Season 1979/80 - The Players

Freedom of Choice

Freedom of Contract had changed the relationship between players and their clubs as out of contract players were now allowed to agree terms with a club of their choice. If the sellers and buyers could not agree a fee then an Independent Tribunal would set the price.

Newcastle would be one of the first "victims" as they lost Irving Nattrass during the summer.

When Your Young

Following the success of Alan Shoulder McGarry continued to seek out the cream of the local non-leagues and two more players made the step up. Council worker Peter Cartwright arrived from North Shields and airport worker Steve Carney was signed from Blyth Spartans

One player who United missed out on though was an eighteen year old from Wallsend Boys Club called Peter Beardsley. He had been training at United but he was on a promise and ended up signing for Bobby Moncur at Carlisle. United's former captain was in no doubt about his ability. "Peter is going to be a great player. His potential is enormous".

Outta Toon

07/79 - John Blackley [Preston - Free]
07/79 - Irving Nattrass [Middlesbrough - £325,000]
07/79 - Andy Parkinson [Peterborough - Free]
12/79 - Peter Manners [Seiko Sports - Free]
02/80 - Jim Pearson [Retired Injured]
05/80 - John Bird [Hartlepool - Free]
06/80 - Peter Withe [Aston Villa - £500,000]
Total - £825,000

Into Toon

06/79 - Ian Davies [Norwich - £175,000]
06/79 - Peter Cartwright [North Shields - Free]
08/79 - Stuart Boam [Middlesbrough - £140,000]
10/79 - Steve Carney [Blyth Spartans - £1,000]
10/79 - Billy Rafferty [Wolves - £175,000]
03/79 - Bobby Shinton [Man City - £175,000]
Total - £666,000

One Step Beyond

The club's annual accounts showed that four players earned more than £20,000; more than manager McGarry. He stated that with players' wages booming this was quite common and pondered whether it was sustainable at some of the less successful clubs