Gallacher continued to live in Gateshead, trying a number of careers, one of them being a sports journalist, a role that led to him being banned from St James' Park for his outspoken remarks about Newcastle United. However, he continued to be a popular character on Tyneside. Gallacher turned out in charity matches even at the age of 52. With no savings from his footballing days, Gallacher took numerous unremarkable jobs, often menial, to earn a living to support his family. His second wife died in December 1950 from a heart complaint.