Season Review 1985/86
The Season
Football was in a state of shock following Heysel and Bradford. On Tyneside The departure of manager (Charlton) and star player (Waddle) meant Newcastle were one of the bookies favourites for relegation.
However with the mercurial talents of Beardo and Gazza blossoming they confounded their critics by staying in the top half of the table throughout the season and finishing in a highly respectable 11th.
Cups were a write off as usual with Third Round exits in both.
The Fans
As many a player, manager and director has found out over the years you are unlikely to last if you lose the supporters. The change in tactics followed by the sale of Waddle and subsequent lack of replacements had left the faithful angry and despondent.
Barracking of Charlton during the pre-season friendly with Sheffield United resulted in Charlton resigning in a huff.
The Management
Big Jack packed his gear on the eve of the season; not a good time to be looking for a new manager and as a result potential candidates were short in supply.
Coach Willie McFaul was popular amongst the players and was first given the job on a caretaker basis before being awarded a contract initially until the end of the season and then for two and a half years.
The Players
Judas had collected his forty shillings down at White Hart Lane but Beardo and Gazza successfully assumed his mantle. Paul Stephenson and Joe Allon were other members of United's cup winning youth side to make the break through.
McFaul managed to ditch Reilly, Heard and Megson but on the down side spent his pennies on Bailey, Stewart and Whitehurst
Cartoon by Bob Bond