NUFC History - 1950s

Seasons - 1950/51-1954/55 The early fifties proved to be United's last great period of glory and the side was one of the greatest in the club's history. Three FA Cup victories and two championship chasing seasons had the fans flocking to SJP. However they still went through three managers and managed to upset many of their star players.

Seasons - 1955/56-1959/60 As Rock and Roll arrived, United's man of stone - Brennan - was being pushed out. It was the start of a chaotic period where there more scraps in the boardroom than there were on the terraces. But controversial young manager Charlie Mitten was willing to take the job which "scared the pants" off most sane individuals

FA Cup Winners 1951 - Jackie Milburn once stated that the 1951 Cup Final team was the best side he had ever played in or seen play. Three separate articles look at the run to the final, the final itself and the players who made up this famous United side.

FA Cup Winners 1952 Joe Harvey led United to their second successive FA Cup victory when we beat Arsenal in the Final. An injury to Wally Barnes ruined the Wembley showpiece as a spectacle, but their were lots of thrills on the way to West London

Maybe the Last Time Graham Souness is the latest manager to be given the task of filling some empty spaces in the United trophy cabinet. It is exactly 50 seasons since a major domestic trophy was brought back to Tyneside during a period in which a new manager was appointed and the club was riddled with internal stife. Could it be a good omen?

Oh Bondage Up Yours! During the fifties the lot of the avarage man improved greatly with full employment and a rising standard of living. Players meanwhile still had their pay restricted by a maximum wage and their careers shackled within an inequitable retain-and-transfer contract system. The Players Union decided it was time to rock and roll.

Fifties penpics - Many of United's true greats played in the 1950's including Milburn, Harvey, Brennan, Robledo and Allchurch. Toonarama presents pen pictures of all the players.

Rock of Gibraltar - Frank Brennan is a geordie legend. It wasn't only opposing attackers who failed to get past him; anything vaguely edible was given equally short shrift. The crowd loved him and his opponents admired him; but the directors still threw him out with the garbage when they believed he was past his sell-by date

Charlie Crowe - Jackie Milburn and Charlie Crowe attended the same trial match, joined the club at the same and both left 14 years later. But whereas Jackie is known the World over Charlie is relatively unknown even amongst the Toon Army. In this article we celebrate the career of one of Tyneside's unsung heros.

Rockin' Ronnie - One of United's best 'keepers Simpson served United with distinction for almost a decade and was a member of the victorious 1952 and 1955 Cup teams. Cat-like agility and reflexes more than made up for his lack of height and he played at the top level for a quarter of a century

Jimmy Scoular - The Iron Man Scotsman Scoular was one of the characters of fifties footballer. Nicknamed the Iron Man as a result of his aggressive style of play, but also a skilful player with great vision capable of playing forty or fifty yard crossfield balls with deadly accuracy. His tongue was almost as brutal as his tackling and this brought him as many enemies as friends even amongst his team mates

Joe Harvey - Joe Harvey served United as captain (longest serving), trainer and manager (longest serving). As Captain he led United to promotion and two FA Cup victories making him the most successful captain too. Not the greatest of players but with leadership skills that were second to none. This article looks at Harvey's playing career

1951 FA Cup Final Team - The same eleven players, seven of whom had played in the 1951 Cup Final, played in every match during the 1952 FA Cup Run. Each player was a star in his own right whose contribution was invaluable; but their greatest strengths were their teamwork, durability and togetherness.

1952 FA Cup Final Team - The same eleven players, seven of whom had played in the 1951 Cup Final, played in every match during the 1952 FA Cup Run. Each player was a star in his own right whose contribution was invaluable; but their greatest strengths were their teamwork, durability and togetherness.