73 years and a day since Newcastle closed in on promotion and their player broke his arm

It’s been 73 years and a day since Newcastle United closed in on promotion to the First Division with a win over Sheffield Wednesday. The Magpies beat the Owls 4-2 at St James’ Park, but goalscorer Frank Houghton would injure himself badly after scoring, breaking his arm when he connected with the woodwork.

Stan Seymour started Jack Fairbrother, Bobby Cowell, Benny Craig, Frank Brennan, Jimmy Woodburn, Norman Dodgin, Joe Harvey, Tommy Walker, Jackie Milburn, George Stobbart and Houghton In front of 66,483 people, and his men didn’t let him down.

Joe Harvey and George Stobbart both scored, in addition to Houghton who grabbed a brace on the day, but he needed treatment after both his goals. He picked up a knock after colliding with a defender when scoring his first and then broke his arm after colliding with the post when scoring his second.

Newcastle finished the 1947/48 season as runners-up in the Second Division, amassing 56 points from 42 games, three adrift of champions Birmingham City. They lost only two home games all season and had the joint-best defensive record in their own backyard (13 goals conceded from 21 games).

On this day in 1965, Newcastle sealed promotion to the First Division after a win over Bolton