 In October 1952 he joined Newcastle where he made fourteen First Division appearances but found it difficult to claim a regular place, having to compete with Reg Davies and Ivor Broadis.In July 1954, Southampton's manager George Roughton paid £12,000 to bring Mulgrew and Billy Foulkes to The Dell of which £7,000 was attributed to Mulgrew.He scored 15 seconds into his debut on 21 August 1954 at home to Brentford (won by Saints 6–4); this was the fastest-ever goal scored at The Dell.