Researching Frank Watt

Watt had great ambitions for Newcastle. Upon arrival he declared "We're going to be the best team in the country." The Edwardian Newcastle side dominated the league with a side assembled entirely by Watt, who also signed players such as Hughie Gallacher, Colin Veitch and Stan Seymour throughout his 37 years at the club, players who are still considered legends today (however, he initially turned down Seymour, explaining that the future Mr. Newcastle was "too small to play football").

During his time at Newcastle, the club won the old First Division four times in 1905, 1907, 1909 and 1927. They won the FA Cup in 1910 and 1924 and were finalists on four more occasions, in 1905, 1906, 1908 and 1911. When he retired in 1930, his son of the same name took on his job with the club until his own death in 1950.

For most of his tenure Watt's trainer, who retired along with him in 1930, was James Quar McPherson, who took on the role in 1903. McPherson's duties were taken on by his son Jim (who had coached the Norwegian national side at the 1920 Olympics, as well as clubs in the Netherlands and Germany including FC Bayern Munich during the 1920s) until May 1938.

F.G. Watt, "the man who made Newcastle United", died on 26 February 1932 in his house in Newcastle at the age of 77.

He was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh Central at a by-election in December 1941, and held the seat until his defeat at the 1945 general election by the Labour Party candidate.

He was qualified as an advocate and a Member of the Scottish Bar, and was awarded King's Counsel (KC) on 20 August 1946. He served as Sheriff of Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney & Zetland from 1952 until his transfer as Sheriff of Stirling, Dumbarton and Clackmannan in 1961. He held that position until his death in 1971.