That we believed was the way of the world, a fundamental law of nature | OneFootball

Back in the first half of the nineteen fifties, the sun rose in the morning, went down at night and Newcastle United won the FA Cup.

That we believed was the way of the world, a fundamental law of nature.

In 1955 I attended Rutherford Grammar School and the school was then located in an old building on Bath Lane.

The Newcastle United journey to Wembley that year involved a number of Wednesday afternoon replays.

At the end of school on cup replay days we all charged out and raced down Corporation Street to arrive at St James’ Park, where the gates were opened with 10 minutes to go.

Unbelievably, a number of fans left at that time whilst half our class piled in to see the last 10 minutes of play, or on one occasion 30 minutes of extra time.

As it happened, the Newcastle goalkeeper, Ronnie Simpson, lived two doors away from my grandmother in Fenham, in an NUFC club house.

On a few occasions I stood beside him at the bus stop waiting for the number 32 or 36 trolley bus. Yes, someone who won two FA Cup medals with Newcastle United and a European Cup (now Champions League) medal with Celtic, did not have a car and used the bus. On those occasions I stood tongue-tied, longing to ask him for his autograph, but never worked up the courage.

Fast forward to the 1990s and I am living in Perth, Scotland and occasionally go to watch the local team St Johnstone. The goalkeeper coach is none other than Ronnie Simpson.

He walked past me on one occasion and after 40 years I plucked up courage to speak to him, asking him if he remembered Nafferton Place, the street where he used to live in Newcastle.