On this day in 1965, Newcastle United sealed promotion to the First Division after a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. Goals came from Jim Iley and Willie Penman in front of nearly 60,000 supporters and was an incredible achievement from manager Joe Harvey, who had been appointed manager three years prior, having also spent eight years at St James’ Park as a player.
Newcastle finished top of the Second Division with 57 points from 42 games that season, one point ahead of Northampton Town who were also promoted. Bolton finished third in the table, seven points adrift of the Magpies. After four seasons in the second tier, Harvey finally had United back in the big time.
The Toon Army suffered relegation from the First Division in 1960/61 and only managed 11th, 7th and 8th in the three seasons that followed. But in the fourth season, Harvey turned Newcastle into a formidable opponent on home soil and cut out many of the defeats that saw them lose ground in previous campaigns.
Newcastle consolidated in the top-flight until 1977/78 where they eventually suffered relegation again after picking up only six wins from 42 games and finishing 21st in the table.
In other news, Malcolm Macdonald scores all five goals in England’s win over Cyprus
