Yesterday we heard from one of our readers, Dinosaur, on how Newcastle gained promotion in 1948 to the English first division.
George Robledo - in both FA Cup Finals - scored only goal in 1952 Final
Today, Dinosaur tells us how the team did, once promoted, and how we won the FA Cup two years running in 1951 and 1952.
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After getting into the First Division United didn’t do too badly, finishing 4th. 5th. and 4th in the following three seasons.
But we didn’t seem to have quite what was needed to top the table. What we did have was the FA Cup.
It was 1951, the first of my three Finals, and we were up against Blackpool, a big club in those days, with the immortal Stanley Mathews out on the right wing, and the high-scoring Stan Mortensen as center forward.
But Newcastle put out what I think was the best line-up they ever had, in that era:
Fairbrother; Cowell and Corbett; Harvey (c) Brennan and Crowe, Walker Taylor Milburn George Robledo and Mitchell.
A solid, no-frills defense, a hard working midfield, and an attack with speed and flair.
Strong individually but also a well knit team.
At half time there was no score, but five minutes after the restart Milburn took fire. A ball played up from the Newcastle half came straight towards him, with the enemy center half standing tightly behind, in the center circle.
Jackie went out to meet the ball ever so slightly, then stuck out his right foot and made a 180 degree swivel, with the ball apparently glued to his foot, and in the same fluid movement took off towards the Blackpool goal, his baffled marker trailing yards behind.
Now one-on-one with the keeper – no doubt. Goal!
A few minutes later – a team affair.
Walker from the right touchline rolls the ball to Taylor on the angle of the penalty area, he helps the ball on its way with a snappy back heel, right into the path of the oncoming Milburn , who, in full gallop let loose an absolute rocket into the net.
2-0, and the Cup was ours. Complete Joy in Geordie land.
The next year we were in the Final again, this time to play the Arsenal.
Goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson had come to Newcastle and played in his first FA Cup Final.
Simpson: Cowell and McMichael: Harvey (c) Brennan and Ted Robledo: Walker Foulkes Milburn George Robledo and Mitchell
Ted Robledo and George Robledo were in the Newcastle line up and that was the first time brothers had played in the same FA Cup final.
Their right back got crocked twenty minutes into the game trying to nail down the elusive Bobby Mitchell, in fact I don’t think he was ever able to play again.
There were no substitutes in those dinosaur days of course, so Arsenal had to play on with ten men, getting progressively more and more knocked up and exhausted, so the game wasn’t much of a spectacle.
It wasn’t until the last ten minutes that George Robledo was able to put them out of their misery, after 81 minutes, with a header that went in off the post and just trickled over the line.
Arsenal got all the press notices, but Newcastle got the Cup!
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Tomorrow, in the final part of this 3 part series, Dinosaur will talk about our 3rd FA Cup win in five years, and how football has changed since those times, which are so well remembered, as years of great Newcastle success.
Comments very welcome.
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14 responses so far ↓
1 Yahya Ahmad // Jul 25, 2008 at 1:08
We can win it this year! There are no doubts because Portsmouth have won it last season and if they can win it, so can we!
2 chuck // Jul 25, 2008 at 1:23
Ah yes i rememberit well, from 51 to 55 when Newcastle were a force to be reckoned with.
Standing atop the heavy rail at the top, opposite the stand and near the gallowgate end, inorder to watch Bobby Mitchel make fools out of the opposition right backs .
Different game, no divers, respect for each other, no post goalscoring displays, no badge kissing, no substitutes, no cards and strangely
the ball was in play much longer.
Yes a different but no less entertaining game.
The excitement of watching the team run out on to the field and forty odd thousand give a roar was pure magic, Howeeeeeeey Newcaseeeeel.
Sorry guys nothing to compare with it to day.
3 Spyro // Jul 25, 2008 at 1:52
good article Ed, i always appreciate articles like this as i am only 21 and way too young to have witnessed this stuff
4 clinta // Jul 25, 2008 at 2:18
Again brilliant read, now 28 years old these stories take me back to when i was a younger lad, and my grandfather used to tell me stories about Jackie Milburn and our beloved club.
no substitutes in those days, they were a breed of man that’s very rare in the new football age of spoilt little children.
5 DC Magpie // Jul 25, 2008 at 3:42
nice story, well written.
Ed, you might consider starting a user-submitted section, would be great to read some personal accounts from fans at the grounds.
There really is no other way to get those details that just make the story, just like Dinosaur’s description of Jackie’s turn.
…anyone else see the MLS all-stars beat West Ham? WH looked poor!
Thank god we got our money back on Parker, the guy is shockingly poor. Ashton looked quality, albeit a bit heavy. We really should have got him from Crewe, oh well. One of the young subs WH brought on right at the end of the game looked really sharp.
Beckham looked class! No real stand-outs for the MLS team other than Becks and Angel, I guess the fitness really does make the difference as the MLS side played the Hammers off the park, despite the 3-2 score-line.
also, anyone know if our upcoming pre-season game vs. Valenica will be televised?
6 DC Magpie // Jul 25, 2008 at 3:42
oh and anywhere in Chicago to watch the game if it is on TV?? cheers
7 Cloudstrife // Jul 25, 2008 at 4:25
always nice to read about the proud tradition of our great team. thanks Ed and Dinosaur
8 Brazilian Geordie // Jul 25, 2008 at 6:46
Abslotuley great job done by Dinosaur and Ed Harrison.
9 WesToon // Jul 25, 2008 at 8:17
Part 2,just as good as part1,awesome work Ed & Dinosaur..thanx alot for giving us a slice of heaven…Love it,just Love it!!
10 JJ // Jul 25, 2008 at 8:52
Ah, yes, I rembmer those days. Oh wait no I dont…..
I wasnt born for another 30 years. We’ve won sweet f allsince Ive known the club but hey, HOWAY THE TOON.
PS. The Manchester United lads are training in my home town today (Boksburg South Africa) . I have to take some pics for the paper.
Maybe I can put a good word in to Carrick and try get him to come over….. hmmm. If you dont ask you dont get.
11 S Mogg // Jul 25, 2008 at 9:21
53 years is a long time to have to wait for any kind of major honour.
Whats it like not seeing your team win owt in colour!
12 daiv // Jul 25, 2008 at 9:23
Ed
Thanks for the memories. I was born in 1956 ; so cannot even claim to have been born the last time NUFC won a domestic trophy! 1927 when we last won he league. They are historic stats. I bet there is no Geordie alive who saw gallagher and co win league in 1927. Those stats are not only sad, for a club the size of NUFc they are disgusting. Does anybody think the new owner will change things because its not looking that way buying £1M players and reserves.
13 daiv // Jul 25, 2008 at 9:47
Ed
The name dinosaur is apt because you have to be one to recall seeing our last domestic honour.
14 Seymour Butts // Jul 25, 2008 at 10:32
haha daiv you beat me to it! good stuff.
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