Season 1978/79 - The Squad
Goalkeepers
Mick Mahoney - [Age 27 - Apps 4 - Gls 0 ]
Transfer listed Mahoney was dropped after the first few games of the season; McGarry stating that he was suffering from a lack of confidence. He never regained his place and became one of the many soccer exiles in America when he was sold to Chicago Stings in November.
Steve Hardwick - [Age 21 - Apps 37 - Gls 0 ]
Hardwick had spent the summer playing for Detroit Express in the American League. He was initially in excellent form when he replaced the axed Mahoney, putting the improvement down to the fact that playing in the US had boosted his confidence whereas in the previous season he had been "a bag of nerves". Unfortunately he reverted to type towards the end of the season and was dropped himself.
Kevin Carr - [Age 19 - Apps 8 - Gls 0 ]
Had a spell on loan at Hereford but got his chance when Hardwick's form dipped. Started with some excellent performances, but was guilty of a couple of mistakes towards the end.
Defenders
Peter Kelly - [Age 21 - Apps 16 - Gls 0 ]
The young Scot established himself in the Number 2 shirt at the beginning of the season and did well enough to keep Brownlie out of his favoured position. Suffered a knee ligament injury during the defeat at Luton during November and didn't play again that season.
John Brownlie - [Age 26 - Apps 37 - Gls ]
An experienced international from Caldercruix, he signed from Hibs for £20,000 plus Ralph Callaghan. Used initially as a left-back he reverted to his more familiar position on the right following Kelly's injury. Had a decent enough season and the fans enjoyed his frequent forays upfield before he broke his collar bone in April.
Irving Nattrass - [Age 25 - Apps 24 - Gls 3]
Nattrass settled his differences with the club and signed a "lucrative" new contract. Unfortunately an achilles tendon injury picked up in a pre-season friendly at Hull meant he missed much of the first half of the season. On his return he was almost back to his best and was used in midfield, central-defence and full-back.
David Barton - [Age 19 - Apps 22/2 - Gls 2]
Injuries to various defenders allowed the lanky Barton to play in half the games that season. The extended run in the side saw him recover from a shaky start to put in some decent performances.
John Bird - [Age 32 - Apps 29 - Gls 3]
Bird migrated in and out of the team as a result of a troublesome groin. One of his more effective seasons at the club, although his artistic tendencies were still belied by his playing style.
John Blackley - [Age 30 - Apps 32 - Gls 0]
Player of the year in the previous campaign Blackley had another excellent campaign although he too was dogged by injuries. A class player at the club at the wrong time he also filled in at left-back towards the end of the season.
Kenny Mitchell - [Age 21 - Apps 29/5 - Gls 1]
Could have been listed in any of the categories as he was used all over the place wearing all the following shirts at one time or another: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12. Used mainly as a left-back he had an indifferent season in which he was partly culpable in a number of opposition goals.
Micky Barker - [Age 22 - Apps 6/2 - Gls 0 ]
Following Alan Kenneddy's departure Barker was handed the Number 3 shirt, but he relinquished it when Brownlie arrived. Got a couple more games, but McGarry spent most of the season trying to move him on . He eventually moved to Gillingham.
Keith Mulgrove [Age 19 - Apps 0/1 - Gls 0 ]
Haltwhistle born left-back Mulgrove made his one and only professional appearance when he came on as a sub in the away defeat at Brighton.
Midfielders
Nigel Walker - [Age - Apps 19/2 - Gls2]
Described as a "souped up Jimmy Smith" by ex midfield maestro Tony Green after one performance Walker started the season well. But, as was to be the story throughout his career, he could not perform consistently and his form dipped towards the end of the season.
Terry Hibbitt - [Age 31 - Apps 44 - Gls 0]
Installed as captain on his return Hibbitt played more games and made a greater overall contribution than any other player during the season. Worked tirelessly and occasionally managed to produce the intelligent and accurate passing that he was renowned for in his first spell at the club
Tommy Cassiddy - [Age 28 - Apps 21/1 - Gls 1]
Troubled by a groin injury, it was a difficult season for the bulky Irishman who lost form and confidence and was barracked by home supporters during the goalless draw with Orient. Tended to mix his undoubted skills with momentary lapses of concentration.
Colin Suggett [Age 29 - Apps 21/3 - Gls 0]
Sugget signed from Norwich for £45,000 on the eve of the new season. An ex-Makem from he made a reasonable start but his form was inconsistent and lost his place in the side when Mick Martin arrived.
McGarry tried to offload him to Blackburn as part of an exchange deal to bring John Bailey to Tyneside. The deal was scuppered when Rovers - worried about his right knee - declined on medical grounds.
Mick Martin - [Age 26 - Apps 26 - Gls 1]
Signed for £100,000 from WestBrom in December he inspired a mini-revival. An Eire International he added a bit more guile to the midfield.
Jamie Scott [Age 18 - Apps 2 - Gls 0]
One of a number of youngsters given only a couple of games to show what he could do and then never to appear in the senior team again.
Peter Manners - [Age 19 - Apps 2 - Gls 0]
Makem midfielder who made his only 2 appearances for the club towards the end of the season.
Kenny Wharton - [Age 17 - Apps 0/2 - Gls 0]
Kenny was signed as a non-contract player at the beginning of the season and impressed enough to be given a contract in January. Made his debut as a substitute in the 0-5 hammering at Upton Park.
Attackers
Peter Withe [Age 26 - Apps 43 - Gls 16]
Arrived in a £200,000 deal after helping Nottingham Forest win the Championship. Withe had refused to accept new terms with Cloughie's boys and made the shock decision to step down a division.
Top scorer with 16 goals Withe was not a natural goalscorer (at least with his feet) but he was brave, fearless and hard-working. He led the line well but had precious little support from the myriad of players used alongside him.
Jim Pearson [Age 25 - Apps 10/1 - Gls 4]
Pearson's season was wrecked by a plethora of injuries: a broken nose, ligament injuries to both knees and a torn calf muscle.
When he was available he actually managed to score a couple of goals.
John Connolly - [Age 28 - Apps 35/1 - Gls 8
Glaswegian Connolly arrived from Birmingham in the same move that saw Hibbitt return. He was glad of a move further North and was one of McGarry's more successful purchases.
An old fashioned style winger he also weighed in with a decent number of goals.
Alan Shoulder [Age 25 - Apps 24 - Gls 11]
Shoulder was captured for £15,000 after he received assurances that he would be allowed to continue his mining studies. He was thrust straight into the first team . His enthusiastic play, raw ability and decent scoring ratio resulted in him retaining his place although he missed the FA Cup games because he was cup-tied.
Mark McGhee - [Age 21 - Apps 4/8 - Gls - 2
The young Scot struggled to adapt to the English game although he did manage one of his trademark goals following a mazy dribble.
He was eventually taken to Aberdeen by Alex Ferguson.
Gary Nicholson [Age 18 - Apps 6/3 - Gls 0]
Newcastle born Nicholson made his debut in the 1-0 home victory over Cambridge. He got a few opportunities when Connolly was injured, but would rarely play again.
Alan Guy [Age 20 - Apps 2/1 - Gls 0
Jarrow born Guy was given a couple of run outs before he was signed by ex-United coach Peter Morris
Andrew Parkinson [Age 19 - Apps 0/1 - Gls 0]
South African striker who made his final appearance in a black and White shirt in the 5-3 home victory over Charlton.
Stuart Robinson [Age 19 - Apps 6 - Gls 20]
Two goals in 6 games was a decent return for this outside-left from Smogsville; but he never got another game for the club.