NUFC Season Summaries

NUFC Season 1989/90

With a massive share war behind the scenes and fans being urged to boycott the matches it seemed unlikely that United could bounce straight back.

But Jim Smith's summer overhaul proved more successful with Micky Quinn and Mark McGhee forming a new front two and the experienced "Budgie" Burridge taking over in goal. Less auspicious arrivals included John Gallagher, Kevin Dillon, Mark Stimson and Wayne Fereday.

When Quinn bagged four in an opening day victory over Leeds the fans at last had something to smile about again and with only three defeats in the first nineteen games we were handily placed in 3rd at the end of November.

But only one win in the next nine culminating in a 4-1 defeat at home to Wolves on New Years day had the mood turning ugly again. Smith reacted by signing Scotland captain Roy Aitken from Celtic.

It was an inspired signing and only three of the last twenty two games ended in defeat. However United only won one of their last four games and ended in third which meant they had to go into the play-offs where they would meet 6th place Sunderland who had finished six points behind us.

When Newcastle returned from Roker Park with a 0-0 draw following Budgie's penalty heroics United looked odds on favourites to get to the play-off final. But a mixture of bad luck and bad play resulted in a 2-0 victory for the makems and an impotent pitch invasion.

The share war continued as the Magpie Group attempted to wrestle control from the present incumbents, but McKeag hung on grimly and eventually a truce was achieved. Hall was given a seat on the Board and a Public Share Issue was to be raised as soon as possible.