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Newcastle 3
Chelsea 0
Premier League
St. James' Park
Sunday 13th May
Match
report
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The Never-Ending Tour |
Number of Newcastle
games attended by
NUFC.com in 2017/18: |
107 |
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Gallowgate lags:
Aarons
sentenced
After pleading guilty to a charge
of affray, Newcastle winger Rolando Aarons received a 10 month
suspended sentence with 100 hours community service at Newcastle Crown Court
on Tuesday.
The offence took place inside city centre bar Livellos back in October
2016, Aarons reportedly punching and head butting another man during a mass
brawl.
Among several others convicted was Aarons' mother, who received a 28 week
sentence suspended for 12 months, with a two month curfew. Giveaways:
Winners
We received some nice feedback
from two recent NUFC.com reader competition winners as follows:
Thanks to Coral, Simon Greaves took
part in a fan game on the pitch at SJP on Monday:
"Just wanted to thank you again for the chance to have such an incredible
day that will stay with me forever. Didn't disgrace myself and even played a
key role in setting up our second goal in a 3-3 draw!
"PS: I bumped into this lad who was
oddly familiar.."
(Dyer had just played in a game for a Barclays XI)
And thanks to the RFL, Keith Gunning was at SJP on Saturday and
Sunday for the Magic Weekend rugby:
"Just to say thanks again for the
tickets...I've never seen rugby league live before - the last time I can
remember watching it was on Grandstand in the 1970's, with Eddie Waring
commentating."
We've got various other things to give away over the coming weeks
including beer, books and anything else that we can blag on your behalf....
Internationals:
Roberto's
got
your number.....
Belgium's 28-man preliminary
selection for the World Cup Finals in Russia has now been named and the name
of Newcastle goalkeeper Matz Sels appears.
The 26 year-old has been regularly called up for international duty since
October 2015 but is yet to make his senior debut.
Roberto Martinez's side play Portugal in Brussels on June 2nd - 48 hours ahead of the
cut-off date by which their final 23 man squad has to submitted.
They then have further home kickabouts against Egypt and Costa Rica before
commencing their World Cup campaign against Panama in Sochi on June 18th.
While it's uncertain whether Sels will make it to Russia, only injury will
prevent striker Aleksandar Mitrovic from taking his place in the
Serbian squad.
They play a warm-up game against Chile in the Austrian city of Graz on June 4,
ahead of their WC opener against Costa Rica in Samaria on June 17th.
(Achraf Lazaar wasn't in contention for selection by Morocco, while Mo Diame
previously made himself unavailable for selection by Senegal.
Neither Jonjo Shelvey nor Jamaal Lascelles made
the
23- man England squad or the
five named reserves).
Other international call-ups:
Adam Wilson (England U18s
@ Panda Cup)
Fri 25.05.2018 Uruguay (n) Chengdu FR
Sun 27.05.2018 27th China Chengdu (a) FR
Tue 29.05.2018 Hungary (n) Chengdu FR
Adam Armstrong, Freddie
Woodman
(England U21s @ Toulon Tournament)
Sat 26.05.2018 China (n) Aubagne FR
Wed 29.05.2018 Mexico (n) Salon FR
Fri 01.06.2018 Qatar (n) FR
(Tournament continues until Sat 09.06.2018)
Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo)
Sun 27.05.2018 Nigeria (a) Port Harcourt FR
Withdrawals/omissions:
Christian Atsu
(Ghana) injured
Ciaran Clark
(Ireland) injured
Rob Elliot (Ireland) not selected
Matt Ritchie
( Scotland) injured
DeAndre
Yedlin
(USA) not selected
Ex-Mags:
Hoyoots
Former Magpies reaching the end of the road at their current employers
include:
Sam Allardyce sacked as Everton manager
Hatem Ben Arfa left Paris SG tbc
Facundo Ferreyra left Shaktar Donetsk
Jamie Holmes released by South Shields
Stephen Ireland left Stoke City tbc
Alan Irvine sacked as West Ham coach
Brian Kerr resigned as Albion Rovers manager
Alex Nicholson released by South Shields
James Perch released by QPR
Marcus Maddison transfer-listed by Peterborough
Stuart Pearce sacked as West Ham coach
Steven Taylor transfer-listed by Peterborough
Mike Williamson released by Oxford United
New clubs for old boys:
Steve McClaren now QPR manager
Chris Moore now manager of Consett
Mark Stimson now manager of Waltham Abbey
Happy
Valley again:
Golden
goals
bring silverware
Newcastle
U21s have made a successful return to the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament
after a one year absence, lifting the trophy for the second time.
Magpies hero was Callum Roberts, whose golden goal was enough to
overcome Rangers in the final after 20 minutes of play failed to break the
deadlock.
Watch
Callum's winning goal here That
saw the sides reduced by a player to four-a-side, Newcastle defender Owen Bailey
donning the
gloves as "rush" 'keeper, with Nathan Harker making way.
Two minutes later, a patient build up ended with Victor Fernandez centring for
Roberts to side-foot his fifth goal of the tournament, before setting
off on a victory lap of the field, pursued by his team mates.
Newcastle captain Owen Bailey then followed in the footsteps of James Tavernier by lifting the
trophy United last won in 2012.
Saturday had seen Ben Dawson's side make it into the Quarter Finals following
a win and two draws, and they advanced into the last four by beating Japanese side Kashima
Antlers 7-6 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Spot kick successes came from Bailey, Fernandez, Barlaser, Roberts, Charman,
Watts and Longstaff, with Harker saving an Antlers penalty.
That brought about a meeting with Leicester City in the semi-final and after another close
encounter the young Magpies prevailed, Callum Roberts scoring a golden
goal to win 4-3 and seal a place in the Final against a Rangers side they'd
already drawn with.
Results - Saturday (seven minutes each way):
Hong Kong FC drew 1-1 Roberts
Newcastle Jets won 3-1 Roberts 2, Longstaff
Glasgow Rangers drew 0-0
Results - Sunday (ten minutes each way)
Kashima Antlers drew 0-0 (won 7-6 pens)
Leicester City won 4-3 Fernandez 2, Longstaff, Roberts
Rangers won 1-0 Roberts
Squad: Owen Bailey, Dan Barlaser, Tyrique Bartlett, Lewis Cass, Luke Charman,
Victor Fernandez, Nathan Harker, Matty Longstaff, Callum Roberts, Kelland
Watts.
PS: While the tournament was in progress, news spread that both Matty
Longstaff and Lewis Cass had agreed their first professional contracts at NUFC.
Magic Weekend:
Eggchasers
#4
The
annual oval ball extravaganza that is the Rugby League Magic Weekend
took
place at Gallowgate this weekend - results were as follows:
Sat 19.05.2018:
Toronto
43-30 Toulouse
Widnes Vikings
18-38 St Helens
Wigan Warriors
38-10 Warrington
Castleford
38-10
Leeds Rhinos
Crowd: 38,881
Sun 20.05.2018:
Salford
12-26 Catalans Dragons
Wakefield 22-25
Huddersfield Giants
Hull KR
22-34 Hull FC
Crowd: 25,438
Borrowers:
Loan lads
Henri Saivet
(Sivasspor)
The Turkish Super Lig side ended their season with a 1-5 loss away to
Besiktas on Saturday, but Henri didn't feature in Sivasspor's matchday 18.
Matz Sels
(Anderlecht)
Sunday saw the Brussels side round off what has been an unsuccessful end of
season playoff series of games by losing 1-3 at home to
Genk on Sunday.
That left them third in the six team group and with a place in the Europa
League next season, not the Champions League.
Sels kept his place in the side.
Rolando Aarons
(Hellas Verona)
Previously relegated from Serie A, Verona rounded off their season with a
1-2 defeat at champions Juventus on Sunday, Aarons playing the first 62
minutes.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
(Fulham)
Aston Villa (n) Championship playoff,
Saturday.
Update:
Accounts
Friday saw the publication of the club's latest set of accounts summarised
online here
2018/19:
First
friendly claim
Friday brought unconfirmed reports from Ireland that Newcastle are pencilled
in to face St. Patrick's Athletic in a pre-season kickabout.
United are expected to hold a training camp for the third successive season at
Carton House near Dublin, a venue
Newcastle first visited back in 2009.
That year ended with a friendly against Shamrock Rovers, while the 2016 camp
culminated in Rafa's squad facing Bohemians.
However, last year's visit to Carton House was followed by a meeting with Hearts
in Edinburgh.
The
League of Ireland side play at the 5,300 capacity Richmond Park in the Dublin
suburb of Inchicore.
Season 2018/19 dates:
Thu 14.06.2018 Premier League fixtures @ 9am
Mon 02.07.2018
Pre-season training begins
??.07.2018 First live TV fixture announcement*
Thu 09.08.2018 Transfer window closes
Sat 11.08.2018 Premier League begins
(theoretically that could
be Fri 10.08)
(* last season was on Thu 06.07.2017)
PS: The 2018/19 season will be the third and final one covered by
the current £30 ceiling on away ticket prices in the Premier
League.
Premier
League:
Just Champion!
Newcastle
3 Chelsea
0
Match
report
Movement:
Relegated from PL:
Swansea City
Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion
Promoted to PL:
Wolves
Cardiff City
Fulham or Aston Villa
Playoff Final:
Sat 26.05.2018 Fulham v Aston Villa
(Wembley, 5pm)
Unlikely
lads:
Running
Mag
Update:
Thanks to those who have pre-ordered their T-shirts already, only limited
numbers now remain to be claimed - don't delay!
The
countdown to the fifth section of Mark Allison aka Run Geordie Run's
global trek
is nearing, with the Toon fan leaving Belgrade on Monday June 4th.
And commemorating the 2,900 mile trek
from Serbia to Astana
in Kazakhstan
is a special edition T-shirt, now available to order for £15 plus
postage.
Every penny of that £15 goes directly to Mark's chosen cause of St Benedict's
Hospice and T-shirts will be posted after 1st June 2018
order here
Previous
Run Geordie Run T-shirts have helped raise a remarkable £30K, which
represents almost 10% of the total amount raised by Mark for various charities
- he's currently closing in on the £300K milestone.
2018/19:
Kit claims
These two designs are currently doing the rounds, claming to be leaked version
of next seasons' kits:
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Fixtures, Tickets etc. |
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Season 2017/18 |
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The stadium Box Office is located in the Milburn Stand, just up the slope from the Sir
Bobby Robson Statue. The previous ticket desk in the club shop has now
closed.
Paid-for matchday ticket collections take place from the windows at the
back of the Gallowgate End Stand, above NINE Bar.
SJP Box Office phone: 0844
372 1892*
(7p per minute plus network charge)
* 0044 870 444 1892
from overseas
Online Box Office is here
SJP seating plan is here
On the opening day of ticket sales, they officially commence at 10am -
with any points reduction for away tickets becoming effective at the
same time.
Away tickets are sold only to season ticket holders and members*. All ST
holders are automatically members (a non-negotiable fee is added
annually by NUFC to each ST).
Heading to the Toon?
City guide
here
NE guide
here |
Season 2018/19 dates:
Thu 14.06.2018 PL fixture release @ 9am
Mon 02.07.2018
Pre-season training
Thu 09.08.2018 Transfer window closes
Sat 11.08.2018 Premier League kicks off (theoretically that could
be Fri 10.08)
The three-season PL £30 away ticket scheme concludes at the end of the
2018/19 season.
Run Geordie Run resumes his lap of the planet on June
4th, with the fifth of eight planned segments taking him from Belgrade to
Astana.
Mark's 2,900 mile route is scheduled to take 100 days and he's running for
St. Benedicts Hospice more
details here
Other events @ SJP:
Live music:
Fri
08.06.2018, Sat 09.06.2018 and Sun 10.06.2018 Ed Sheeran, with support from Anne-Marie and Jamie Lawson.
Rugby Union:
10.05.2019 European Champions Cup
Final
11.05.2019
Challenge
Cup Final
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International Magpies |
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National Service |
World Cup Finals:
Thu 14.06.2018-Sun 15.07.2018
Groups:
A Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay
B Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
C France, Australia, Peru, Denmark
D Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
E Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
F Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
G Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
H Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan
2018/19 international breaks:
Thu-Tue 06-11.09.2018
Thu-Tue 11-16.10.2018
Thu-Tue 15-20.11.2018
Mon-Tue 18-26.03.2019
Sat 05.01.2019-Fri 01.02.2019 AFCON Finals
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Coxy's Cockup Corner |
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Whoops, He did it Again... |
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What's this all about then?
Click here
for a rambling explanation of sorts....
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| On
This Day in History |
|
22nd May |
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Born Or Died:
1881
Colin Veitch born, Heaton.
(1899-1926)
Invited for a trial by Newcastle in
September 1896 after facing them in a
Northumberland Senior Cup tie for
Rutherford, Colin Veitch signed amateur
forms in 1899 and turned professional soon
afterwards.
Debuting in a 0-1 home defeat to Wolves in
October of that year, it took three seasons
for the half back to become a regular in the
side that finished fourth in 1904.
Then heralded an unprecedented period of
success for the club and Colin featured in
three League Championships and four
runners-up finishes, plus five FA Cup final
appearances (seven, including replays).
Captaining United to their 1910 success in
the latter competition, Veitch was capped
six times by England but found himself
overlooked for selection after becoming
involved in the Players Union.
Veitch’s final United game was at home to
Everton in September 1914, and he served in
the Royal Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant.
Later returning as trainer and coaching
United’s juniors, Veitch became Bradford
City manager in 1926 after controversially
being given notice to quit Gallowgate.
Reporting on United’s fortunes for the
Chronicle upon his return, he was banned from home games
during 1929 after criticising the
club in print.
One of the most significant figures in the club's history, Veitch was also one
of the founders of the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Involved in the establishment of the People’s Theatre in 1911, his interest
in the arts extended to writing and composition.
Colin passed away in the Swiss town of
Berne, where he had gone to convalesce from
pneumonia in August 1938.
Publishing his obituary, the Guardian said:
"One of the finest footballers in
Britain. Veitch's name was synonymous with
honesty and good fellowship."
Thanks to the efforts of the Heaton History
Group, a commemorative plaque was unveiled
on Veitch's former house in 2013.
He was also selected as one of the club
legends to be immortalised in banner form by
the Gallowgate Flags group in 2016.
1901 Roddie MacKenzie born, Inverness.
(1922-35)
Joining United from Inverness Clachnacuddin
for £100 in September 1922 after earlier service for rivals Thistle, right
half Roddie Mackenzie was initially brought to SJP on a month's trial.
Debuting for the senior side in 1-0 home win
against Huddersfield Town in April 1923, the
tough tackler was a mainstay of United's
side for a decade, playing his part in the 1927 First Division
Championship success
and
1932 FA Cup Final victory.
Losing his place after Newcastle's
relegation in 1934, Roddie played on for Gateshead and had a short spell at
Reading.
1931 George Lackenby born, Newcastle.
(1950-56)
Full back who graduated from Newcastle's
junior side and made his league debut in a
1-2 defeat at Spurs in December 1951.
George however found himself restricted to
occasional starts for the first team due to
the consistency of Bobby Cowell and moved on
to Exeter City in 1956 in a £1,500 deal.
Later appearing in the colours of Carlisle
United, Gateshead, Hartlepool United and
Ashington, George died in 2004.
1956 Dave McKellar born, Ardrossan, Scotland.
(1986)
Goalkeeper
loaned by Newcastle from Hibernian to provide cover for the injured Martin
Thomas in February 1986.
Dave began his career as an apprentice with Ipswich Town under Bobby Robson in
1973 and had loan spells at both Colchester and Peterborough.
However, the Scottish youth international suffered from homesickness and
returned to his native Scotland in 1976, turning out for Adrossan Winton
Rovers.
Tempted back to England with Derby County in 1978, McKellar later played for
Brentford, and Hong Kong side Happy Valley.
Joining Carlisle United in 1982, Dave was in goal two years later as Newcastle
beaten them 5-1 at St.James' Park to end the Cumbrians' own promotion hopes.
Reunited with former Carlisle team mate Tommy Craig when he became Hibernian
manager in 1985, McKellar however failed to dislodge first choice Alan
Rough.
Becoming a free agent in the summer of 1986 after Newcastle declined to offer
him a deal, Dave joined Hamilton Academical.
He featured for the Accies in a momentous 1-0 win at Rangers in 1987, when
future Magpie miscreant Albert Craig allegedly blew his nose on an Ibrox
corner flag....
Returning to Brunton Park (initially on loan from Dunfermline) in 1988,
McKellar later moved to Kilmarnock, finally ending up at Rangers, as cover
for Andy Gorman.
Later working in child protection for the social services in Scotland, he opted
to remain in that role when offered the job of Everton goalkeeping coach by
Walter Smith during his time in charge at Goodison.
1959 Alan Brown born, Easington.
(1981-82)
A product of
the mackem's junior system, striker Alan Brown scored twice against
Newcastle during a League Cup tie in September 1979 - and then netted the
winning spot kick in a penalty shootout.
Falling out of favour at Roker Park during the 1981/82 season, United took him
on loan in an attempt to boost their forward options, Alan Shoulder and
Bobbby Shinton both struggling for fitness and Imre Varadi left to shoulder
the goalscoring burden.
Brown quickly gelled with the equally fleet -footed Varadi and the duo
inspired fine home wins over Charlton and Luton in successive games during
November 1981.
Netted his first Newcastle goal in a 4-1 rout of the Addicks, Brown then
grabbed two against the Hatters before leaving the field through injury -
United winning 3-2.
Missing a midweek defeat at Orient, Brown then featured in draws against
Grimsby Town and Blackburn Rovers without adding to his goal tally.
Expectations were high that a permanent deal would be concluded, but Brown
then returned to the mackem amid United claims of a back problem that he
denied.
Meanwhile, questions were raised about our ability to meet his asking price -
said to be £100K.
David Mills then appeared on loan from West Bromwich Albion in early 1982 and
Brown ended up at Shrewsbury Town in a part- exchange deal with Ian Atkins.
There certainly seemed very little wrong with him on his next appearance at
SJP, scoring the winner for the Shrews in our opening game of the 1983/84
season.
In fairness, Newcastle's claim of an injury problem looked more authentic when
Brown left Gay Meadow soon after and barely played for his next club
Doncaster Rovers before retiring in 1986 - aged just 27.
Brown later worked as a prison officer at Durham, while son Chris also played
for the mackems and Doncaster Rovers.
However, his off-field exploits - including shooting people with a ball-bearing
gun and appearing in a sex tape were rather more memorable than his
football.
1968 Paul
Moran born, Enfield.
(1991)
Alleged
striker who came through the ranks at Spurs and made his first debut for the
Cockerels during the 1986/87 season.
Failing to become a regular starter at White Hart Lane, Moran went out on loan
during the 1988/89 season to Portsmouth and had a spell at Leicester City a
year later.
His Magpies career consisted of one erratic outing home
against Wolves
in February 1991 - after which his loan was terminated.
Completely missing his kick when an early chance fell to him, claims later
emerged that he'd spent the previous evening sampling Tyneside nightlife
with fellow Spurs player, Paul Gascoigne.
After a brief loan spell at Third Division Southend United, Moran somehow ended
up back in favour at Spurs and managed a handful of (scoreless) Premier
League appearances in 1992/93 and 1993/94.
Handed a free transfer in the summer of 1994, Moran signed for Peterborough
United but failed to score in 11 appearances and left London Road the
following summer.
He then played for non-league Enfield, Kingsbury Town, Hertford, Hendon, East
Thurrock United, Borehamwood and Potters Bar Town - acting as player/coach
at the latter until 2005.
Spurs fansites report that Moran worked as a painter & decorator in Enfield,
worked for the Press Association and was part of the Spurs Veterans side.
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What Else?
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1921 Real Sociedad (Spain) (a)
3-0 (?-?)
Friendly
Smailes(1-0,2-0), McDonald(3-0)
Crowd tbc
Following two
games in Barcelona, United's post-season tour of Spain
moved on to San Sebastian and the Atocha Stadium.
Team: Lawrence, McCracken,
Hudspeth, Curry, Low, Finlay, Aitken, Ward, Smailes,
McDonald, Seymour.
1924 Real Madrid
(Spain) (a)
1-2 (?-?)
Friendly
Scorer tbc
scorers tbc
Crowd tbc
1927 Dutch Olympic XI
(a)
4-1 (2-0)
Friendly
McDonald,
Clark, MacKenzie, Harris
Leerkotte
12,000
Played in Deventer, Holland and featuring a birthday goal for
Roddie MacKenzie. The home side replied early in the
second half through Leerkotte from the GOLTO club.
Team: Wilson,
Maitland, Hudspeth, Harris, Spencer, Mackenzie, Seymour,
McDonald, Gallacher, McKay, Low.
1932 Racing Paris /
Red
Star Olympique XI (France) (a) 1-3 (1-2)
Friendly
Weaver(pen)
scorers tbc
5,000
Cup Winners United embarked upon a brief two match tour of France
and Germany, but left behind goalscoring hero Jack Allen
in hospital for a double hernia operation.
The game was played on a Sunday in the Stade Olympique de
Colombes, main venue for the Paris Olympics in 1924.
Match action from
Paris I
Match action from Paris II
1946 Hammarby IF XI
(Sweden) (a)
0-1 (?-?)
Scorer tbc
2,000
Game four of Newcastle's end of season visit to
Scandinavia saw them lose to Swedish opponents for the
second time in 24 hours.
United in Sweden
1946 (from top left):
Milburn, Bradley, Craig, Harvey, Wright, Graham, Stubbins,
Wayman, Swinburne, Corbett, Hair.
1958 Progresul
Bucharest (Romania) (a)
1-1 (1-0)
Friendly
Mitchell(1-0)
scorer tbc(80)
40,000
Having begun their
post-season tour with a 2-3 loss in Barcelona, United
travelled via Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Budapest to
Bucharest and were accommodated in the Athene Palace
Hotel.
Team:
Simpson, Keith, McMichael, Scoular, Stokoe, Franks,
Hughes, Davies, White, Eastham, Mitchell.
1960 Hadjuk Split
(Croatia) (a)
2-3 (0-1)
Friendly
White, Stokoe(pen)
scorers
tbc
Crowd
tbc
 1983 Select XI
Thailand (a) 1-0 (1-0)
Friendly
McDermott(1-0)
25,000
A 30-yard rocket from the boot of Terry McDermott won this contest
staged in Bangkok as United's Far East tour
continued. Record buy
John Trewick fractured his wrist and returned home.
 1985 New Zealand FA
(a)
4-0 (3-0)
Friendly
Reilly(22,72), Gascoigne(24), Beardsley(30)
6,500
Another "All Whites" meeting - this time
at the McLean Park cricket ground in Napier.
Team: Thomas, Brown, Saunders, McCreery, Clarke, Roeder,
McDonald, Cunningham (Gascoigne), Anderson, Beardsley,
Reilly.
1988 Jamaica (a)
1-1 (0-0)
Friendly
og(76)
Newman(0-1)
1,000
The second and final game of United's visit to the
West Indies was delayed by 24 hours as local officials
attempted to contact missing Toon striker Mirandinha.
Claiming to have been unwell, he reportedly agreed to
travel from Sao Paulo to Kingston for the game but then
failed to show up.
 1999
Manchester United (n) 0-2 (0-1)
FA Cup Final
Sheringham(11),
Scholes(53)
79,101
Another fantastic Magpies display at Wembley Stadium - off the
pitch, that is.
Amnesia prevents us from dwelling on the second
leg of Fergie's treble any further.
Match report.
No words needed
 2001
Exeter City (a)
2-1 (1-1)
Friendly
LuaLua(14), Quinn(35)
Roberts(49)
4,702
A friendly match probably best remembered/forgotten for Carl Cort's
serious injury after an unnecessarily heavy challenge from
Exeter's Graeme Power.
NUFC.com
match report.
 2011
West Bromwich Albion (h)
3-3 (2-0)
Premier League
46pts, 12th/20
S.Taylor(16), Lovenkrands(39), og(Olsson)(47)
Tchoyi(62,71,90)
51,678
While the rest of the Premier League
were preoccupied with Survival Sunday, United threw away a three goal lead and
lost the chance to finish in the top half of the table, eventually ending a mixed season
12th.
NUFC.com match report
2012 Some self-fulfilling prophecies from Alan Pardew about season 2012/13:
"I’m hoping that I will educate our
fans for next season.
"If they think we can finish fifth with a European campaign and the
finances we’ve got, it’s impossible.
"I honestly believe that you need to be
a bit more open with the fans. The problem some managers have is they’re not
open enough.
"This year, I’m sure we’ll say
something like, ‘We’re looking for a top-eight finish, hopefully attack one
of the cups and have a great run in Europe.
"I wouldn’t say we couldn’t
challenge for the top six if we got knocked out of Europe. Then we wouldn’t
have those extra 13 games."
As it turned out, 14 games in Europe saw us battling relegation
until the penultimate game of the league season. Just as well we bombed out
of the other cups at the first hurdle....
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