A LOOK INTO HISTORY 227

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVEN

THE OTHER NEWCASTLE UNITED

Here we have a very rare programme for a famous name - but its not who you think !!

Newcastle West Football Club are based 25 miles from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland and are now members of the Junior Limerick Desmond League playing at Ballygowan Park or the Demesne as it was called.

The club was founded in 1948 and was originally called Newcastle United with a nickname, not surprisingly of The Magpies! They were founder members and winners in the first season of their present league in 1955 but in 1985 became founder members of the League of Ireland First Division after the Senior competition had been increased
from 16 in a Division “A” to a Premier of 12 and First Division of 10. The incoming clubs were Derry City, Cobh Ramblers, Monaghan United, E.M.F.A of Kilkenny, Bray Wanderers and Newcastle United. The clubs first ever senior game was a friendly against Cobh Ramblers which they won 3 0. In season 1986-87, Newcastle United adopted their present name so our Match Programme for a League game on 22nd December 1985 is extremely rare and any copies that appear on Ebay tend to be hidden in with our own Newcastle United !

Our Match Programme priced 50p is for a League game with Cobh Ramblers and is very informative with a Chairman’s welcome, 200 club draw, results for 15th December showing Cobh Ramblers to have won 2 0 followed by thanks to their main sponsor Guinness, sadly spelt incorrectly, team line-ups, a league table with Sligo Rovers top at that stage, Managers Notes and a large advert on the back page saying HARP LAGER supports Newcastle United. The game resulted in another 0-2 defeat for United. At the seasons end, Bray Wanderers as winners and Sligo Rovers were promoted, Newcastle United were 8th of 10 and decided to change their name to Newcastlewest FC for 1986-87.

A further prize winning glossy programme in my collection is for February 15th 1987 and we find Newcastle West are at Brandywell home of Derry City who were celebrating their First Division Championship and had everything you want in a Programme even including a crossword, junior page, spotlights on supporters and ball boys, photos galore, a report on a 1985 game at Newcastle United, all the other games plus the normal compulsory information and all for 50p.

Having never finished higher than mid table their Senior life in the League of Ireland came to a conclusion at the end of season 1989-90 being replaced by St James’ Gate of Dublin, the home club of their main sponsor, saying they wished to make improvements to their Demesne Ground that had no floodlights or secure infrastructure. They returned to the Limerick Desmond League in which they have played ever since.