Chairman Gordon McKeag First Division 20th League Cup Second round | Stadium St James' Park FA Cup Third round | |
Manager Willie McFaul to 9 October
Colin Suggett caretaker until 14 December
Jim Smith | ||
During the 1988-89 season, Newcastle United participated in the Football League First Division. During the summer the club invested heavily in their squad, F.A. Cup winners Dave Beasant and Andy Thorn were signed for £850,000 each, Scotsmen John Robertson and John Hendrie joined for similar fees. This season saw Newcastle United relegated to the Football League Second Division, finishing bottom of the division after a horrible season in which the team changed manager 2 months into the season. Manager Willie McFaul was sacked after a 3-0 home defeat which came exactly a week after the team had beaten current League Champions Liverpool at Anfield. New manager Jim Smith, who struggled to change the teams fortunes, set about 'Wheeling and dealing' that saw many changes to the squad. Out went big money new signings Beasant and Robertson to be replaced by unknown Northern Irishman keeper Tommy Wright and ex-patriate striker Rob MacDonald. Other signings included ex-England international Kenny Sansom, experienced right back Ray Ranson and Danish pair Bjørn Kristensen and Frank Pingel.