United in the Wars – Part One!
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From 1905 to the start of The Great War in 1914, Newcastle until the 1914-15 season reached its bloody conclusion. United Football Club was considered to be one of In August 1914 there were over the finest sides the British Isles had ever seen and 7000 professional footballers in Britain and calls were made to enlist was labelled “The Edwardian Masters”. United won them into the armed forces as a three Football League Championships and reached matter of priority. Calls were made to set up a “Footballers Battalion” five FA Cup finals during one of - if not the - most but many players voluntarily signed successful periods in the club’s history. up for action anyway. Eventually the 17th Service Battalion of Littered with internationals, As the old saying goes, “all good 1900s would give any modern side Middlesex Regiment was set up this well-respected and widely things must come to an end” and the a two goal start and beat them.” for players to join. Part of the deal renowned squad included three Edwardian Masters side gradually saw the players get Saturdays off to Soon war was at the forefront return to their clubs and play. No players who had the prestigious dispersed as the war loomed large. of people’s minds as hostilities Newcastle United players decided honour of taking part in each of Amassing three league titles, five FA Cup final appearances and against The Kaiser had been to join this largely southern outfit. those seven glorious seasons and into a military hospital. Players featured unofficial Newcastle one victory, plus another FAC SF declared in August 1914. The collecting the full complement of As the season progressed, members began to join local regiments United sides set up by players Bill appearance and finishing outside government announced that of Lord Kitchener’s army were and consequently the remaining McCracken and Bob Hewison. They eight medals. They were the club’s the top four only once in that football would carry on as becoming commonplace in players’ contracts were cancelled as recruited a number of guest players record appearance holder Jimmy period of time underlines what a normal, it being in the best Football League crowds as their call football was suspended indefinitely. who were either “borrowed” from Lawrence, England international special side they were. So special, interests of the nation to give to arms gathered pace. Warfare on other clubs or serving soldiers who Colin Veitch, and winger Jackie left-half Peter McWilliam said, that people an escape from other Many clubs joined more localised the continent worsened and looked had been given time off. Rutherford. “the Newcastle United team of the worries. This situation would last fated to be prolonged, making it leagues up and down the county clear that normal football could for the 15/16 season, an option The results of these fixtures were not carry on. Players agreed to take Newcastle didn’t take up. United as follows: was one of the clubs to completely wage cuts and donate sums to 14/09/1915 – NUFC XI 2-2 close down in July 1915 as football the war fund while starting their “Scratch XI” (in aid of wounded entered its first period of severe military training. troops in Northumberland disruption. Most of the current Hospital, Coxlodge) United had a disappointing squad had either moved on to more campaign on the pitch during the run-of-the-mill jobs or had signed 14/11/1915 - South Shields 3-3 1914-15 season, which saw them up for active service. NUFC XI (In Aid of the South flirt with relegation before securing Shields Families Fund) a 15th place finish in Division 1. A A total of five 21/04/1916 – NUFC XI 0-4 festive Derby double took place “first team” Blackburn Rovers (to benefit as Christmas Day saw Sunderland friendly Tyneside brigades) UNITED IN THE thrash Newcastle 5-2 on Tyneside matches before The Magpies got their took place 22/04/1916 – Blackburn Rovers WARS – PART ONE! revenge on Boxing Day at Roker instead of 4-5 NUFC XI Park, winning 4-2. a regular ROSS TWEDDELL season. These 06/05/1916 – NUFC XI 1-1 Follow Ross on twitter @TwedzTweets The Magpies also had a mini FA Cup games Sunderland run that culminated in a quarter- For the first half of the final replay defeat to Chelsea. season St James’ Park United’s home games were being was occupied by the watched by an increasing number army, who used it of the walking wounded, many of predominantly as a firing whom were being treated at the range for riflemen. This left nearby Rutherford College (later to McCracken and Hewison become Bath Lane College and without a ground to stage eventually Newcastle College), their friendlies. They found a which had been converted solution to their problem at 12 tf www.true-faith.co.uk www.true-faith.co.uk tf 13 Shields at St James’ Park in the local Northumberland Fusiliers Hospital Cup, winning 4-1. The sides and Durham Light Infantry. Frank then met again in a charity fixture, Hudspeth was in the Royal Navy, with United prevailing 2-1 this time John King in the Scottish Rifles, in Shields. Sunderland visited St and Alex Ramsay in the Machine James’ Park for a match in which all Gun Corps. The legendary Colin the proceeds went to the war fund Veitch rose to the rank of Second with the Black Cats running out Lieutenant and served in France. 3-1 winners. United and Boro then A number of players were awarded Brough Park , then-home of non- saw this season was a five-a-side 06/04/1917 – Wallsend 2-1 Bill played out a 3-3 draw in another medals for bravery during the league Newcastle City and latterly competition on October 14 in aid McCracken XI war fund match. conflict; Tom Rowlandson received the Byker home of greyhound of the YMCA. 05/05/1917 – Ashington 1-2 Bill United also entered a squad of a Military Cross while James Esther racing and the Newcastle Diamonds Bill McCracken was once again on McCracken XI (in aid of Ashington youngsters, named the Newcastle and Sandy Higgins both received Speedway team. Christmas Eve hand to provide the city with a Nursing Association & the VAP Swifts, into the Newcastle and Military Medals. Ex-United inside- 1915 saw the “unofficial” United series of friendlies, however, which hospital) District United League for clubs forward Jack Thomas was captured return to its spiritual home. met the Geordie public’s craving within a 10-mile radius of the at Ypres. He escaped and was later McCracken also arranged a return attached to the Intelligence Corps St James’ Park also played host for football, even though only one Newcastle Central Post Office. The young local talents. Newcastle fixture against Sunderland Rovers as an undercover agent in Europe, during the season to a number of match was played at St James’ young side did well, finishing 3rd finished fifth from eight as on April 28th, though no record of winning the Meritorious Service other charity games featuring local Park. McCracken called upon his out of 18 teams. Middlesbrough were crowned the match could be found. Medal. sides that had guest players from extensive contacts list developed After two and a half years in the champions. football league clubs. A particular During August 1916 a top boxing the previous season to pair together wilderness, Newcastle United club Newcastle United unveiled a Roll Special mention must be reserved highlight was the meeting of event was staged at St James’ Newcastle United and guest “Select officials started to resurrect the club of Honour memorial bronze plaque for Donald Bell. He was a reserve Newcastle East End and Newcastle Park in aid of the local Red Cross XIs”. Once again guest players came as the Armistice was signed and to commemorate those players, full back at United in 1911 and West End - the two clubs which Funds. The open air promotion saw from a number of different Football the Great War came to an end in officials, and staff who served and 1912. As Second Lieutenant, Bell had previously combined to form an attendance of around 11,800 League clubs and the matches were November 1918. To celebrate peace lost their lives in the Great War of the Green Howards became a Newcastle United - with East End that included a number of wounded staged in aid of several different the Northern Victory league was while with the club. The plaque national hero. During the Battle soldiers who were allowed to winning 4-2. causes. Sides comprised of war created as part a series of “Victory” is currently situated in the Club of the Somme, Bell’s company enter for free. The main event saw Despite cries from supporters, workers often provided a useful competitions inaugurated around Museum after residing in a dusty came under heavy fire and he led British Heavyweight Champion Newcastle United once again outlet for maintaining the fitness the country. January 1919 saw the corner of St James’ Park for many a head-on charge on a German Bombardier Billy Wells taking on machine gun post, killing several declined the offer to participate of players in between matches. The fixtures kick off with United facing years. Light Heavyweight Champion of the enemy in the process. Not in competitive football for the results of the four recorded games Hartlepool at St James’ Park. The Sargent Dick Smith. Wells won the Five players are recorded as being long after, he was killed in similar 1916/17 season.