NUFC Season Summaries
NUFC Season 1948/49
| Manager | G Martin |
| Lge Pos | D1 - 4th |
| FA Cup | 3rd |
| Lge Cup | |
| Euro | |
| Attendance | 53,702 |
| Top Scorer | Milburn [19] |
In their return to the top flight United maintained the momentum and made top spot in mid December. They challenged eventual champions Portsmouth throughout the rest of the season, but were firmly put in their place when the Pompey came to Tyneside at Easter and beat them 5-0.
The cheque book was used again to bring in high-calibre players such as Colin Gibson, George Robledo and Bobby Mitchell. Meanwhile local products such as Bobby Cowell, Ernie Taylor and Ron Batty were coming through.
Despite their success there was still much unrest amongst the unwieldy squad of forty professionals. At one time no less than sixteen players were wanting away, but in the end the only big money departures were Colin Gibson and Andrew Donaldson. There was another early cup exit as United suffered an embarassing home defeat by Second Division Bradford.