On this day (May 12) in 1984, Newcastle United were officially back in the First Division after a win over Brighton & Hove Albion. The season had come to an end so their promotion could finally be confirmed.
The Magpies beat the Seagulls 3-1 in front of more than 36,000 supporters at St James’ Park and Kevin Keegan scored in his final outing. Terry McDermott and John Trewick were also making their last appearance.
Arthur Cox started Kevin Carr, John Anderson, Steve Carney, Glenn Roeder, Kenny Wharton, David McCreery, McDermott, Trewick, Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley and Keegan, and watched his men make light work of Albion through goals from Beardsley, Keegan and Waddle.
Newcastle finished third in the Second Division with 80 points from 42 games. Chelsea were top and Sheffield Wednesday were second. The Magpies ended 10 points clear of fourth-placed Manchester City, so their promotion had been sealed a while before.
Nevertheless, the Brighton won capped off a good season for Newcastle and was an excellent way to say farewell to the likes of McDermott, Keegan and Trewick.
