Season 1971/72
The Easier they Come
Hover over the pictures in this article for even more amazing facts!!
Heels were getting higher, pants were getting hotter and the first shimmerings of Glam could be seen in the distance. The film Shaft coined a new phrase - "Blaxploitation" - and led to a revival in soul music.
By way of contrast unemployment was rising, miners were striking and the working week was temporarily reduced from five to three. The economy was in turmoil and many an evening was spent by candlelight.
The football crisis had continued to intensify with attendances continuing to fall. Lack of entertainment, too much televised football and increased levels of violence both on and off the pitch were seen as the main factors.
The League and FA tried to sort out the players by instructing referees to apply the rule of the law in the so-called "Referees Revolution".
For The Magpies it was a period of transition with Harvey continuing to wheel and deal as he rebuilt the team. It was also a period which saw the arrival of three of the greatest players of recent times; Hibbitt, Green and Macdonald.
United struggled badly in the first part of the season largely as a result of being badly hit by injuries, the loss of Bobby Moncur until January in particular. But they clambered back to mid-table respectability by the season's end.
It was a season when United were at their inconsistent worst/best. They made a disastrous and infamous exit in the FA Cup, but also recorded great away victories at Old Trafford and the Baseball Ground (against eventual League Champions Derby) and rousing home victories over Liverpool (3rd) and Leeds (2nd).
1972 also saw the end of the Popular Enclosure on the Leazes Terrace side of the ground as it was demolished in preparation for the new East Stand.
Terry Hibbitt on the Left and the rest of The 1971/72 Squad
Hover over the pictures below for details of the player's contributions
Departures
Manager Harvey continued to break-up the Fairs Cup winning side with eight players being moved on in the first months of the season.
Arrivals
But this was a period of investment and they were replaced by some of the best buys in the club's history.
Staying put
The Rest
Reserve 'keeper Martin Burleigh made one appearance in the 4-2 home victory over Coventry [1 appearance].
William Coulson warmed the substitute's bench once - it was the closest he got in his United career [0 appearances].
Teenage Centre-back Derek Craig made his debut in the League cup game at Arsenal; the 0-4 reverse his only competitive game for the club [1 appearance].
Ray Ellison was another nineteen year old defender handed his debut during United's early season injury crisis. Unfortunately his 5 consecutive League appearances all resulted in defeats although he was on the winning side in the League cup match against Halifax. He made no further competitive appearances [6 appearances].
Twenty year old left back Keith Kenneddy was the elder brother of future star Alan and he made his only ever appearance for the club in the 0-1 reverse at Nottingham [1 appearance].
Brother of Ron, Chris Guthrie was an eighteen year old centre-forward, but made 2 of his 3 appearances in midfield. United also lost all the games he appeared in. One of 4 players who played their first and last match for the club during that season [3 appearances].
Nineteen year old midfielder Gordon Hodgson made his debut in the defeat at Nottingham Forest [1 appearance].
League
In one of the closest finishes ever Brian Clough's Derby pipped Leeds, Liverpool and Man City for the title (1 point separating the four teams) while Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield were relegated.
United finished in 11th place with 41 points (an almost identical finish to 1970/71 when they finished a place lower with the same points. They won 15, drew 11 and lost 16; scoring 49 and conceding 52.
It is fair to say that optimism was rising. United got off to a terrible start (not helped by a spate of injuries) and found themselves rock bottom at the end of October with a record of won 2, drawn 4 and lost 9. The recovery coincided with the arrival of Tony Green and although they remained inconsistent they took some notable scalps towards the end of the season.
August
Before the start of the season Wyn Davies and Alan Foggon were sold and Terry Hibbitt arrived from Leeds.
United started the season away at Crystal Palace and fielded the following team: Mcfaul, Craig, Clark, Gibb, McNamee, Nattrass (deputising for the injured Moncur), Dyson, Tudor, Macdonald, Young and Hibbitt.
With the notable exception of the 3-2 victory over Liverpool in Supermac's home debut the season started badly for United. In the other 4 games that month they lost 2 and drew 2 and failed to find the net in any of them.
September
They fared no better during September, the low point being a 1-5 thrashing against Leeds at Hillsborough. By the end of the month they had dropped to 17th place.
Injuries were beginning to build up. Jimmy Smith was already a long-term casualty and Moncur, Burton and Young joined him on the treatment table. Pat Howard was bought from Fourth Division Barnsley and thrust straight into the team.
October
A disastrous run of 5 consecutive defeats (including 3 at home) led to United slumping to rock bottom. With injuries continuing to pile up Harvey was forced to blood untried youngsters like Ray Ellison and Chris Guthrie and they sank rather than swam.
The last match of the run (a 0-1 defeat at Goodison Park) saw the debut of Tony Green who put in a man of the match performance. Harvey remained upbeat "all we need now is a few goals and a couple of wins and we can be on the way back".
November
Goals had proved hard to come by with Newcastle failing to score in half their games. In November the tide began to turn, Newcastle netted 8 times in four games and managed their third and fourth victories of the season.
December
Their improved form continued into December and after a goalless draw at home to Chelsea they secured their first away wins of the season at West Brom and West Ham. An expectant crowd of 53,079 turned up on 27/12 for the home game with surprise package of the season Sheffield United. The Blades won 2-1 and United finished 1971 in 16th.
Viv Busby arrived on loan from Fulham. The loan system had been introduced four years earlier to help out smaller clubs who could - following the abolition of the maximum wage - no longer afford to retain large squads. But many within the game wanted the system scrapped as they believed it was open to abuse as the option to loan players was open to all clubs whatever their financial standing.
January
Two convincing home victories were undone by a draw and defeat on their travels. The home game against Spurs on 22/1 had extra significance as work had started on demolishing the Popular Side in preparation for the construction of the new stand. Harvey recognised that it "will have some affect on the players" but at least "it means the new stand will be ready for the beginning of the new season".
Unfortunately the economic problems of the time meant that the new stand was not opened until January 1973.
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February
By February the miners strike was in full effect and clubs were asked to bring forward kick-off times to avoid possible power cuts. Midweek matches had to be postponed or played in the afternoon.
United welcomed back Tommy Gibb and Bob Moncur from injury to add strength to the spine of the team. Only 3 matches were played but United's 2 wins and a draw lifted them into 11th place. The highlight was a well-deserved 2-0 victory at Old Trafford in which Tony Green ran the show.
March
At home United recorded victories over Leicester and Arsenal and drew with League leaders Man City without conceding a goal but they were thrashed 5-0 at Anfield on their travels (the worst defeat of the season).
April
The Magpies had to play 6 games in 22 days; 4 of them away from home. They only managed 2 wins but these were both 1-0 victories against teams vying for the title; Derby at the Baseball Ground and Leeds at SJP.
May
Home games against West Brom (win) and League Cup winners Stoke (draw) rounded off the season.
Nightmare on Edgar Street
League Cup
Stoke City - who included Gordon Banks and ex-United rebel George Eastham - beat WHU in the final at Wembley, but as usual Newcastle got nowhere near.
In the second round Newcastle beat fourth division Halifax 2-1 at SJP in front of 19,930 fans. It was only their fourth victory in the competition since they first entered it in 1960/61.
In the 3rd round they faced a much tougher proposition; Arsenal away. An injury hit United side fell to four second half goals. Jimmy Smith attempted an ill fated return from injury and had to be replaced by Keith Dyson.
FA Cup - Invasion of the Parka Men
On the 30th January 1972 there was carnage in Belfast as 13 civilians were killed by soldiers. Less than a week later and Newcastle were involved in an atrocity all of their own. As we all know too well the game was televised and largely because of the nature of the equaliser we are all forced to relive this horrendous moment year after year.
United had been drawn at home against Isthmian League Hereford in the Third round, seven years after they were beaten at home by another non-league side Bedford Town.
The first match was delayed by bad weather, but when it was eventually played on the 24th January in front of 39,381 spectators Newcastle were one down after a mere 17 seconds. They fought back to go 2-1 up, but then conceded a 25 yard equaliser from player-manager Colin Addison; all this before half time. There were no further goals in the second half.
The replay was postponed no less than four times and when the game was eventually played Hereford's compact Edgar Road ground resembled a swamp . Supermac had promised to score 10 goals, but the BBC MoD cameras turned up looking for an upset.
United created loads of chances but could not find a way past Fred Potter until Macdonald scored with only 8 minutes left on the clock. Hereford immediately brought on substitute Ricky George and within 3 minutes they were level. Ronnie Radford picked up the ball near the half way line and advanced unchallenged before hitting a 30 yard screamer into the top of Mcfaul's goal prompting a mass invasion of the pitch by Hereford fans. All of them seemingly wearing parkas.
The game went into extra time and United should have been the fitter team, but it was Hereford who finished stronger and got their reward when substitute Ricky George scored with a cross-shot in the 103rd minute. Despite desperate attacking from the Magpies Hereford held out to become the first non-league club to defeat a First Division side since Yeovil Town’s 2-1 win over the Makems in 1949.
Silent Running in the Texaco Cup
The Texaco Cup had been introduced in the previous season to a lukewarm reception. With attendances declining many thought that the last thing required was more games, but the League saw it as a way of bringing extra revenue into the game.
As Newcastle's injuries piled up and their League position plummeted many questioned the benefits of the decision. But Joe Harvey remained a firm supporter. "Believe me I want to win this competition just as much as any other. It is extremely valuable to the players both from the bonus they earn and the valuable experience they get in the games. To the club it means much needed cash".
The 1971/72 competition was contested by the following clubs. Coventry, Derby, Huddersfield, Man City, Newcastle and Stoke from Football League Division 1. Airdrie, Dundee United, Falkirk, Hearts, Morton and Motherwell from the Scottish League. Ballymena and Coleraine from the Irish League. And Shamrock Rovers and Waterford from the Football League of Ireland.
In the first round United were drawn against Hearts. United lost the first leg in Edinburgh but a 2-1 victory in the return at SJP brought the scores level in front of a sizeable crowd of 24,380. Amazingly United went through after winning the penalty shoot-out (only Hibbitt failed to score).
In the second round United played Coventry who were then a mid table First Division side. A 1-1 draw was gained in the first leg at Highfield Road. In the second leg banished thoughts of their poor start to the season by thrashing the Sky Blues 5-1.
In the semi-finals Newcastle were drawn against Derby County who would go on to win the Championship that season. Derby won the first leg at the Baseball ground 1-0. The second leg went to extra-time with Clough's men eventually winning 3-2 to meet Airdrie in the final
Attendances for the home games were relatively good: 24,380, 25,230 and 37,000.
Mad Dogs and Geordies - The Supporters
The average attendance during the season was 32,398 which was a 1.75% increase on the previous season. The top crowd was for the home game against League leaders Man Utd; 55,603. The lowest crowd of 18,927 was for the penultimate home game against WBA.
Older fans were starting to listen to LPs with progressive and heavy rock continuing to lead the way, but the singles market was becoming increasingly tacky. There was a certain yobbish synthesis between the new chart acts and the rise of terrace culture although the harder element refused to wear platformed shoes despite the obvious visibility advantage they could provide.
Pop songs of the time became the inspiration for new football songs; amazingly one of the most lasting has been "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" by Scottish band Middle of the Road. It's chorus of "Where's your mama gone.... etc" has proved very useful over the years for taunting opposition fans. United fans used it to good effect to enquire upon the whereabouts of Aston Villa's captain "ooh ah" Paul Mcgrath when the Irish tippler went awol, more recently it has been used regularly to question Leeds fans about their club's financial impropriety.
In contrast it is thought unlikely whether any supporters managed to adapt Benny Hill's Christmas Number One "Ernie (The fastest milkman in the west)" into a terrace anthem.
In the Pre Politically Correct seventies supporters could purchase a mink rosette from the club shop for 75p. The black and white rosettes were made out of real mink and produced at a mink farm in the north of Scotland.
A staff member said "We have always boasted that nothing but the best is good enough for Newcastle fans, now we have Malcolm Macdonald for them to watch on the field and mink rosettes for them to wear. Mink and Mac make a good combination".
Meanwhile the Supporters Club were offering "Dimple Beer Mugs" at 25p (pint size) or 18p (half pint)
In 1971 Esso gifts were "76 beautiful full-colour badge replicas of all leading clubs", everyone with "a shiny metal finish".
In 1972 they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the FA Cup with their Centenary Cup Coins collection; with "a coin for every one of today's professional clubs that has ever won the FA Cup (30 in all).
Meanwhile Shredded Wheat ("Man's natural breakfast") eaters could collect 30 free soccer action pictures to stick in their "Bob Wilson Soccer Action Collector Book" in which "Bob Wilson speaks his mind about soccer".
There were two new crazes for younger supporters: the loud, annoying and - as many a schoolchild was to discover - highly dangerous clackers and the equally bruise inducing space hopper.
Hey Ref Don't Book Me - The Clampdown
1971/72 was the season of the so called "Referees Revolution". The FA and the Football League were becoming increasingly concerned about the increasing levels of foul play, dissent and violence on the football field. They wanted to clean-up the game and better protect the skilful players to improve the quality of the football. They instructed referees to enforce the laws of the game to the letter and clubs were issued with notices of what constituted foul play before the start of the season.
It was made clear that players were to be cautioned for such things as technical offences, tactical fouls, deliberate handling, persistent dissent and tackling from behind, but crucially they decided not to inform them that a "crackdown" was to be imposed.
The early games saw bookings being handed out at an unprecedented rate. On the first night of the "revolution", 17th August, 32 players were cautioned in 15 matches (unexceptional now, but a massive increase then). In United's match at White Hart Lane the following evening seven players were booked. One of the bookings awarded was to Spurs player Kinnear who picked the ball up for a throw-in just before it had left the pitch.
Bobby Moncur's reaction after the Spurs game was typical "we will be going out there with handbags soon; the referees are turning it into a game for cissies".
Players who were cautioned or sent-off had to appear in front of disciplinary committees. They could be fined and/or banned for a number of weeks. Clubs complained about losing players for lengthy periods; the Crystal Palace chairman going as far as demanding the resignation of the League management committee. The PFA were equally incensed and chairman Derek Dougan accused the soccer bosses of jeopardising the livelihood of their members.
The authorities began to lose their nerve and hundreds of players successfully had their sentences quashed or suspended on appeal. Meanwhile the League and the FA were at loggerheads over who should control the disciplinary process. It was in the hands of the FA, but the League thought they should be in charge.
The chaotic situation gradually sorted itself out as the referees were allowed to show more discretion and the League took over control. A new totting-up system was also introduced with players receiving automatic two match bans if they reached 12 points.
Get it On - Toon Style
The early seventies was the period when footballers started to mix with film stars, musicians and models. But whereas Chelsea players mixed with the likes of Raquel Welch and Dickie Attenborough, United's players had to make do with less glamorous "friends".
Supermac knew he had to make an immediate impact on Tyneside and although the chauffeur driven Rolls Royce was a start he wanted an "image".
It is thought that he toyed with the idea of a Shaft style Afro, but changed his mind when he saw an advert that could transform his looks overnight.
The supermac look was born, and all for only £11.00. The look would later be supplemented by the
addition of the moustache.
What's Up Tommy Doc? - Soccer in Crisis
In 1970/71 average First Division attendances had fallen to 30,205 - which represented a 5.7% drop on the previous season - and there was much soul-searching within the game about what needed to be done.
Television Coverage
Many people were convinced that there was too much football on the television and the League reached a new agreement with the television companies that brought in the following rules.
A reduction in the number of televised midweek games.
A club had the right to opt out of a televised showing if it had been featured in any two of the previous four weeks. Derby actually banned the cameras from an FA Cup Tie claiming that the fee of £87.50 was too small.
Saturday dinner time discussions could not disclose the venue of a game to be shown later that day.
The play-back technique could not be used to "pillory" any of the match officials involved.
Lighting was also an issue. The FA lodged a protest to the BBC about the extra lighting installed at Middlesbrough to make colour transmission possible. "in future they have to put their lights above the existing pylons or stick to black and white" said secretary Hardaker.
Hooliganism
There was a violent backdrop to the early seventies. Films such as Straw Dogs, Dirty Harry and A Clockwork Orange were all released whilst the troubles in Northern Ireland continued to escalate. Trouble on the terraces was also an increasing problem and Newcastle matches had their fare share.
At the match at White Hart Lane a Spurs fan fired staples at Newcastle players with a staple gun. Tottenham received a fine of £2000.
During the Texaco Cup match with Hearts, the supporters from Edinburgh engaged in a spot of bottle throwing at the Gallowgate End.
When Man Utd played at SJP George Best had to be protected by body guards after receiving death threats.
Ground Safety
Many British football grounds had not been improved for decades; SJP was no exception. Clubs had not been willing to put cash into improving their grounds and many were in a dilapidated and unsafe state. Following the Ibrox disaster of the previous season an investigation was commissioned by the Home Secretary.
The Wheatley Report called for much stricter crowd control and for football grounds to be subject to the same safety rules as other places of entertainment such as cinemas and theatres. Unfortunately it would be another three years before the Safety At Grounds Act was introduced and even this could not prevent further tragedies.
Violence on the Pitch
Lawlessness on the pitch was also getting out of control especially in the European competitions.
Greek side Panionios were thrown out of the UEFA Cup because of their players behaviour in a game against Ferencvaros.
Italian captain Facchetti is quoted as saying the European Cup will die within 3 years if UEFA do not stamp out the violence.
Spurs manager Bill Nicholson said after a violent match in Rumania "If this is European football, we are better off out of it. I haven't seen a dirtier game in 30years".
Lack of entertainment
The average number of goals in Division 1 in 1970/71 was only 2.3, the average number in Newcastle matches was par for the course: 2.36. It was the lowest total ever and League secretary Alan Hardaker stated that they were seriously considering a change in the rules unless things improved quickly.
During 1971/72 there was a slight improvement to 2.5 goals per game, Newcastle's average was 2.51.
A new offside rule was piloted in the Watney Cup whereby a player could only be offside in the opponents penalty area. An official report on the experiment was very positive.
Shaft(ed) - What else was going on
Arthur Cox became Preston coach
The Football League continued to embrace sponsorship by allowing a number of companies to become "patrons".
The match between Crystal palace and Nottingham Forest was delayed for 5 minutes when the Forest players disputed a "goal" by Steve Kember. The Palace player admitted the ball had not gone in and it was disallowed.
Fourth Division Colchester beat First Division West Brom on penalties in the Watney Cup final after the teams had drawn 4-4.
Liverpool launched their own range of Liverpool mints to rival the world famous Everton mint.
Rangers won the Cup Winners Cup after beating Moscow Dynamo in the final in Barcelona, however one man died and 150 were injured after Rangers fans repeatedly invaded the pitch. Rangers were banned from European Competition for 2 years.
Borussia Moenchengladbach beat Inter Milan 7-1 in the European Cup but the game was declared void because an Inter player had to be carried off after being hit by a beer can thrown from the crowd.
Fans of Belgian side Beerschot stole the Belgian Cup in a protest against their sides poor League form.
The Chairman of the National Federation of Supporters Clubs attacked the Football League's ban on flags and banners as "ridiculous and pointless".
George Best lost his way. First he went missing from Old Trafford for a week and then he failed to turn up for a Northern Ireland match. At 26 Best claimed that he was a mental and physical wreck and was going to retire.
There were 150 transfer deals involving more than £5 million as transfer dealings hit an all time high. The MP of Derby wanted government control of what he described as a "flesh market."
Hartlepool released a record - composed by "top pop composer" Ed Welch - on (incredibly) the world famous United Artists label. The record was titled "Never say Die" and this was the first half of the chorus "We've got the guts but never the luck, here at Hartlepool; We're not very flash and we've got no cash, here at Hartlepool". A UA spokesmen said "It is a good record and with a few plugs it could make the charts".