This was Brian Clough's testimonial match. Half an hour after the end of the match, Clough revealed he had accepted his first manager's position, at Hartlepools United. Ambrose Fogarty (then of Hartlepools) had only come to watch, but ended up playing when Mike Hellawell was taken ill. The Newcastle side was basically United's defence with a guest front 5: Armstrong and Eastham (Arsenal), St.John (Liverpool), Hateley (Aston Villa) and Dobson (Sheff Wed).