This series would not be possible if it were not for some excellent past articles constructed by contributors to sites such as the Chronicle, Spartacus-Educational and several other open sources – so thank you.
Len White was born in Skellow near Doncaster in 1930. His love of the game was formed whilst turning out for Upton Colliery before he joined Rotherham United in May 1948. Len was employed a right winger and managed 15 goals in 43 appearances for the Millers during his two seasons with them.
By now Newcastle United had taken notice of Len. We needed a replacement for the ageing Tommy Walker, the Newcastle winger who had now turned 30-years-old and was beginning his inevitable decline. Len signed for the Magpies in February 1953 for £12,000 – leading to Walker’s exit in 1954 following 12 loyal and dependable years with the Toon. The same season would see the arrival of Jimmy Scoular for £26,000, with Jimmy immediately being handed the Captain’s armband. Len would find himself in the company of some very good players in the shape of Scoular, Jackie Milburn and 1 goal-in-4 left winger Bobby Mitchell. We have some brilliant wide players back in those days and knew how to supply the forward line, something we sadly lack today.
Len White was signed as a winger. He made his debut against Liverpool and scored 2 goals in 12 appearances that season. The following season Len scored 14 goals in 29 appearances from the wing – helping the Toon to finish Division One in 8th place. In 1955 Newcastle would win the FA Cup for the 3rd time in 5 years. Len had scored in a 2-0 semi final victory versus York following an assist by Jackie Milburn, which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVIWOA6pnBo
In the final, Len set Jackie up from a corner kick to put the Toon one up against Man City after just 1 minute. City pulled one back by half time, but they had lost a player to injury. This was significant because substitutions were not introduced until 1965, so the Magpies were playing against 10 men. In the second half Jimmy Scoular tuned into a beast, spraying the ball across field with a series of pin point passes to set the likes of Mitchell and White off on marauding runs down the wings. It was a real Captain’s performance and Newcastle would go on to win comprehensively with a 3-1 victory.
Interestingly, Wor Jackie had spend a lot of time injured in the run up to the final and the manager Dugald Livingstone had planned not to start Milburn. Back in those days, managers had to present their proposed line-ups to the Board and upon seeing Milburn excluded, Livingstone was ordered to play him. They could see a fan backlash if their hero was left out. A a result of this forced change, Len White was removed from the team. However he was given a reprieve when Reg Davies went down with laryngitis. Lucky Len!
White had an unspectacular season following the FA Cup win, but did find himself playing as a centre forward following injuries to Wor Jackie and Vic Keeble. By the end of 1958 Len was the undistributed #9, following in the footsteps of the great Hughie Gallagher. He was unstoppable, running at players with power and pace, creating his own goals and getting the Gallowgate end on their feet in rapturous applause on many an occasion. He was only 5’6’’, but as proven by many great diminutive players down the years, sized means nothing so long as you have the talent and drive to succeed. Ken McKenzie, the Newcastle reporter for The Journal, described Newcastle’s second goal during a 4-1victory over Man City in 1958;
“A solo dribble by Len White from 15 yards inside his own half ending with a great 12-yard shot into the net past the advancing Bert Trautmann, the best goalkeeper in football, made memorable the burial of the relegation blues in the St James’ Park floodlights last night. The crowd of 53,280 cheered a back to form Newcastle off the field for a stirring show.” That Ryan Giggsesque goal helped keep Newcastle in the top flight.
In the next 2 seasons Len would score 53 goals in 70 games. The 1961 season would see Len score 28 goals in 33 games. Len took part in two spectacular wins in the 1959-1960 season. The first was an 8-2 drubbing of Everton at St. James’ Park. Newcastle were not doing well in the League and nobody expected the Toon to come up with much, however Len was in devastating form and secured a hat-trick by half time as the Magpies went in 4-0 up at the break. Expectations had been so low, only in the region of 23,000 fans turned up. In January 1960 Len would secure another hat-trick in a stunning 7-3 win against Manchester United, with 4 goals being scored at the Leazes End. There were calls made for Len to be recognised by England, but the call never came.
By the end of the season Len had been moved to outside left, but the goals continue to flow and he scored a screamer against Wolves in a goal regarded as goal of the season. Unfortunately his footballing year would end prematurely in March 1961. A nasty tackle came in from Spurs’ Dave McKay during a 2-1 victory for the Toon in a year that we were again fighting relegation whilst Spurs were aiming for the double. We had won that game having gone 1 down. That’s the difference between then and now, fighting spirit. Our current crop need to read up about our past hero’s and realise what wearing the shirt means.
Len would never truly recover from that tackle and was moved on to Huddersfield Town in 1962. He would return to St. James’ park in 1963 with the Terriers, receiving a massive applause before helping his new side take all 3 points in a 2-1 victory. He’d go on to turn out for Stockport County before retiring in 1966. Despite his retirement, he’d play on in non-league football into his 50th year! Over 25 years after his Newcastle exit, the fans arranged a testimonial for him in 1989 – such was their admiration for him. Of course Newcastle United would not allow this to happen to St.James’ (why?!), so it was done at Whitley Bay and 2,000 fans turned out. This Newcastle United legend passed away in 1994, aged 64. No personal controversies in this bloke’s career. He was described as quiet and hard working. A proper pro.
Newcastle record: 245 appearances, 197 goals. What a record. He is a 3rd highest total goal scorer in history, behind only Alan Shearer (206) and Jackie Milburn (201). What is so impressive is that a lot of Len’s appearances came as a winger. Furthermore, Shearer need 395 appearances to reach his 206 goals, whilst Wor Jackie needed 399.
Written by Shamrock.
Sharpy @75: you are right about me not taking for granted anything Carver does or says anymore and me going on more than I should. His win % is 10% with a squad that even an oaf like Pards was doing just about OK with.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yep, time to get over it Eric, you sound like Carver when you continually carry on like you do! 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
carver getting stick for trying to raise money for sick kids.WTF. 🙄
hitman(Quote)
Also Sharpy: I don’t know what I am doing wrong here except point out that Carver is a total contradiction in everything he says and does. To question my “decency” based on that is a stretch. He says this is the most important week of his life, that he is the best manager in the league, and yet spends time on the golf course when he should be doing his job. He can afford to send money to the charity and should do so. How many people would be bothered at this point if he didn’t turn up? He can support the charitable cause in other ways. This is the second time in a few days someone on here has attacked my morality. MM saying that I should be thinking of the children when I make the odd crude remark, and who hasn’t (when there are no children on here), now you questioning my “decency” using charity as the excuse. I am simply pointing out Carver’s contradictions and don’t need to be talked down to – you take the moral high ground and then get all offended at me. I don’t get it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hitman: I am not giving Carver stick for trying to raise money for charity. I am saying he is a contradiction. He says he is putting in all of this effort for the most important week in his life and then chooses to have a day of golf. Another moraliser. I give in if you cannot see my point about this.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
the charity avent was booked months ago,plus whats carver ment to do run the players into the ground with training everyday,they would be fked come kick off.
hitman(Quote)
Not a penny more would have been raised for Charity if Carver had said on Monday morning that he needed to concentrate on NUFC’s dire situation. In fact the charity would have probably benefited more if Carver had made a personal donation.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The problem with being completely militant, is it blinds people. Things in life are rarely just black or white, grey areas are everywhere. That’s why the centre left or centre right will ways get far more followeres than the extreme parties. Their point of view is often grossly out of sync with everybody else and their refusal to see things from somebody else’s point of view makes them lack credibility.
Shamrock(Quote)
Hitman: I am not saying Carver would do any good by working more. I am saying his words and actions are contradictory.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Shamrock. Alright then. At the charity event yesterday a certain Alan Shearer was there. This same Shearer had said the previous day that Carvs was making him look good as a manager. So, they go and shake hands and it was all just banter and its all about the children now? People should be held accountable for their words. Shearer was rightly taking the **** out of Carver but then they would be all buddy buddy. Carver is a cretin and should be called a cretin. That he represents NUFC at any event is a shame. Other people on here say Ashley is a disgrace but I am now being told off for saying Carver is a contradiction and a moron who would be better served doing the job that he is supposedly great at than going on a jolly?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
it was not a jolly, it was a pre-planned Charity event. He’s entitled to time off and if I were his Boss I’d insist he had down time in the lead up to such a huge game, so long as the preparation is getting put in around his down time. Time to move on from this subject?
Shamrock(Quote)
Oh and Re: Sheared, he was there supporting a Charity too – what’s he supposed to do, have it out with Carver there and then and make the event all about NUFC? No, he acted like an adult would be expected to act.
Shamrock(Quote)
Mail online has a good picture of Carver happy and enjoying his golf yesterday,
Just hope the fans at SJP are wearing the same happy faces on Sunday afternoon.
sidekick(Quote)
OK. I said what I wanted to say that Carver is a total contradiction and when he says this is the most important week of his life and then next day goes off golfing – whether for a good cause or not – it is still a contradiction. There seems to have been quite a bit of moralizing on here recently directed at me. I will say it again – pots and kettles lads, pots and kettles.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – wind ya neck in man. I’m not questioning your decency, what I’m saying is that Carver done the decent thing by sticking to a promise. I’m pretty positive he would have put his hand in his pocket too.
Seriously!, all this talk of morality?!, you’ll be slapping people with a glove and challenging them to a dual before long mate 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
And another thing – age does not always bring wisdom.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see the club have released the new kit for next season. Oh and they’ve got Wonga’s old logo on them!!!
Stuart79(Quote)
Has everyone got their orders in for the new strip released today ?
Boots(Quote)
http://www.insideworldfootball.com/matt-scott/17044-matt-scott-ashley-is-good-for-newcastle-they-would-be-mad-to-drive-him-out-of-toon
Interesting, but misses the point a little. With a bit of investment, we could be so much more. NUFC is not just a business, it’s a community.
Shamrock(Quote)
It won’t be long before you can buy, yes buy a big replacement sticker thing to go over the original one.
Only at NUFC.
Boots(Quote)
Absolutely agreed age does not bring wisdom. I’ve met a fair share of ignorant, vile individuals of all ages. Who claimed age equals wisdom though?
Shamrock(Quote)
Sharpy: you did actually question my decency have a look at post 75.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BB – My Muay Thai instructed has ordered us to buy shorts off his supplier, or we can’t take part in gradings. Ours for only 30 quid and there are different colour shorts for different grades. I think he’s gone to a Mike Ashley presentation recently. They’ll probably have SD written on them!
Shamrock(Quote)
Subliminal stripes on the new kit?
Black and blue all over, just like the fans have been left feeling after this season.
You Yew (ex wobblehog)(Quote)
Eric – you challenging me to a dual?! 👿
What I said was this: ‘your dislike of the bloke overrules any and all logic or decency’. Meaning your dislike of the bloke stops you from seeing that he did a decent thing. If I thought you lacked decency, I’d just say that mate 😆 … en Garde!! (and no he’s not a possible new manager before anyone asks)
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: it is duel.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – well if you want to get all French about, I will question your decency 🙄
Sharpy17(Quote)
I actually like the new kit – except for that horrible Wonga **** across the front. Still won’t be buying one and lining fat ***** pockets though 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Way way before my time. But interesting read never the less.
Regardless of the result this weekend, I cannot wait for this season to be over.
I don’t want us to go down, but that season in the Championship was actually one I rather enjoyed as a football purist. It got rid of dead wood and when we went up we were a team with pride and passion again.
Not sure if history will repeat itself, but I can’t get much more despondent and heart sore than I already am watching our lot play.
Here’s hoping we survive, Ashley has had enough and someone with some passion for football comes in. 😯
JJ(Quote)
One thing that is always evident in these videos is that people were a different class back then. Polite and respectful.
Sad how the world has lost that.
JJ(Quote)
There have just been a few on here moralising and patronising about my questioning that Carvs should, perhaps, stick to what he said about this being the hardest week of his life and that the future of NUFC depends on his focus and ability to get the best out of the players. Then he goes off to play golf – for a good cause – but still, that contradicts what he is saying.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
But think of the children, charity and Blackley and Brownley! Yes, we should all do that but we should all realise that John Carver is a lost cause and a moron.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ugly John said: “Aye, shot an 89. But I remained focused on the job at hand of getting my handicap renewed for another year. To be honest, the bunker on the 6th hole was a bit deep, but I said to the caddy, let’s just focus and do this job for Sir Bobby.” LLLLLLLLDL.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Now they have rolled out Sissoko as we. So, only Taylor, Jonas and Moussa breaking the media blackout imposed by Ugly John:
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/newcastle-united/story/2457297/moussa-sissoko-newcastle-must-win-at-any-cost-to-stay-up?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Ant and Dec said on the 6th hole “Aye, that was a deep bunker like. And how do we have these well paid jobs when we have even less talent than you” It is for charity though so I will be moralised, patronised and chastised for saying this, tut tut..
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Think I just saw that last bit of credibility trickle down the plug hole 😯 Another one lost to the raving loony party.
Shamrock(Quote)
I see the back of the new shirt has lost its stripes.
Ripe for a bit of SD advertising
Wink wink
Boots(Quote)
BB I havent seen the back yet , So is it all one colour ? Not that I would be buying one anyway
Big Dave(Quote)
Big D – it’s all white with a blue flap at the bottom third.
Looks naff
Boots(Quote)
Have a look on ‘the mag . com’
Boots(Quote)
Boots I thought it looked **** from the front with the blue coming up through the black , but the back is ugly as sin.
Big Dave(Quote)
Don’t like it
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-launch-201516-home-kit-with-the-wrong-wonga-logo-on-it-10261318.html
kimtoon(Quote)
truly minging imo http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/05/new-newcastle-home-shirt-looks-even-worse-from-the-back/ and hate that Wonga logo so much
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim hows things with you ?
Big Dave(Quote)
If we are going to have all of this Wonga blue on the home shirt why not go all the way and make it a full red and blue Sports Direct shirt? And on the subject of shirts, why do we play with that grey away strip even when the colours don’t clash with the opposition?
Next time you are at a match start the chants:
“WONGA’S BLACK, WHITE AND BLUE ARMY”
“MIKE ASHLEY’S GREY ARMY”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
All Wonga logos are wrong Wonga logos.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The summer will tell the final tale for Ashley. His incompetence has led to disaster. The squad is in ruins and several of the best remaining players will likely leave. He is busy building a mid table or poorer Championship side whether he knows it or not.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
J Gibson makes a fair point today it is roughly the same players (eight) that beat L/pool and beat Chelsea and yet now cannot win a game so he feels its Carver at fault
icedog(Quote)
Ice,
If players are unhappy with the manager they are given they have a habit of not playing to their ability.
Brian Clough found that out at Leeds.
sidekick(Quote)
Ashley is destroying the club and at some point it will lose all value to him (mainly free advertising for Sh*teDirect obviously) and he will sell up. A Championship club is of no use to him. Whether he gets all his money back is of no interest to me. In fact I hope he takes a huge loss thanks to his own incompetence in producing a club that is of high value to any buyer.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Take a look at the actions needed to create a strong competitive club and compare them to what we have:
1. A capable owner who demands excellence from the management he employs. We have Ashley who demands nothing except obedience to him and willingness to take the blame for anything that goes wrong.
2. A DoF or Managing Director with a long record in football who understands the game and what can be done with the money available. We have Lee Charnley who knows nothing about the game and is spineless to boot.
3. An experienced knowledgeable manager who can inspire and teach players of all ages and knows how to hire the best coaches available. We don’t even have a manager, we have a head coach. And an incompetent one at that as has been pointed out over and over again after each loss.
So there is no possible way for Ashley to create a successful football club which will help him sell his rags.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
SIDEKICK very true mate,even Colo looks fed up in the photo with the new strip
icedog(Quote)
Dave@119, Sorry got called away. Things not too bad, Mums funeral is 2nd june couldn’t get it any earlier, I’m told it’s quite normal to wait 2 weeks now. Also got my MRI results back, it’s definitely a torn cartilage so need keyhole surgery by looks of it. Proper fed up with not driving though mate, especially at the moment with so much to do like.
kimtoon(Quote)
Both John Irving and David Gilroy have left the club now.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3088240/Newcastle-finance-director-Mike-Ashley-ally-John-Irving-quit-Magpies-frustrated-St-James-Park.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sounds like you’re having a very rough time of it Kimtoon mate. Our thoughts go out to you.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Disasters tend to build up like avalanches. They start slowly but quickly gather momentum. This looks like a disaster at the club to me. Time to pay the piper Ashley.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So rats are leaving the sinking ship then the finance chief Irving one of the three directors on the board is fed up so he’s going and so is Gilroy his right hand man leaving only jabba and Charley at the club
icedog(Quote)
Anyone with an ounce of sense and an opportunity elsewhere will leave the club now including players. That’s what Ashley has built in 8 years.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 that was very nice of you the other day giving TDS your Sports direct mug. He was well pleased.
Terry(Quote)
They’ve left coz Ashley’s selling up 😉
U heard it first off me 😛
GASHLEY(Quote)
Ice@123, very true mate, it’s pretty obvious now that one of two things are at work here. Either a lot of the players want away so don’t give a stuff or they have zero faith in JC. Either way it’s a recipe for relegation, especially if it’s a combination of both.
kimtoon(Quote)
Beat me to it G2,serves jabba right cheap skate
icedog(Quote)
I hope Carr steps down as well. He’s in his 70’s now and should be out of the game. It is impossible to work for Ashley so why bother Graham? Make your own protest by leaving the club now. The summer will be a disaster of Charnley and Ashley whinging and demanding miracles in terms of cheap signings.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Yes, and I filled it with some very flavourful stuff as well Terry mate. I hope TDS mails it straight on to Ashley without opening it. Don’t want to spoil the surprise.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Gashley@135, It makes you wonder doesn’t it, rats deserting the sinking ship is correct Ice.
G2@130, Yep, hoping things lighten up starting this sunday but not holding me breath.
kimtoon(Quote)
G2, I think Carr will be off in the summer, especially if we go down.
kimtoon(Quote)
A football fool and his money will soon be parted. Ashley will sell at a loss when the time comes. And how he deserves it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
GASHLY don’t you build my hope up
icedog(Quote)
The only way we will stay up is if Hull get beat imo
icedog(Quote)
Gilroy was Irving’s right hand man at finance apparently. But surely Ashley can handle all the finance matters himself? “Did we get a good offer for that player Lee? Then sell him immediately!” Is that new player going to cost much Graham? Then it’s not a bargain and I don’t want him.” Simple really isn’t it Ashley?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I would think ManU will manage at least a draw against Hull ice mate. But then the real trouble begins because Ashley has no clue how to recover things at the club. Next season will be a disaster because Ashley can’t and won’t trust anyone with any football experience in the management slots.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Off for a bit. Hope to be back later.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 don’t worry about jabba mate he has his three and half billion to keep him company
icedog(Quote)
Kim atleast you know now that you need the surgery, so hopfully they get you in and get it sorted asap
As for the funeral it must be way different over there, over here its normally 3-4 days
Big Dave(Quote)
Just got a msg from ashleyout.com I see they’re planning a sit in after the game on sunday.
Ice as for the ones leaving , can you blame them , maybe this will be the start of things changing
Big Dave(Quote)