On Saturday April 18th 1903 (which was FA Cup Final day) The Wednesday completed their League campaign with a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at Owlerton (goals from Andy Wilson, Fred Spikesley and Ambrose Langley).
Sunderland, in second place , just one point behind, had a game in hand.
The following Saturday Sunderland traveled the 20 km to play their local rivals Newcastle United at St James' Park. A win would see them retain the League title (they had won 4 previous titles in total; Aston Villa held the record with 5).
Newcastle went ahead in the 48th minute- a short range effort from Robert Smyth McColl.
In the latter stages of the game, pressing for the equalizer, Sunderland changed formation to 1-4-5 (Rhodes 'joining the halves'). Under the rules of the day this led to a lot of off sides- much to the anger of the Newcastle fans.
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Sunderland, in second place , just one point behind, had a game in hand.
The following Saturday Sunderland traveled the 20 km to play their local rivals Newcastle United at St James' Park. A win would see them retain the League title (they had won 4 previous titles in total; Aston Villa held the record with 5).
Newcastle went ahead in the 48th minute- a short range effort from Robert Smyth McColl.
In the latter stages of the game, pressing for the equalizer, Sunderland changed formation to 1-4-5 (Rhodes 'joining the halves'). Under the rules of the day this led to a lot of off sides- much to the anger of the Newcastle fans.
Newcastle United | Sunderland | |
Charlie Watts | GK | Ned Doig |
Andy Aitken | RB | Jimmy Watson |
William Agnew | LB | Ephraim 'Dusty' Rhodes |
Peter McWilliam | RH | Billy Farquhar |
Colin Veitch | CH | Alex Barrie |
Jack Carr | LH | Dicky Jackson |
Archie Turner | OR | Billy Hogg |
Alec Gardner | IR | Robbie Robinson |
Bob McColl | CF | Jimmy Millar |
Bill Appleyard | IL | Joe Hewitt |
Bobby Templeton | OL | Arthur Bridgett |
'Toffee Bob' McColl was the founder of a chain of corner shops that can still be seen to this day.