tynevalleyblackcat
Striker
Agree with most of that. The actual clubs who voted for who, was never published and from memory, the situation re Newcastle's votes arose through the local press in the days afterwards. First Division clubs had 4 votes, Second Division clubs 2 and 3rd and 4th division only 1 each as they were associate members only and not full league members (hence the Full and Associate members cups!!).
Newcastle therefore had 4 votes but as you say it would have made no difference that season. The remarkable thing is that Hartlepool survived comfortably. They had applied for re-election numerous times and were so used to it they used to wine and dine other clubs chairman and send out gifts every year to curry favour and get back in. This was Gatesheads first ever time and they had finished 2 places and 6 points higher than bottom placed Hartlepool.
There was an unwritten agreement in the north east that the clubs would always vote for each other and the rumours that Newcastle abandoned this the first time Gateshead were up for election when they had previously backed Hartlepool and Darlington, left a bitter taste south of the Tyne. There was a dilemna on this occasion with two NE clubs in the mix, but Newcastle had been known to make comment re Gateshead effectively taking support which would in other circumstances go across the river.
I suspect Newcastle's votes went to the Monkey Hangers and so do many other Heed fans I know, but we will probably never know for certain. One thing I do know is that Sunderland gained a fair few fans in Gateshead at that point, many of whom are still around today.
The bit in the previous post about not liking a gift from Gateshead is rubbish.
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