Next Match |
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Celtic
Friendly
Celtic Park
Saturday 19th July
Kick off 3pm
Live on NUFC TV | |
Last Match |
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Newcastle 4
Carlisle United 0
Friendly
Saturday 12th July
Match report to follow
|
The Never-Ending Tour |
Number of Newcastle games attended by NUFC.com
in 2025/26: |
0 |
| | | |
 |
Celtic (a)
SOLD OUT
Espanyol
(h) Public
sale now
Atletico Madrid (h) SOLD
OUT
Aston
Villa (a) details
awaited
2025/26:
Cumbrians beaten
Newcastle 4
Carlisle United 0
The Magpies began their pre-season
campaign with an unadvertised friendly victory at Darsley Park against
National League side Carlisle United on Saturday.
Newcastle led at half time thanks to a Sean Longstaff strike in the
25th minute, making eleven changes and pulling further ahead through Joelinton
(65), Jacob Murphy (75) and Ben Parkinson (85)
Anthony Elanga was present but not involved.
Team (1st half): Pope, Trippier, Lascelles, Osula, Willock, Longstaff,
A.Murphy, L.Miley, Sanusi, Shahar, Neave.
Team (2nd half): Ruddy, Botman, Schar,
Joelinton, Barnes, Targett, J.Murphy, White, Ashby, Parkinson, Hernes.
Eddie Howe and his squad
now travel to Austria for a five day training camp in the Tyrol village of
Seefeld.
This will be the third time that United have included Austria in their
schedule, Sam Allardyce leading a training camp in 2007 at Stegersbach (no
matches) and Howe overseeing a stint at Saalfelden three years ago (two
matches).
United have announced six public friendlies as follows:
Sat 19.07.2025 Celtic (Scotland) (a)
Sun 27.07.2025 Arsenal (n) in Singapore
Wed 30.07.2025 Team K League (South Korea) (a)
Sun 03.08.2025 Spurs (n) in South Korea
Fri 08.08.2025 Espanyol (h) (Spain) (h)
Sat 09.08.2025 Atletico Madrid (Spain) (h)
Update:
At last, Elanga
The elongated acquisition
by Newcastle United of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga was
finally confirmed by both clubs on Friday night.
The 23 year-old Swedish international had flown into Tyneside on Tuesday for
his medical before signing a long-term contract of undisclosed duration for
a claimed £55m fee (£52m plus £3m add-ons).
Elanga is yet to be issued with a squad number and joins fellow countrymen
Alexander Isak and Emil Krafth in Eddie Howe's squad.
His signing marks the end of a protracted chase by United, with a failed bid
first reported a year ago, firm interest during the January 2024 window and
a player who was on the radar of club staff as far
back as September 2018.
That came when scoring for Manchester United U18s against their Magpie
counterparts - Elanga then repeating the feat on Tyneside six months later; both goals coming before his
17th birthday.
Fast forward to August 2019 and the winger came off the bench for the
closing stages of a 4-0 U21 away win at SJP for his side.
Back in the region with Manchester United U18s a month later, the Swede netted twice in as many
minutes for the Red Devils at Little Benton - prompting us to describe him
at that time as "unplayable".
Handed a Premier League debut in a 1-2 defeat to Leicester City at Old
Trafford in May 2021, the first of Anthony's 14 goals in that competition
came a week later at Wolves.
A senior international bow arrived during March 2022, replacing Isak late on
against the Czechs in Stockholm - Elanga's first Sweden goal following
against Norway three months later, again after coming on for Isak.
The 2023/24 season began with Anthony making a £15m switch to Nottingham
Forest, starting in their 3-1 win at Gallowgate on Boxing Day and teeing up
the first two goals of Chris Wood's hat-trick.
Firing an equaliser past Martin Dubravka as Newcastle won 3-2 in the return at the City
Ground, Elanga played no part in last season's Carabao Cup
penalty shootout at the same venue but did chip in with an assist as United
won the PL meeting 3-1 there last November.
Most recently, Elanga left Tyneside empty-handed despite playing a part in
two of his side's three goals during a 4-3 PL success for the Magpies back
in February.
He ended the season with six goals and another 11 assists for Nuno Espirito
Santo's side, also playing 45 minutes of an FA Cup semi-final loss to
Manchester City at Wembley.
Swapping a place in the Europa League with Forest for a Champions League
spot with Newcastle, Elanga does have experience in both competitions from
his Manchester United days - netting at Atletico Madrid in the Champions
League.
NUFC under Howe - major incoming deals:
Jan 2022 Kieran Trippier Atletico Madrid
(£12m)
Jan 2022 Chris Wood Burnley (£25m)
Jan 2022 Bruno Guimaraes Olympique Lyonnais (£35m)
Jan 2022 Dan Burn Brighton and Hove Albion (£13m)
Jun 2022 Matt Targett Aston Villa (£12m)
Jun 2022 Nick Pope Burnley (£10m)
Jul 2022 Sven Botman Lille (£35m)
Aug 2022 Alexander Isak Real Sociedad (£60m)
Jan 2023 Anthony Gordon Everton (£45m)
Jul 2023 Sandro Tonali AC Milan (£55m)
Jul 2023 Harvey Barnes Leicester City (£38m)
Aug 2023 Valentino Livramento Southampton (£31m)
Jun 2024 Lloyd Kelly unattached (Free)
Jul 2024 Odysseas Vlachodimos Nottingham Forest (£20m)
Jul 2024 Lewis Hall Chelsea (£28m)
Aug 2024 William Osula Sheffield United (£15m)
Jul 2025 Anthony Elanga Nottingham Forest (£55m)
Ex-Mag:
Daggers take old boy
Former Magpie Andy Carroll has a new club after returning to England
in order to be closer to his family, signing for National League South side
Dagenham & Redbridge.
The 36 year-old left England in 2023 to play in France for Amiens and
then Bordeaux.
Update:
Coach arrival
Friday saw NUFC
confirm that they had added Martin Mark to the Gallowgate backroom
staff, arriving as a specialist set-piece coach.
The 31 year-old was previously with FC Midtjylland in his native Denmark,
helping them to Superliga title success.
2025/26:
TV changes
Wednesday saw the Premier League adhere to their own
timetable for once, publishing live TV alterations for the second and third
weekends of the season.
Both Newcastle games move as follows:
Mon 25.08.2025 Liverpool (h) 8pm Sky
Sat 30.08.2025 Leeds United (a) 5.30pm Sky
News of the overdue September
TV changes is awaited, with the scheduling of
those games influenced by when European club fixtures are played.
Those PL amendments should appear soon, although it's predicted that some or
all of the following will come with either/or caveats:
Sat 13.09.2025 tbc Wolves (h)
Sat 20.09.2025 tbc Bournemouth (a)
Sat 27.09.2025 tbc Arsenal (h)
Update:
Longstaff
bid rejected
The Times reported
on Wednesday that the anticipated transfer of Sean Longstaff to
Leeds United was off, after they refused to increase their latest £12m bid.
The Premier League newcomers had seen two previous offers for the 27 year-old
rejected and are now said to be assessing other transfer options. It's
unclear what price Newcastle are willing to accept.
Longstaff is now into the final 12 months of his contract, having made 214
league and cup appearances since 2018, scoring 16 times.
25 Premier League outings last season included just eight starts, the last
of which came at Brentford in December.
2025/26:
Pre-season TV coverage
NUFC confirmed on Wednesday that all six public
pre-season games would be available to watch via the club's official website
and app.
Pricing for the full match package is as follows:
Mags+: £9.99
Mags/Junior Mags: £19.99
Non-members: £29.99
Match Pass: £4.99 or £6.99 per game (varies)
Purchase online here
Mags+ and Mags members will be emailed a promo code to access the above
price Mags+ members not purchasing the full package will receive promo codes
allowing them to watch the two South Korea games for free.
All streams are worldwide except Arsenal excludes Singapore, K-League and
Spurs excludes South Korea, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid excludes Spain.
(The full package includes all six first team games in addition to live
coverage of the NUFC Women versus Atletico Madrid Femenino home friendly).
Update:
Wilson: 49 and out
Statement from Callum
Wilson, Monday:
To all Magpies
It's time to say goodbye after an unbelievable few years in the Toon.
Thank you for everything. We stood strong together through the highs and
some lows to help the club experience new heights.
I am so proud to have worn the iconic number 9 shirt and to have added a
little more history to it. Scoring at the Gallowgate End really is as
special as they say.
All good things come to an end but there's no doubt Newcastle United will
always have a place in mine and my family's hearts.
Thank you for the memories.
CW9
Wilson leaves with 49 goals to his name for the Magpies - 47 of which came
in the Premier League, a total bettered only by Alexander Isak and Alan
Shearer.
He made 130 appearances in all competitions,
including 81 starts, United playing a total of 229 matches during his five
years as a Magpie.
Talk of a pay-as-you-play deal to remain at Gallowgate following the
expiration of his contract mercifully came to nothing, leaving
the 33 year-old to leave with his head held high - and his reputation
undiluted.
RGR:
Rocky road
Mark Allison aka Run
Geordie Run continues to trek through the state of Colorado,
with over 1,800 miles of his charitable journey through the USA now
completed.
Mark is fundraising for St. Benedicts Hospice and donations have
exceeded £23,500 so far. If you can help to boost that, please do so online here.
The RGR blog is here
2025/26:
Here are the young men
NUFC have confirmed 11
first year scholars will join the club's academy on a full-time
basis this coming season:
Sam Alabi, Jack Callaghan, Luke
Gilligan, Oliver Holland, Mason Miley, Michael Mills, Noah Morgan,
Ethan Ndiweni, Thomas Old, Jack Patterson and Sam Pinnington.
Eight of those players appeared for the club's U18 side last season
including Mason Miley (younger brother of Lewis and Jamie) and Ethan
Ndiweni (younger brother of Michael).
2025/26:
Take five
Several readers have contacted
us regarding the 2025/26 Newcastle United season ticket terms and conditions
and the clause regarding occupancy that is now included.
We're happy to share this for anyone who is unaware:
4.6 Further, your Season Ticket shall not be eligible for renewal and
shall be terminated for the subsequent season if your Season Ticket has
been unused for 5 (five) individual Matches in the Season (these need
not be consecutive).
Your Season Ticket shall be determined as having been used for the Season if
you have met any of the following criteria: (i) you have attended the
individual Match in person by successfully scanning in at the turnstiles at
the Ground; (ii) you have successfully transferred your ticket for the Match
in accordance with clause 4.4; and/or (iii) you have requested a re-sale of
your Season Ticket for the individual Match in accordance with clause 4.2 of
these Terms and Conditions (regardless of whether your ticket was then sold
by the Club as a result).
Find the full season ticket terms and conditions here
PS: The
existing sale/transfer limit of 10 Premier League home games per
season continues to apply.
Update:
Teen trio: one in
Sky Sports
report that Newcastle have completed a move for Alfie Hutchinson from
Rangers, the first of three signings set to boost the club's Academy squad.
The 16 year-old right-sided attacker was spotted on Tyneside earlier in the
week and official confirmation of his arrival is now expected in the
coming days.
Also tipped for a switch from Ibrox to Gallowgate is fellow 16 year-old
Scottish youth international Oliver Goodbrand,
whose favoured position is at left full back.
Updates are also awaited on United's proposed acquisition of Isaac Moran,
following news that the England youth international had rejected a contract
offer from current club Liverpool. The central midfielder is also 16.
Giveaway:
Compo
winner

The latest addition to the
range of Toon-themed bucket hats by Football Bobbles is this
Lee model, inspired by United's distinctive 1997/98 change kit and with a
nod to next season's third shirt.
These are available to purchase here
now and there's a special offer for NUFC.com readers of a half-price
Kelly bucket hat with orders of the Lee bucket only.
To take advantage of that, add a Lee bucket hat to the online shopping
basket and use promo code NUFC.com - that will prompt a Kelly hat to
add at checkout.
We had a Lee bucket hat up for grabs, asking you to identify the ex-Magpie
who was a Wembley scorer for his previous club, an England U21 midfielder, a scoring debutant for Newcastle in
1997 and subsequently loaned to Sheffield United.
It was of course Des Hamilton, which most folks knew - although
Tartan pair Paul Dalglish and Stephen Glass both inexplicably cropped up
among those suggested.
The winning entry came from Ann Richardson.
Old
boys:
Comings & goings
SJP old boys with new clubs/jobs include:
Tom Allan Darlington
Kieran Aplin Whitley Bay
Alun Armstrong Gateshead M
Jean-Alain
Boumsong Auxerre C
Mark Boyd Carlisle City AM
Kyle Cameron Bromley
Nathan Carlyon Blyth Town
Andy Carroll Dagenham & Redbridge
Lewis Cass Harrogate Town
Stephen Clemence Blackpool C
Stuart Findlay Hearts
Stan Flaherty Hampton & Richmond
Massadio Haidara Kocealispor
Lloyd Kelly Juventus
Oisin McEntee Hearts
Joe Oliver Hebburn Town
John Robertson Ross County AM
Salomon Rondon Real Oviedo (loan)
Josh Scott Darlington
Jonjo Shelvey training with Hull City tbc
Freddie Woodman Liverpool
Mike Williamson Rangers C
Callum Williams FC Hartlepool
Josef Yarney Macclesfield Town
Free agents leaving SJP:
Josh Donaldson
James Huntley
Jamal Lewis
Lloyd Kelly
Harry Powell
Rory Powell
Ellis Stanton
Jay Turner-Cooke
Callum Wilson
Former Magpies leaving
their clubs include:
Graeme Carrick Boro C
Andy Carroll Bordeaux
Luuk De Jong PSV Eindhoven (tbc)
Nicky Deverdics Blyth Spartans
Damien Duff Shelbourne M
Paul Dummett Carlisle United
Fraser Forster Spurs
Dwight
Gayle Hibernian (retired)
Grant Hanley Birmingham City
Jeff Hendrick Derby County
JJ Hooper Blyth Spartans
Tim Krul Luton Town
Greg Olley Gateshead
Jonjo Shelvey Burnley
Steven Taylor Al Qabila
Ben Tozer Forest Green Rovers (retired)
Jonathan Woodgate Boro C
Jack Young Wycombe Wanderers

Privacy policy
|
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|
Tickets/Fixtures |
Season 2025/26 |
NUFC ticketing website online
here
NUFC Box Office opening times:
0344 372 1892 line manned:
Monday
to Friday: 10am to 5pm
Home games: 10am to 30 minutes from KO
Away games: Three hours from KO to KO
Milburn Stand Box Office manned:
Wednesdays only: 10am to 5pm
Home games: 10am to half time
Future STs: No additional sale, none
planned, no waiting list in operation.
2025/26 ST prices online here
2025/26 ST home cup scheme:
closed on Fri 27.06.2025 @ 5pm
Cup Scheme FAQs
online here
Cup Scheme Ts & Cs online here
ST home cup pricing:
CL: £60 & £70
FA: £30 & £35
CC: £20 & £25
CL Cup Scheme payments taken
on:
(Tue 01.07.2025)
Fri 01.08.2025
Mon 01.09.2025
Wed 01.10.2025
2025/26 Memberships
£20 Junior,
£37 Adult, £47 Adult+
SJP seating plan
online
here
Away ticket
transfers are possible between 72 hours and five hours before kick-off (times
can occasionally vary).
Home ticket transfers are possible between three weeks and one hour
before kick-off.
More info online
here
Away tickets: The PL-wide £30 away ticket price cap for adults will apply
in 2025/26.
All 2025/26 Champions
League away ticket prices will be pegged at €50.
Away ticket FAQ is online
here
2025/26 season Magpie Movers
are now on sale via NUFC for £25 (no concessions).
For the first time, they are open to Mags+ members
in addition to ST holders. NUFC press release is online here
Sat 19.07.2025 Celtic (Scotland) (a)
@ Parkhead, 3pm. Friendly. SOLD
OUT, Allocation: 10,000.
Live
on NUFC TV.
Sat
26.07.2025 U21s v Hull City (h)
@ venue tbc, 1pm. Friendly.
Behind Closed Doors.
Sun 27.07.2025 Arsenal (n) @ National Stadium, Singapore, 7.30pm
local time (12.30pm BST). Friendly.
£64 adults. Tickets
available online
here
Wed 30.07.2025 Team K League (South Korea) (a)
@ Suwon World Cup Stadium, South Korea, 8pm local time (Noon BST). Friendly.
Ticket sale via NUFC now ended.
Live
on NUFC TV.
Sun 03.08.2025 Spurs (n)
@ Seoul World Cup Stadium, South Korea. 8pm local time (Noon BST). Friendly. Ticket
sale via NUFC now ended. Live
on NUFC TV.
Sun
03.08.2025 U21s v South Shields (a)
@ First Cloud Arena, 3pm. Friendly.
Fri 08.08.2025 RCD Espanyol (Spain) (h) @ SJP, 7.30pm.
Friendly. Public sale now.
Live
on NUFC TV.
Sat 09.08.2025 Atletico Madrid (Spain) (h)
@ SJP, 4pm.
Friendly. SOLD OUT.
Live
on NUFC TV.
Sat 16.08.2025
Aston Villa (a) @ Villa Park, 12.30pm. Premier League. Live
on TNT Sports.
Ticket sale details tbc.
Mon
25.08.2025 Liverpool
(h) @ SJP, 8pm. Premier League. Live
on Sky Sports.
Ticket sale details tbc.
Sat
30.08.2025 Leeds
United (a) @ Elland Road, 5.30pm. Premier League. Live
on Sky Sports.
Ticket sale details tbc.
Thu 28.08.2025 CL
League stage draw.
Mon 01.09.2025 Transfer window closes.
Sun 24.05.2026
PL ends.
NUFC live on TV:
Sat
16.08.2025
Villa (a)
12.30pm TNT
Mon 25.08.2025 Liverpool (h) 8pm Sky
Sat 30.08.2025 Leeds Utd (a) 5.30pm Sky
(PL Selections made to Sun 31.08.2025)
CL League stage match dates:
1: Tue 16.09/Wed 17.09/Thu 18.09.2025
2: Tue 30.09/Wed
01.10.2025
3: Tue 21.10/Wed 22.10.2025
4: Tue 04.11/Wed 05.11.2025
5: Tue 25.11/Wed 26.11.2025
6: Tue 09.12/Wed 10.12.2025
7: Tue 20.01/Wed 21.01.2026
8: Wed 28.01.2026
Live TV release dates:
Sep
by Wed 09.07.2025
Oct by Wed 20.08.2025
Nov by Wed 17.09.2025
Dec by Wed 15.10.2025
Jan by Wed 15.10.2025
Feb by Wed 17.12.2025
Mar by Wed 21.01.2026
Apr by Wed 04.03.2026
MW35 by Wed 25.03.2026
MW36 by Wed 01.04.2026
MW37 by Wed 08.04.2026
MW38 after Sun 17.05.2026
(The only PL games not televised live in the UK during 2025/26 will be 3pm
Saturday KOs. All games rescheduled to Sunday due to European commitments will
be shown).
Carabao Cup:
(NUFC enter in Round 3: draw takes
place on or around Wed 27.08.2025).
R3: w/c Mon 15.09.2025 / 22.09.2025*
R4: w/c Mon 27.10.2025
QF: w/c Mon 15.12.2025
SF1: w/c Mon 12.01.2026
SF2: w/c Mon 02.02.2026
F: Sun 22.03.2026
* NUFC tie will be played in w/c 22.09
FA Cup:
(NUFC enter in Round 3: draw takes place on or around Sun 07.12.2025).
R3: Sat 10.01.2026
R4: Sat 14.02.2026
R5: Sat 07.03.2026
QF: Sat 04.04.2026
SF: Sat 25.04.2026
F: Sat 16.05.2026
Vertu (EFL)
Trophy Northern
Group F:
Round dates and order tbc
Date tbc Harrogate Town (a)
Date tbc Huddersfield Town (a)
Date tbc Mansfield
Town (a)
Premier League International Cup:
Details tbc
National League Cup:
G1: Wed 13.08.2025
G2: Wed 17.09.2025
G3: Wed 22.10.2025
G4: Wed 26.11.2025
U19 Youth League:
League fixtures replicate the first six in the CL (not eight). The competition
then moves to a knockout phase from the last 32.
FA Youth Cup:
NUFC U18s enter in Round 3, ties be played on or before Sat
13.12.2025.
Other events @ SJP:
Sat 09.08.2025 NUWFC v Atletico Madrid Femenino (Spain), 1pm.
Friendly.
Euro 2028
- date(s) awaited.
Winter transfer window:
Thu 01.01.2026-Mon 02.02.2026 @ tbc
| |
International Magpies |
National Service |
2025/26
International breaks:
01.09-09.09.2025
06.10-14.10.2025
10.11-18.11.2025
21.12-18.01.2026 AFCON
23.03-31.03.2026
11.06.2026-19.07.2026 World Cup
|
Coxy's Corner |
Whoops, He did it Again... |
BBC Sport coverage of Anthony Elanga's arrival compares his
stats last season
with that of Newcastle's Josh Murphy....
(Graeme Card, William Maughan and sa)
What's this all about then?
Click here
for a rambling explanation of sorts....
|
On This Day in History |
13th July |
Born Or Died:
1919
Albert Stubbins born, Wallsend.
(1936-46)

Born on the
banks of the Tyne, Albert moved to the USA at the age of just four and was
raised in Detroit and New York.
Arriving at SJP in April 1937 after a spell at Roker Park, Albert's career was
disrupted by WW2 and he worked as a draughtsman in a Tyneside shipyard.
His wartime playing record for the Magpies was staggering though, plundering
231 goals from 188 games.
Still in the Second Division, Newcastle cashed in on their asset in 1946, with
Liverpool beating rivals Everton for his signature in a then-record £12,500
transfer.
A First Division Championship medal followed in his first season at Anfield
and Albert also collected an FA Cup runners' up medal in 1950, when Liverpool
lost to Arsenal.
Nicknamed "The Smiling Assassin", Stubbins is regarded as one
of the best English players of his generation not to have been capped by his
country (although he took great pride from receiving one unofficial England
cap during 1946).
Returning to the North East in 1953, Albert ended his career at Ashington and
later worked as a scout for Liverpool and a football writer for a national
newspaper.
Stubbins died in December 2002, less than a week before his two old clubs met
at SJP. In this tribute-laden age though, there was no pre-match commemoration
for Albert.

Albert is
immortalised on the cover of the Beatles' 1967 album release "Sgt.
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." The now-iconic montage of
faces included Stubbins at the request of Liverpool fan Paul McCartney.

A smiling Albert looms behind band member George Harrison,
sandwiched by the noted sculptor Horace Clifford Westermann & guru Sri
Lahiri Mahasaya.
But you knew that, obviously.
When the record was released, a copy was dispatched to Albert accompanied by a
message from Paul McCartney:
"Well done, Albert, for all those glorious years of football. Long may
you bob and weave."

1934
Gordon Lee born, Pye Green, Staffordshire. (Manager 1975-77)

Joe Harvey's
successor as United boss came from Blackburn Rovers, having achieved promotion
from the Third Division at Ewood.
Appearing as full back for Hednesford Town and Aston Villa, Lee had ended his
playing career at Shrewsbury Town in the 1966/67 season and joined the Gay
Meadow staff.
His first managerial position came at Port Vale in 1968, achieving promotion
to Division Three two years later before moving on to join Blackburn in 1974.
A "no stars" policy at SJP reached its height when Malcolm Macdonald
was sold to Arsenal, but Lee was serenaded by United fans when his side
reached the League Cup Final in 1976.
Controversially leaving United for Everton during January 1977, he remained at
Goodison Park until his sacking in May 1981,
Lee later took charge of Preston North End and had a spell with Icelandic side
KR Reykjavik before a coaching role at Leicester City.
The latter saw him receive a hostile reception when appearing at SJP during
1991. Lee lived in Lytham St.Annes following his retirement and died in March
2022.
1979 Craig Bellamy born, Cardiff, Wales.
(2001-05).

This erratic but exciting striker began his career as a junior
at Bristol Rovers before switching to Norwich City aged 15.
Handed a senior debut in March 1997, Bellamy's form over the following seasons
in the second tier prompted interest and bids from various top-flight clubs.
One of those was Newcastle but they lost out to Coventry City as a £6.5m
transfer was concluded during August 2000.
Craig became a Magpie for £6m a year later - after he'd made two unimpressive
starts against them for the Sky Blues.
Debuting in the Intertoto Cup at Sporting Lokeren, Craig's first United goal
came in the home leg against the Belgians.
Fourteen goals in all competitions during his first season helped United into
fourth spot and secured him the PFA Young Player of the Year Award - despite a
Police caution for common assault just weeks earlier.
Worryingly, he also underwent knee surgery at the Colorado clinic of Doctor
Richard Steadman - who also famously worked on fellow Magpie Alan Shearer.
The club improved on that finish by one position in the following campaign, as
well as enjoying an epic Champions League run. That though exposed the two
sides of Bellamy: a brace against Feyenoord followed by a needless dismissal
against Inter Milan.
By 2003 things were starting to unravel for Bellamy, with a loss of scoring
form and a £750 fine for threatening abusive or insulting behaviour outside a
Cardiff club.
Further injury problems then caused him to revisit Steadman, this time for an
operation on his other (left) knee in October 2003.
Making a playing return in January 2004, Bellamy then proceeded to net in four
successive games.
Again though his fiery temperament came to the fore, rowing at Newcastle
Airport with coach John Carver in a dispute over a car parking space (!).
Following the departure of Sir Bobby Robson and arrival of Graeme Souness,
Bellamy found himself at loggerheads with both his new boss and club captain,
Alan Shearer.
Unhappy at often being selected in a wide right role rather than his preferred
central striking position, Bellamy scored what was to be his final goal for
the club against Sporting Lisbon at SJP in December 2004.
The very next game saw Bellamy pull up during the pre-match warm-up at Anfield,
claiming to have felt a twinge in his back.
Little was said at the time, with Patrick Kluivert being promoted from the
bench into the starting line-up - Shearer being injured.
Less than a month later though and with Shearer back to fitness, Bellamy was
restored to a central role at home to Southampton - despite missing training
the previous day (he later blamed a stomach bug).
The following Friday, Souness gave his press briefing ahead of a trip to
Arsenal and then heard from Bellamy that he was struggling with a hamstring
problem.
United's Assistant boss Dean Saunders then claimed that other players were
told by Bellamy that he would feign an injury.
The player then admitted that in a meeting with Souness and club Chairman
Freddy Shepherd and was asked to apologise to the rest of the first team
squad.
When that failed to happen, Souness told Bellamy that he wouldn't be
considered for the trip to Highbury - but would still be required to make the
journey to London.
Pre-match, Souness stuck to the hamstring line when talking to the press, but
later claimed that Bellamy was dropped for being unprepared to play as a
right-side midfielder.
Having heard those comments on the team bus outside Highbury, Bellamy then
gave an interview of his own on Sky, saying that he was prepared to play in
any position - and admitting that he had threatened to fake injury ahead of
the Arsenal match.
Bellamy accused Souness of fabricating parts of the story and later commented
that when he spoke to Sky:
"I was in shock. I just thought: 'Not only has he gone behind my back,
in front of my face, he's lying.'"
With Shepherd accusing Bellamy of cheating Toon fans, he was
fined two weeks' wages (reputedly £80K) and a hasty loan exit to Celtic was
agreed followed, after the player rejected an offer from Birmingham City.
Nine goals in 15 games for the Hoops and a Scottish FA Cup winners' medal
followed, but the most high-profile acts of Bellamy's time at Parkhead was off
the field.
Mocking text messages were sent to Alan Shearer just minutes after United lost
their FA Cup Semi Final against Manchester United in Bellamy's home town of
Cardiff.
That effectively removed any possibility of a return to SJP and led to press
claims that the number nine would rearrange his teeth if he showed his face on
Tyneside again (prompting the "sh*t scared of Shearer" chant
later aired whenever Bellamy faced Newcastle).
Leaving United in a £5m move to Blackburn Rovers in July 2005, Bellamy later
moved on to Liverpool (£6m) in June 2006, West Ham (£7.5m) in July 2007 and
Manchester City (£14m) in January 2009.
Goals against Newcastle came for Liverpool and in one typically surreal spell
during our relegation season in successive games against us for two different
sides - Bellamy's last West Ham game and Manchester City debut.
Agreeing a season-long loan to Championship side Cardiff City, Craig narrowly
failed to help the Bluebirds gain promotion, losing to Reading in the playoff
semi-final.
An unexpected return to Anfield came in August 2011, winning the League Cup
but losing the FA Cup in two Wembley visits.
Leaving Liverpool on a free transfer in May 2012, Bellamy played for Team GB
at the London Olympics, scoring against Senegal.
A permanent return to Cardiff was agreed and Craig helped them reach the
Premier League for the first time that season.
Seeing out the second and final year of his contract back in the top flight,
Bellamy retired from international football with his 78th cap against Belgium
in October 2013.
Failing to keep City in the Premier League, Craig hung up his boots at the end
of the 2013/14 season, playing 45 minutes at SJP on what was his
penultimate appearance.
He scored just once in the entire season - at home to former club Norwich in
February 2014 - but that put him in the record books as the first player to net
for seven different clubs in the PL.
Away from his own playing career, Bellamy founded an academy in Sierra Leone
and following his playing retirement, returned to Cardiff City in a youth
coaching role during December 2014.
2019 then saw him accept a coaching role at Belgian side Anderlecht working
with Vincent Kompany, coaching their U21 side until 2021.
A reunion with Kompany then followed at Burnley in July 2022, Craig appointed
as his assistant.
Promotion was by relegation however and following Kompany's exit in summer
2024, Craig took charge at Turf Moor on an interim basis.
Turning down the chance to work for the incoming Scott Parker, Bellamy instead
left to manage the Welsh national side.

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What Else?
1987
Peter Beardsley joined Liverpool for a fee of £1.9m, claiming later that
Newcastle had made no attempt keep him by offering an improved contract.
1997 Ex-Magpie Darren Jackson moved from
Hibernian to Celtic, a transfer which caused some discontent in Edinburgh -
ironically his first game for Celtic was against his own club.
In a strange season for Jackson, he won a
Championship medal and was drafted into the Scotland World Cup squad, but also
survived life-threatening brain surgery.
2006 Glenn Roeder chose Gordon Lee's
birthday to reiterate a "no stars" transfer policy and seek an end to
the parade of names being linked with moves to United.
The quotes came as Roeder denied interest in another "Carlos Kickaball"
in the shape of Barca misfit Saviola.
"Without being disrespectful to anyone, we are not looking for fat cat
millionaires coming to St James' Park who will only waste the club's, and our
supporters', money.
"In
fact, I only want players who are not only hungry for success but absolutely
starving.
"And I
want players who will see a transfer to Newcastle United as a move up and not a
move down."
2007 Magpie
midfielder James Milner signed an improved contract after returning from an
extended holiday, following his participation for England's under-21s.
The 21 year-old was handed a four-year deal that replaced the final two years of
his previous contract.
2009 Farcical developments as the FA refused permission for Newcastle
United to play Dutch side FC Utrecht in pre-season.
The
game clashed with the mackems' involvement in the Amsterdam Tournament and
despite the FA initially giving United permission to go, a change of heart came
following pressure from the Dutch authorities, who were fearful of crowd
trouble.
An alternative fixture was hastily arranged - away at lower league Leyton
Orient....
2012
Chemnitzer (Germany) (a) 0-1 (0-1)
Friendly
Fink(9)
6,700
Having kept travelling fans in the dark until
the last possible moment before confirming this opening pre-season game, United
gave an eminently forgettable display in the former East Germany.
Midfield pair Gael Bigirimana and Romain Amalfitano were blooded against the
third tier Bundesliga hosts.
NUFC.com match report
2017 Newcastle's pursuit of Norwich City winger Jacob Murphy was reported
by both local and national outlets - and within days the London-born Toon fan
was a Magpie.
2022
Ciaran Clark became the third Newcastle player to
complete a loan switch to the Championship, joining Sheffield United.
Jeff Hendrick (Reading) and Isaac Hayden (Norwich City) had already dropped down
a tier in search of playing time.
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