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Between
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After the First World War, United rebuilt quickly. Players such as Frank Hudspeth, Neil Harris, Tom McDonald and Stan Seymour came to the fore, the latter becoming one of the greatest names at the club. In 1924, Newcastle again lifted the FA Cup, playing in the only the second final to be held at the new Empire Stadium at Wembley, and also gaining revenge over Aston Villa, beating them 2-0.
That year also, United signed another of their greatest players, Hughie Gallacher from Airdrie, and he proved to be a genius, being Newcastle's leading scorer for the next five seasons. He netted 39 when he skippered Newcastle to their final (to date) league championship in 1927, a total that has only recently (1994) been beaten.
Regrettably, Newcastle tailed off after this win and followed up with a succession of disappointing campaigns. By 1930, they were at the wrong end of the table and but for Gallacher, would have been relegated. Gallagher departed in the close season, having been transferred to Chelsea against his will. Former Scottish international Andy Cunningham took over as the Magpie's first ever Team Manager.
Cunningham experimented with team selection and when Gallagher returned with his new club, an all time record for attendance was set at St. James'. Cunningham's experimentation finally paid off when Newcastle lifted the FA Cup for the third time, beating Arsenal in controversial circumstances. Apparently the ball had just gone out for a goal kick when it was crossed over for a Newcastle goal. The referee and linesmen didn't think so, and Newcastle ran out 2-1 winners.
Despite having a potentially fine pool of players, Newcastle could not find a permanently winning pattern, and in the 1933-34 campaign, after enjoying an excellent festive season, thrashing Everton 7-3 and Liverpool 9-2 in the space of a few days, Newcastle trailed off and were eventually relegated, ending 36 years of top flight football. Cunningham departed and Tom Mather took his place. Newcastle found it difficult to adjust to the second division and promotion seemed a remote prospect.
In the 1937-38 season, United only escaped further relegation to the Third Division North by one- tenth of a goal, after goal averages were worked out. During the summer of 1938, former Magpie's outside-left Stan Seymour joined the board, starting a successful off the field career with united that was to last for decades. After recording a huge loss of almost 17,000 pounds, the Second World War drew its shadow over Europe, and Newcastle spent wartime fruitfully, searching the North East for promising young players, and coming up with talent like Jackie Milburn, Tommy Walker and Bobby Cowell.
1945-1969 >>
