NUFC Season Summaries

NUFC Season 1956/57

United's performance dipped again and they finished in a poor 17th place. They started with three wins out of four, but the next fourteen games only brought one more win and they slumped to 19th. Then after clambering back up to mid-table they again had a disastrous end to the season with only one win in eight.

They were capable of winning well (Sunderland H: 6-2, WBA H: 5-2, Bolton H: 4-0), but away from home they were just as likely to get hammered themselves (Birmingham A: 1-6, Man Utd A: 1-6, Chelsea A: 2-6). It was our poor away record (14 defeats) that really cost us.

In the FA Cup Third Round United played out a classic in a replay at Maine Road when they came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat Manchester City 5-4 after extra-time. Unfortunately they followed it up by losing 1-2 against Millwall (Division 3 South) at The Den.

Two youngsters had arrived from Ireland; inside-forward George Eastham and right-back Dick Keith.

At the season's close Wor Jackie went in the opposite direction to become player-coach at Linfield. To the supporters disgust the club refused to grant him a testimonial and demanded a £10,000 transfer fee.

The fans were also mourning the tragic loss of another Toon great - Hughie Gallagher - who tragically committed suicide in June 1957.