Season 1978/79 - The Players

Hanging on the Telephone

Financial problems at the club meant that McGarry had to reap more than he could sow and some shrewd dealing meant the transfer balance was very much in the black. Unfortunately it also meant that we could not compete for the best players.

The transfer market was out of control. The £1million barrier was broken when Trevor Francis moved from Birmingham to Nottingham Forest in February. Incredibly this doubled the previous record set only a month earlier when future United player David Mills moved to West Brom.

Outta Toon

• 07/78 - Geoff Nulty [Everton - £45,000]
• 07/78 - Martin Gorry [Hartlepool - Free]
• 08/78 - Micky Burns [Cardiff - £70,000]
• 08/78 - Mike Larnach [Motherwell - £70,000]
• 08/78 - Alan Kenneddy [Liverpool £330,000]
• 08/78 - Ray Blackhall [Sheff Wed - £20,000]
• 08/78 - Ralph Callaghan [Hibs - Ex]
• 08/78 - Aiden McCaffrey [Derby - £60,000]
• 11/78 - Mick Mahoney [Chicago Stings - £40,000]
• 01/79 - Micky Barker [Gillingham - £65,000]
• 03/79 - Tony Smith [Peterborough - £5,000]
• 03/79 - Alan Guy [Peterborough - £5,000]
• 03/79 - Mark McGhee [Aberdeen - £80,000]
• Total - £790,000

Into Toon

• 08/78 - Jim Pearson [Everton - £75,000]
• 08/78 - Colin Suggett [Norwich - £60,000]
• 08/78 - Peter Withe [Nottm Forest £200,000]
• 08/78 - John Brownlie [Hibs - Ex]
• 11/78 - Mick Martin [WBA - £100,000]
• 12/78 - Alan Shoulder [Blyth Spartans - £20,000]
• 01/79 - Brian Ferguson [Mansfield - Free]
• 01/79 - Kenny Wharton [Grainger Park Juniors - Free]
• Total - £455,000

All Mod Cons

The Players were treated to a new indoor training pitch at their Benwell training ground. Russell Cushing helpfully informed us that the "Tufturf" pitch was made up of the "highest quality polypropylene on an impact absorbing pad made up of countless millions of nitrogen filled cells" and "produced no discernable wear after 20,000 passes"

Obviously pass completion was not a factor otherwise it is likely that the pitch would still be in use today.

It could also "take the weight of approximately half a ton the size of a football boot" as was later proven when Micky Quinn joined the club.

Despite all this coach Peter Morris blamed the lack of outdoor training for the team's slump in the New Year.

Trading Players

Peter Withe offered two cars for sale through the programme; a Toyota Celica Liftback and a Datsun 120Y Coupe 1976. Interested parties were advised to contact him on Newcastle 28631.

I'm So Bored with the USA

During the season Mike Mahoney became United's latest export to the American League whilst Barker, Mitchell and Hardwick had also spent their summers on loan playing there.

There were genuine fears that the financial attraction of playing in the States could seriously impact the English game. The names of the Toon departees - Paul Cannell, Graham Oates and Ray Hudson - suggest this could have been an overreaction.

The Football League decided action was required and brought in new rules to ensure the club trafficking didn't get out of hand. These included a maximum of two loanees per club and loan terms had to be within the close season.

Public Image

The money coming in for those at the top of the profession was increasing dramatically and the football agent wasn't far behind. They were not a new idea - George Best had one - but they were about to breed voraciously. Harry Swales was the main man at the time and he looked after the interests of Keegan amongst others.

Together they ensured he maintained his appealing, clean-cut, cross-market persona. He received many offers but they kept the portfolio slim to "preserve the product as a sharp and potent force".

One of the "select" products was Lyons Maid Goal lollies. Once consumed you were left with a footballer on a stick that could be used in a 5-a-side soccer game "based on true to life soccer with tactical tips from Kevin" (that would be five attackers and not much else then).

Accidents Will Happen

Charlton strikers Mike Flanagan and Derek Hales were in trouble after having a scrap during their FA Cup game against Maidstone.

Alan Ball received a £3000 pound fine after admitting he had accepted an inducement to join Leeds from disgraced former manager Don Revie.

Arsenal defender Sammy Nelson was fined £750 and banned for two games for debagging himself in front of spectators during a match against Coventry.

The Way I Walk

With domestic players overvalued clubs started to look abroad for better deals with a number of players who appeared in the 1978 World Cup coming to ply their trade in the U.K. Spurs (managed by former United coach Keith Burkinshaw) captured the public imagination with their double Argentinian scoop of Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardilles.

Black and White

Barriers were finally being broken down for coloured players too although many suffered horrendous abuse from mindless bigots. Unfortunately the Gallowgate crowd were some of the worst offenders.

Viv Anderson became the first black player to play for England and a number of other coloured players started to make an impact; notably at West Brom who had Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson. "The Three Degrees", as they were dubbed by their politically suspect manager Ron Atkinson."