Chance to re-live Toon glory days

Ujpest Dozsa, 1969 the Fairs Cup final against scoring for the Toon in Bobby Moncur celebrates after IT will be a bit of Toontastic when sporting heroes of yesteryear join forces to celebrate their time on the pitch at St James’ Park.

Former Newcastle United players will be joining guests for a talk-in when decades of football experience gather on North Tyneside. And they will be teaming up with former Glasgow Rangers stars when four of the best join the black and whites.

The night will include Magpie greats Bob Moncur, Frank Clark, Iam McFaul and Jim Scott – all vital players in the Fairs Cup team. Ex-Gers superstars, who they played in the semi-final, will be Willie Henderson, Colin Stein, Willie Johnston and Alex MacDonald. The evening has been organised by the Fairs Club – set up by die-hard fans to remember the glory days at Newcastle United. Founder of the Fairs Club, Bill Gibbs, of Wallsend, said: “We’ve got Fairs Cup squad captain Bob Moncur, vice captain Frank Clark, goalkeeper Iam McFaul and the great Jim Scott.

“We’ll also have the four player legends from Glasgow Rangers. Over the years we have formed great relationships with the lads from Glasgow Rangers through Willie Henderson, arguably the greatest player of them all, who set up a charity in his daughter’s name after she died from cancer.

“Generous Geordies have raised money for the cause and we have become very good friends. There will be some interesting stories told and Frank Clark will have some interesting ones about the times when he was marking Willie Henderson.”

The evening will be hosted by the ChronicleLive columnist John Gibson, who is the president of the Fairs Club.

Secretary and treasurer of the Fairs Club, Harry Watson, also of Wallsend, said: “It’s going to be an exciting night. We’ve had the Rangers lot down before and it was brilliant.”

In 1969 at home in the first leg of the final against Hungarian outfit Ujpest Dozsa, St James’ Park erupted after seeing captain Moncur score twice in five minutes. Scott added a third, seven minutes from time, and United headed to Hungary for the second leg of the final on June 11 with a three-goal lead.

And, of course, they ended up bringing home the trophy after winning 3-2 in Hungary, where Moncur scored another goal.

The evening, called the Fairs Cup Semi Finals, will be held at King Street Social Club, North Shields, on Thursday, November 1, staring at 7.45pm.

Tickets cost £10 and can be bought from Harry Watson on 07985 198222.