The Wilderness Years: Newcastle United 1978-1984

What was it like to be a die-hard Newcastle fan stuck in the void between the club’s Wembley glory days of the 1950s and its dazzling entertainers of the 90s?

After humiliating relegation from the old First Division in 1978, it soon became clear to fans there was no plan to bounce straight back. The Magpies were trapped in the wilderness. It would take more than mediocrity, though, to deter the fledgling fans born in the right place at the wrong time.

This gripping book:

• Tells the story of a young Newcastle fan, from matchday debut to die-hard, across six seasons when his team were reduced to an irrelevance at a time when English clubs dominated Europe
• Reveals what it was like to grow up on terraces that featured boiled burgers, bovver boys, basic facilities, questionable catering, police cordons and the horror of fan fencing
• Captures the life and times of a typical North-East lad, with dreams of becoming the next Malcolm Macdonald in the number-nine shirt, in a story transferred from schoolboy diaries, scrapbooks and newspaper cuttings
• Chronicles moments of hope too, and includes a happy ending with the signing of a superstar and promotion in his final season as reward for the patience and loyalty of the fans

This is one resolute supporter’s tragi-comic remembrance of times past, dedicated to anyone who calls themselves a football fan and doesn’t only sing when they’re winning.

After two decades of writing and production in magazines and regional newspapers, including The Northern Echo and the hit football publication Match, Gary spent 16 years in the backroom team at a title-winning club in another sport. His story of a young man's support for Newcastle United in challenging times draws on his collection of notebooks, diaries, cuttings and scrapbooks from the time.

"What makes this book particularly special is its ability to capture both the micro and macro of the era. While chronicling the club's struggle to return to top-flight football, Sherrard weaves in the broader social context of Northeast England during a period of significant change. The Wilderness Years transcends beyond mere football, serving as a social history, a narrative of personal growth, and a tribute to the unwavering support that epitomises true fandom. It's a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful stories in football aren't about the winners but about those who stick around through the losing."

"One thing above all that I love about the books published across all sports by Pitch Publishing is how an author is encouraged to take a niche subject they are passionate about and write in such detail about it. Their back catalogue is filled with such offerings, and The Wilderness Years by Gary Sherrard is among the best of the lot. While they are niche subjects, that passion is what makes them accessible to all, and Sherrard’s love of all things Newcastle United and his detailed and honest memories of a largely dismal time in the club’s history make this an absolute winner."