The Football Fixtures Are Out Tomorrow

First sight of the new season's fixtures is an exciting moment for many football fans. For Newcastle fans it will not involve trips to Arsenal or Liverpool but it will resume the Newcastle v Derby rivalry.

In the 30s and 40s a visit from Derby brought excitement and packed crowds. From time to time Sammy Crooks from Bearpark could be seen tormenting a Newcastle full back on behalf of the Rams.

Going further back to 1923/4 saw a memorable Cup battle between these two teams. They played each other in a Cup tie that amounted to 420 minutes of pulsating football and no less than twenty [20] goals. The first match involved a 2-2 draw at the old Baseball Ground and was not too bad a result for Second Division Derby against First Division opposition.

Almost 28,000 fans enjoyed a game that saw Derby come back from being 2-0 down. It was good old Harry Storer that got the late equaliser for Derby [88th minute]. I say good old Harry Storer because he was the Derby manager during the middle 50s and although known to be strong on discipline he had a heart of gold. He was a football man through and through.

The replay at St James' Park on 06/02/1924 attracted 50,393 into the stadium. Again Newcastle took a two goal lead but again the Magpies were thwarted, this time by the ever dangerous Derby left winger Murphy. Again Derby got their equaliser in the 88th minute! Derby had taken the game to Newcastle in a second half of grand Derby football. Extra time came and went - 2-2!

The third match was played at Bolton and this time it was Newcasle United that came back from the dead - so to speak! They pulled level with only seconds remaining of extra time. In this tie Derby had produced the better football but felt let down by the referee.

The fourth tie was at St James' Park and although Derby went two up they lost 5-3 despite a performance full of pride and no lack of skill. Unlucky Derby of the Second Division had shown Newcastle up for most of the 420 minutes, but it was not to be.

Newcastle went on to win the cup, beating Aston Villa in the final.    

WB