1976-77 Season - July/August

With Micky Burns, Tommy Craig and Alan Gowling all unavailable United were forced to field a very inexperienced forward line in Paul Cannell and debutant Alan Guy for their trip to the Priestfield Stadium. It was the first time the two clubs had ever met.

Cannell gave United an early lead and United looked comfortable in the first period.

The second half saw the Gills giving United a much tougher time and they deservedly equalised. The parity did not last for long as Tommy Cassiddy blasted the ball in from all of thirty yards four minutes later.

United suffered their first reverse of the season on Teesside when David Mills scored six minutes from time to give Jackie Charlton his first derby victory. Despite the precaution of an all-ticket crowd trouble broke out when some United fans infiltrated the Boro enclosure.

What little positive football was on show generally came from the home side with The Magpies content to retain possession. There were few real chances although Wiley hit the bar and Mills had another effort chalked off for offside

It was a tough match and three players were booked but the real villian in United's eyes, Graeme Souness, escaped scot free. Richard Dinnis accused him of going "over the top" in the challenge that resulted in Tommy Craig limping off. Brandishing a shin pad with a two inch hole he demanded that Souness should be banned. After the game Tommy Craig blasted Souness claiming he could have broken his leg.

United slumped to 10th

Craig had been interesting Aston Villa but Gordon Lee - who had previously been prepared to let him go - seemed to have changed his mind. John Tudor's protracted move to Stoke was still ongoing but would soon be finalised.

Another player who had clashed with Lee - Pat Howard - was on his way, joining Supermac at Arsenal

United were on the look out for a right back and Peter Daniel (Hull) and John Brownlie (Hibs) were both under scrutiny.

The visit of the Red Devils was another all-ticket affair and inclement weather conditions led to a remarkable 10,000 ticket holding fans (mostly from Lancashire) not turning up.

Despite the gale force winds and driving rain both sets of players put on a decent show for the sodden crowd. United played into the wind in the first half and took the lead in controversial fashion after 14 minutes. Kenneddy broke down the left; players on both sides pulled up when the linesman raised his flag for offside against Barrowclough

But the referee waived play on judging that the winger was not interfering with play and Kenneddy crossed for Cannell to dive in and head home much to the annoyance of Old Trafford boss Tommy Docherty who complained about inconsistent refereeing

With the wind behind them the Mancunians pressed forward and equalised within minutes when Pearson made the most of a mix up between Mahoney and McCaffrey. A 30 yard screamer from Jimmy Greenhoff put the visitors ahead.

The Magpies had the weather in their favour in the second period and within eight minutes had grabbed an equaliser when Burns slotted home superbly after rounding Alex Stepney.

Meanwhile it was reported that a move for Ralph Callaghan of Hearts was on ice after the player suffered an injury.

Gordon Lee risked the wrath of the footballing supremos by sending a virtual reserve team to Scotland for the Anglo Scottish Cup Second Round First Leg game in Scotland

Lee also made the journey to look at some of his fringe players but could not have been impressed as they were well beaten with only the retired Iam McFaul putting in any sort of performance.

United's insolence got them a £4,000 fine and a premature ejection from the competition whilst manager Lee was "severely censured"; nobody seemed particularly bothered.

When United travelled to Elland Road they were very unlucky to come away with only a point after cutting Leeds to shreds in a brilliant second half display.

"We showed Leeds how to play football" crowed Lee; "it was controlled football, the sort I like and have preached since I arrived at Newcastle". The four thousand travelling fans were equally impressed.

Gowling had aggravated an old thigh injury at Old Trafford and Lee drafted Oates in as a forward.

The first half had been pretty even with United keeping it tight and neither side creating too much but the second period started in explosive fashion.

In the first minute a Nulty slip let in McNiven who lashed the ball home. The Magpies hit back strongly and Oates thought he'd scored his first goal for the club only to see it disallowed for offside.

The Novocastrians continued to press forward and deservedly equalised with ten minutes left; Cassiddy almost on his knees to head home.

Three minutes later Harris nodded Leeds back in front but with four minutes left Cannell smacked a rising shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Meanwhile former Sunderland coach Arthur Cox returned to Old Blighty after a spell coahing in Turkey.

Stoke City (8th in Division 1) were the visitors in the League Cup Third Round and the Tyneside Boys Band was "the turn". Only England keeper Peter Shilton prevented a thrashing as United turned the screw.

Nattrass blasted in the first and Tommy Craig was on target from the penalty spot. Micky Burns grabbed a third and Graham Oates, I repeat Graham Oates, was man of the match.

The month ended with a tremendous victory over Champions Liverpool who were leading the way again after five wins in six. Once again the rain was lashing down but served to inspire rather than dampen United's enthusiasm.

Not only did United win they dominated the game with Liverpool only really getting a look in the first and last ten minutes. They played a controlled passing game injected with pace and thrust when it mattered.

With Lee away scouting it was Dinnis who took control and enthused : "the team does the talking for itself; they played magnificently".

The only game of the match came five minutes from the break as Cannell dived to head in an inswinging Barrowclough corner. Only Liverpool custodian Clemence's acrobatics prevented further strikes.

"I've told the doubters I can do it in the best company" claimed Cannell, "now I hope I've proved it".