SEYMOUR'S links with Newcastle looked to have ended in 1929 when after a distinguished playing career at St. James', he left after a bust up with the club.

He set up a clothes shop in Newcastle before going into journalism, but was invited back as a director in 1938.

Seymour's main role, despite his title, was to control team affairs and he eventually  fashioned a team United could be proud of during his lengthy spell with the club.

Even when a committee picked the team he still had a huge influence, though the fact he used to often stand on the terraces showed he wasn't afraid to get opinions from elsewhere.

Seymour, whose son Stan junior was a chairman of the club, was connected with the Magpies until his passing in 1978.