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The purchase of Peter Beardsley in October 1983 was to be the final
piece of Arthur Cox's promotion jigsaw. The new signing also gave
Waddle's career a boost, as he realised what was required to be a top
class footballer. When the forward line of Waddle, Beardsley and Keegan
got going Newcastle were irresistible, and when 3rd placed Man City
turned up at Gallowgate goals from all three stars sent them packing
with a 5-0 thrashing. By the time December arrived Chris had found his
shooting boots, scoring in five consecutive games for the only time in
his career. The FA Cup 3rd round brought a chance for Waddle to measure
his progress against the very best and despite missing Newcastle's best
chance at Anfield, he had had a brief taste of the top flight and wanted
more, as Liverpool ran out 4-0 winners. Despite the cup exit, everybody
at the club was determined that promotion would be achieved and
Newcastle put together a string of results that would ensure it would
happen.
Waddle scored in a 4-0 promotion sealing victory over Derby and
in a party atmosphere at Gallowgate he scored again in the final game of
the season against Brighton; Newcastle finished 3rd and were promoted,
with Chris weighing in with the excellent return of 18 goals in 42
league games. His strike partners faired even better, Beardsley netting
20 goals in 35 league games and Keegan - who retired at the end of a
memorable season - scoring 27 in 41 league outings. As usual, however,
United shot themselves in the foot, Arthur Cox was offered a one year
contract which he turned down before resigning in disgust. Jack Charlton
replaced Cox for the 1984/85 season, and Newcastle got off to a flyer.
Waddle scored three in the first three games as the team secured maximum
points, and The Magpies were top of Division One for the first time
since 1950. Reality soon dawned, however, as five games without a win
followed and September's visit to QPR ended with a spectacular result.
Waddle was magnificent at Loftus Road, scoring a hat-trick and setting
up two more, but despite leading 4-0 at half-time Newcastle had to hold
on grimly to secure a point in a 5-5 draw. Charlton was furious and even
Chris came in for a tongue lashing of epic proportions, he blamed the
players for everything, even though the long ball tactics they were
using were totally unsuited to a forward line of Waddle and Beardsley.
Charlton persisted with the long ball game and the introduction of two
six-footers, George Reilly and Tony Cunningham, meant Waddle returned to
the wing; Chris had scored regularly playing up front, but only managed
one more all season. Waddle increasingly saw his future away from The
Magpies and his call up to the England squad made him realise Newcastle
lacked the ambition or financial structure to keep players of real star
quality. A derisory contract offer from the club led Waddle to hold
talks with chairman Stan Seymour, who did little to dissuade the player
when he told him he wanted to leave. By the end of the season Chris had
13 of the 55 league goals the club scored, as they finished 14th in
Division One. Waddle's acrimonious departure made him the first of three
world class players to leave the club during the 1980's (Beardsley and
Gascogine were the others), as he left to pursue the 'Diamond Lights' of
the big city. Much to Newcastle's anger, a transfer tribunal ordered
Tottenham Hotspur to pay £590,000 for his services, a figure £10,000
less than had been originally offered. (Gordon Tait)
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