Auction mystery over Newcastle’s FA Cup giant
The 'lost' life-size figure which marked Newcastle United’s first FA Cup win 116 years ago has resurfaced - and is up for sale. Tony Henderson reports
After three FA Cup final defeats, Newcastle United and their fans could at last walk tall when they finally won the trophy in 1910.
A 2-0 win over Barnsley saw United bring the cup back to Tyneside where it was paraded through vast crowds thronging the city streets.
A big celebration was called for – and one contribution didn’t come much bigger than a 6ft 4in model/sculpture of a Newcastle player with No 9 on his back and inscribed with the winning scoreline.
United’s centre forward Albert Shepherd, who had cost £850 from Bolton, was the hero of the day with both goals against Barnsley.
Now the previously unknown figure has surfaced for sale on June 4 by Newcastle auctioneers Anderson & Garland, with an estimate of £800-£1,200.
It has come from the deceased estate of a Newcastle fan, but its original function and where it has been for most of a century currently remains a mystery.
Anderson & Garland director Fred Wyrley-Birch speculates that the life-size figure may have been made for display at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United historian and author Paul Joannou said: “I have never seen anything like this before.
“It may have been made as a display item because the FA Cup was put on show in shop windows.”
Newcastle’s great Edwardian team had won the league championship in 1904-05 and were on course for the Double but were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa at the Crystal Palace ground, which was the pre-Wembley venue for FA Cup finals.
What became known as the ‘Palace jinx’ struck again in 1905-06 with another 1-0 loss, this time to Everton, and a 3-1 defeat by Wolves in 1907-08.
In 1910 Newcastle still couldn’t overcome the jinx, drawing 1-1 with Barnsley at Crystal Palace and winning the replay at Goodison Park 2-0.
United’s captain in the 1910 final was half back Colin Veitch, recruited as a youngster from local football and who made 322 appearances for the club across 16 seasons, scoring 49 goals.
“Colin Veitch was one of the most eminent names in Newcastle United’s history,” said Paul Joannou.
The June 4 sale will feature the gold pocket watch presented to Veitch to mark the 1904-05 league title win, made by Reid & Sons in Newcastle and inscribed “presented by public subscription to commemorate the league championship.” It is estimated at £2,500-£3,500.
Veitch’s gold medal for the 1906 Football League v Scottish League is also on offer at £700-£1,000, as is a silver cigarette box presented to him.
Buyers will also be able to bid for a framed Newcastle squad picture of 1923-24 by Whitley Bay photographer Gladstone Adams, who on his drive back from the 1907 final had the idea for the invention of the windscreen wiper, with his prototype on show in Newcastle Discovery Museum.
A silver cigarette case presented to Veitch’s second wife Greta and inscribed “to the founder of the Gateshead Children’s Theatre” will also go under the hammer.
Veitch was heavily involved in the People’s Theatre and Operatic Society, as well as playing a leading role in football’s Players Union.