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Newcastle were one of
the best clubs in England at the start of the 20th century. They won the
FA Cup in 1910 and the league 1905, 07 and 09.
Jim Lawrence was among the players during this period. Lawrence is the
player that holds the record of most league appearances for the club. He
played 432 league games from 1904 to 22.
Frank Watt was the first manager in charge, but never influenced team
selection. He was more of a club secretary. Mr. Watt was in charge of
Newcastle United from 1895 to 1932.
Newcastle managed to win the league four times and the FA Cup three
times during those 37 years. Time flies and the black and white from the
North have not managed to ever get back to that sort of level.
The last time Newcastle fans saw their team lift the League trophy was
back in the 1927 season, almost 83 years ago. Legendary Hughie Gallacher
was the top goalscorer with 36 goals. This is still the club record for
most league goals scored in one season.
Newcastle vanished from the best party in 1934, spending a period of 14
years playing 2nd division football.
Jack Milburn made his debut in the Newcastle team in 1946 and from that
day a new era of greatness appeared at St. James Park. Newcastle got
promoted in 1948 and had a good run during the 50's.
Great FA Cup wins in 1951, 52 and 55 made the decade a great one for
Newcastle fans. Jack Milburn scored 177 league goals during those years
and still keeps the club record of most league goals in total aggregate.
Milburn left Newcastle in 1957. They never really managed to replace him.
The club experienced a downfall that ended with a new dip into the 2nd
division.
Joe Harvey was appointed manager at the club in 1962. He took Newcastle
back up in 64. A new and relatively good period appeared, winning the
European Fairs Cup in 69.
The club reached the 74 FA Cup final and was back at Wembley for the
League Cup final in 76. Both finals were lost. To Liverpool in 74 and
Manchester City in 76.
Newcastle spent 14 years in the top flight, but when the 1977-78 season
was finished a new dip into the big 2nd division sea was not avoidable.
Arthur Cox was appointed manager in 1980 and he managed to find Chris
Waddle at Tow Law Town, sign up Peter Beardsley from Vancouver Whitecaps
and bring in Kevin Keegan.
When the promotion back to the top flight was completed in 1984, it was
also the end for Keegan and he decided to retire from the game.
Newcastle stayed up for a while but it was struggling times at St. James
Park.
A new relegation was a fact after the 1988-1989 season and the situation
looked grim. The sleeping giant was again just a sleeping giant. Jim
Smith and Osvaldo Ardiles tried to ring the changes, but was never
successful.
Then out of the blue came Kevin Keegan again. He had no previous
experience from management and had been out of football for almost eight
years when Newcastle came knocking.
Keegan started his work at Newcatle with great desire, courage and
belief. Signed Andy Cole from Bristol City and managed to win promotion
in his first full season in charge.
Newcastle came back with a fantastic attitude and with players such as
Cole and Peter Beardsley they finished 3rd. Keegan had again brought
pride and belief back to Tyneside.
Despite many attempts and great financial support, it never happened.
Keegan couldn't manage to bring silverware to the club.
The runners-up medals from the 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 season was the
closest Keegan got to winning the Premier League. Keegan resigned from
his management posision in January 97.
Newcatle maintained their Premier League status and both Kenny Dalglish
and Ruud Gullit managed to reach the FA Cup final with their teams. They
never managed to influence the finals much against Arsenal and
Manchester United and was defeated 2-0 in both games.
Sir Bobby Robson was appointed manager in 1999 and he managed to get the
club back on it's feet. But after almost five years in charge not even
the legend himself could avoid the sack.
Sir Bobby left and since then things have really been a bit of a mess.
Newcastle couldn't avoid the humiliation of a new relegation after the
08-09 season and are now back at the 2nd level in English football.
The Zebra in Sahara is walking the sand. After 11 games into the season
they are now on top of the Championship table and will hopefully be able
to get back up in the shortest possible time.
Chris Hughton is in charge of team affairs and he has been so since Alan
Shearer left the club after the relegation was a fact in May.
Newcastle United is a fantastic football club with one of the best
fanbases in the World. They deserve better than to be lost in the desert
of football.
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