10/07 - Assistant-Secretary Russel Cushing is promoted to Secretary, replacing Malcolm Hoole who resigned a couple of weeks ago.

13/07 - The club state that a record £130,000 has been banked so far in Season Ticket sales.

23/07 - The official photo-call is held.

25/07 - Tony Green has been training with the rest of the squad, but as fluid is still building up on his right-knee it has been decided that he requires a third (small) operation. He is expected to be fit for the new season.

31/07 - United have not made any major signings during the summer, but they have snapped up four promising youngsters who are paraded before the press. Goalkeeper Eddie Edgar, centre-half Aidan McCaffrey, centre-forward Steven Newstead and full-back Peter Kelly. Scout Len Richley spotted Kelly at a tournament in Skegness and United have beaten off competition from Manchester United, Partick Thistle and Clyde.

01/08 - John Cowan (24), who was released by United at the end of last season, is appointed player-manager of Northern Irish side Drogheda.

02/08 - Hibbitt and Howard are left badly-shaken after being involved in a car accident (on the mini-roundabout at Two Ball Lonnen) on their way to training.

04/08 - Following his operation. Tony Green's leg will be encased in plaster for a month.

10/08 - The players hold a meeting to discuss the contracts they have been offered and eight of them have decided not to sign at the moment. They are concerned about the wording of the contracts which include clauses relating to the expected lifting of the government pay freeze. Lord Westwood is to speak to them.

10/08 - Alan Robinson, secretary of the Supporter’s Club says they have a “black list” of known trouble-makers and that more than 200 have been refused permission to join and travel with the Club. A new Supporter’s Club has also been set up to provide transport to away games for “people who want to travel without any trouble”. Coaches will leave straight after the match and members will be selected who will be “a better class than the hooligan type”.

11/08 - Fr: Middlesbrough 1 Newcastle 3 - UNITED COME BACK ON SONG - United win comfortably against Second Division Middlesbrough with a brace from Cassidy and a twenty-yard free-kick from Howard. Tony Bell came on when McFaul was injured but then went off again after McFaul had received treatment. The local police did not expect problems, but there is trouble before (notably in the Cleveland Shopping Centre), during and after the game. Several fans are ejected before the match starts when trouble erupts in the Holgate End.

14/08 - Fr: Workington 1 Newcastle 4 - A side containing a mixture of reserves and first-team players scores three times after the break to win.

16/08 - Fr: Newcastle 2 Carlisle 0 - With Joe Harvey believing that the side lacks match practice a hastily arranged behind-closed-doors friendly is played with Carlisle. It is a no-holds-barred game played in the midday sun.

18/08 - Fr: Blackpool 0 Newcastle 1 - A SUNNY STROLL FOR HARVEY’S MEN - The Second Division side include former players Wyn Davies and Alan Suddick with another, Keith Dyson, on the bench. United give a workmanlike display and win with ease in what is a pretty tedious game, McFaul even gets the chance to play outfield when Smith is injured and goalkeeper Bell is the only remaining sub. There is significant trouble and more than twenty are arrested.

20/08 - Hibbitt has signed his new contract, the rest of the players have until Friday.

25/08 - D1: West Ham 1 Newcastle 2 - MAGNIFICENT MAC AT THE DOUBLE AS UNITED START IN STYLE - Although United control most of the first-half they cannot find a goal and are behind at the interval. But with Smith and Hibbitt controlling midfield they perform even better in the second forty-five and Macdonald bags a brace.

29/08 - D1: Newcastle 0 Southampton 1- CRAZY PENALTY SINKS UNITED - In the absence of Macdonald and Tudor, who both have knee injuries, Newcastle's play lacks the finishing power to reward their good, constructive football. The Saints spend most of the game on the defensive and are "gifted" a goal when Moncur needlessly handles a cross in the area.

04/09 - 01: Ipswich 1 Newcastle 3 - RESERVES STEER NEWCASTLE AWAY FROM TROUBLE - Undeterred by going behind early on United bounce back to lead at the break and go on to win comfortably. It is a poor performance by the much-fancied home side. Makeshift attackers Cassidy and Keith Robson both score.

07/09 - Tony Green is discharged from Wrightington Hospital in Wigan and will start light training next week.

08/09 - D1: Sheff. United 1 Newcastle 1 - MAC SETS IT UP - In heatwave conditions the Magpies control the first-half without scoring and are behind at the break. Macdonald misses a penalty and with time running out it looks like United will return to Tyneside pointless, but in the last ten minutes Robson grabs a controversial equaliser. The Yorkshire Police deploy a special Task Force and there are 15 arrests in total (eight of whom are from the North East). Two pubs are closed down for the day, the Black Swan and the Claymore, but fans go on a drunken orgy, smashing glasses and fighting.

12/09 - D1: Newcastle 3 Ipswich 1 - UNITED REACH A BRILLIANT PEAK - A top-class performance from Newcastle as they overwhelm Ipswich with an electrifying display of attacking football. The visitors are bewildered by the power, pace and variety of United's attacks and the team leave the field to a standing ovation at the end of each half. Harvey says: “Those first forty-five minutes were the finest I have ever seen in my time here as player and manager”.

17/09 - Jim Smith's excellent form earns him a call-up for Scotland’s World Cup Qualifying game against Czechoslovakia. Harvey says: “He has always possessed flair and imagination, now he has added a real determination and a will to win to his game”

19/09 - TC R1 L1: Morton 1 Newcastle 2 - JINKY SHOWS SKILLS AS UNITED STROLL IN - United secure a very comfortable Texaco Cup First Leg victory over the Scottish First Division side. Their superiority borders on the embarrassing at times although they are often too casual.

20/09 - Harvey boasts: “We’re back among the big boys - and this time we’re going to stay there”.

22/09 - D1: Coventry 2 Newcastle 2 - NOT BAD FOR A REJECT - Coventry are third having made an excellent start to the season and the Magpies become the first team to leave Highfield Road with a point in a great game in which both sides play entertaining football. Playing a counter-attacking style, Newcastle are unlucky to hit the post three times in the second-half. Coventry “reject”, Tudor, scores United’s second.

26/09 - McFaul, Craig and Cassidy (winning his first cap for 2 years) play for Northern Ireland in a goalless draw with Bulgaria. Jimmy Smith misses out for Scotland.

28/09 - United have accepted a bid from Hull for Alex Reid and the player has also agreed personal terms. He is expected to sign on Monday.

29/09 - D1: Newcastle 2 QPR 3 - QUICK-FIRE START SETS UP RANGERS - A disastrous start sees the visitors score twice in the first three minutes and although relentless pressure from United follows they are foiled by a mixture of bad luck, bad finishing (including another penalty miss by Macdonald) and superb goalkeeping. United score twice in the last six minutes, but it is too little too late. Harvey calls it "daylight robbery".

01/10 - TC R1 L2: Newcastle 1 Morton 1 (aet - agg 3-2) - UNITED’S OWN GOAL SHAMBLES - For almost the full game both sides test the patience of a surprisingly tolerant crowd with most United players looking totally disinterested. Two minutes before the end the Scots score to level the tie on aggregate and take it into extra-time. Morton centre-back Denis Laughton puts through his own net in an attempt to cut out a Barrowclough cross.

03/10 - Barrowclough damages ankle ligaments in training.

06/10 - D1: Liverpool 2 Newcastle 1 - SO TOUGH FOR GO-GO UNITED - A disputed penalty just before the end denies Newcastle a deserved point in a great game. Liverpool manager Bill Shankly is impressed. "The best game I have seen, not only this season, but for several seasons. Newcastle are the best team I have seen this season".

08/10 - LC R2: Newcastle 6 Doncaster 0 - CLARK’S GOAL CLIMAXES NEWCASTLE RIOT - Macdonald scores a hat-trick and Robson gets a brace, but it is the final goal that generates the biggest celebrations. "All my lads wondered what on earth was going on," admits Doncaster manager Maurice Setters after the match. "There were the Newcastle players going wild over the sixth goal of the match - all racing over to the scorer and jumping on him as if he had just scored the winning goal at Wembley. And the crowd were making a heck of a din". The cause of all the furore is Frank Clark's first goal after eleven years at Newcastle. There are champagne celebrations in the dressing room and the match-ball is signed by all the players and presented to him.

Irving Nattrass is called up for the England-U23 team to play Poland next week.

13/10 - D1: Newcastle 1 Man. City 0 - MARVELLOUS MAC - With Tudor and Robson out injured Macdonald lacks support and United struggle to create chances, but a superb header from the Number 9 wins the game.

17/10 - Newcastle midfielder Billy Coulson moves to Southend for £10,000. Their original target was striker Paul Cannell who turned down their approach.

22/10 - TC R2 L1: Birmingham 1 Newcastle 1 - MACS PENALTY OPENS THE DOOR - In a poor game of few chances Bob Latchford gives the home side the lead in the first-half and Malcolm Macdonald equalises just after the break with a penalty. Although Jimmy Smith is the best player on the pitch, he picks up a booking after an ugly clash with Gary Pendrey.

23/10 - Sporting Lisbon are in the North-East for a Cup Winners Cup game against Sunderland and three of their players are sent home in disgrace after they are caught shoplifting in a Newcastle store.

27/10 - D1: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 2 - GREAT GOALS FROM COMEBACK BOYS STUN SPURS - For the first hour, the game is very lacklustre, with neither side displaying any real attacking intent. A goal from the recalled Barrowclough awakens the home side and United have to defend magnificently before Gibb grabs a second in the last couple of minutes.

30/10 - LC R3: Birmingham 2 Newcastle 2 - UNITED LASH THE BRUMMIE BASHERS - Bob Latchford scores twice with Gibb and McDermott notching inbetween. There are lots of frightening and unnecessary challenges from both sides, particularly in the last fifteen minutes of the first-half. The leniency of the referee sees only Kenny Burns and Moncur booked. Burns’ booking comes after he takes his own revenge on Jimmy Smith who felled him with a nasty challenge minutes before. Manager Joe Harvey complains that: “they were far too physical. They knew that they could not match us for footballing skills so they took us on at all-in wrestling”. It is a bad night for Macdonald who has a penalty saved and later has to hobble off injured.

02/11 - Macdonald has a cartilage operation on his left knee and Harvey plans to ask the Board to fund an immediate replacement.

03/11 - D1: Newcastle 2 Stoke 1 - GOAL-MAN GIBB STRIKES IT RICH - United move into second place despite having to line up without any recognised central attackers and with Barrowclough, Smith, Cassidy and Gibb all carrying injuries. Harvey is delighted with the victory. "It is incredible that we should go second with so many injuries. This was a victory for character”.

05/11 - ANGRY UNITED FINE MISSING BURLEIGH - For the third time this season reserve ‘keeper Martin Burleigh has gone missing and has been fined.

06/11 - Terry McDermott is called up for England U23’s.

Arsenal are said to be interested in Nattrass and might be prepared to do a swap deal for Ray Kennedy.

07/11 - LC R3r: Newcastle 0 Birmingham 1 (aet) - AGONY AS UNITED FAIL AGAIN - The Magpies, who have never got past the League Cup Third Round, fail once more. It is a wretched, abysmal performance with the only goal coming from a needlessly conceded penalty.

08/11 - Tony Green has trained all week without any pain and could be ready to play next week.

10/11 - D1: Leicester 1 Newcastle 0 - NEWCASTLE DEFIED BY SHILTON - United's makeshift attack, which includes hard-working debutant George Hope, makes plenty of chances, but comes up against an inspired Peter Shilton and Weller wins the game for the Foxes.

12/11 - Tony Green visits the Football League’s specialist and there are fears his career might be over. Newcastle watched Nottingham Forest striker Duncan McKenzie at the weekend but the Reds make it clear he is not for sale.

14/11 - Jimmy Smith plays for Scotland in a draw against West Germany.

Tommy Cassiddy has had an operation to remove a blood clot on his groin.

23/11 - Stewart Barrowclough is overlooked again and admits “I don’t know if I have a future here”.

24/11 - D1: Everton 1 Newcastle 1 - GREAT SHOW BY UNITED - Despite a strong wind making play difficult, United are well in control in the first-half. But after taking the lead they concede just before the break.

28/11 - TC R2 L2: Newcastle 1 Birmingham 1 (aband. 100 mins) - RED FACES FOR THE LEAGUE AS THE LIGHT RUNS OUT - Due to the floodlight ban, United and Birmingham had made a joint appeal for the kick-off to be brought forward from 2pm to 1.30 pm to cater for the possibility of extra-time. However the Football League refused and inevitably it is all-square after ninety minutes. In the gathering darkness Mr Jolly is forced to abandon the game ten minutes into extra-time. The match itself is a bit of a farce too with both sets of players struggling to keep their feet on the frozen ground which is gradually covered with falling snow. Although United control the game against what is a virtual reserve eleven from Birmingham, Boaker cancels out Tudor’s opener. Birmingham manager Freddie Goodwin is furious and says: “We are sick of the sight of each other and would prefer to toss up for who goes through to the Quarter Finals”.

06/12 - Harvey says that Smith's challenge was an accident and sees no reason why he shouldn't play in the League match against Birmingham on Saturday. Harvey "is very much hoping that this will be a game played in a sporting spirit despite recent happenings".

08/12 - D1: Birmingham 1 Newcastle 0 - VERY SAD DAY FOR FOOTBALL - This is clearly a game which is going to need an experienced referee, unfortunately schoolteacher Alex Lees has only been on the referee’s list for eighteen months and is in charge of his first ever Division 1 match. He is not concerned saying: “It won’t be a kicking match, it will be just a game of football”. Unfortunately his optimism is misplaced and as many feared the game is a disgraceful display of thuggery in which five players are cautioned and two United players are carried off. Birmingham manager Freddie Goodwin states: "it is a very sad day for football. I have never felt so unhappy in victory”. Harvey has "no comment to make whatsoever".

10/12 - Nattrass is expected to be out for a couple of months with torn ligaments; Clark needed stitches, but should be ok for the next game. Tony Want was (allegedly) considering taking out a civil lawsuit against Smith, but club officials have encouraged him not to.

12/12 - Smith is given a three-match ban.

12/12 - TC R3 L1: Dundee United 2 Newcastle 0 - NEWCASTLE FACE FIGHT FOR FINAL - The Scots have the benefit of a strong wind in the first-half and could easily have led by more than two at the break. United fail to take advantage when they are meteorologically favoured

19/12 - TC R3 L2: Newcastle 4 Dundee United 1 (aet - agg 4-3) - MAC’S BACK TO HELP UNITED INTO FINAL - With the scores level and United heading out Macdonald comes off the bench on the hour mark. Tudor scores almost immediately and Mac takes the tie into extra time where Cassidy hits the winning goal.

26/12 - D1: Newcastle 0 Leeds 1 - UNITED BOW TO SOCCER ROYALTY - An estimated 10,000 are locked out for the visit of the unbeaten league leaders. United start at a great pace but Leeds gradually assume control and score when Madeley’s long-distance effort seems to catch McFaul by surprise. The Magpies work hard for an equaliser but are kept at bay.

29/12 - D1: Newcastle 1 Sheff. United 0 - THE YEAR ENDS WELL - Newcastle start like thoroughbreds with Hibbitt and Smith controlling midfield, but both the players and the crowd become more anxious as they fail to make the breakthrough. With twenty minutes left Tudor, playing against his former club, scores the winner. He later misses a penalty.

01/01 - D1: Arsenal 0 Newcastle 1 - MCFAUL’S NEW YEAR SUPER SHOW - United take an early lead through Hibbitt and although Arsenal dominate Newcastle defend with determination and bravery, no-one more so than McFaul, who twice requires treatment.

08/01 - Smith is axed and publicly criticised by Harvey although he admits "several players could have been dropped on Saturday's display". "I always carry the can and I'm sick of it", complains Smith who is also furious that Harvey "did not tell me I was dropped. I had to read it in the papers".

11/01 - Jim Smith is due to travel to the Midlands with the first-team squad, but tells Harvey he would rather play for the reserves. He denies that he has asked for a transfer and says he wants to stay "but reserve football is no use to me".

12/01 - D1: Wolves 1 Newcastle 0 - ERROR KILLS IT - The game is not given the go-ahead until forty-five minutes before kick-off and the very heavy ground directly results in United conceding an early goal when Kennedy’s back-pass gets stuck in the mud and Richards nips in. Decent football is at a premium and there are precious few chances in the game.

Terry Hibbitt receives a four-match suspension after comments he made after the League Cup tie with Birmingham.

16/01 - McDermott wins his first England-U23 cap against Wales.

19/01 - D1: Newcastle 1 West Ham 1 - GONE WITH THE WIND - Although a strong wind makes for difficult playing conditions both sides serve up some decent football. A draw is a fair result although Tudor should have won it a couple of minutes from time, but he lifts the ball over the bar when five-yards out and presented with an open-goal.

26/01 - FA R4: Newcastle 1 Scunthorpe 1 - AGONY - BUT ITS BEEN WORSE - Scunthorpe are struggling in the bottom half of the Fourth Division and have lost 10 out of 12 of their away games; it is hard to imagine a much easier draw on paper. But third-favourites United are embarrassed once more as they have to come from behind to earn a replay. Harvey moans: "we should have scored ten goals, it's ridiculous".

30/01 - FA R4r: Scunthorpe 0 Newcastle 3 - AT LAST IT’S A CUP OF CHEER! - The Local Education Authority gives school-children an official half-day off to attend the match. It is noisy and windy, but United are calm and collected. It is the first time the Magpies have reached the Fifth Round since 1961.

01/02 - John Tudor is dropped and it is speculated that Harvey may be prepared to sell; although any deal is unlikely whilst United remain in the Cup.

02/02 - D1: Derby 1 Newcastle 0 - DISMAL UNITED ARE STILL ON THE SLIDE - United are very poor and easily beaten, a Moncur own-goal proves decisive. Harvey says: “I’ve never seen us give the ball away as much as we did today”.

05/02 - D1: Southampton 3 Newcastle 1 - NEWCASTLE’S NIGHT OF DISASTER - Terry Paine (making his 700th appearance) is in inspired form in an enthralling game on a heavy, saturated pitch. Mac puts United ahead but the Saints reply within a couple of minutes and it is all square at the break. Southampton dominate the second forty-five and Tommy Cassidy is sent off in the last ten minutes.

09/02 - D1: Newcastle 5 Coventry 1 - AND NOW FOR ALBION - Alex Bruce makes his home debut and scores just after the break to start off an emphatic second-half performance which secures a first League win since New Year's day; the Sky Blues help by netting two own-goals.

15/02 - Newcastle have a near miss when the tyre bursts on the team coach as it is travelling 50mph down the motorway. Driver Bob Green is the hero, managing to maintain control and bringing the coach to a safe halt.

20/02 - Tommy Gibb holds talks with Sheffield Wednesday over a possible move.

23/02 - D1: Newcastle 0 Liverpool 0 - RED GUARDS SHACKLE UNITED - Liverpool adopt their usual cautious away approach and too many Newcastle players are half-hearted in their attempts to break them down. McFaul is excellent and Tudor is unlucky to see an effort cleared off the line in the last couple of minutes.

02/03 - United hooligans cause significant damage to two city-centre pubs before the game with Leeds. The Old Peacock (just outside the ground) is worst affected after being attacked by 200-300 Newcastle fans.

02/03 - D1: Leeds 1 Newcastle 1 - SUPER NEWCASTLE MAKE IT HARD FOR LEEDS - The Magpies are well worth a point against the nervy League-leaders in an entertaining game. A couple of fine saves by 'keeper Stewart prevent a United victory,

10/03 - Forest chairman Jim Wilmer confirms that they are going to make an official complaint about the referees handling of the game.

11/03 - Newcastle are drawn against Burnley in the FA Cup Semi-Final; however a sub-committee of the FA will meet later this week to consider a written protest handed in today by Nottingham Forest. FA Secretary Ted Croker states that "Newcastle could be disqualified" and that "We do not have the power to order a replay as the game was completed". He also reveals that before restarting the referee checked that no players had been injured and obtained both manager's permission to continue the game. "The problem arises because the score changed from 3-1 to Forest to 4-3 to Newcastle after the interruption. Forest believe that the tie should be awarded 3-1 to them arguing that the players felt upset and intimidated.

12/03 - Croker now claims that the FA can order the match to be replayed. Westwood is confident this will not happen as there "are no rules concerning crowd behaviour within the rules of the Cup". Harvey is even more adamant: "we won the match fair and square and whatever the decision concerning crowd misbehaviour there should be no question of our appearance in the semi-final".

13/03 - Alex Bruce plays for an injury-hit Scotland U23 against England at St James' in a match watched by only 4,007 people.

14/03 - The four-man FA Commission convenes in London and representatives from both clubs as well as referee Kew attend. The decision is taken to order the match to be replayed at a neutral venue. The replay will take place next Monday evening at Goodison Park; special dispensation having been granted to use floodlights. If the match is drawn the replay will also take place on a neutral ground. Forest manager Alan Brown is "delighted" and although Harvey declares himself "disappointed" he is also "very confident that we shall win". United Chairman Lord Westwood confirms that United will not appeal stating that “we were satisfied with the way the enquiry was run" and believed it "the best outcome under the circumstances". His Forest counterpart is "happy about the decision and consider it very fair". The United players are less understanding, particularly as Pat Howard’s sending off will stand. Bobby Moncur calls the decision “cowardly”. And Macdonald says that the decision makes him and others feel like quitting the game and goes on to claim: “it almost makes me feel that the game is bent when they can take away a great victory like that and make us replay”. The match is made all-ticket.

Macdonald could be charged with bringing the game into dispute as a result of remarks he made in a radio interview. "My reaction is one of total disgust, but not surprise. Whatever the FA do now is never going to surprise me again. I have expected a ridiculous situation and they have certainly come up with one".

15/03 - The FA Disciplinary Committee formally charge the club under FA Rule 38(a) and will decide at a future date what action will be taken against the club with a heavy fine and/or temporary ground closure both possibilities.

16/03 - D1: Chelsea 1 Newcastle 0 - UNITED MINDS NOT GEARED TO THIS CHORE - There is precious little incident in the game between two sides who have been embroiled in a fair degree of controversy in the past months. The Magpies seem to lack urgency and will.

18/03 - FAC QFr: Newcastle 0 Nottm. Forest 0 - UNITED CLOSE BUT HERE WE GO AGAIN - A 40,685 crowd turns up, the majority of them from Tyneside. Both sides are off-key with United, at times brilliant, but also guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply. Luck is also against them as they hit the woodwork three times; Tudor with two headers and a Macdonald shot which ricochets onto the post off the 'keeper in the second-half.

21/03 - FAC QFr2: Newcastle 1 Nottm. Forest 0 - SUPER! MAC SEES UNITED THROUGH - United play a more controlled game and dominate the match. An unmarked Macdonald, standing almost on the goal-line, somehow fails to convert a cross after only ten seconds. However after fourteen minutes Forest have the ball in the net from a free-kick. Richardson pretends to step over the ball and then pauses, the Newcastle wall breaks and in the confusion Bowyer scores. Controversially the referee disallows the goal for "ungentlemanly conduct". A quarter of an hour later a Jim Barron goal kick is headed straight back by Jim Smith; Mac pounces on the loose ball, shakes off three defenders and strokes it past Barron as he comes out to meet him. An elongated rhythmic chant of "Howay" reverberates in the Merseyside air. Harvey captures the mood among the players. "I knew we could beat them. We beat them once and then we were forced to go back and do it again, but I knew the lads wouldn't fail. They were sick about the replay but perhaps the whole episode hasn't done any harm. It's shown we've got character as well as ability. Maybe it's hardened attitudes a bit. That can't be a bad thing". It is the first time United have reached the semi-final since 1955.

23/03 - D1: Newcastle 1 Leicester 1 - HIBBITT DOES IT IN STYLE - A fourth game in eight days for the Magpies and understandably it is a jaded performance. Hibbitt and Macdonald are the star performers. McDermott scores from the spot only for Moncur to deflect in a shot from Waters six minutes from time leading to an ironic chant of “we want a replay”.

23/03 - Tickets are going on sale for the semi-final tomorrow and some fans start queuing for tickets at halftime.

24/03 - UNITED FANS IN NEW DISGRACE - . Queuing fans leave a trail of destruction, ripping up fences, trampling through allotments and lighting camp fires to keep warm. Firemen called out by worried residents are met with a hail of bottles and stones. There are only 12,000 terrace tickets on sale but an estimated 35,000 fans are at the ground by the time the box office opens. And when it does there is a stampede in which a number of fans are injured, some of whom require hospital treatment. FA Secretary Croker states the incidents are likely to be investigated alongside the Forest match invasion and Lord Westwood admits the club needs to find a better solution. Another 10,000 stand tickets have been reserved for Season Ticket holders.

25/03 - UNITED TOLD TO PAY UP - Newcastle District Council leader Tom Collins calls the incident “an absolute shocker” and calls for the club to pay for the damage caused. Club secretary Cushing blames the issues on the lack of time they had to organise the ticket sale.

27/03 - Another 2,500 tickets (unclaimed by Season Ticket holders) go on sale at the ground with the club only making the announcement late last night to try and prevent a repetition of the damage.

27/03 - D1: Man. City 2 Newcastle 1 - REHEARSAL: BUT MOST STARS OFF-STAGE - A sixth game in nineteen days for Newcastle and, with the semi-final a week away, Harvey rests a number of players who are “nursing minor injuries”. The team, missing McFaul, Howard, Barrowclough, Smith, Macdonald and Hibbitt, not surprisingly loses.

03/04 - D1: Stoke 2 Newcastle 1 - MCFAUL SLIP COSTS A POINT - Macdonald is playing for England in Portugal and a number of other players are missing through injury and illness for the game against struggling Stoke. It is an exciting game throughout. Tudor opens the scoring with a brilliant overhead kick, but the Potters soon equalise. On the hour mark Mcfaul appears to have a thirty-yard free-kick from Hudson well covered only to inexplicably let the ball slip from his grasp, gifting the ball to Mahoney for the winner. Burkinshaw is not happy with the concentration levels of some of the players, accusing them of being "on cloud nine".

06/04 - D1: Newcastle 2 Everton 1 - MACDONALD - NEWCASTLE'S SUPER SAVIOUR - United record their first League win for two months to ease their relegation fears. Macdonald scores a thunderous volley and a penalty in what is his 100th Division 1 game. Hibbitt risks his place in the Final by playing with a broken toe which is frozen at half-time to get him through the game.

07/04 - CHAMPAGNE CUP MOOD GOES FLAT - Some of the players are said to be unhappy about the Club's decision to go against tradition and forego a post-match banquet in London. Westwood argues that "a London banquet can cost £8,000 and we can do a lot more with that kind of money". They will have a private party at the Russell Hotel instead. There is also some dissatisfaction with the £1,000 bonus on offer if United win the Final which is much less than Liverpool are offering their players,

08/04 - Macdonald is not to be charged by the FA with regard to the comments he made about the Quarter-Final.

09/04 - A players’ deputation meets with the Board to discuss their grievances.

10/04 - D1: Newcastle 1 Burnley 2 - MACDONALD ON TARGET - BUT UNITED SLIP BACK - A jaded performance from Newcastle against their sharp and thoroughly composed opponents. To make matters worse David Craig dislocates his elbow.

10/04 - With consideration to their supporters during difficult financial times Cup Finalists Newcastle and Liverpool make a joint request to the FA to reconsider their decision to not have extra time in the case of a draw. They also request that if a replay is necessary it should take place at Hillsborough and not Wembley.

13/04 - D1: Man. United 1 Newcastle 0 - SLOPPY UNITED - Harvey is now without Craig, Clark, Smith, Hibbitt and Tudor and United's youthful side loses out in a cagey game against the relegation-threatened Red Devils. The home side take the lead early on with McCalliog’s first goal for the club. Laughton should equalise, but he misses an open goal.

13/04 - United are keeping a close eye on Nottingham Forest youngster Duncan McKenzie who played so well against United in the Quarter-Final games.

15/04 - D1: Newcastle 0 Norwich 0 - UNITED TOO GOOD TO DROP - BOND - Nervy Norwich are bottom of the table but although dominating proceedings in what is a miserable game, United's players seem more intent on avoiding injury. Tudor and Hibbitt return, but the little midfielder is struggling with his fractured toe and is concerned he will miss the Final if he continues playing. Norwich manager John Bond is convinced the Magpies “are too good a side to go down”, but with four games left they are only four points above the relegation places.

17/04 - D1: Norwich 1 Newcastle 1 - CANARIES CLIP MAGPIES’ WINGS - United drop another point in a game just as poor as the preceding match between the two strugglers. An offside-looking Cassidy gives United the lead just after the break and they look like hanging on until Macdougal heads home.

18/04 - The FA Special Investigating Committee into the Quarter-Final pitch invasion spend four and a half hours sifting through evidence, visiting the ground and watching TV footage. They will report their decision on Monday.

Ticket touts on Tyneside are getting £18 for £1 Cup Final tickets whilst one brags that he received £75 for a £6 ticket.

20/04 - D1: Newcastle 1 Birmingham 1 - BYE BYE BLUES - Before the game Harvey is confident that there will be no more trouble between the two sides. “There is no vendetta and there will be no bloodbath. Let’s just get on with it and play the game the way it should be played”. Despite the importance of the game to both sides it is a fairly tame affair which United should have won. There is only one booking and that is for dissent. lam McFaul makes his 250th League appearance.

22/04 - The FA Commission into the Forest invasion publishes their findings. they decree that United will have to play all their FA Cup ties next season away from home and even if a replay is required, it will be played away too. If a subsequent replay is required it will be at a neutral venue. The club escape receiving a fine or having a ground closure because the new FA Rules stipulate clubs only need to prove that they have taken "reasonable" precautions against crowd trouble. The FA ruled that they had but imposed the home ban as they remain "responsible for the actions of its spectators". Westwood says he is delighted: "the club has been exonerated because we have taken every reasonable precaution". He also stresses that the police said the invasion had involved between 300 and 500 spectators and of these only six were adults. He further confirms that the club will not be taking any additional measures in the future and that "we have no thoughts of erecting fences. That is considered too dangerous by the police". Bobby Moncur calls the punishment “diabolical”. Newcastle East MP Geoffrey Rhodes claims: "a minor incident, built up out of all proportion as it was by press and television, has now led the FA to reach a brutally harsh and idiotic decision".

22/04 - Two ticket touts “with cockney accents” hassle United reserve players as they arrive at St James’ for their evening game. They think Journal reporter David Berry is a policeman and one shouts “look out it’s the spuds!” before they dash off up Barrack Road.

24/04 - TC Fin: Newcastle 2 Burnley 1 (aet) - NEWCASTLE WIN FIRST-LEG OF DOUBLE - Although Burnley take the lead in the first-half a pulsating performance from United sees them win the Texaco Cup after extra-time. Moncur smashing in a Smith cross on the volley to settle the game.

26/04 - CRAIG’S WEMBLEY DREAM CRUMBLES - Following a second-opinion on his dislocated elbow, David Craig, despite his protestations, is ruled out of the Cup Final.

27/04 - D1: Burnley 1 Newcastle 1 - FLY-AWAY MAC - Having dashed Burnley's dreams in the FA Cup and the Texaco Cup, United now end Burnley's chances of playing in Europe next season. The Lancastrians pummel United from the start, but cannot make their dominance count.

28/04 - A Cup Final It's A Knockout between the two Supporters Club's is filmed at Southport. Liverpool are the victors.

29/04 - The Newcastle party travels down to their Surrey “hideaway” at Selsdon Park. Meanwhile Bill Shankly names his team for the Final.

30/04 - Newcastle had planned to wear a special kit at Wembley, however the FA have blocked it as it has the manufacturer’s name (Bukta) emblazoned on it. Liverpool have been told the same thing.

01/05 - BARROWCLOUGH BLASTS HARVEY - Stewart Barrowclough is furious after being told that Tommy Gibb will be the substitute at Wembley rather than him. “I am upset and angry about not being substitute at Wembley and I’m sick of being messed about”. And although he accepts he has not had the best of seasons he does not feel Harvey has treated him well. “He has not given me the confidence I need. I’m not the sort who can respond to aggressive tactics. If things are going badly I need to be encouraged not slammed”.

02/05 - The players try on the specially made black and white tracksuits and they are not impressed. Made of towelling, and loose fitting the player’s fear they would make them sweat and made them look like a gang of penguins. The club now faces a race against time to find alternatives for Saturday.

04/05 - 48 coaches transport United fans to Victoria bus station and 18 British Rail specials run. An estimated 20,000 travel down without match tickets. As Newcastle fans walk from Kings Cross to Euston some of them are pelted with stones, beer bottles and cans by Liverpool supporters. There is also some trouble outside the ground and a Newcastle fan - Stephen Tempest - is stabbed in the chest when he is attacked by a mob of some 200.

Although Liverpool,and Newcastle fans drink together after the match there is some trouble in Piccadilly where both sets of supporters are attacked by locals.

An estimated 50,000 fans turn up to welcome the team home. There are about 2,000 at Central Station with police having to restrain the crowd to let the buses through. An attempted lap of honour at the ground has to be abandoned as young fans swarm onto the pitch. Eleven fans are taken to the RVI with most suffering from crushing although one falls through the roof of the away side’s trainers box and breaks his leg. Fans in the stands chant “Get off the pitch!” and “We’re the true supporters!”, but extra police reinforcements have to be brought in so the players can get off the pitch. There is so much noise and chanting (including “We nearly won the cup”) that an attempt to make some speeches also fails.

11/05 - D1: Newcastle 0 Tottenham 2 - RAP FOR KIDS - The inexperienced Magpies hold their own in the first-half, but old-stagers Chivers and Gilzean score after the break as the Londoners take control.

13/05 - Test: Sunderland 2 Newcastle 3 - MONTY’S, BITTER SWEET NIGHT - A third game in four days as United travel to Sunderland for Jim Montgomery testimonial. Even though it is a testimonial it is an enthralling, blood and thunder game which has a surprisingly amount of needle in it. The game is decided by a Terry McDermott penalty, the disputed award of which makes Montgomery furious. Jim Platt, John Craggs, Alan Foggon and Bryan Robson guest for United.

17/05 - The Board decide not to increase season ticket prices for 1974/75. They are also going to make 1,000 extra season tickets available in the East Stand.

24/05 - PERMANENT STEELE - Young goalkeeper Eric Steele (19) joins Fourth Division Champions Peterborough for £10,000. He was on loan at London Road during the second half of last season.

27/05 - Terry Hibbitt, Terry McDermott and Alan Kennedy want a pay rise.

29/05 - Following media reports Nottingham Forest confirm that United have made a firm offer for Duncan McKenzie.

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