Twelve years prior, this now world-famous club was formed following a merger between Newcastle West End and Newcastle East End. Just before the turn of the century, Newcastle United earned promotion to the top division via a series of “test matches”, which were essentially the equivalent of modern day play-offs. Around this time, the club started building up a talented squad of players, and reports indicate that the team became renowned for “artistic play, combining team-work and quick, short passing”. Many of these players originated from Scotland, and Newcastle soon had a team that was capable of taking on any club in England.

 

Players included international players Veich, Rutherford, Lawrence and Shepherd. In their day, McCracken, Howie, McWilliam and Aitken were also household names. It was a phenomenal era for Newcastle United, their true heyday. During the 1900’s, they won the league three times, in 1905, 1907 and 1909. In the lead up to World War I, Newcastle reached no less that five FA Cup finals. They narrowly missed out on a double by losing to Aston Villa in the 1905 Cup final, and were beaten again the following year, this time by Everton. FA Cup glory continued to elude the Magpies in the 1908 final when they lost to Wolves. That year, they also suffered a record 9-1 home defeat to local rivals Sunderland, but they still managed to win the league that season.

 

In 1910 Newcastle finally got their hands on the FA Cup trophy, following victory over Barnsley. They reached the final yet again in 1911, and lost yet again, this time to Bradford City. Despite frequently failing so close to glory, Newcastle were a target for other clubs - in a way they became the New York Yankees of Edwardian period football: the team everybody wanted to topple. Their run came to an abrupt end with the break out of the First World War in 1914, and it would be a long time before Newcastle United enjoyed quite as much success again.

Achievements: English First Division – Champions x3 
                        FA Cup - Winners x1 Runners up x4
                        FA Community Shield – Winners x1
                        Sheriff of London Charity Shield – Winners x1

Star player: Colin Veitch DoB 22 May 1881, Newcastle, England

Veitch started playing his football for the Rutherford College team who were considered to be one of the finest amateur teams in north-east England, where he was noticed by Newcastle United. He made his debut in 1899 against Wolverhampton. He was extremely intelligent both on and off the pitch. He loved the arts, and co-founded The People’s Theatre in Newcastle in 1911. Additionally, he was an accomplished playwright, composer, conductor and producer. Veitch also served as chairman of the Professional Footballer’s Association for several years. He captained the Newcastle squad that won three league championships and an FA Cup, and represented the England national team 3 times. He was an active member of the players union and despite a dispute with the club, he continued to play for Newcastle during WWI. He did battle in France as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery  and on his return to St James’ Park he became a coach and started up the Newcastle Swifts, the forerunners of the clubs current youth system. He was unceremoniously sacked in 1926, ending a 26 year career with Newcastle. He managed Bradford City for a short time, decided management wasn’t his bag, and became a journalist with the Evening Chronicle. In 1929, Newcastle United banned him from the press box. He died in1938 from pneumonia.