Sunday July 13th, 2025

    Last update 08:15 BST

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Next Match

 

Celtic
Friendly
Celtic Park
Saturday 19th July
Kick off 3pm
Live on NUFC TV
Last Match

 

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

 

alt

 

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.


 

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)
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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.