All With Smiling Faces

How did Newcastle become United? When was the club formed, and where did it play before moving to St James’ Park? Who were the men who built the club, and how did they turn it into the most successful club in the country? What was it like to support Newcastle in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and why has the bond between the club and its fans remained so strong?All With Smiling Faces takes a wander through Newcastle’s early history to discover how the club came to mean so much to so many. Covering the first 30 years, from its foundation as Stanley FC in 1881 to the triumphant FA Cup win in 1910, the book visits the grounds, meets the players, mingles with the fans, and relives the matches that made Newcastle United.The title is taken from the lyrics of Blaydon Races, the Tyneside music hall song that shares its Victorian heritage with Newcastle United and is still sung at St James’ Park today. The cover features an exclusive painting by football artist Paine Proffitt. Paul Brown is a freelance writer and Newcastle United season ticket holder. He has written about Newcastle and football history for publications including The Guardian, FourFourTwo, When Saturday Comes and The Blizzard. He is the author of six books including The Victorian Football Miscellany and Unofficial Football World Champions.