WHEN Jimmy Scoular lifted the FA Cup in 1955, the famous trophy must have felt like Newcastle’s to keep. It was their third victory in five years; their sixth since they had first won it in 1910, and with another four losing appearances in the final as well, they were one of the great cup teams of the first half of the 20th Century.
Jimmy Scoular, the last Newcastle captain to lift a domestic trophy
Who would have thought when Scoular lifted the trophy aloft that it would be another 68 years before Newcastle won their next major domestic honour – although if they don’t beat Manchester United tomorrow in the Carabao Cup, the wait will go on.
There is a remarkable print in The Northern Echo’s archive from another of Newcastle United’s glory years (above). It shows captain Frank Hudspeth receiving the trophy at Wembley from the Duke of York – later George VI – in 1924.
This was the second time that the final had been played at Wembley, and it was the second time that Newcastle had won the FA Cup.
In some quarters it is known as the “Rainy Day Final” because of the weather. Programmes in good condition from 1924 (below) fetch the most of any Wembley final as they got so splattered by the rain.
But The Northern Echo’s front page coverage on Monday, April 28, 1924, of the victory featured far more than just the result.
Newcastle’s opponents that day were Aston Villa, and a special train bringing their fans to the capital was involved in a terrible crash in a tunnel at Euston station. Their train was stationary in the pitch blackness when it was run into from behind. Four fans – including two next door neighbours – died immediately while a fifth succumbed after an operation. All were from Coventry.
About 50 were badly injured.
“Those who were only slightly hurt expressed their determination in spite of their experiences to see the cup final,” said the Echo’s front page report.
And so, in front of a crowd of 91,695, the match went ahead.
Some Newcastle fans took a steamer from the Tyne to the Thames: 25 shillings return (above). Others took a steam train chartered by The Northern Echo. It used 60cwt of coal to get them to King's Cross. The Echo excursionists were then transferred to charabancs which took them sight-seeing (below they are on the Embankment) before taking them to Wembley
Newcastle reserve keeper Bill Bradley keeps Villa at bay
By all accounts, it was a good game, with only the brilliance of Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Bill Bradley, a Gateshead lad, keeping the score at 0-0 until the closing minutes. Perhaps it is an omen for tomorrow as Bradley was the reserve who only got the call-up when the first choice keeper was injured in the last match before the final.
“The match was quite thrilling in varying degrees and will always be memorable to those who saw it by reason of the dramatic closing moments,” said the Echo. “Six minutes from the end, extra time – that wearying half hour which makes a football match seem an eternity – seemed inevitable, then something happened.
“The entire Newcastle forward line, moving with a fine rhythm and a due regard for accurate footwork and positional play, swept up the field with irresistible dash and though Tommy Macdonald’s shot, in which the movement culminated, was parried by (Villa keeper Tommy) Jackson, Neil Harris, the Newcastle centre forward scored from the return.
“The Tyneside followers roared themselves hoarse, got their rattles into harness and shook Wembley with a racketing discord.”
Newcastle fans with their rattles, and umbrellas, at Wembley
Villa immediately missed a chance to equalise only for Newcastle to swoop down the other end and Stan Seymour slammed an unstoppable shot into the net from the left. The Magpies’ supporters greeted it with “what seemed like a wolves’ chorus of delight”, said the Echo.
A great picture from the Echo showing Stan Seymour scoring Newcastle's second goal in the 86th minute. The "Robert" referred to in the headline must be the bobby top left who is clearly caught up in the goal-scoring excitement of the moment
A 2-0 victory, and so Hudspeth – from Percy Main, and his 19 year career makes him one of the club’s longest serving players – received the trophy from the duke.
Ninety-nine years later, and with another reserve goalkeeper between the sticks, will captain Kieran Trippier be picking up the cup tomorrow?
The Echo's front page from April 26, 1924, featuring the train crash report
READ MORE: FROM BALLBOY TO WEMBLEY: SEAN LONGSTAFF'S STORY
The Echo's match report from April 26, 1924
READ MORE: EDDIE HOWE'S PRE-MATCH GUEST HINT
The Echo's page of pictures from April 26, 1924, after the final 99 years ago
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here