During the 1990–91 season, Newcastle United participated in the Football League Second Division.

Injuries to key players Mark McGhee and John Gallagher did little to help manager Jim Smith's cause and, after a tussle with the board, Smith left the club in early 1991, branding the club 'unmanageable'.

He was replaced as manager by the former Tottenham Hotspur and Argentina player, Ossie Ardiles.

With the change of manager came a change of style, with a passing game where the ball rarely left the ground replacing the more direct style.

It also marked the appearance of several promising youngsters, including Steve Watson, Alan Thompson and Robbie Elliott, alongside the more established youngsters, Lee Clark and Steve Howey.