Ticket
news:
Sheff Wed (a) pay on the gate
Huddersfield (a) ST holders now
Schalke 04 Tournament ST holders now
Real Sociedad (h) Public sale now (online)
Manchester City (h) ST holder / member sale now
Aston Villa (a) ST holder sale now (50 points)
2014/15: Milk Cup
return
A Newcastle Academy side are once again over in Northern Ireland for the
annual Milk Cup tournament, getting off to a winning start on Monday
afternoon.
The young Magpies began their group stage games with a 2-0 win over Japanese side Ichifuna in
Limavady, thanks to first half goals from Sean Longstaff and Dan Ward.
Next up are local side County Londonderry in Coleraine on Tuesday (8pm) before
Spanish opposition in the shape of Espanyol in Portstewart on Wednesday (7pm).
United's group stage placing then will dictate who their opponents will be on the remaining two days of the event, on Thursday and Friday.
2014/15: Sheffield
Wednesday (a)
Newcastle's first team return to domestic friendly action this Wednesday
night against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at
Hillsborough (7.45pm).
The Owls have now belatedly confirmed that Newcastle fans can pay on the gate at Hillsborough
(Leppings Lane End). Prices are £15 adults and £5 OAPs/U18s.
Only three sides of the ground will be open for this game, with the North
Stand unused.
Trams:
Due to engineering works, no trams are running between Sheffield city
centre and Hillsborough.
Bus replacement services operate on both the Middlewood and Malin Bridge lines
that run near to the stadium.
Squad: to follow
Owls: to follow
Following low-key victories at York and Bury, Stuart Grey's side lost 1-2 to
Russian side Arsenal Tula in Slovenia. They drew 2-2 at Doncaster on
Sunday.
A 30,000 crowd witnessed our most recent
visit to Hillsborough, when four goals were shared with the Owls in a
Championship game on Boxing Day 2009.
Our last friendly meeting came at Hillsborough almost eleven years to the day,
when a 15,000 crowd saw the home side win 4-3 with future Magpie flop Shefki
Kuqi grabbing the winner.
Kieron Dyer, Lomana LuaLua and Shola Ameobi scored our goals on the same night
as a separate Newcastle XI put six past Hartlepool without reply.
Wednesday have since dropped down a league and returned to the second tier,
with former Magpies Leon Best and Oguchi Onyewu playing for them this season.
However both have now departed, with Best back at parent club Blackburn Rovers
(and on the transfer list). "Gooch" meanwhile is again a free agent
and has been spotted training with MLS side DC United.
Referee: tbc
UK TV coverage: none
Overseas TV coverage: none
New season Magpie Mover tickets are now available for NUFC season
ticket holders to buy, Priced at £20
(£21 by post) they allow free travel on buses, Metro,
trains & ferries in Tyne and wear for three hours before and
after competitive home first team games. Order online
here
NUFC.com reader and Toon exile Dale Imray
compiled a video of Newcastle fans walking en masse to the ground before
Saturday's game online
here via youtube
Proud sponsors of
NUFC.com
U21s: Toon
triumph
with a "Tim"
United's 17 man squad in
Germany
Newcastle's
development side were in Germany over the weekend at the Oberndorf Tournament,
and although they couldn't repeat their trophy-winning successes of 1997 and
2005 still manage to grab the headlines.
A win, a draw and a loss in their group games left Peter Beardsley's side out
of contention going into a playoff against home-based Team Schwarzwald
on Saturday.
But with the score tied at 1-1 and penalties looming, United took inspiration
from Dutch boss Lous van Gaal at the World Cup - and replaced their
goalkeeper.
Brendan Pearson was the substitute handed the Tim Krul role and he proceeded
to emulate his club colleague, saving three spot kicks as United ran out 4-3
winners:
Sunday saw Newcastle again paired with Frankfurt
in their final game and Callum Roberts netted, only for the Germans to level
and send this game to penalties as well.
With no less than 18 spot kicks taken, Jordan Storey eventually hit the
crucial one in an 8-7 toon win:
Eintracht Frankfurt won 1-0 (Roberts)
Fluminense Rio De Janeirodrew 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen lost 0-3
Team Schwarzwald drew 1-1 (Quinn) (won 4-3 pens) Eintracht Frankfurt drew 1-1 (Roberts) (won 8-7 pens)
Matches were 25
minutes each in the group stages, extending to 30 minutes for the playoffs.
United finished fifth in the eight team event, that was won for the second
successive year by Fluminense.
Squad: Dan Barlaser, Jamie Cobain, Ben Drennan, Macauley Gillesphey, Alex
Gilliead, Tom Heardman, Joe Kerridge, Adam Laidler, Ryan McKinnon, Greg Olley,
Brendan Pearson, Jonathyn Quinn, Carl Robinson, Callum Roberts, Liam Smith,
Jordan Storey, Callum Williams.
Boston knee party: Reds
reject Remy
Sky Sports News reported on Sunday afternoon that the proposed
transfer of QPR striker Loic Remy to Liverpool had been abandoned "after
concerns over his medical".
The French international who spent last season on loan at Newcastle had
travelled to Boston in order to link with up the Reds on their US tour.
Press reports last week claimed that the deal was done, the medical checks
passed and personal terms agreed, with only an unspecified paperwork issue to
be resolved before a formal announcement of the transfer.
Old boy: Edinburgh
fringe act
Released by Newcastle at the end of last season after having failed to
make a competitive senior appearance, midfielder Michael Richardson was
spotted on Sunday playing as a trialist for Scottish side Hibernian.
The 22 year-old Tynesider came off the bench for the final 17 minutes of a 0-1
friendly reverse to Dundee United at Easter Road. Joining the demoted side for
pre-season training, Michael is expected to get more pitch time against East
Fife on Wednesday.
Richardson joined the Magpies following a trial in 2010 and was loaned to
Leyton Orient, Gillingham and Accrington Stanley. His only senior action came
in brief outings at Darlington in 2011 and Motherwell two years later.
Update:
the organisers have now confirmed a slight alteration to kickoff times on
both days as follows:
Sat 02.08.2014 Malaga v Newcastle 3.30pm Sat 02.08.2014 Schalke 04 v West Ham 5.45pm
Sun 03.08.2014 Malaga v West Ham 3.30pm
Sun 03.08.2014 Schalke 04 v Newcastle 5.45pm
(Times above are local time in Germany)
The change is to delay kickoff in the second game each day by 15 minutes -
presumably to cater for a possible penalty shootout to decide the earlier game
each day. United's pre-season preparations continue
in Germany this coming Saturday and Sunday (August 2nd and 3rd), when they
take part in the inaugural Schalke 04 Cup.
The Bundesliga side will host the four team event at their Veltins Arena home
in the city of Gelsenkirchen (twinned with Newcastle since 1948), with Spanish
side Malaga, ourselves and West Ham completing the lineup.
As was the case in New Zealand recently however, the two Premier League clubs
won't play each other.
Tournament rules: The Schalke 04 Cup will take place over two days, each featuring two
matches of 2 x 45 minutes duration. Points will be awarded according to a
special system, with the winners of each game receiving three points.
If a game ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it will go straight to a penalty
shootout. The shootout winners will receive two points. The tournament will be
won by the team with the highest number of points from two games.
Tickets:
Currently on sale from NUFC to season ticket holders and members: £11 adult
standing, £8 U12 standing, £31 adult seats, £8 U12 seats.
NB: tickets are sold per day, so you'll need two to watch both games.
However they do allow access to the West Ham game played in the same stadium
on the same day.
Transport:
From the official Veltins Arena website:
If you plan on using public transportation in order to get to the Veltins-Arena
it is advised that you take tram No. 302 from the lower level of Gelsenkirchen
railway station (Hauptbahnhof) in the direction of Gelsenkirchen-Buer until
you reach the “Veltins-Arena” stop.
Step-free access is available from “Willy-Brandt-Allee” stop, slightly
further away from the Veltins-Arena.
The local transport authority makes sure there are extra trams to all
Schalke 04 matches and other major events held in the Veltins-Arena. Holders
of match or event tickets are entitled to use all public transport services in
the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Authority (VRR) region free of charge. Details are online
here
UK
TV: Quest TV (Sky 167, Virgin 172, Freeview 37)
Overseas TV:
Abu Dhabi Sports 2 +HD
Abu Dhabi Sports 3 +HD
Fox Sports 4 (NED)
La Liga TV
Sport 1 TV (GER)
Sport 5 (CZ)
These games are in stark contrast to our last
two games on German soil back in 2012, low-key friendlies against third tier
outfit Chemnitzer and AS Monaco - the latter played on a neutral field in
deepest Bavaria....
Opened in 2001 as a replacement for the Parkstadion that hosted games in the
1974 World Cup, the Veltins Arena (originally christened the Arena AufSchalke)
has a capacity of almost 62,000 for domestic fixtures - which reduces to
54,000 when rail seats at one end allowing fans to stand are locked into their
down position.
Boasting a retractable roof, the Arena staged the 2004 Champions League Final
and five matches in the 2006 World Cup Finals, including England's defeat on
penalties by a Portugal side featuring SJP old boy Hugo Viana.
United's last meeting with Schalke 04 was in May 1960, when Charlie Mitten's
side triumph 3-0 in front of 10,000 fans during a post-season perambulation
that also included visits to Ireland, Yugoslavia and Spain.
The only notable player link between the clubs came in 2009, when Peter
Lovenkrands moved "on a free from Germany" to SJP after his
Schalke deal was cancelled.
Dates: Chatty
Mags
Upcoming talk-in events in the region involving former Newcastle players
include the following:
Fri 08.08.2014 Jinky Jim Smith, Tommy Cassidy, Olivier Bernard, John
McNamee Paul Cannell, Ron McGarry @ The Leazes End Club*, Leazes Park
Road, NE1 4PG. Tickets £5 from Bill Bruce on 07753 573613
(all proceeds donated to charity).
*That's the new name of the former Companions Club and this event has been
organised to mark that change.
Fri 08.08.2014 Steve Howey and Eric Gates @ North Durham Academy
Theatre. Tickets £10 (including pie and peas) from the venue, High Street,
Stanley, DH9 0TW or via 01207 291152.
Thu 28.08.2014John Beresford with Joe Allon @ The Staith
House, North Shields Fish Quay, NE30 1JA. Tickets £15 (including pie and
peas) from the venue.
Ex-Mag: mackems
take old boy
Friday saw former Newcastle loan defender Patrick van Aanholt end his
stay at Chelsea, moving to wearside for an undisclosed fee on a four year
contract.
The Dutch international was signed by United during their Championship season
back in January 2010, following an injury to first choice left back Jose
Enrique and went on to make seven appearances.
Moving to Stamford Bridge from PSV Eindhoven in 2007, Van Aanholt had faced
United earlier in the 2009/10 season during a loan spell with Coventry City.
Featuring briefly in Chelsea's first team, Patrick netted against Newcastle in
our 4-3 League Cup victory the following year, before further loans saw him
appear in the colours of both Leicester City and Wigan Athletic.
Farmed out to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in January 2012, van Aanholt remained
at the Gelredome for the following two and a half seasons - during which time
he had a first senior outing for the Dutch national side.
2014/15: Dons
to host
Toon opponents
Newcastle's pre-season home opponents Real Sociedad have been paired
with Aberdeen in the Third Qualifying Round of the Europa League -
sending the Spaniards to Pittodrie just days before they are due on Tyneside.
The Dons will travel to San Sebastien on Thursday July 31st before Sociedad
visit the Granite City on Thursday August 7th - three days before playing at
SJP.
Sell-on: £2m
payout anticipated
Speculation over the future of Fraser Forster continues, with the
ex-Newcastle goalkeeper keeping a clean sheet in a Champions League Qualifier
for Celtic on Tuesday.
The 26 year-old England international custodian was the subject of a bid from
Southampton in recent days that was described the Parkhead club as
"derisory", but an improved offer from the Saints is
anticipated.
The Scottish champions are seeking between £7.5m and £9m for Fraser and seem
happy to cash in on him, signing ready-made replacement Craig Gordon on a free
transfer.
Departing from Tyneside in 2012 without making a senior competitive appearance
for United, it's reported that a 25% sell-on clause was inserted in the deal
when Celtic paid £2.2m for his services.
2014/15: Tinkering
- result
Update:
further photos appearing online show that the new home shirt has a black
back panel, rather than the white one favoured by Puma previously.
Our Far East correspondents supply this image of the new season NUFC home
shirt - which is not quite as severe as prototypes leaked online, but won't win
any new friends amongst devotees of classic black and white stripes.
It's what's in them that remains the priority of course.
Memorial: John
and Liam RIP
Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of John Alder
and Liam Sweeney as they wait for news of the efforts to repatriate the
victims of flight MH17.
Fundraising Update: a collection for the John and Liam flag and funeral fund
taken at Spennymoor Town versus Hamilton Academical on Thursday night raised £180.
Family, friends and fans gathered outside SJP on Monday lunchtime to pay their respects to Liam and John.
Ex-Chairman Sir John Hall was present to hear tributes read out, before a
minute's applause. Family members then spent time in the stadium, viewing
flowers and messages placed on seats their loved ones
occupied.
An online collection established by Sunderland fans has now passed
the £32,000 mark, with red and whites, black and whites and followers of
other teams (including Ukrainians Shaktar Donetsk) contributing online
here
And the safcmuseum
twitter account has put signed Newcastle and Sunderland shirts and memorabilia
up for auction, with proceeds going to the same cause.
As one wrote, "this transcends football rivalry".
The collection served the original purpose of funding floral tributes to
John and Liam from Sunderland fans, organiser Gary Ferguson placing those
outside SJP on Tuesday:
All other monies will be donated to charities
selected by the families of the two lads: the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle and the
Sir Bobby
Robson Foundation.
A separate fundraising page by Toon fans entitled "flag and funeral
cost" was then opened up online
here. That has raised over £7,000 to date.
Books of condolence were opened at St Andrew’s Church on Newgate Street
and St Mary’s Cathedral on Clayton Street - both in Newcastle City Centre.
Newcastle fan and John Alder's MP Ian Mearns spoke in the House of
Commons on Monday, referring both to the "extraordinary"
supporter John and the current efforts of football fans in raising funds for charitable causes.
Urging the Prime Minister to help repatriate the bodies of both local men,
David Cameron's response was as follows:
"It's right to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives, to John
Alder and Liam Sweeney.
"It's heartbreaking, the families that have been ripped
apart by this, the lives that have been snuffed out due to this appalling
tragedy."
2014/15: Transfers
In (6):
Ayoze Perez, Jack Colback, Siem De Jong, Remy Cabella,
Emmanuel Riviere, Daryl Janmaat.
06.06.2014 Striker Ayoze Perez (20) CD Tenerife. 09.06.2014 Midfielder Jack Colback (24)unattached. 01.07.2014 Midfielder Siem De Jong (25) Ajax. 13.07.2014 Midfielder Remy Cabella (24) Montpellier. 16.07.2014 Striker Emmanuel Riviere (24) Monaco. 17.07.2014 full back Daryl Janmaat (24) Feyenoord.
Out (7):
Shola Ameobi, Dan Gosling, Luuk De Jong, Loic Remy, James Tavernier, Romain
Amalfitano, Mathieu Debuchy.
NB: 2013/14 ST holders renewing with unchanged details and seat should
continue to use their existing ST cards.
New ST cards will only be issued to new ST holders, those changing age bands or
moving seats.
On the opening day of ticket sales, they officially commence at 10am.
Away tickets are sold only to season ticket holders and members. All ST holders are also automatically members (a non-negotiable fee is
added annually by NUFC to each ST).
A £1 administration fee per ticket applies to away sales in all competitions, with no upper limit.
In addition, non-NUFC members pay the same fee on home ticket sales.
NUFC's members only away ticket policy is
still in force, with
only NUFC ST holders and members able to purchase tickets. NB: for the
pre-season games listed below, two tickets per member number can be bought.
Wed 30.07.2014 Sheffield Wednesday (a) @ Hillsborough, 7.45pm.
Friendly. ST
holder sale now, £15 adults, £5 OAPs/U18s. Allocation: tbc.
Thu 31.07.2014 U18s v team tbc (n) @ venue tbc KO
tbc. Northern Ireland Milk Cup.
Fri 01.08.2014 U18s v team tbc (n) @ venue tbc KO tbc. Northern Ireland Milk Cup.
Sat 02.08.2014Malaga (n) @ Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen,
3.30pm local time. Schalke 04 Cup, Friendly. ST holder sale now,
£11 adult standing, £8 U12 standing, £31 adult seats, £8 U12 seats. Day ticket - also valid for
admission to Schalke 04 v West Ham United @ 5.45pm.
Live on Quest TV.
Sun 03.08.2014 Schalke 04 (a) @ Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, 5.45pm
local time.
Schalke 04 Cup, Friendly. ST holder sale now, £11
adult standing, £8 U12 standing, £31 adult seats, £8 U12 seats. Day
ticket - also valid for admission to Malaga v West Ham United @ 3.30pm.
Live on Quest TV.
Mon 04.08.2014 U21s v Barnsley U21s (a) @
Oakwell Academy, 1.30pm (public game)
Tue 05.08.2014 Huddersfield Town (a)
@ John Smiths Stadium, 7.45pm.
Friendly.
ST holder sale now,
£15 adults, £10 OAPs/U18s. Allocation: tbc.
Sun 10.08.2014 Real Sociedad (h) @ SJP, KO 1.30pm. Friendly. Public
sale now (online), Mon 28.07.2014 (by phone, in person). £15 adults, £5
concessions. Lower Bowl only on sale.
Tue 13.08.2014 Capital One Cup Second Round draw involves NUFC (may be
14.08)
Sun 17.08.2014 Manchester City (h) @ SJP, 4pm. Premier
League. ST holder/ member sale now, public sale Tue
29.07.2014 (online), Mon 04.08.2014 (in person/by phone) Live
on Sky.
Sat 23.08.2014 Aston Villa (a) @ Villa Park, 12.45pm. Premier
League. ST holder sale now, 50 loyalty points. £41
adults, £33 over-65s, U21s, NUS, Armed Forces, £17 U18s, £12 U8s (£1
reduction applies for restricted views). Live
on BT.
3rd Round w/e of 03.01.2015 4th Round w/e of 24.01.2015 5th Round w/e of 14.02.2015 6th Round w/e of 07.03.2015 SF Sat 18.04.2015/Sun 19.04.2015 Final Sat 30.05.2015
U21 Premier League 2014/15:
United will play in Division 2 along with:
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Brighton and Hove
Albion, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Reading,
Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Wolves.
(Division 1 is composed of: Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Leicester City, Liverpool,
Manchester City, Manchester United, Norwich City, Southampton, mackems, Spurs,
West Ham).
FA Youth Cup Round Dates: 3rd Round by 20.12.2014 4th Round by 17.01.2015 5th Round by 31.01.2015 6th Round by 21.02.2015 SF1 by 07.03.2015 SF2 by 21.03.2015 Final 1 tbc Final 2 tbc
Altoonative
Travelis the public face of the Newcastle United Travel Plan, aimed to help fans attend games using the most efficient and
sustainable methods available.
Confirmed NUFC UK live TV coverage:
NUFC Live on Sky Sports:
Sun 17.08.2014
Manchester City (h) 4pm
Mon 29.09.2014 Stoke City (a) 8pm
Sun 09.11.2014 West Brom (a) 1.30pm
NUFC Live on BT Sport:
Sat 23.08.2014
Aston Villa (a) 12.45pm
Sat 01.11.2014 Liverpool (h) 12.45pm
NUFC Live on Quest TV: Sat 02.08.2014 Malaga (n)
2.30pm BST Sun 03.08.2014 Schalke (a) 4.30pm BST
Rugby Union World
Cup @ SJP:
The 20 team event runs from 18.09.2015 to 31.10.2015 with three games at SJP:
Sat 03.10.2015 South Africa v Scotland Fri 09.10.2015 New Zealand v Tonga Sat 10.10.2015 Samoa v Scotland
RUWC match
ticket sales:
Now: Traveling Fan Packages
Now: Hospitality Packages
Now: English rugby club members
12-29.09.2014 General sale
General sale to the public via a ballot
11.2014/12.2014 General sale First come, first served basis for any left
International Magpies
National Service
The way international matches are scheduled is changing, as UEFA confirm:
The Week of Football means matches take place over six days from Thursday
to Tuesday. Kick-off times will be set largely at 18.00CET and 20.45CET on
Saturdays and Sundays and at 20.45CET for Thursdays, Fridays, Mondays and
Tuesdays.
On double-header match weeks, teams will play on Thursday and Sunday, Friday
and Monday or Saturday and Tuesday.
Group D:
06.09.2014 Ivory Coast v team tbc*
10.09.2014 Cameroon v Ivory Coast
11.10.2014 DR Congo v Ivory Coast
15.10.2014 Ivory Coast v DR Congo
15.11.2014 team tbc* v Ivory Coast
19.11.2014 Ivory Coast v Cameroon
(*either Sierra Leone or Seychelles)
Group G: 06.09.2014 Senegal v Egypt
10.09.2014 team tbc** v Senegal
11.10.2014 Senegal v Tunisia
15.10.2014 Tunisia v Senegal
15.11.2014 Egypt v Senegal
19.11.2014 Senegal v team tbc**
What's this all about then?
Click here
for a rambling explanation of sorts....
On This Day in History
28th July
Born Or Died:
1906 Isaac Tate born, Gateshead.
(1923-27)
Goalkeeper who signed for the princely sum of
£5 from Marley Hill in August 1923.
"Ike" had a brief spell in Newcastle's first team when both Alex
Mutch and understudy Bill Bradley were injured, making his debut in a 4-1
victory over West Ham United at SJP.
Despite standing at just 5'7", Tate was to move on to the Hammers on a
free transfer in May 1927 and played against Newcastle on Christmas Eve of that
year - when his new club won 5-2 at The Boleyn Ground.
Again failing to become first-choice, Ike joined Doncaster Rovers two years
later and played on until 1935, joining the coaching staff following promotion
to Division Two.
1927 Matthew McNeil born,
Glasgow.
(1949-51)
Centre half whose 6'3" inch frame was occasionally deployed by Newcastle,
in place of fellow Scot Frank Brennan.
Signed from Hibs for £6,400 in December 1949, McNeil debuted in a 1-2 loss at
Middlesbrough on Christmas Day 1950.
United made a profit on him when Barnsley forked out £10,500 at the start of
the 1950/51 season and Matt later played for Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich
City and Cambridge United. Returning to Scotland and settling in Kirkintilloch, McNeil succumbed to
lung cancer in April 1977.
1952 Derek Craig born,
Ryton.
(1969-75)
A League Cup outing against
Arsenal in 1971 that ended in a 0-4 Highbury reverse proved to be the high
point of centre-half Derek's SJP career - along with a Texaco Cup tie
appearance three years later v Burnley.
Coming through the club's youth system, Derek was a reserve team regular until
he left the club in 1975, signing up for a stint in the USA with San Jose
Earthquakes.
Returning to England, Craig played for Darlington, York City and local non-league
side Brandon United.
1985 Mathieu Debuchy born, Fretin, France.
(2013-14)
After having looked on as
Newcastle began 2013 with a 1-2 home defeat to Everton, French international
right back Debuchy joined from Lille on a five and half year contract for a
claimed £5m.
Attached to his hometown side Union Sport Fretin as a youngster, Matheiu joined
Lille at the age of eight and came through the ranks to make the first of over
200 senior team appearances in January 2004.
2011 was a momentous year for the player, who won a French League and double
Cup with Lille in May and collected his first full cap for France against
Albania in November.
Links between Newcastle and Debuchy first
appeared in April 2012 and he played and scored for France against Iceland a
month later, with United scouts looking on.
Appearing for his country in all four of their Euro 2012 fixtures, Lille were
then reported to have rejected two bids by Newcastle of between £4m and £6m
before apparent agreement on a £6.3m fee was reached - only for a row over
add-ons to erupt.
A deal still looked likely in pre-season, amid talk of Debuchy's close
friendship with Yohan Cabaye and quotes attributed to the player asking to be
allowed to make a switch from Lille to Tyneside.
By August however, the player had been told by Lille that they would refuse any
offers to sell him and he appeared in their season-opening league win at St.
Etienne.
That was to be his only club appearance in over a month though, after
sustaining an ankle injury while playing for France in a friendly against
Uruguay the following week.
In Debuchy's absence, Lille made it into the group stages of the Champions
League and he returned from injury to feature in that competition, in addition
to domestic league games and three more French caps.
Having belatedly moved to the Premier League, Mathieu debuted in a 0-0 draw at
Norwich City during January 2013.
However he didn't exactly hit the
ground running and ended up sharing right back duties with the unfancied Danny
Simpson.
That was due in part to fitness issues, but also some questionable defending
that manifested itself in needlessly-conceded penalties against Aston Villa and
QPR.
Some concerns were also raised by his apparently deliberate and successful attempt to be
sent off dismissed during United's 0-6
home hammering by Liverpool.
After an improved 2013/14 season that included his first club goal (away to the
mackems), speculation that the French international would follow his big mate
Yohan Cabaye to PSG did the rounds.
That proved to be a false claim, but the player's acknowledgement of the fans
in United's final games of the season was a strong indicator that his time as a
Magpie was up, with Arsenal strongly linked.
Following protracted negotiations, Mathieu became a Gunner during July 2014,
following his return from the World Cup Finals in Brazil - where he made four
appearances.
United raked in around £10m-£12m, of which £5m went on Dutch World Cup right
back Daryl Janmaat, who arrived from Feyenoord as an instant replacement.
1979
Plymouth Argyle (a)
3-0 (1-0)
Friendly Martin, Shoulder, Withe
2,397 Our four-match pre-season tour of South West England
reached Home Park.
Among the Pilgrims squad was midfielder Gary Megson, who
would later join the Magpies via Sheffield Wednesday and
Nottingham Forest.
This was our second tour fixture, coming 48 hours after a
1-1 draw at Bath City. We went on to win 3-2 at Torquay
United, before losing at Exeter City by the same score.
1980
Tormelilla/Ystad XI (Sweden) (a) 3-0 (?-?)
Friendly Cartwright, Rafferty, Montgomerie
2,000
Another pre-season tour of Sweden ended with only our
second win in five games.
1985
Leicester City (a)
2-3 (2-0)
Friendly
Beardsley, Reilly
scorers
tbc
3,000
United's Isle of Man Cup campaign got off to a losing
start on a Sunday afternoon at the Douglas Bowl.
1994 Visan Pallo
(Finland) (a)
2-0 (1-0)
Friendly Lee, Mathie
2,500 Played in the town of Kemi.
1997
United sent a second string XI across the river Tyne to
the International Stadium for a pre-season game that ended
up 1-1.
Scorer for United was Paul Brayson, who would later move
on to the Tynesiders.
1999
Stoke City (a)
2-1 (1-1)
Friendly Dumas(41), Robinson(67)
Jacobsen(44)
6,742
After an inspirational performance at Reading, Ruud Gullit
replaced Des Hamilton early on as we made our Britannia
bow, but confirmed his retirement as player after a
lethargic display.
Recent signing Franck Dumas scored with a stunning
long-range strike and striker Paul Robinson continued his
pre-season scoring streak with what proved to be the
winner. NUFC.com match report.
2000
A Magpie discards XI came back from a two-goal deficit
against Workington at Borough Park to record their third
pre-season victory.
Stuart Green scored just after the break, David McMahon
pulled us level on the hour and a deflected own goal from
a Jamie Coppinger shot completed a 3-2 win.
2001
A strong Reserve side conspired to throw away a 2-0 half
time lead at Queen of the South, allowing John Connolly's
Doonhamers to get back on level terms.
Olivier Bernard and a Stuart Green penalty had put the
Magpies ahead, but a frail defensive display from
Marcelino undermined their efforts. NUFC.com match report.
2004
Ipswich Town (a)
1-2 (1-1)
Friendly
Robert(40)
Kuqi(7), Couñago(72)
24,644 United's
pre-season schedule took them to Portman Road on a
tropical Wednesday evening, for a well-attended friendly
staged in memory of the late Northumbrian-born Town player
and coach Dale Roberts.
The link was of course Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson,
who was angered by the booing from home fans directed at
one-time Canaries striker, Craig Bellamy.
Future Magpie striker Shefki Kuqi opened the scoring for
the Tractor Boys, while a trio of former Town players
lined up in black and white: messrs Ambrose, Bramble and
Dyer. NUFC.com
match report
2005 Despite
almost joining Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic over
the summer, it seemed that midfielder Lee Bowyer's future
remained at SJP, following his Intertoto Cup goal against
Deportivo la Coruna.
2006
The draw for the
UEFA Cup Second Qualifying Round took place and Newcastle
were paired with FK Ventspils of Latvia.
However, the away leg was subsequently switched from the
coastal town to the national stadium in Riga - partly due
to the poor road links which weren't ideal for the trucks
carrying TV crews and their broadcasting equipment.
2009
Magpies winger Jonas Gutierrez was named in Argentina's
squad for a friendly in Moscow against Russia, but coach
Diego Maradona again overlooked Fabricio Coloccini.
2010 Newcastle confirmed that they had completed
the signing of free agentSol Campbell after
completing his medical.
The ex-England international became
the oldest player in the squad - six months older than
Steve Harper - and would also become our oldest Premier
League participant, even longer in the tooth than Ian
Rush.
2012
SC Braga (Portugal) (n) Friendly
2-1 (0-0) Ba(63), R.Taylor(72)
Amorim(68)
550(approx) Beto of Sporting Braga was added to the list of
keepers who paid the price for failing to heed the clear
and present danger of Ryan Taylor over the wall.
The former Portuguese international custodian was
powerless to prevent United's number 16 serving up one of
his trademark dead ball conversions, propelling United to
victory at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal.
Fabricio Coloccini then lifted the rather awkwardly titled
(and proportioned) Trofeu Internacional de Futebol do
Guadiana as his side successfully collected some
silverware, albeit something akin to a dodgy TV aerial. NUFC.com
match report
2013
Blackpool (a)
1-0 (1-0)
Friendly Sh.Ameobi(5)
6,863
Shola Ameobi made it three pre-season
goals in as many games as Newcastle won their second friendly in four outings
on a sun-drenched afternoon in Lancashire.
United's number 23 netted the only goal of the game in the fifth minute of
what was a fairly sterile encounter, against a Tangerines
side that included former Magpies striking partner Michael
Chopra for the first time.
NUFC.com match report
Quick
Links 
1979
Plymouth Argyle (a)
1980
Tormelilla/Ystad XI (Sweden) (a) 3-0 (?-?)
1985
Leicester City (a)
1997
United sent a second string XI across the river Tyne to
the International Stadium for a pre-season game that ended
up 1-1. 
1999
Stoke City (a)
2000
A Magpie discards XI came back from a two-goal deficit
against Workington at Borough Park to record their third
pre-season victory. 
2001
A strong Reserve side conspired to throw away a 2-0 half
time lead at Queen of the South, allowing John Connolly's
Doonhamers to get back on level terms. 
2004
Ipswich Town (a)
