How United managed to bounce back
Nostalgia Editor HERE’S a quiz question for all those of a black and white persuasion...
How many times in the club’s near 125-year history have Newcastle United been promoted?
Toon masterminds might point to six - after United’s latest promotion was confirmed last Monday when they beat Preston North End at St James’ Park.
For the record, promotions took place in 1948, 1965, 1984, 1993, 2010 and, of course, 2017.
In each case the club had been relegated in previous seasons.
But there was one other Newcastle promotion way back in the mists of time.
The club, as most of us know, was formed in 1892. They went straight into the newly-formed Second Division and were promoted six years later to the top flight, finishing behind Burnley.
The first few decades of the 20th century marked a golden era for the club as they won league titles and FA Cups.
However, gradual decline saw them relegated for the first time in 1934.
It wasn’t until after World War II - when league football was suspended - that United went up again in 1948, watched by record crowds and starring a brilliant young striker called Jackie Milburn.
The trio of FA Cup triumphs between 1951 and 1955 were a club highlight, but 1961 brought relegation once again.
It was former captain, Joe Harvey, who as manager led them out of the second tier in 1965.
The 1969 Fairs Cup triumph saw United conquer Europe, while the early 1970s were the era of Supermac.
But trouble was around the corner and the Toon second were down again in 1978.
After a long exile, they finally went up again in 1984, spearheaded by Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle, and a certain Kevin Keegan.
King Kev was back as manager in 1992. The club had gone down three years earlier, but the rookie boss made an instant impact, gaining promotion to the Premier League and creating the ‘Entertainers’, the team which went so close to winning the title in 1996.
Moving towards the present day, United went down in 2009, bouncing back at the first attempt under Chris Hughton.
And, as we’ll all know, demotion at the end of last season was rectified by Rafa Benitez who led the Magpies back at the first time of asking.
But so much for the drama of relegations and promotions...
Newcastle fans will sincerely hope there are no more for a very, very, very long time.
Front: Manager Kevin Keegan waves to crowds during the open-top bus parade following Newcastle United’s First Division title win, May 1993; Newcastle manager Chris Hughton lifts the trophy as Newcastle are crowned Championship winners, April 2010; crowds queue for tickets at St James’ Park at the culmination of the promotion-winning 1983-84 season; United’s promotion-winning side of 1964-65 after clinching the title
Above, Newcastle United’s promotion winners, 1965; left, Chris Hughton, manager of Newcastle United, after promotion is achieved, April 2010