It was a sign that St James' was set for great things

ONLY older fans will remember when St James’ Park looked like this. It was 1971 and during the summer months, a time when league football traditionally closes down, the old West Stand had acquired giant painted lettering spelling out the words ‘Newcastle United’ along its rear side.

- By DAVID MORTON

The wooden stand, dating back to the club's early years, was effectively a living relic from a bygone football age. And that applied to St James’ Park as a whole at the time.

For decades, supporters standing on the roofless Gallowgate End and Popular Side terraces had been forced to endure whatever the Tyneside elements could throw at them while they supported their beloved team.

The Leazes End terrace did benefit from a roof, but the whole match-going experience was basic and, by today's standards, extremely primitive.

And it wasn't just at Newcastle United. The majority of football clubs at the time had ramshackle grounds, which dated from the prewar years and had seen better days.