From NUFC COM, The death has been announced of former Newcastle manager Charlie Mitten who enjoyed a three year reign at the club from 1958. He played for Man Utd winning a cup winners medal in 1948 before being lured away to play in the rebel Columbian League. Returning to England in 1950 he signed for Fulham spending 6 seasons at Craven Cottage alongside a certain Bobby Robson. During his spell at Newcastle he presided over the George Eastham Contract which changed the face of football, he was also credited with designing the short lived home kit with white bands on the shorts and decorative sock tops (earlier post 40 years on-Jonno you missed it by a year)- the kit was actually years ahead of its time and can still be seen in the latest Adidas offerings. I could see the value then as other teams often played in same colour shorts and a quick look up it was easier to spot your team-mates. Seem to recall that he introduced a form of ballet/dancing lessons which did not go down well with certain players or was that later, (balance with Len Hepple - Pop Robson`s father in law from Prudhoe Palais) For more info recomend reading the book "Bogota Bandit" by Richard Adamson. interesting character,not many managers played their sons, he did with John who on his debut missed a pen. happy days

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Answers

Aulder Posters

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Hi Buff! Another oldie bites the dust. Can't recall Mitten's nationality. Was he a Scot or what? Played left wing as my decidedly faltering memory recalls. May he RIP phoenix

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Despite Charlie Mitten's faults and failings, the Mags had one of the best inside trios for a long time, Eastham, White and Allchurch. I remember seeing them beat WHU 5-3 at Upton Park in a morrass of mud. Great stuff.

RI

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Those were the days, snubbing ManU to go and play for the Columbian rebels, whaddaguy! Did they play with bullet belts over their shoulders?

Mind he's another manager who quit on us without winning anything, when will it end?

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

While we're nostalging - this from icDeadpeople:

NEWCASTLE have formed a new players association to ensure their heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow are never forgotten.

The new organisation, Heroes, has been set up to make sure players remain part of the club after retirement.

Heroes will be launched at St James Park on Thursday with United chairman Freddy Shepherd, the associations president, making the opening address.

Committee member and former Republic of Ireland midfielder Mick Martin and John Smart, of sponsor New County Roads, will also speak.

The organisers also hope former Newcastle players Peter Beardsley, Kenny Wharton, Tommy Cassidy, Alan Shoulder, Jim Pearson and Albert Stubbins will attend the launch.

Jim Pearson! They're setting the bar pretty low for heroes, aren't they? I can still see him shuffling up, head bowed, to take that penalty now.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Just before my time, and all I can recall of Charlie Mitten was that he was generally unpopular - in particular for persisting in playing his son (John Mitten?) when most fans felt he was bloody useless.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I missed CM by 3 months - but I do recall a fair amount of bile directed against him on the terraces! Whether or not it was justified I have no idea. He did preside over relegation from the top division in 60/61. He quit in October 1961 and was succeeded for the rest of the season by Norman Smith. The 62-63 season began with St Joe Harvey (also sadly no longer with us) in charge.

RIP Charlie and condolencies to his family and friends.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Sounds about right for the start of my pact with the magpie devil cos I can just about remember the Mitten's Kittens days. He and his son were a pair we ended up being glad to see the backs of, for the difference it made, like.

He must have been at SJP round about the Snitchy and Snatchy days, (aka Ivor Allchurch and Keith Kettleborough).

Who did he take over from as manager ? I can't remember if he was after or before Joe Harvey, seem to think he had to be after. Must be great having memory cells. :-{E}

But nevertheless, sad to hear of his passing. Yet another reminder that there's no escaping mortality.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Well, some of us do have a few memory cells left. Mitten was before my time. St Joe was in charge when I started down the road supporting Toon.

Some of also have ability to read previous posts on the same thread. If I'm right on this one too, Jonno also said Mitten was before St JoeJoeJoeHarvey. Aah'd tek them new geps back if aah wez ye %-)

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Screacher

The actual manager Charlie Mitten took over from was Douggie Livingstone who left in 56 then the directors took over somehow for a couple of years. Mitten was ic till 61 then Norman Smith the trainer took over for a year b4 St Joe.

One story about Mitten that is legend is that he was keen on greyhounds. One day Len White was on the treatment table and Mitten had him taken off to be replaced by Golden Miller or whatever the dogs was called, cos he had dicky paw!!!

With the best will in the world he was not popular with crowd or players but quite revolutionary in many ways.

Derek

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I'll get the hang of it eventually, Screach. :-{E}

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Kettleborough played in the same team as Jim Iley under St Joe. I presume that is the "snitchy and snatchy" you mention. Allchurch finished at the end of 61/62 and never played for St Joe or in the same team as Kettleborough.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002