Season 1974/75 - The Players
You Make Me Feel Brand New
Harvey spent a cool half million with three major signings including that of Mick Burns which was only £10,000 short of United's record. It made for a significant transfer deficit.
- 06/74 - Glenn Keeley [Ipswich - £70,000]
- 06/74 - Micky Burns [Blackpool - £170,000]
- 12/74 - Geoff Nulty [Burnley - £120,000]
- 12/74 - Tommy Craig [Sheff Wed - £110,000]
- 03/75 - Mick Mahoney [Torquay - £25,000]
- Total - £495,000
When Will I See You Again
The only big money move out was that of Terry Mac, the fee beating our previous highest sale (Pop Robson) by £50,000.
Goalkeeper Martin Burleigh decided to quit the game and join the RAF military police when Newcastle refused to agree to his transfer request. "They have ridiculed me at every opportunity and blown up my weight problem out of all proportion until I feel like a freak".
He weighed 16st 2lb; 3 stone heavier than a year ago. Eventually he lowered his sights and moved to Darlington
Frank Clark was a surprise departure at the end of the season; the club skipper moving to Nottingam Forest on a free. The club - with Alan Kenneddy established - believed that it was time for him to move on.
Clarkie of course played on and helped Cloughie's men win the Championship and the European Cup.
- 10/74 - Martin Burleigh [Darlington - £8,000]
- 11/74 - Terry McDermott [Liverpool - £170,000]
- 03/75 - Tony Bell [North Shields - Free]
- 08/78 - Frank Clark [Nottm Forest - Free]
- Total - £178,000
Thanks for the Memory
Reserve Laughton had to retire through injury, but 31 year old McFaul seemed to make a premature exit from the sticks.
- 06/75 - Dennis Laughton
- 06/75 - Iam McFaul
Rock The Boat
The referees were still trying to get the players under control but the season got off to the worst possible start when a bad tempered Charity Shield match between Leeds and Liverpool came to a boil when Kevin Keegan and Billy Bremner were sent off for fighting. They both ripped their shirts off in protest, resulting in a £500 fine and a ban stretching to late September.
Spurs manager Bill Nicholson resigned blaming "out of control players" and the Newcastle management also had their fair share of problems with United's workforce.
When Jimmy Smith was substituted during the cup defeat at Walsall he refused to come off and argued with coack Burkinshaw for several minutes with United having to carry on with ten men.
But is was big money signing Micky Burns who really upset the apple cart. At the turn of the year he went on record as saying that he had "joined the wrong club" and after a couple of months brooding matters came to a head in March.
Harvey had asked him to play for the "stiffs" at Derby. When he refused Joe told him that he would be fined and suspended for a fortnight; Burns went home to Blackpool.
Harvey was livid. " As far as I'm concerned Burns will never kick another ball for the first team. It is the sort of action which is killing the game. Some players these days have no thought for the club or their fans."
"No player can refuse to play for his club and get away with it. They are making a great living in an enjoyable job. Yet they react like this. It's a disgrace!"
You Can Have it All
During the previous season some of the younger players had made waves about the inequality of the "Players Pool" which meant that the fourteen members of the "squad" received payments even when they were not playing while those outside the inner circle got appearance money only. The players decided that payments should be made for appearences only.
The player awards were sponspored by Wilkinson's Sword. Those who "cut it" got £10 for being man of the match, a "Handsomly engraved dagger" for being Player of the Month and a "handsome prize" for being Player of the Year.
Too Good To Forget
David Craig was rewarded with a testimonal at the end of the season. The opponents were Sunderland and as the two rivals also met for Martin Harvey's testimonial it was decided that they would play for an unofficial Testimonial Trophy. United won on aggregate to secure their second trophy of the season!