Real Madrid Got Woody But We Thrashed Them 6-1
A trip through NUFC history...
Aye lads and lasses, Real Madrid might push clubs around
when they want to sign their prized assets but back in 1925 it was
Newcastle United who pushed Las Galacticos around with a thumping
6-1 win over Madrid at St. James' Park in a Pre-Season Exhibition
match that reeled in over 10,000 Geordies to witness the annihilation
of the Spanish Giants.
Goals from McDonald, Curry, Urwin, Clark, McKensie & Cowan rounded
off a great day at the Old Gallowgate.
1925 was a great year for United. The year we signed Hughie Gallacher
from Airdrie for a then record fee of £6,500. Indeed it was
a great year for English football with changes in the off-side law
resulting in a flood of goals. Of which Gallagher got 28 in 24 appearances
as he battled it out with Everton's Dixie Dean as the hotshot of British
football.
United would go on to finish 5th in Division One that year with 48
points. One place above Sunderland who also finished with 48 points.
The following Season we won the Championship - the last time we ever
won it.
We haven't played Real Madrid since either but there was one previous
meeting. A year earlier (1924) Madrid beat the Toon 3-2 in their very
first game at a stadium that was to be rebuilt and renamed the Santiago
Bernabéu after their great club president of the same name.
We were FA Cup holders that year.
Toon Rumours: Gallas, Huth & Devenport
The hunt for Woodgate's replacement...
Chelsea have confirmed today that no contact has been made
by anybody for either William Gallas or Robert
Huth who have both been linked to Newcastle following Woodgate's
sale to Real Madrid by various sources.
From the official Chelsea website:
José Mourinho has dismissed suggestions that his carefully assembled
squad may be about undergo a change already as Newcastle United look
for potential replacements for Jonathan Woodgate. With Woodgate heading
off to Spain it has been suggested in the media that William Gallas
or Robert Huth could be targets to take his place but the Chelsea
manager has reacted quickly, stating there is 'no chance' they may
be on their way.
He further commented: "About Newcastle's interest I cannot answer
but about my interest in them (Gallas & Huth) I am absolutely
clear. I have no doubts."
Meanwhile the Coventry press are linking the Sky Blues highly rated
young centre-back Calum Davenport as a possible replacement
for Woodgate. Although Peter Reid has denied that any contact has
been made, Newcastle have had him watched on several occasions and
with a year left on his contract, it is understood that Coventry would
like to cash in.
Speaking of Davenport's credentials Sky Blues Skipper Richard Shaw
had this to say:
"For me he is a future Premiership centre-half,
possibly even an England centre-half.
"People talk about
Michael Dawson at Nottingham Forest but I think Calum ranks up there
with him. I don't see many defenders of his age about who are as good
and in my opinion he can go as far as he wants to.
"He's
got height, he's good on the ball, he's got pace and he's still got
his feet on the ground. He is willing to learn and that has shown
in the way he has started the season so well.
"There has been a lot of interest in Dawson, and the way Calum is
progressing there will be a lot of interest in him, too. But that's
the way it goes in football - the more successful you are and the
better you get, the more clubs will come around looking at you."
Irate Toon Fan Voices Concerns Over The Running Of NUFC
By Macca
Typical Newcastle United, they never fail to disappoint us, do they?
My observations of the last 7 days in particular sum up why Newcastle
United is nothing more than a wannabe mickey mouse club under the
present regime. [More
+]
Shepherd On Woodgate's Move To Real Madrid
United Chairman Freddy Shepherd has revealed to to the official
NUFC website that Jonathan Woodgate has completed the first part of
his medical at Real Madrid.
Shepherd said:
"Real Madrid called us on Monday with an offer for Jonathan,
and since the the transfer has followed the normal course of
any deal. The first we knew of any interest was when Madrid's representative
called us on Monday.
"To suggest otherwise is complete rubbish, and it's certainly
not about the money. As far as things stand at the moment (10am),
Jonathan has passed the first part of his medical in Madrid and is
now undergoing the second stage of that. We expect that both
clubs will be in a position to make an announcement on Friday
afternoon.
"We did not want Jonathan to leave Newcastle United, but you
have to look at it from both sides. Real Madrid are the biggest club
in the world - that's a fact.
"Which player wouldn't want to sign for Real Madrid if they come
and show an interest in them? Jonathan has said that Real Madrid would
have been the only club he'd have left Newcastle United for, he certainly
wouldn't have joined another Premiership club.
"If the transfer does go through, as we expect it to, then we
have to wish Jonathan well and hope it goes well for him."
Shepherd on new arrivals:
"All I would say is watch this space."
A Message To The Boo Boys From Freddy Shepherd
After being booed at St. James' Park while on England duty
on Wednesday, Kieron Dyer has since apologised to the club, but the
prospect of further booing tomorrow against Spurs in our first home
game of the new Season has prompted Freddy Shepherd to come out with
the following:
Shepherd said:
"I hope that isn't the case. It's no good to us as a team if
one of the players is being booed every time he touches the ball.
"I'd ask the fans to remember that it is not all about Kieron
Dyer. It's about the team, and we all want them to do well.
"We're supporters of Newcastle United, and we have to look at
the bigger picture."
Woodgate's Replacement: The Early Contenders
Woodgate hasn't even passed his medical at Real Madrid yet
and the papers are already throwing names about who could replace
him at the heart of our defence. The Times have earmarked the following
as potential candidates:
William Gallas of Chelsea: We have been linked to
the Frenchman many times and Bobby is a known admirer. Excellent alround
centre-back with lightning pace and the ability to play at right-back.
He would be my ideal choice.
Robert Huth of Chelsea: Again we have been linked before.
Big strong tank who kicked Shearer in the knackers if you remember
in our 2-1 over Chelsea last Season. No better than Andy O'Brien and
Titus Bramble however. No thanks.
Michael Dawson of Forest: Another young centre-back
with potential. Quick and comfortable on the ball but if we keep buying
potential we'll always be a club with potential. No thanks.
Calum Davenport of Coventry: A new name and a player
with lots of potential. Like Dawson however if we are to keep buying
potential - as a club that's all we'll ever be. No thanks.
Expect more names to be linked in the next few days...
ITV To Screen Toon's UEFA Cup Home Games Live
ITV have confirmed that they have agreed a deal with Newcastle
to screen all of our home UEFA Cup ties up to the Semi-Final.
An ITV spokesman said:
"We're delighted to team up with Newcastle United, having covered
their quarter-final and semi-final in the competition last year. They
have made some excellent additions to their squad over the close season
and will once again be an exciting team to watch.
"We have always enjoyed a great relationship with the club and in
particular with Sir Bobby Robson who is a key member of the ITV commentary
team during major football tournaments."
Freddy Shepherd said:
"We are delighted to have signed a deal with ITV Sport to broadcast
our UEFA Cup matches this season.
"We have a terrific and long-standing relationship with ITV who are
great friends of the club and we are certain the deal will be of mutual
benefit to both parties. Let's hope they can follow us all the way
to Lisbon next May!" |
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