Newcastle United – History of the Magpies

Pride of the North East: The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Newcastle United

Newcastle United Football Club. The name itself evokes images of black and white stripes, the passionate roar of the Toon Army, and a history as rich and textured as the coal that once powered Tyneside. This isn’t just a football club; it’s a cultural institution, a symbol of a proud city, and a source of unwavering devotion for its legions of fans. From humble beginnings in the late 19th century to dreams of future glory, Newcastle United’s story is one of triumphs, heartbreaks, legendary figures, and an unbreakable bond with its community. So, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and explore the fascinating history of the Magpies.

The Seeds of a Giant: Victorian Roots on Tyneside

Our story begins in the bustling industrial landscape of Victorian England, specifically in the Byker area of Newcastle upon Tyne. Like many football clubs of the era, Newcastle United’s origins can be traced back to a local cricket club looking for a way to keep its members active during the winter months. In November 1881, Stanley Cricket Club formed a football section, playing their first recorded match that same month. They soon adopted the name Stanley Football Club and initially played their games at a ground on Stanley Street in Byker.

Around the same time, another club, Rosewood FC, was also making its presence felt in the East End of the city. In October 1882, Stanley merged with Rosewood FC, and the newly combined entity was christened Newcastle East End Football Club. They made their home at Chillingham Road, just off Heaton Road, before moving to a ground near Union Road in Byker Hill.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Newcastle West End Football Club was established in August 1882, also from a cricket club – West End Cricket Club. They set up shop at a ground near the famous Town Moor before moving to St James’ Park in 1886. St James’ Park, even then, was little more than a sloping patch of grazing land, but it would become the spiritual home of Newcastle United.

Competition between East End and West End was fierce, both on and off the pitch, as they vied for local supremacy. East End turned professional in 1889, a significant step that reflected the growing seriousness and popularity of the sport.

The Birth of Newcastle United and St James’ Park

The early 1890s proved to be a pivotal period. Newcastle West End found themselves in dire financial straits. In the spring of 1892, West End approached their rivals, Newcastle East End, with a proposal to take over their assets, including the lease of St James’ Park and many of their players. East End, being the more financially stable and ambitious of the two, agreed.

In May 1892, Newcastle East End moved into St James’ Park. For a short while, they continued under the East End name. However, with the ambition to represent the entire city and appeal to a broader fanbase, a change was deemed necessary. On Friday, December 9, 1892, at a public meeting, it was proposed and overwhelmingly agreed that the club would be renamed Newcastle United Football Club. The Football Association officially approved the name change on December 22, 1892. And so, the Magpies, as we know them, were born.

Initially, the team continued to play in East End’s red shirts. However, by the 1894-95 season, the club adopted the now-iconic black and white striped shirts, a look that has become synonymous with Newcastle United worldwide.

Edwardian Dominance: The First Golden Era

The early 20th century saw Newcastle United blossom into one of the most formidable teams in England. Under the astute guidance of secretary-manager Frank Watt, the club assembled a star-studded side that played an attractive brand of football. Key players from this era included Colin Veitch, a supremely talented and versatile player who captained the side, creative inside-forward Jock Rutherford, prolific goal scorer Bill Appleyard, and goalkeeper Jimmy Lawrence.

This period brought unprecedented success to St James’ Park:

• Football League Champions: Newcastle United clinched the First Division title three times in five seasons – in 1904-05, 1906-07, and 1908-09. They were runners-up in 1905-06.
• FA Cup Finalists: While league success was plentiful, the FA Cup initially proved elusive. They reached an incredible five FA Cup finals in seven years (1905, 1906, 1908, 1910, and 1911).
• FA Cup Winners (1910): After several near misses, Newcastle finally lifted the FA Cup in 1910, defeating Barnsley 2-0 in a replay at Goodison Park after a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Albert Shepherd scored both goals in the replay.

This era firmly established Newcastle United as a powerhouse of English football. St James’ Park was developed, with new stands being built, to accommodate the growing crowds eager to watch their heroes.

Between the Wars: More Triumphs and Local Heroes

The momentum continued after World War I. Newcastle United secured another FA Cup victory in 1924, defeating Aston Villa 2-0 at Wembley, with goals from Neil Harris and Stan Seymour (who would later become a hugely influential manager and director).

The 1926-27 season saw the Magpies claim their fourth First Division title. This championship-winning side was spearheaded by the legendary Hughie Gallacher. The diminutive Scottish forward was a goal-scoring phenomenon. Despite his small stature, he was incredibly strong, brave, and possessed a lethal shot. He scored 36 league goals in that title-winning season, a club record that still stands. Gallacher is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to wear the black and white shirt.

Another FA Cup triumph followed in 1932, with Newcastle United defeating Arsenal 2-1 in a controversial final. Arsenal took the lead, but Newcastle equalized after a ball that many believed had gone out of play was crossed for Jack Allen to score. Allen then scored the winner.
However, the late 1930s saw a decline in fortunes, and the club was relegated to the Second Division in 1934, where they remained until after World War II.

Post-War Glory: “Wor Jackie” and the Cup Kings of the Fifties

Football resumed after World War II, and Newcastle United, under the chairmanship of Stan Seymour, began to rebuild. They gained promotion back to the First Division in 1948. The 1950s would become another golden era for the club, particularly in the FA Cup.

This period was dominated by one name above all: Jackie Milburn. “Wor Jackie,” as he was affectionately known by the Geordie faithful, was a local lad from Ashington, a powerful and incredibly fast forward with a thunderous shot. He became Newcastle’s all-time leading goalscorer until his record was surpassed by Alan Shearer.

With Milburn leading the line, alongside other stars like Bobby Mitchell, George Robledo, and Joe Harvey (who would also go on to manage the club with distinction), Newcastle United became the FA Cup kings of the early 1950s:

• 1951 FA Cup Winners: Defeated Blackpool 2-0, with both goals scored by Jackie Milburn.
• 1952 FA Cup Winners: Became the first team in the 20th century to retain the FA Cup, beating Arsenal 1-0. George Robledo scored the decisive goal.
• 1955 FA Cup Winners: Clinched their third FA Cup in five seasons, defeating Manchester City 3-1. Milburn famously scored the opening goal after just 45 seconds.

These victories cemented Newcastle’s reputation as a formidable cup side and brought immense pride to Tyneside.

The Sixties and Seventies: European Adventures and the Fairs Cup

The late 1950s and early 1960s saw mixed fortunes, including relegation in 1961. However, under the astute management of Joe Harvey, a hero of the 1950s cup-winning teams, Newcastle gained promotion back to the First Division in 1965.

Harvey then assembled a team that would achieve something no Newcastle side had done before: win a European trophy. In 1969, Newcastle United lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (a forerunner to the UEFA Cup/Europa League). They embarked on a memorable European campaign, defeating teams like Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, Real Zaragoza, and Rangers (in a fiery semi-final) to reach the final against Hungarian side Újpesti Dózsa. Newcastle won the first leg 3-0 at St James’ Park and, despite going 2-0 down in the second leg in Budapest, fought back to win 3-2 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate. Captain Bobby Moncur famously scored three goals over the two legs of the final.

The 1970s saw Newcastle reach two domestic cup finals. They lost the 1974 FA Cup Final to Liverpool and the 1976 League Cup Final to Manchester City. This era featured exciting attacking talents like Malcolm Macdonald, known as “Supermac,” a powerful and prolific goalscorer who became a huge crowd favorite. Despite these cup runs, consistent league success proved elusive, and the club was relegated again in 1978.

The Rollercoaster Eighties and Nineties: Keegan’s “Entertainers”

The 1980s were a period of rebuilding. The club secured promotion in 1984, largely inspired by the signing of England captain Kevin Keegan as a player. Keegan’s arrival electrified the city, and he, alongside young talents like Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle, helped fire Newcastle back to the top flight. However, after Keegan’s departure, the club struggled and was relegated once more in 1989.

The early 1990s saw Newcastle in the doldrums of the Second Division and facing financial difficulties. Then came the return of Kevin Keegan, this time as manager, in February 1992. What followed was one of the most exciting and memorable periods in the club’s history.

Keegan saved Newcastle from relegation to the Third Division in his first few months. He then masterminded a stunning promotion to the newly formed FA Premier League in 1992-93, playing a thrilling brand of attacking football. With astute signings like Andy Cole, Rob Lee, and Barry Venison, Newcastle took the Premier League by storm.

Keegan’s team, dubbed “The Entertainers,” captivated the nation. They played with flair, passion, and an almost reckless commitment to attack. Key signings followed, including David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, Faustino Asprilla, and, in a world-record transfer at the time, local hero Alan Shearer in 1996.

Newcastle came agonizingly close to winning the Premier League title. In the 1995-96 season, they held a 12-point lead at Christmas, only to be famously overhauled by Manchester United. Despite not winning the league, the football played by Keegan’s side remains cherished by fans. Keegan famously declared, “I’d love it if we beat them! Love it!” during a passionate outburst directed at Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

Keegan resigned dramatically in January 1997. Kenny Dalglish took over and led the team to another second-place finish and an FA Cup Final appearance in 1998 (lost to Arsenal), followed by another FA Cup Final in 1999 under Ruud Gullit (lost to Manchester United).

Sir Bobby’s Revival and Navigating the New Millennium

The legendary Sir Bobby Robson, a Geordie and lifelong Newcastle fan, was appointed manager in September 1999. He inherited a team struggling near the bottom of the table but steadily rebuilt the club’s fortunes. Robson guided Newcastle to Champions League qualification, including memorable victories against teams like Juventus. He nurtured young talents and brought experienced players to the club, creating a competitive and respected side. His dismissal in 2004 was met with surprise and disappointment by many fans.

The subsequent years were a period of instability, with frequent managerial changes and fluctuating on-field performances. The club suffered relegation from the Premier League in 2009 under the ownership of Mike Ashley. They bounced back immediately, winning the Championship title in 2009-10 under Chris Hughton. Alan Pardew then led the club to an impressive fifth-place finish in the Premier League in 2011-12, securing Europa League qualification. However, another relegation followed in 2016.

Once again, Newcastle showed resilience. Under the management of Rafael Benítez, they won the Championship title in 2016-17 to make an immediate return to the Premier League. Benítez was a popular figure who stabilized the club in the top flight despite limited resources.

A New Dawn? Ownership, Ambition, and the Future

October 2021 marked a seismic shift in the club’s history with the completion of a takeover by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), PCP Capital Partners, and RB Sports & Media. This change in ownership brought an end to the Mike Ashley era and ushered in a period of renewed optimism and significant financial backing.

Eddie Howe was appointed manager in November 2021 and successfully guided the club away from relegation fears. With new investment in the playing squad and infrastructure, Newcastle United qualified for the UEFA Champions League in the 2022-23 season, finishing fourth in the Premier League – their highest finish in two decades. They also reached the 2023 Carabao (League) Cup Final, narrowly losing to Manchester United. The ambition is to once again compete for major honors, both domestically and in Europe.

The Heartbeat of Tyneside: The Toon Army

No history of Newcastle United would be complete without mentioning its incredible fanbase – the Toon Army. Renowned for their passionate, loyal, and often long-suffering support, they follow the team in vast numbers, both at home and away, through thick and thin. St James’ Park, perched on a hill overlooking the city, remains one of English football’s most iconic and atmospheric grounds, a cathedral of football for the Geordie faithful.

Newcastle United’s history is a compelling saga of glorious highs, painful lows, legendary figures, and an unwavering connection with its city and supporters. From the Edwardian champions and the FA Cup kings of the 50s to Keegan’s Entertainers and the renewed aspirations of the modern era, the story of the Magpies is far from over. The black and white stripes represent more than just a football team; they embody the spirit, pride, and passion of Tyneside.

What are your most cherished memories of Newcastle United? Share your thoughts and favorite moments in the comments below!

Sources:

Newcastle Official Website
Football History
NUFC History