money in their stadiums. Chelsea were starting out on the most ambitious programme and Liverpool were also completing a new stand. Chelsea were the first British club to install fencing when in October they installed an eight foot high wire fence topped by three strands of barbed wire (the barbed wire being removed almost immediately).

The FA stated that up to £50,000 was available to clubs wanting to scientifically check the strength of barriers on the terraces.

UEFA began to toughen their stance and decreed that in future European finals would only be staged at grounds with adequate safety facilities. At the time this meant two-metre high fences or moats.

Lack of Goals Lack of Action (baby)

The 1972 European Championships had ended in failure for England culminating in an embarrassing defeat against a much more accomplished and attacking West German side. And in Holland, Ajax were pioneering a "total football" style of football that was much less regimented in terms of formation.

Some English managers (notably Bertie Mee at Arsenal and Malcolm Allison at Man City) claimed they would attempt to adopt a more fluid "continental style" of football, but they were the exceptions and the reality was much different.

Goals and entertainment were at a premium. The number of goals scored in Division 1 was exactly the same as the previous season: 1055, an average of 2.5 per match. Newcastle were the 6th best scorers with 60 goals as Harvey made a conscious effort to make them a more attractive and attacking side.

Sir Stanley Rous suggested that the hooliganism problem "should not be allowed to overshadow the fact that in many matches the entertainment level is just not high enough"

During a goalless draw between Orient an Hull a frustrated supporter ran on the pitch and "scored a goal".

A couple of interesting experiments were tried. The offside law was removed in the Metropolitan League, but it was not deemed a success. And in Russia they simply abolished draws; matches level after 90 minutes were decided on penalty-kicks.

Nice One Cyril

Subbuteo launched "Football Express" (For experienced subbuteo players); a 5-a-side version of the flick to kick classic.

Collectors of "tat" were spoilt for choice with Soccer Sams and Figurino O's both available by mail order.