NUFC Season Summaries

NUFC Season 1945/46

With the war finally over normality was gradually returning but the decision was made to retain the regional leagues for one more year. There were less and less guest players playing and sides began to reflect their real strength. United finished sixth which was the best they achieved during the War Years.

There were plenty of goals around and in their 44 league and cup games United scored 110 and conceded 75. Albert Stubbins - with 40 goals was United's top scorer. Two games in particular stood out; a 9-1 defeat of Stoke and an 8-1 victory over Blackburn. Both sides respected First Division teams.

Attendance restrictions were removed and fans flocked back to football; no more so than on Tyneside. United's average crowd in the last season before the War was 35,339 and although the average only climbed by four thousand the pulling potential was illustrated by three crowds topping 50,000.

The FA Cup did return and, for the only time in its history games were played over two legs. United took on Barnsley and won the home tie 4-2 in front of a crowd of 60,284, but they slumped to a 3-0 defeat in the replay and were out.