Season 1972/73

Cum on Feel the Noize

During season 1972/73 there was an alarming drop in League attendances with the total number attending League matches in England falling by almost 3 million. it was the lowest level since the War. Newcastle were one of many clubs whose average attendance fell although in our case the delayed completion of the East Stand was a contributing factor.

Many reasons were put forward for the dramatic decline; but there were four main factors.

The rising spectre of hooliganism. The Vietnam war was drawing to a close but on the terraces of Britian yob culture was taking over our grounds. Slade wanted the "girls (to grab) the boys", but it was the boys who were grappling with themselves.

Too many matches and competitions. For the top clubs European matches had been added to the League, FA Cup and League Cup. But even for less successful clubs there were the Texaco Cup, the Watneys Cup and the Anglo Italian Tornament. Newcastle played a total of 59 games despite early exits from the major cup competitions (42 in the League, 2 in the League Cup, 2 in the FA Cup, 6 in the Texaco Cup and 7 in the Anglo-Italian Cup).

Too much television coverage. Highlights on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons was deemed to be too much and a number of clubs felt that the money received from the TV companies did not adequately compensate them for the loss in gate money.

The poor quality of football being served up. Keith Fisher - writing In the 1973/74 Soccer Gift Book - summed up the English game in damning terms. (The football on offer in 1972/73) "was a continuance of the muscled-method which has strangled entertainment in the game. Fans have become justifiably apathetic watching faceless sides battle week-in week-out in an attempt to gain 'midfield supremacy' without 'giving anything away at the back'. "

On a more positive note British sides were becoming increasingly successful in European football. Liverpool won the UEFA Cup, Leeds were unluckily beaten in the European Cup Final and even Newcastle won the controversial Anglo-Italian Cup.

Twentieth Century Boys

The Newcastle side was much more settled during the season with Harvey sticking with virtually the same players throughout. "On paper I had one of the best sides in the country" boasted Harvey.

But there wasn't much strength in depth and a number of injuries to key players at the start of the season stretched resources to the limit. "At one stage you would have thought that the Vietcong had been through here" moaned Harvey showing wonderful political insensitivity .

Harvey also started to change the style of the team to make them more adventurous. As Bobby Moncur said "We have more flair and style now. We don't need to rely on defence so much to earn our points."

The British transfer fee record was broken when David Nish moved from Leicester to Derby for £225,000; but with money tied-up in the new stand the only addition to the United squad was Terry Mcdermott who cost £25,000 from Bury. Meanwhile reserves Keith Kenneddy, Chris Guthrie, his brother Ron, Ray Ellison and David Young were all dispensed with for a grand total of £58,000. The latter three all being carted off to Sunderland

Back row: Burkinshaw, Gibb, Young, Reid, Howard, Nattrass, Smith, Harvey. Middle Row: Craig, Crossan, Hodgson, McFaul, Burleigh, Ellison, Guthrie, Burton. Front Row: Tudor, Green, Hibbitt, Moncur, Barrowclough, Clark, Macdonald

Goalkeepers

Iam Mcfaul retained the Number 1 shirt, but "well built" reserve Martin Burleigh did get his best run in the side when Mcfaul was injured in February . Indeed the youngster did so well that he when the Irishman was fit again he retained his place in the side at the expense of Mcfaul (conceded only 6 goals in 7 games).

Defence

The ever dependable David Craig was an ever present at right back whilst on the other flank Frank Clark only missed a single game (although in a handful of games he covered as a centre-back).

Ron Guthrie deputised for Clark before he was sold to Sunderland and nineteen year old Alan Kenneddy got a couple of games too.

Pat Howard (all games bar 1) and Bobby Moncur provided a steady centre-back partnership although Moncur did receive some criticism for his performances. He later admitted it was not one of his best seasons, but offered injury problems and the change in tactics in mitigation.

David Young replaced Moncur in the early part of the season, but was sold to Sunderland.

Midfield

At the start of the season United lined up with Gibb, Green and Hibbitt in midfield.

Gibb only played a couple of games before getting injured; he returned in September only to suffer another injury.

Gibb's defensive midfield slot proved the most difficult to cover. John Cowan was tried first, the Irishman making the side for the first time since the end of the 1969-70 season. David Young was then given an opportunity before Irving Nattrass was given an extended run in the side. Nattrass did so well that he was called up for the England U23 squad (although he did not play).

Tony Green only played six more times before he was stretchered off in the 1-2 defeat at Selhurst Park in September. Despite attempting a number of comebacks the injury ended his career.

The loss of Green provided a way back into the side for Jimmy Smith who had one of his most productive and successful seasons.

Terry Mcdermott was signed from Bury for a bargain £25,000 and he took over the number 4 shirt for the last few games.

Hibbitt had one of his best seasons in a United shirt and was voted as man of the match in twice as many games as his nearest challenger.

The lucky players voted as Man of the Match during the season received a £10 pound cheque from Kimberley-Clark ("the Kleenex firm").

Ollie Burton had to retire through injury and he did some scouting for the club. He received a testimonial at the end of the year; 35,873 turning up for the match against Sunderland.

Forwards

Stewart Barrowclough had firmly established himself on the right wing, missing only a couple of games all season and winning recognition at U23 level for England for whom he made his debut against Wales in November.

Macdonald and Tudor (who was an ever present) continued their partnership upfront, scoring 37 goals between them in the major competitions.

Macdonald had made his England debut during the Home International Competition at the end of 1971-72, but found himself back with the U23 side during this season. He scored a first half hat-trick against Wales U23 and many critics clamoured for his re-introduction into the struggling England side.

Supermac was the leading scorer in England (10 goals in 11 games) before he missed a number of games through a knee ligament injury, but he still managed a respectable 19 goals in 38 games.

Tudor was always in the shadow of Mac but he had an excellent season and received much praise for his intelligent and unselfish play. He was top scorer for United in the League.

United were rather short on strikers at the time and therefore when Macdonald was injured teenage midfielder Gordon Hodgson was drafted in as his replacement; he failed to score in the 5 (1) games he played.

Tommy Cassiddy was regarded as a forward then, but he was well out of the picture as he fought unsuccessfully to get his weight down. He was transfer listed at £25,000 but there was not a solitary enquiry. Harvey decided to give him a last chance and got him to bring his parents over from trouble-torn Belfast to stop him worrying and make sure he ate properly.

Nineteen year old Keith Robson made his debut in the home game against Chelsea in March.

Alex Reid who had arrived from Morton in the previous season once again failed to breakthrough into the first team on a regular basis.

Always on my Mind

Champions Liverpool led from the front for most of the season, holding off a strong challenge from Arsenal. The Scousers - inspired by Keegan - completed a unique double when they also collected the UEFA Cup. At the other end WBA (after 25 years in the top division) and big spending Crystal Palace were relegated.

Previous champions Derby finished a disappointing 7th although they did reach the semi-final of the European Cup. Manager Clough does not endear himself to the club or it's fans by calling the supporters "a disgraceful lot" because they only sang when they were winning.

United's strong finish to the 1971/72 season and their performances against some of the top sides meant that many experts predicted that Newcastle would be one of the leading clubs in 1972-73. However they finished in 9th place with 45 points which was only a slight improvement on the previous season. Once again it was a lack of consistency that let them down.

On their day they could beat anyone (at least at SJP) but they were still hampered by inconsistency especially away from home.

In the first couple of months they made an indifferent start; injuries to key players certainly contributing.

Moncur and Gibb both missed a number of games and Tony Green only managed 6 appearances before being lost to the game forever.

Gradually their form improved and they recorded great home wins over Arsenal and Leeds; the latter game ending 3-2 after the teams were level at 2-2 after only 8 minutes. However Macdonald - who scored the winner - also damaged knee ligaments, an injury which kept him out for n weeks

They were becoming genuine challengers for a UEFA Cup place. After they recorded a 3-0 victory over Birmingham in November they were in 6th place and only four points behind leaders Liverpool.

"We're not afraid of anyone now", said a jubilant Harvey, "we've been playing some brilliant stuff this season and we'll continue to surprise people. We have been underrated in the past. Nobody has given us credit, not even when we won the Fairs Cup. This team is the best I've had... it's a joy to watch them play".

During December United only lost once in 6 games and they moved up into 5th place; a position which would qualify them for the UEFA Cup. The 0-1 Boxing Day defeat at Leeds was the result of a twice taken penalty. McFaul saved the first spot-kick but was adjudged to have moved too early. Harvey was not best pleased "how can refs sleep after decisions like this? Every time we come here we get robbed by penalty decisions".

They started the New Year slowly with one win, one defeat and four draws, but three victories in a row including a home victory over Champions Derby kept them in 5th and well in contention. The last win in the run - against Stoke - was significant in that it was the last goal in the League that season for Supermac.

United let it all slip in the last nine matches in which they registered only one win with four draws and four defeats; including crucial reverses against fellow European hopefuls Wolves and Tottenham.

It was the away form that really prevented them finishing higher. They only won 4 games on their travels and in the last 11 away games they only won once.

Their participation in both the Texaco Cup and the Anglo-Italian Cup was definitely a factor as during the last two months of the season the 10 League games played were compounded by the 4 games played in those two competitions during that period. Harvey always wanted to win these cups and put out his best side; there was no chance of players being rested.

Beware! The Pool

League Cup

Spurs became the first team to win the League Cup twice when they beat Norwich 1-0 in a disappointing game.

Newcastle's second round opponents were Port Vale from the Third who were managed by a certain Gordon Lee. United came away with a relatively comfortable 3-1 victory.

In the next round they lined up against Second Division Blackpool. The Seasiders were managed by ex-United skipper Bob Stokoe and included former favourites Keith Dyson and Alan Suddick as well as future players Micky Burns and John Burridge.

It proved to be another humiliating night as Blackpool scored three goals without reply in front of a crowd of 19,810. It was the heaviest defeat of the season.

FA Cup

A team of unmentionables somehow triumphed in the FA Cup; beating Leeds 1-0.

United's 3rd round opponents were Third Division leaders Bournmouth who were managed by John Bond and included Harry Rednapp on the right wing. There were fears of another upset, but despite a disappointing performance The Magpies picked off "The Cherries" by two goals to nil.

The fourth round gave United another home tie against Second Division Luton; a match which saw the (partial) opening of the new East Stand. A crowd of 42,170 turned up (second highest in the country that day).

Unfortunately this auspicious occasion was not matched by the performance on the pitch and two first half goals by The Hatters sealed United's fate for another year.

The Cup with Two Legs

Despite calls for a reduction in the number of games played the sponsored Watney and Texaco Cups trundled on and United again entered the latter competition. Irish teams were not allowed to take part as a result of the political situation there.

In the first round they were paired against Scottish first Division side Ayr United who were managed by future Scottish manager Ally Mcleod. After a goalless match at Somerset Park, United went through with a 2-0 home victory in front of 14,450 fans.

WBA were the next opponents and, after losing 1-2 away, United won through 4-3 on aggregate. The crowds for the respective matches illustrated that the competition was not as well supported away from the North East. 20,420 turned up at SJP but only 7,927 bothered to attend the match at The Hawthorns.

This took United into the semi-final for the second year running and again they lost out when the quality of the opposition improved. Their opponents were Ipswich. Both matches were close affairs. The first leg at Newcastle ended in a 1-1 draw and the second leg was decided by a single goal in extra-time. It meant that Ipswich had beaten United 3 times and drawn once in their four meetings during the season.

Yobbusters

We just haven't got a clue what to do!

Attendances fell dramatically in the League . Newcastle's average - despite their improved form fell to 28,308 - although this was partly due to the unfinished redevelopment work.

The top crowd was for the game against Leeds on September 23rd (38,964); the lowest crowd was for the next home match against Norwich two weeks later (18,103).

There was much heart searching about what was to blame and all the old favourites were mentioned. Sir Andrew Stephen (FA Chairman) summarised the general feeling perfectly citing hooliganism ("there is no doubt there is an urgent need to investigate the madness that takes place on the terraces"), television over-exposure, a saturation of matches/competitions and a lack of entertainment.

They've got to be caught, they've got to be taught

Hooliganism hit the headlines from the very first day of the season. Chelsea received the most press criticism for chaotic scenes before and during the match with Leeds.

On the second Saturday fifty Newcastle fans were arrested after the match at Brammal Lane "everyone of them was a discredit to this Football club and everything it stands for" according to the programme.

In other instances; a policeman had to rescue a drowning supporter from the River Trent and 75 people were arrested when Man Utd fans invaded the pitch before the home game with Liverpool.

Does anybody know the way, there's got to be a way

FA Secretary Dennis Follows' - whilst admitting that the real answer was all-seater stadia (something he thought impossible with the financial state of the sport at that time) - suggestion was a ban on all youngsters under the age of 18.

Football League President Alan Hardaker refused to accept it as football's problem and demanded to know what the government were going to do about the "increasing violence which is appearing in all walks of life.. (of) ...which football's problems are merely the tip of an offensive iceberg".

He also attacked the press for their sensationalist reporting of incidents ridiculing one reporter with an "ill-conceived opinion that it was practically an actual danger to life and limb to attend matches!!".

In Scotland a novel idea was tried when the Old Firm derby kicked off at noon. It was hailed as a success as there were only 7 arrests.

You better not go, you never know what you'll find

In an effort to reduce vandalism on the way to the game the Football League invested in a 12 coach train from British Railways for £50,000 and spent a further £15,000 on customising it. It wasn't a new idea; clubs such as Chelsea and Coventry had also chartered their own trains for selected away matches.

For trips to London, the NUSC used to hire their own railway carriage on standard passenger services as well as providing coach travel. The trip to London for the Crystal Palace match cost £4 on the train and £2.10 on the coach.

You better beware, you better take care

UEFA began to toughen their stance and decreed that in future European finals would only be staged at grounds with adequate safety facilities. At the time this meant two-metre high fences or moats.

The FA stated that up to £50,000 was available to clubs wanting to scientifically check the strength of barriers on the terraces.

Newcastle's East Stand was partially opened in Fubruary, it's completion being delayedas a result of industrial action within the building industry.

Most clubs were reluctant to invest money in their stadiums. Chelsea were starting out on the most ambitious programme and Liverpool were also completing a new stand. Chelsea were the first British club to install fencing when in October they installed an eight foot high wire fence topped by three strands of barbed wire (the barbed wire being removed almost immediately).

St James' Park Incident - Anglo Italian

Politically England officially became a member of the European community when they joined the EEC in January and on the football front too there was an attempt to foster stronger relationships.

The Anglo-Italian Cup ran for 6 seasons between 1970 and 1976 and was meant to cement a friendly relationship between the two Leagues; unfortunately it did exactly the opposite.

It's fair to say that the English clubs seemed to take the competition more seriously than the Italians; for example Lazio borrowed eight players from lower division clubs for the match v C Palace. Conversely, Joe Harvey regarded every cup as worth winning and always fielded his strongest side.

In previous years there had been some "culture clashes" an a "Good Behaviour" award was introduced which would reward the team with the best behaved fans and players.

The competition was re-organised into a unique system to ensure both countries teams were represented throughout. The 16 teams were divided into 2 groups of 8 teams each consisting of 4 teams from each country.

Each team played the 4 clubs from the other country but the 4 Leagues consisted of the four teams from the same country. The English teams atop each table met in one semi-final whilst the two Italian teams that topped their tables met in the other.

Newcastle's group consisted of Fulham, Oxford, Blackpool, Como, Roma, Torino and Bologna. The other group consisted of Crystal Palace, Hull, Luton and Manchester United from England and Verona, Bari, Lazio and Fiorentina from Italy.

United's first game was away to Roma (winners of the previous years competition). The Magpies had a full strength side whilst the Italians had been weakened by the loss of 3 key players who were on duty for the Italian U23 team. Newcastle dominated the match and two goals from Tudor brought them a well-deserved victory.

Supermac came in for a fair bit of stick from the centre-half, but English referee Jack Taylor seemed reluctant to punish the Italian (it was one of the features of the competition that the referee was always from the country of the away team).

In one of his earlier books - "Never afraid to Miss" - Macdonald describes how for the only time in his career he went in over the top. "He was carried off with a smashed knee and I felt no sympathy. He was an animal".

Unfortunately the replacement was worse; "he spat at me, kicked me, punched me and hoofed me up in the air every time I touched the ball".

Next up were Bologna at SJP where a crowd of 15,220 turned up and saw United win by a goal from Tommy Gibb. It was a fiery match at times and when a fight broke out between Hibbitt and one of the Italians Macdonald rushed in to pull them apart. The little Italian through a punch at him and the referee sent him off along with the innocent Supermac.

Macdonald was so incensed that he waited for the Italian "pinned him up against the wall and hit him three times. As he fell down there was a hand on my shoulder and I just managed to elbow an Italian official as he came up behind me. Down he went".

Then "a third Italian was just about to clobber me when another of our party appeared from nowhere and laid him out with a superb right-hander".

United made it 3 wins in a row when they beat Coma away 2-0

The next match was at home to Torino and it was played at SJP four days after the final League match which helped explain the low crowd of 9,580. United needed a win to progress to the semi-final and they did not disappoint, thrashing the Italians 5-1. But the real action was saved for the last twenty minutes when four players (two from each side) were sent off. Jim Smith and the mild mannered David Craig were United's sinners.

In the semi-finals Newcastle faced Crystal Palace who had just lost their place in the top flight.

The final was played in Florence on June 3rd; the latest "competitive" match in any season for the club. 45,000 fans turned up in Florence to see United take on Fiorentina.

Newcastle were without Macdonald who had been drafted in to the England squad but they controlled the first half. United went in at half-time 1-0 up after the Italian's keeper Superchi inexplicably punched a Gibb cross into his own net after 35 minutes.

David Craig doubled the advantage in the 54th minute when he drove in a shot which the hapless Italian custodian dived over the top of. The Florentines deservedly pulled a goal back 11 minutes from time, but United held on to win.

The match is remembered most for Joe Harvey's team talk. The Yorkshireman used to leave the tactics to coach Keith Burkinshaw; but he had refused to travel because off a dispute with the club over his wages.

Harvey - left to fend for himself - uttered the immortal lines. "Right you b******s; I have been involved with this club for years as a player, captain, coach and manager and have never lost a Cup Final. So I don't want you lot spoiling my record".

Mama weer all crazee now

All Because of You

After the chaos of the previous season the football authorities revised the disciplinary system. Points would be "awarded" for bookings and a player would automatically be banned for two matches if they reached 12. A sending off resulted in an automatic 3 game ban.

It was also deemed that any club with a "bad" disciplinary record would receive a fine at the end of the season. Consequently, Leeds and Birmingham were both fined £3000, although the sentence was suspended for a year pending the players' future conduct.

But the clubs were not prepared to take all this lying down. There were an number of verbal attacks on referees by club officials and they fully exercised their prerogative to appeal against the bans. Coventry player Ernie Machin even went to the High Court to have his fine and suspension declared void

Leeds manager Don Revie stated that he would fine any Leeds player who argued with the ref. Only captain Bremner would be allowed to approach him and he would wear an armband to signify his role like Continental teams.

A friendly between Fenerbahce and Luton had to be abandoned after 70 minutes after a mass brawl between the players.

Ajax players had to be persuaded to return to the field for the second half after Independiente of Argentina resorted to brutal tactics in the World Club Championship.

The DPP were brought in to investigate Sunday People allegations that Wolves players were offered bribes to lose their (championship deciding) match with Leeds in 1972. The League were advised not to pursue the matter.

Lack of Goals Lack of Action (baby)

The 1972 European Championships had ended in failure for England culminating in an embarassing defeat against a much more accomplished and attacking West German side. And in Holland, Ajax were pioneering a "total football" style of football that was much less regimented in terms of formation.

Some English managers (notably Bertie Mee at Arsenal and Malcolm Allison at Man City) claimed they would attempt to adopt a more fluid "continental style" of football, but they were the exceptions and the reality was much different.

Goals and entertainment were at a premium. The number of goals scored in Division 1 was exactly the same as the previous season: 1055, an average of 2.5 per match. Newcastle were the 6th best scorers with 60 goals as Harvey made a conscious effort to make them a more attractive and attacking side.

Sir Stanley Rous suggested that the hooliganism problem "should not be allowed to overshadow the fact that in many matches the entertainment level is just not high enough"

During a goalless draw between Orient an Hull a frustrated supporter ran on the pitch and "scored a goal".

A couple of interesting experiments were tried. The offside law was removed in the Metropolitan League, but it was not deemed a success. And in Russia they simply abolished draws; matches level after 90 minutes were decided on penalty-kicks.

Beyond Nutopia

Engerland

The Football League claimed they would do everything in their power to assist the four home countries in their efforts to reach the World Cup Finals. To this end no League games would be sanctioned for the week of the International fixtures and if a club insisted on playing they would have do without any players selected.

Meanwhile England manager of Alf Ramsey squad selection and tactics were the target of increased criticism from the media and fellow managers.

Appearance money for British clubs remained pegged back at £100 as "Wales and N Ireland can't afford more, and it would be unfair to pay different fees to players from the same clubs".

Gudbye T' Game

Newcastle lost the services of the irreplacable Tony Green and the welsh Ollie Burton; other famous names whose careers were at a crossroads were:

Jackie and Bobby Charlton who both retired after being pushed out by Leeds and Man Utd respectively. Both would take up managerial posts; Jack at Middlesbrough and Bobby at Preston.

George Best retired during the summer, then returned, then skipped training in November and was spotted in a London nightclub, then was transfer-listed, then quit (on the day manager Frank O'Farrel was sacked), then returned after reaching an agreement with new manager Tommy Docherty. Amidst all this the Old Trafford "giants" narrowly missed relegation.

Managerial changes across Manchester as well as Joe Mercer quit after being demoted to allow Malcolm Allison sole control. Allison himself would also resign later in the season and take over at Crystal Palace

Gordon Banks damaged his right eye in a car crash; an injury that would eventually force his retirement.

Nice One Cyril

Subbuteo launched "Football Express" (For experienced subbuteo players); a 5-a-side version of the flick to kick classic.

Collectors of "tat" were spoilt for choice with Soccer Sams and Figurino O's both available by mail order.

The boundary between the world of sport and entertainment became ever more blurred.

We had buxom film siren Raquel Welch on the touchline at Stamford Bridge shouting her farewells to Chelsea striker Peter Osgood.

But even more distasteful were the records by the Cockerel Chorus: "Nice one Cyril" which peaked at No. 14 and King Kev himself. Keegan's record was a cover of a David Bowie song from the Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and was all about the difficult life a space alien has.

My Ding-a-Ling

Chuck Berry's famously lewd ditty about playing with your particulars summed up the attitude of the clubs and the Football Authorities to football finances; they were fiddling while Rome was burning. The game in Britain was financially in a perilous state.

The Football League agreed a 13 year deal with the pools companies worth £23 million but the deal was criticised by the clubs who thought they should have been consulted and that they could have held out for more.

Meanwhile League Secretary Hardaker called for the government to subsidise football to the tune of at least £5m arguing that it was only fair as the government earned between £30 and £50 million from their take of the pools money. Otherwise he claimed "football is going to be out of business lock stock and barrel".

But the government was doing the opposite. The introduction of VAT meant that the government would get 10% of all gate receipts and transfer fees. In a rare show of unity the FA and the Football League joined forces to fight against it (unsuccessfully) claiming that it would result in the "early demise of a number of clubs".

Meanwhile at SJP "attractive and colourful" advertisement boards appeared for the first time; it was the club's first real excursion into direct sponsorship.

And also

The annual meeting of the Football League in June decided to introduce 3 up 3 down for the top 3 divisions; all other proposals were defeated.

The status of "amateur" was to be abolished from the start of 1974/75, paid and unpaid were now simply "players".

Commentator Jimmy Hill had to take over as emergency linesman in the match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Highbury; pity we never saw Roger Thames run the line.