NUFC Season Summaries

NUFC Season 1976/77

In the colourful history of the Black and Whites there has been many a season riddled with confrontation and conflict; 1976/77 has to be up the top with the best/worst.

Macdonald may have been considering going anyway, but Lee was quite content to be seen as the person who got rid of him. The bookies thought it was a bad bet and had us pencilled in for relegation, but fifth place by Christmas had some beginning to believe in his methods.

As the New Year arrived the morose midlander walked out and left United in the lurch; the fun was only just about to begin. The players were counselled for their thoughts on his replacement and they wanted coach Dinnis to take over. The directors were not so convinced and they put him in temporary charge of team affairs only.

A battle of wills followed with the players passing a vote of "no confidence" in the board and even talking of a strike; the board cracked and appointed him as caretaker manager.

Somehow, whilst all this was going on Newcastle finished in their highest position for 25 years and qualified for Europe.