Season 1974/75 - The Management
Never Can Say Goodbye
The Tories lost two elections and reacted by replacing the congenial Ted Heath with the dictatorial Maggie Thatcher. Spookily a similar change at the top was taking place on Tyneside as Joe Harvey's thirteen year reign on Tyneside ended in acrimony.
Harvey had spent the last couple of years making noises about a move upstairs, but earlier in the season there was talk about him being offered a new contract. He finally got his wish at the end of the season, albeit on the end of a fairly firm boot.
The big Yorkshireman had been on borrowed time since the Cup Final disaster and inconsistent League performances combined with two cup giant killings turned the crowd against him and made his position untenable.
Harvey looked back on the season with regret. "It all looked so promising until the injuries. They've broken my heart this season. I thought we were going to repay the fans this season and it hasn't happened."
But he was proud of the squad that he had left to his successor. "They can all play. All entertain".
Other high profile departures were Bill Nicholson and Brian Clough who was sacked as Leeds manager after only 44 days.
Bye Bye Burky
It was beleived that Harvey thought that first team coach Keith Burkinshaw should have been promoted into the hot seat, but he too found himself unwanted
When they advertised for a new manager there was no mention of a coaching job and no mention of Burkinshaw. The United board kept him waiting unril the end of the season before informing him he was no longer wanted through the post.
He was not impressed: "None of the directors would tell me face to face. It shows how Newcastle handle their affairs. I could say a lot about this but it isn't worth it"
Highly respected within the game he had a number of offers and eventually joined Terry Neill at Spurs.
Now I'm Here
When it was finally announced during the season that Harvey was to be replaced the directors pulled a surprise by advertising for an Assistant Manager; although this was understood to be a temporary arrangement until the end of the season when Joe would hand on the reins.
The media believed that United were after a "big name" and the names of Bob Stokoe, Jimmy Adomson and Jackie Charlton were all thrown into the ring.
Sixty applicants applied for the job, but it was suggested that United's top (unnamed) target had turned them down.
When the name of the new manager was finally announced it took everyone by surprise including Malcolm Macdonald whose famous "Gordon Who?" quote made headline news thanks to his friend John Gibson.
It's fair to say the fans were no more impressed.