Newcastle 1976/77 Players

Get a (Grip) on Yourself

The big news story of the summer was the departure of Malcolm Macdonald But Supermac was not the only disgruntled player that Lee and the directors had to deal with during the summer.

When Macdonald left he had a lot to say about the situation at the club including his view on the state of the squad he was leaving behind: "I've never known such dissatisfaction among players in my life. There just can't be any hope of lasting success at Newcastle with all the carry-on behind the scenes"

Although Gowling claimed that team spirit had improved in the 12 months he had been at the club it is fair to say there was a lot of unrest during that hot summer of '76.

Gowling and Nulty led a deputation to see Chairman Lord Westwood as they were unhappy with their share of the rewards from the massive amount of cup matches played in the previous season; the players being played by the rounds progressed through (8) and not by the match (16)

The club's hands were tied somewhat as new government regulations prevented them from giving players any pay rises if they already earned over the specified limit of £8,500 (which all first teamers did). Nulty and Gowling sought clarification; but they were told that there was nothing the club could do.

However although they could not offer better basic contracts there was nothing to stop them improving bonuses. Some clubs offered "loyalty" payment to players after a specified number of seasons service; United had no such scheme.

Effectively a player would have to transfer to get a better contract and consequently both Pat Howard and Irving Nattrass handed in transfer requests. In the end a written promise of a testimonial match persuaded him Nattrass to stay on; funny I must have missed that one.

Tommy Craig and Mick Mahoney were also spent the summer weighing up their options but both ended up staying

The player's actually turned their back on a potential £2,000 payout when they turned down the chance to appear in the TV show "All in the Game". The money was paid to the winners of the competition.

Get a (Strip) on Yourself

They were also up in arms about the new Bukta supplied tracksuit and strip. The strip had the Bukta motif down the sides and the name of the company was emblazoned across the back of the tracksuit tops.

The players were furious that the club had not informed them and felt as if they were being "used" and "exploited"; acting as advertisements and getting no recompense. They wanted a payment into their players pool

Geoff Nulty even approached one of the Bukta directors to put over the player's concerns.

Get a (Slip) on Yourself

The players had a new £50,000 gymnasium at the Benwell training ground but the tarmacadam playing surface was causing problems

The players thought it too hard especially the goalies who didn't like to dive on it! .Wrist injuries suffered by both Nattrass and Cassiddy seemed to support their case

Get a (Lip) on Yourself

When Lee left there was a certain uneasiness amongst some of the players the players. Micky Burns talked of "your stock can suddenly slump when someone new comes in and doesn't rate you"

The players decided - whether out of self-interest or through a real belief that he was the best man for the job - that they should throw their support behind Dinnis

When Nulty, Burns and Gowling met Lord Westwood it appeared that he agreed with them and the players left happy in the knowledge that they were safe. When the directors changed their mind it set off a remarkable battle of power between the players and the directors played out in the full glare of the media.

Get a (Payslip) on Yourself