When Newcastle United claimed their last title
THIS month marks perhaps an unwanted anniversary in Newcastle United history. It’s 90 - yes 90 - long years since the club last won the league title.
Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers came agonisingly close to repeating the feat in 1996, but you have to go way back to April 1927 to find the last time the Toon were crowned champions of England.
In the first third of the 20th century, Newcastle United were one of football’s most successful clubs.
In terms of trophies, they were on par with Liverpool and more successful than Manchester United and Arsenal.
If in modern times the Magpies’ trophy cabinet has remained resolutely bare since 1969, it’s worth remembering that apart from the world war years - the 1910s and 1940s - United landed major prizes in every decade up to and including the 1960s.
The reason for declining long-term success at St James’ Park are varied and complicated, and each of us will have had our own bar-room theories as to the perennial absence of silverware.
When, on April 30, 1927, Newcastle United landed their fourth league title in 22 years, the city was in the midst of a momentous year.
Tynesiders for the first time could take in a concert at the City Hall, the Tyne Bridge was nearing completion, and Geordies could toast the league champions with a powerful new beer, Newcastle Brown Ale, launched days earlier.
There will be no one left alive who witnessed United’s title triumph 90 years ago - unless they happen to be venerable centenarians - and we’re left with just black-and-white snaps and newspaper cuttings to recall when Newcastle United were the finest team in the land.
On April 30, 1927, the First Division championship was sealed with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at St James’ Park, with the lethal Hughie Gallacher grabbing both goals.
That day’s Chronicle declared: “The title is now in the proud possession of Newcastle United again, for the first time since the season 1908-09.
“The result of their game with The Wednesday this afternoon settled the issue beyond doubt.
“Thrilling scenes were witnessed at the close of the game at St James’ Park this afternoon.”
As the team enjoyed the applause at the end, the Mayor shook the hand of each player, while a local colliery band played the song, Conquering Heroes.
The foundation of that season’s success were the 39 goals of the brilliant Hughie Gallacher, while Tom McDonald and Stan Seymour also couldn’t stop scoring.
Gallacher had started the season in blazing form, netting all four goals in the opening-day demolition of Aston Villa.
He also put title rivals Sunderland to the sword, scoring in a narrow 1-0 win in front of over 67,000 fans at St James’ Park.
With United finishing champions, and with Sunderland in third place, the football landscape of 1927 was very different to today’s.
Second-placed Huddersfield had won the league for the previous three seasons, while Bury were also plying their trade in the top tier.
Manchester United finished in the bottom third of the table, while Manchester City and Chelsea were in Division Two - alongside South Shields!
Meanwhile, in the old Third Division (North), the region was represented by none less than Ashington and Durham City.
And that’s the way we were 90 years ago.
How long until Newcastle United next lift the league title one wonders?