Newcastle
NUFC or Newcastle United Football Club is a professional football team of England. The club is located in Newcastle on Tyne.
The origin of this club dates back to 1881 when the Stanley Cricket Club thought of creating an association football club. Named after the cricket club, this team won their debut match against Elswick Leather Works 2nd XI, 5-0. After a few months, the club changed its name to East End FC.
When in December 1892, the club decided to give itself a new identity, the name Newcastle United was agreed upon at a public meeting. This new name was legalised much later on September 6, 1895 when Newcastle United Football Club Co. Ltd. finally came into being. Earlier in 1893, the club had gained entry in the Football League.
The early years of Newcastle United saw players like Jack Carr (England), Andy Aitken (Scotland), Thomas Ghee (Scotland), Matt Kingsley (England), John Hope Peddie (Scotland) and Alexander Gardner (Scotland) play for the club.
The era of 1919 to 1976 was a golden era for Newcastle when they had more successes than failures and won respect of all their rival teams.
The beginning of the 1980s saw Newcastle United decline and languish in the second division. Then it was Arthur Cox, who brought the team back to the first division as Kevin Keegan, the former England captain, played captivating football.
During 1984 to 1989, Newcastle United witnessed the rise of the young Gazza (Paul Gascoigne) who soon grew to be one of the greatest footballers of England. Though this period initially saw the team consolidate its place in the first division, the team faltered soon due to many internal and external factors.
Soon the situation of the club became worse and it required Kevin Keegan to join the team as a manger in order to bring NUFC back to the track.
NUFC swung back into action with players like Andy Cole and Rob Lee. It was a golden run for NUFC.
Keegan’s resignation in 1997 again saw the team losing and faltering. But the period in between 1999 to 2004 was another “fight back” period for NUFC. The 2002-2003 season was particularly a remarkable one.
The post-2004 period again saw Newcastle United suffer from losses, transfers and rumours. A bright spot during this period was the signing of the star footballer Michael Owen from Real Madrid.
Kevin Keegan returned to the club in January 2008 much to the joy of the players and fans. Nevertheless, September 2008 saw him resign, dissatisfied with some internal problems.
Now, only time will say, if players like Michael Owen, Nicky Butt and Obafemi Martins can give their club the success that the club has been missing the last few years.
