Newcastle United ended a six-season absence from the top flight in 1984-85, finishing 14th in League Division One under new manager Jack Charlton, with Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle scoring 17 and 16 league goals respectively.
The close season had been turbulent. Kevin Keegan, club captain and talisman, had retired to Spain after inspiring promotion, while John Trewick, David Mills and Terry McDermott also departed. Manager Arthur Cox, who had led the club back to the top flight, quit after disputes over his contract and lack of transfer funds, leaving for Derby County.
Jack Charlton takes charge
Cox's replacement was Ashington-born World Cup-winning centre-half Jack Charlton, formerly of Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday. Appointed on June 15, 1984, on a £35,000 salary, he told the Evening Chronicle: "It's a sentimental journey home for me. I really didn't take much persuading to take the job because as a kid I supported Newcastle from the terraces."
He added: "I know there will be pressure because it's never easy for any team coming out of the Second Division to face teams of quality every week - but I can face the challenge."
United made a dream start, winning their first three matches against Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa, topping the table at the start of September before three straight defeats to Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton.
Direct style and star performers
The squad mixed local lads like Kenny Wharton, Kevin Carr, Wes Saunders and Neil McDonald with solid pros such as David McCreery, John Anderson and skipper Glenn Roeder. The stars were the Geordie attacking duo of Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle.
Waddle flourished in the top flight, running England defenders Terry Butcher and Russell Osman ragged in a 3-0 win over Ipswich Town at St James' Park in October. Charlton's preference for the long-ball game was clear; Waddle later recalled the manager's instruction: "I don't want you to play 1-2s on goal, I want you to play 1-2s with God. You can't get hurt as long as the ball's up in the clouds." The signing of George Riley and Tony Cunningham later in the season confirmed this direct approach.
Derby victory and survival
With Newcastle and Sunderland near the foot of the table as 1985 arrived, United secured a New Year's Day derby victory at St James' Park, minus Waddle, Roeder and McCreery. The Journal reported: "Peter Beardsley provided the ammunition with a startling hat-trick to blow rival Sunderland apart in an explosive Tyne and Wear derby."
After early exits in the League and FA Cup to Ipswich and Nottingham Forest respectively, the focus turned to First Division consolidation. Wins against Luton Town, Watford, West Bromwich Albion, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton and Stoke City, plus draws, secured 52 points and a 14th-place finish. Sunderland were relegated with 40 points.
Departures and decline
Beardsley's 17 goals and Waddle's 16 steadied the ship, with Waddle's form earning an England call-up in March, making him the first Newcastle player to represent the Three Lions since Ivor Broadis in 1954. But that form alerted rival clubs, and Waddle departed to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. Over the next few seasons, United also lost Beardsley to Liverpool and Paul Gascoigne to Spurs.
Jack Charlton left in the summer of 1985 after being barracked by fans during a pre-season friendly against Sheffield United. It proved a chastening period for the club, with things getting worse before they finally improved.
