Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sir Bobby Robson Era – Return of the Entertainers
Former England manager Bobby Robson was appointed as the new manager.His first home game in charge was particularly memorable and impressive; with an 8–0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, which remains the club's record Premier League home win.Good performances such as these helped the club ensure survival in the Premier League in Robson's first season, although the following season the squad did not manage to qualify for Europe. A title challenge however emerged during the 2001–02 season, and Newcastle achieved qualification for the Champions League after finishing in fourth place.The attacking style that Robson's men played led to comparisons being made between Robson's team and Keegan's entertainers eventually leading the entertainers tag to return to the Tyneside outfit. Highlights of this season were the 4–3 epic against Manchester United, the 3–1 win away to Arsenal and fabulous comebacks at Leeds United and Derby County. The following season, Robson guided the team to 3rd in the League, and the second group stage of the Champions League,but did not make the knockout stages.The 2003/04 season however proved less memorable as the club exited the Champions League in the qualifying rounds,falling back into the UEFA Cup for the season, and despite an impressive trail to the semi-finals they failed to win the Cup and finished 5th in the Premier League.Following disagreements with the board and some players and failure to qualify for the Champions League, Robson was sacked.
Managerial upheaval
Keegan's shock resignation in early January 1997 caused much heartache and confusion among the fans, although many felt it had been brewing as early as the 1995/96 season following the collapse of the title race. Kenny Dalglish was named his successor and the club finished second in the league again, however this time it got them the prize of Champions League qualification. Dalglish achieved this without a change to Keegan's squad.His fortunes, however, quickly changed following major losses to injury and the transfer market in the 1997–98 season, as well as players signed not thought to be anywhere near as useful as players departed, and the team after a bright start, that saw them beat FC Barcelona in their opening Champions League game, finished thirteenth in the league and failed to win the FA Cup Final.Following Dalglish's sacking early in the 1998–99 season, Ruud Gullit took charge of the team. Despite player signings made, the club once again finished thirteenth in the league and qualified for the FA Cup Final but failed to win. Gullit quickly fell into disagreements with the squad and chairman Freddie Shepherd the following season, forcing public apologies by the manager, and denying a rift with captain Alan Shearer. Gullit left the club four games into the 1999/2000 season with the team towards the bottom of the Premier League.
The Keegan Years – The Entertainers
Later, Keegan returned to Tyneside to replace Osvaldo Ardiles as manager on a short term contract in 1992, taking what he claimed to be the only job that could tempt him back into football. Newcastle were struggling at the wrong end of Division Two; Sir John Hall had all but taken control of the club and he needed a minor miracle to stop Newcastle from tumbling into the Third Division for the first time in their history. Survival was confirmed by winning both of their final two league games, at home to Portsmouth and away to Leicester City, the latter to a last minute own goal, although as it transpired, Newcastle would have survived even if they had lost at Leicester.
The 1992–93 season saw a dramatic turn around in the club's fortunes. They won their first eleven league games before a 1–0 home defeat against Grimsby Town ended the run, two games short of the then English league record of 13 consecutive wins. Playing an exciting brand of attacking football Newcastle became Division One champions with a 2–0 away win, coincidentally at Grimsby on 4 May 1993, and gained promotion to the Premier League.
Under Keegan, Newcastle continued to succeed, impressing with their attacking flair and a third place finish during the 1993–94 season - their first season back in the top flight. The attacking philosophy of Keegan led to Newcastle being labelled "The Entertainers" by Sky television. This was highlighted in a fantastic attacking display in a 3–0 win against Liverpool. The following season Newcastle sold top scorer Andrew Cole to Manchester United and finished 6th that season despite leading the table for the majority of the first half of the season. This season also marked the club's return to European competition in the Uefa Cup although they went out in the second round on away goals.
Using the transfer money from the sale of Cole, Newcastle rebuilt during the 1995-1996 season with the signings of David Ginola and Les Ferdinand, amongst others. The club came very close to winning the Premier League that season, and were at one time 12 points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester United, but eventually lost out. One match in particular from that season stood out, the 4–3 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on 3 April 1996; in April 2003 it was named "Match of the Decade" in the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards. On 30 July 1996, the disappointment of missing out on the title was lessened to an extent, as the club signed Alan Shearer for a then world record fee of £15 million. The 1996–97 season saw Newcastle once again finish in second despite thrashing eventual champions Manchester United 5–0 at St. James Park. The club also reached the Uefa Cup quarter final this season.
The 1992–93 season saw a dramatic turn around in the club's fortunes. They won their first eleven league games before a 1–0 home defeat against Grimsby Town ended the run, two games short of the then English league record of 13 consecutive wins. Playing an exciting brand of attacking football Newcastle became Division One champions with a 2–0 away win, coincidentally at Grimsby on 4 May 1993, and gained promotion to the Premier League.
Under Keegan, Newcastle continued to succeed, impressing with their attacking flair and a third place finish during the 1993–94 season - their first season back in the top flight. The attacking philosophy of Keegan led to Newcastle being labelled "The Entertainers" by Sky television. This was highlighted in a fantastic attacking display in a 3–0 win against Liverpool. The following season Newcastle sold top scorer Andrew Cole to Manchester United and finished 6th that season despite leading the table for the majority of the first half of the season. This season also marked the club's return to European competition in the Uefa Cup although they went out in the second round on away goals.
Using the transfer money from the sale of Cole, Newcastle rebuilt during the 1995-1996 season with the signings of David Ginola and Les Ferdinand, amongst others. The club came very close to winning the Premier League that season, and were at one time 12 points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester United, but eventually lost out. One match in particular from that season stood out, the 4–3 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on 3 April 1996; in April 2003 it was named "Match of the Decade" in the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards. On 30 July 1996, the disappointment of missing out on the title was lessened to an extent, as the club signed Alan Shearer for a then world record fee of £15 million. The 1996–97 season saw Newcastle once again finish in second despite thrashing eventual champions Manchester United 5–0 at St. James Park. The club also reached the Uefa Cup quarter final this season.
Decline
By the start of the 1980s, Newcastle had declined dramatically and were languishing in the Second Division. Gordon Lee had replaced Harvey as boss, yet he in turn soon gave way to Richard Dinnis and then Bill McGarry. But it was Arthur Cox who steered Newcastle back again to the First Division with players such as Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle, Terry McDermott and ex-England captain Kevin Keegan the fulcrum of the team. With managers such as Jack Charlton, Willie McFaul and Jim Smith, and players such as Paul Gascoigne, Newcastle remained in the top-flight until the team was relegated once more in 1989.
The Glory Years
During the 1950s, Newcastle won the FA Cup trophy on three occasions within a five year period. In 1951 they defeated Blackpool 2–0, a year later Arsenal were beaten 1–0 and in 1955 they defeated Manchester City 3–1. Newcastle had gained a high profile, and so had their players; 'Wor Jackie' Milburn and Bobby 'Dazzler' Mitchell in particular. Other players of this time were Frank Brennan (like Mitchell a Scot), Ivor Broadis, Len White and Welshman Ivor Allchurch.
The old war horse Joe Harvey, who had captained the team to much of their post-war success, returned to revitalise Newcastle. He teamed up with Stan Seymour to rebuild them and they won the Second Division Championship in 1965. Newcastle then became very much an unpredictable and inconsistent team, always capable of defeating the best, but never quite realising their potential.
Harvey's team qualified for Europe for the first time in 1968 and surprised many the following year by winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, (which was a forerunner of the Europa League), beating Sporting Lisbon, Feyenoord, Real Zaragoza and Rangers along the way, before triumphing over two legs against Hungary's Újpest in the final. Newcastle possessed a reliable team and Newcastle's tradition of fielding a popular goalscorer at number 9 continued, as Welshman Wyn Davies was prominent.
In the years that followed European success, Harvey brought in a string of talented entertainers who thrilled the Newcastle crowd. Players such as John Tudor, Jimmy Smith, Tony Green, Terry Hibbitt and in particular striker Malcolm Macdonald all became favourites among the supporters. Nicknamed 'Supermac', Malcolm Macdonald was one of Newcastle's most popular figures and is still held in high regard by supporters to this day. He was an impressive goal scorer, which led United's attack to Wembley twice, in 1974 and 1976, against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Manchester City in the League Cup, but on each occasion Newcastle failed to bring the trophy back to Tyneside. A small consolation was back to back triumphs in the Texaco Cup in 1974 and 1975.
The old war horse Joe Harvey, who had captained the team to much of their post-war success, returned to revitalise Newcastle. He teamed up with Stan Seymour to rebuild them and they won the Second Division Championship in 1965. Newcastle then became very much an unpredictable and inconsistent team, always capable of defeating the best, but never quite realising their potential.
Harvey's team qualified for Europe for the first time in 1968 and surprised many the following year by winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, (which was a forerunner of the Europa League), beating Sporting Lisbon, Feyenoord, Real Zaragoza and Rangers along the way, before triumphing over two legs against Hungary's Újpest in the final. Newcastle possessed a reliable team and Newcastle's tradition of fielding a popular goalscorer at number 9 continued, as Welshman Wyn Davies was prominent.
In the years that followed European success, Harvey brought in a string of talented entertainers who thrilled the Newcastle crowd. Players such as John Tudor, Jimmy Smith, Tony Green, Terry Hibbitt and in particular striker Malcolm Macdonald all became favourites among the supporters. Nicknamed 'Supermac', Malcolm Macdonald was one of Newcastle's most popular figures and is still held in high regard by supporters to this day. He was an impressive goal scorer, which led United's attack to Wembley twice, in 1974 and 1976, against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Manchester City in the League Cup, but on each occasion Newcastle failed to bring the trophy back to Tyneside. A small consolation was back to back triumphs in the Texaco Cup in 1974 and 1975.
Achieving success
Newcastle United went on to win the League Championship on three occasions during the 1900s; 1905, 1907 and 1909.The club's success continued in cup competitions, as they reached five FA Cup Finals in seven years, appearing in the final of 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910 and 1911. However they went on to win just one of them, the 1910 Final against Barnsley, in a replay at Goodison Park. However, there was still one particular low point during this period, as the team suffered a 9–1 defeat by fierce rivals Sunderland in the 1908–09 season, Sunderland still count the result as their record highest win.
The team returned to the FA Cup final in 1924, in only the second ever final at Wembley Stadium. They were successful in defeating Aston Villa and therefore winning the club's second FA Cup trophy in its history.
Newcastle won the League a fourth time in 1927, the last time they have to date. Notable players during this period include the likes captain Hughie Gallacher (the most prolific goals per game scorer in the club's history), Neil Harris, Stan Seymour and Frank Hudspeth.
The team returned to the FA Cup final in 1924, in only the second ever final at Wembley Stadium. They were successful in defeating Aston Villa and therefore winning the club's second FA Cup trophy in its history.
Newcastle won the League a fourth time in 1927, the last time they have to date. Notable players during this period include the likes captain Hughie Gallacher (the most prolific goals per game scorer in the club's history), Neil Harris, Stan Seymour and Frank Hudspeth.
Early history
The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End who were previously rivals in the Northern League, but after West End fell into financial difficulties they decided to merge.The deal included the lease on West End's stadium St James' Park and several names were suggested for the new club, including Newcastle Rangers and Newcastle City, however they chose the name Newcastle United.
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