NUFC.com

Saturday February 4th, 2012                                           last update 15:52 GMT 

     Your genial hosts: Niall and Biffa


 

 
alt
Quick Links    
   Fixtures
   Reports
   Players
   Transfers
   Rumours
   Table
   Stats
   Reserves
   Academy

altThe Rest
   Archives
   Club info
   Fanzines
   Global Mags
   Last Season
   SJP
   Unlikely Lads
   A-Z Index

altLinks
   Betting
  
Euro stats
  
NUWFC


 

alt


Ticket update:  
Villa (h) public sale
Spurs (a)
SOLD OUT
Wolves (h) public sale (online)
mackems (h) member sale now

Premier League:
Aston Villa (h)
 

After a run of three away matches in the league and cup, Newcastle return to St. James' Park for a 1.30pm kick-off on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1.

Tickets remain on general sale in person from the SJP Box Office and club shops in Eldon Square and Metro Centre, by phone on 0844 372 1892 and online here

The Magpies go into this game occupying sixth position, after Arsenal moved above them into fifth courtesy of a 7-1 home win against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. 

Weather Report: warning issued on Saturday:

A band of wet weather over western parts of the United Kingdom on Saturday morning will move slowly east and southeastwards across the United Kingdom during the day. 

As it does so it will readily turn to sleet and snow away from western and southwestern coastal areas giving accumulations of 2-5cm in places and 5-10cm widely across parts of central and eastern England. 

The snow is expected to turn to rain over some northwestern areas later. 

As skies then clear in this area after dark, widespread icy patches will develop across parts of eastern and southern Scotland and northern Wales and northern England. 

The public are advised to take extra care and that the ice and snow is likely to lead to travel disruption. 


Squad: Steven Taylor, Sylvain Marveaux, Steve Harper and Nile Ranger remained sidelined through injury while Cheick Tiote is on international duty. Yohan Cabaye serves the second of his three match suspension.

Alan Pardew has both Demba Ba and and Papiss Demba Cisse available for selection, after the pair returned from international duty with Senegal and joined in training on Friday.

Paddy Power match betting is online here

Selected Match odds: 
Demba Ba to score in a 1-0 win @ 25/1
Newcastle to score a penalty @ 5/1
Half time draw, full time NUFC win @ 4/1

(NB: quoted odds were accurate at the time of writing, but subject to fluctuation - click on the link above to display current live odds).

AVFC: Villa have a doubt over Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has a hamstring strain, while old boy Jermaine Jenas is out for the foreseeable future with an achilles injury. Habib Beye has now left the club.  

Alex McLeish saw his side recover a two goal deficit at home to QPR on Wednesday to draw 2-2, a result achieved thanks to Darren Bent's 100th Premier League goal and a strike from fit-again Charles N'Zogbia.

This match is expected to mark the first return of Shay Given to St.James' Park as a player since his departure to Manchester City in early 2009.

Now 35, the goalkeeper last stood between the posts on this ground for Newcastle's 0-1 defeat in the FA Cup by Hull City back in January 2009.

It's also rather less of a noteworthy reunion for ex-NUFC loan misfit Stephen Ireland, who has played himself back into favour at Villa Park since his forgettable temporary stint on Tyneside between January and May 2011.

The midfielder managed just two substitute appearances in a Newcastle shirt, with a 29 minute stint in a 0-0 draw against Manchester United the full extent of his time on the Gallowgate turf representing the home side.

Let's not forget Villa's on-loan Robbie Keane, who has scored twice in three games since arriving from the LA Galaxy. He netted here on his last visit in October 2007, as Spurs were beaten 1-3. 

 

HOLLAND HALF PRICE 2-for-1 Mini Cruises to Amsterdam from only £79 for 2 people. Save up to 30% off Amsterdam Hotel Breaks from only £156 for 2 people. 

Click the logo above for details of DFDS Seaways offers on short breaks & ferry crossings sailing from Newcastle.

Ref: Mark Halsey - second outing of the season, following his handling of our 2-1 victory at Wolves last October. 


UK TV:
Live on Sky Sports 1.

Overseas TV: 

 

6 Eren +HD Sky Sport 3 (Italy) +HD
Abu Dhabi Sports Sport 1 (Israel) +HD
AD Sports HD3 Sport 1 (Russia) +HD
C+ Urheilu (Finland) Sport TV Liga Inglesa +HD
Diema Sportsnet World (Canada)
Digi Sport (Cze) SportKlub+ (SE Europe)
Digi Sport+ (Hungary) Sport TV1 +HD
Digi Sport 3 (Romania) Sportmania (Spain)
Fox Deportes SuperSport 3 / 10 (Africa)
Fox Soccer Channel (USA) Tring Sport 1
J Sports 4 (Japan) TRK Futbol
Nova Sports 1 (Hellas) +HD TV2 PL HD2 (Denmark)
Premier League World Viasat Football +HD (Swe)
Premier League HDTV Viasat Premier League HD
Sky Calcio 10 +HD


Travel:


Park & Ride: in association with Altoonative Travel

South of the Tyne - from Metrocentre coach park:
(Operated by Go North East)

Yellow-liveried Soccerbuses run regularly to and from Barrack Road - opposite Milburn Stand. Free parking and Magpie Mover ticket holders travel free, fares: £1 each way (50p for U14s). More details here


North of the Tyne - from Newcastle Great Park:
(Operated by Arriva)

Green-liveried X40 Great Park Sage Express
buses run regularly calling at The Brandling Arms, Regent Centre and starting / finishing at Haymarket Bus Station. Free parking at Great Park and Magpie Mover ticket holders travel free, fares: £1 each way (50p for U14s) upon production of your season ticket / match ticket. More details here

Stats:

Villans @ SJP - Premier League Years:

2010/11: Won 6-0 Barton, Nolan 2, Carroll 3
2008/09: Won 2-0 Martins 2
2007/08: Drew 0-0
2006/07: Won 3-1 Milner, Dyer, Sibierski
2005/06: Drew 1-1 Shearer (pen)
2004/05: Lost 0-3
2003/04: Drew 1-1 Robert
2002/03: Drew 1-1 Solano
2001/02: Won 3-0 Bellamy 2, Shearer
2000/01: Won 3-1 Glass, Cort, OG
2000/01: Drew 1-1 Solano (FAC)
1999/00: Lost 0-1
1998/99: Won 2-1 Shearer, Ketsbaia
1997/98: Won 1-0 Beresford
1996/97: Won 4-3 Ferdinand 2, Shearer, Howey
1995/96: Won 1-0 Ferdinand
1994/95: Won 3-1 Venison, Beardsley 2
1993/94: Won 5-1 Bracewell, Beardsley 2, Cole, Sellars

Full record v Villa:

Other Premier League results/fixtures:
(3pm unless specified)


Sat
04.02.2012:
Arsenal
7-1 Blackburn Rovers 
Norwich City v Bolton Wanderers
QPR v Wolve
s
Stoke City v
mackems
West Bromwich Albion
v Swansea City
Wigan
Athletic v Everton
Man
chester City v Fulham (5.30pm)

Sun 05.02.2012:
Chelsea v Manchester United (4pm)

Mon 06.02.2012:
Liverpool v Spurs (8pm)

 

Premier League:
All over for Rovers thanks to Ober

Blackburn Rovers  0  Newcastle  2


Match report online here


Match highlights online here


ACN:

The Elephant Mag  


United midfielder Cheick Tiote and his Ivory Coast side have made it through to the last eight of the African Cup of Nations and will look to extend their run of wins and clean sheets in the competition to four tonight.

That's when the Elephants take on the co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in Malabo, with live coverage of the game on both ITV4 and Eurosport UK. Kickoff is at 7pm and the winners face Mali or Gabon in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Zambia and Sudan go head to head in Bata.

The other Quarter Finals are on Sunday, when Gabon v Mali in Libreville and Tunisia v Ghana in Franceville.

Paddy Power tournament betting is online here

Selected PP odds: 
Ivory Coast tournament winners @ 11/8

(NB: quoted odds accurate at the time of writing, but subject to fluctuation - click on the link above to display current live odds).

 

Fanzine:
New Mag 


 

Complete with cover pic of our latest arrival, Issue 265 of the top-selling independent Newcastle United Magazine is now on sale in newsagents and will be available outside St.James' Park before Sunday's Villa match.

For subscription information check the online shop section of the recently-launched Mag website online here

Loan departure:
Loan latest
 
Fraser Forster (Celtic): 
A 2-0 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup on Saturday saw Fraser keep his unblemished record against Terry Butcher's side, with both SPL games this season also ending in 2-0 victories for Celtic. 

James Tavernier
/ Alan Smith (MK Dons):
Both on-loan Magpies were in the Dons starting XI on Saturday away at Huddersfield Town.

Phil Airey
(Gateshead): 
Alfreton Town (h) FA Trophy, Tuesday (postponed from Saturday)

Xisco (Deportivo la Coruna): 
Recreativo Huelva (a), Segunda Division, Saturday.

Premier League:
PL fixture rescheduling possibilities grow 


In addition to the usual raft of Premier League fixture alterations for live TV transmission, the remainder of the season includes the potential for at least three more rearrangements as follows:

Saturday May 5th  Manchester City (h)

At a meeting of the Premier League chairman on Thursday, a decision was reached to reschedule the entire fixture programme on Saturday May 5th to the following day.

This is to avoid a repeat of last season's clash when the FA Cup Final was played at the same time as Premier League games - this year's final is played on the 5th.

As a result, Newcastle could face Manchester City at St. James' Park on Sunday May 6th - with both sides already knocked out of this season's FA Cup competition.

However, a further complicating factor (in addition to the power of Sky to rearrange a game to satisfy their own whims, especially if City could win the title at SJP) is the Europa League Final on Wednesday May 9th.

Should Roberto Mancini's side qualify for that final, then they could request that the Premier League allow them further preparation time by moving their trip to Tyneside back to Saturday May 5th. The two-legged Europa League Semi-Finals take place on April 19th and 26th.   

Saturday March 17th Norwich City (h)

Due to the ongoing participation of the Canaries in the FA Cup, there's a possibility that their league trip to SJP may need to be rescheduled.

That depends on the outcoming Norwich City v Leicester City Fifth Round tie at Carrow Road on Saturday February 18th. The winners of that tie (or a subsequent replay) will then find themselves in Quarter Final action over the weekend of Saturday March 17th.

If that's Norwich, then a new date will need to be found for their Premier League visit to Tyneside.

Saturday April 14th Chelsea (a)

Another possible alteration related to the FA Cup is our Premier League visit to Stamford Bridge on the same weekend as both semi-finals are staged.

Chelsea face Birmingham City in the Fifth Round on Saturday February 18th and assuming they progress, will then be in Quarter Final action over the weekend of Saturday March 17th.

If they're still involved in the competition at that point, we'll be facing another midweek trek to London.

PS: Some early travel news for another home game:

Saturday February 25th Wolves (h) 

For anyone planning to travel to SJP by car through North Yorkshire, note that your return journey will be affected by a total closure of the A1 in both directions between Leeming and Dishforth from 6pm on Saturday 25th Feb.

Diversions will be in operation and the closure will be in place until approximately 5am on Sunday 26th Feb.

Internationals:
Toon teen on target
 

Newcastle striker Adam Campbell took just five minutes of his debut for England U17s on Thursday afternoon to open the scoring, as they began their Algarve Tournament campaign by beating host side Portugal in Parchal.

Portugal hit back to level, before England captain Leo Chambers of West Ham grabbed a late winner in a 2-1 success. Adam was substituted after 75 minutes.

Next up for Adam & Co. is a meeting with the Dutch in Loule on Saturday for which the Newcastle youngster has been named among the substitutes.

England then play France in Lagoa on Monday. 

He'll then hopefully head home in time and in form to face QPR in our FA Youth Cup tie at SJP on Thursday night.


Old boy:
Non-league Nobby 

Ex-Magpie midfielder Nolberto Solano is the new first team coach of Northern League side Newcastle Benfield, as he works towards his UEFA A and B coaching badges.

The 37 year-old former Peruvian international has been on the books of League One Hartlepool United this season, making 15 senior appearances and scoring twice.

While there's no mention of Solano appearing for Benfield as a player (and the BBC claim that Hartlepool have retained his registration), he may be interested in the fact that his new club are one win away from a Senior Cup Final tie against Newcastle United - possibly at SJP. 

Reserves:
Second string schedule


As a result of some recent changes to the reserve team's fixture programme, the remainder of their season currently looks like this (all subject to alteration at short notice):

Tue 14.02.2012 Everton (a) 1pm
Played at EFC training ground, no public access  

Tue 28.02.2012 Blackburn Rovers (h) 2pm
Played at NUFC training ground, no public access


Mon 05.03.2012 Aston Villa (a) 7pm
Venue tbc: Villa Park/Hinckley United, public game 
(there's also a possibility that this could be an afternoon KO at the Villa training ground with no public access)

Thu 08.03.2012 mackems (h) 7pm
Played at SJP, public game


Tue 13.03.2012 Liverpool (a) 2pm
Played at LFC training ground, no public access  

Tue 20.03.2012 Chelsea (h) 7pm
Played at Whitley Park, public game

Mon 26.03.2012 Blackburn Rovers (a) 7pm
Played at Leigh Sports Village, public game

Thu 29.03.2012 West Bromwich Albion (h) 2pm
Played at NUFC training ground, no public access

Tue 03.04.2012 Fulham (a) 7pm
Played at FFC training ground, public game

Tue 10.04.2012 Arsenal (h) 7pm
Played at Whitley Park, public game

Tue 17.04.2012 Manchester United (h) 7pm
Played at Whitley Park, public game

Date tbc Team Northumbria/Newcastle Benfield (n)
Played at SJP (tbc), Northumberland Senior Cup Final

Academy:
U18s fixture latest


And here's the latest league and cup programme for our U18 side (all subject to alteration at short notice):

Thu 09.02.2012 QPR (h) (7pm, SJP, FAYC) 

Sat
18.02.2012 mackems (a) (11am)

Sat
25.02.2012 Barnsley (h) (Noon)

Sat 03.03.2012 Wolves (a) (1pm)

Sat 10.03.2012 Bolton Wanderers (a) (Noon)

Sat 17.03.2012 Stoke City (h) (1pm tbc)

Sat 31.03.2012 Manchester United (a) (Noon)

Sat 07.04.2012 Leeds United (h) (Noon)

Sat 14.04.2012 Sheffield Wednesday (a) (Noon)

Sat 21.04.2012 Liverpool (h) (1pm)

Sat 28.04.2012 smoggies (h) (11am)

Date tbc Derby County (a) (ko tbc)

Date tbc Sheffield United (h) (ko tbc)


Deadline day:
Mariappa plays on as United fail to seal deal


Transfer deadline day brought no significant arrivals of departures at St. James' Park, as manager Alan Pardew failed in his declared quest to sign defensive cover. 

Speaking in his pre-match news conference on Tuesday, Pardew confirmed that a final bid for Watford defender Adrian Mariappa had been made.

Wigan were then reported to have had a bid for the player accepted and were granted permission by the Hornets to speak to Mariappa - only for him to spurn their advances.

Sky Sports News reported by early evening that the player favoured a transfer to United, but that no increased bid was in the offing - leaving things at a stalemate.

Meanwhile the Hertfordshire press asserted that the bid Pardew alluded to had in reality been made before the final day of the window - and swiftly rejected. 

In the midst of this all, Mariappa then played the full 90 minutes of Watford's 2-0 victory away at Millwall, as his current side refused to sanction his departure from Vicarage Road for a figure less than the asking price.

Despite that though, the Sky spin doctors continued to speak about Mariappa as if a late deal could be done right up until the 11pm deadline - perhaps that South London heliport now has extended evening opening hours....

The overall feeling in this window is one of satisfaction, with fears of another high-profile mid-season departure proving to be unfounded and our "famous five" of Krul, Coloccini, Tiote, Cabaye and Ba all remaining in toon.

And the arrival of Papiss Demba Cisse was something of an unexpected bonus - Alan Pardew's inaccurate prediction concerning striker transfer activity not meeting with any criticism this time round..... 

However, disappointment remains that having witnessed the problems encountered when deprived of first choice players this season, we've been unable to procure any defensive cover - either loaned or purchased. 

With absences due to suspension and injury seemingly inevitable, to embark on our final sixteen games of the season, knowing that our cover consists of just two players boasting top-flight experience (James Perch & Ryan Taylor) seems to be an unnecessary gamble, with each place in the league table worth an extra £800K+.
 
Ex-Mag watch:

Sebastien Bassong Spurs to Wolves (loan)
Bradley Orr
QPR to Blackburn Rovers
Louis Saha Everton to Spurs (loan)

PS: of players previously linked with us, Manchester United reject Ravel Morrison has joined West Ham, while Liam Ridgewell finally left Birmingham City, making the short journey to West Bromwich Albion. 
 
Squad:
Reserves future 
open to question


Wednesday's Chronicle carried confirmation of a mass clearout among United's fringe players, as part of what they term "the acquisition of talented youngsters from around Europe in the next few years."

Although there's yet to be formal confirmation from the club of the departures, the departure of a clutch of local former Academy graduates is also accompanied by exits for various overseas players.

Unsuccessful previous acquisitions told that they won't receive new contracts include Swedish goalkeeper Ole Soderberg and his fellow countryman Samuel Adjei, Faroe Islander Joan Edmundsson and Hungarian defender Tamas Kadar - the latter of whom was on the bench at Brighton.

Local lads left looking for new clubs meanwhile include strike trio Phil Airey, Ryan Donaldson and Dan Taylor, midfielder Greg McDermott and defenders Patrick Nzuzi, Jeff Henderson, Stevie Folan and James Tavernier*.

Escaping the cull are the currently injured Brad Inman, Conor Newton and Michael Richardson, while fit-again defender Paul Dummett also comes into that category. 

Overseas players Mehdi Abeid, Haris Vuckic  Yven Moyo and Shane Ferguson are already on longer contracts at SJP.

That leaves players such as Alex Baird, Jak Alnwick, Alex Nicholson, Remi Streete, and Adam Campbell to form the basis of a more youthful reserve side - unless there's a change of emphasis and players not in our first XI are fielded regularly in second string league games.

If the current trend towards loaning out youngsters continues though, it's debatable whether we'll actually have enough bodies to staff a side to enter the Premier Reserve League next season - following in the footsteps of Stoke, Spurs, QPR and Manchester City this season.

Were that to happen, we'd presumably retreat behind the barricades to play only closed door friendlies and fulfill our Northumberland Senior Cup commitments. Manchester City have now gone down that route, also entering a side in the Central League Cup (but not the equivalent league).  

It's unclear whether the "NextGen Series" of European Academy U19 fixtures that Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs entered their development squads in this season is a route that we're interested in pursuing or in with a chance of participating.

* the inclusion of Tav in this list has caused some queries, after recent positive comments made about him by Alan Pardew. We've based our piece on the last publicised contract details from the club - if that information proves to be out of date, we'll update accordingly. 

Reserves:
Terriers toppled


Newcastle Res  5  Bedlington Terriers  1   

Match report

FA Cup:
Downs and out
 
Brighton  1  Newcastle  0

Match report

Former Mag:
Old boy seeks 
new start
 
Leeds United have issued a statement revealing that defender Andy O'Brien has successfully undergone treatment for depression and after a two month absence has now returned to training with the Championship side:  

"The club brought disciplinary action against the player following his refusal to play against Burnley on the November 19, 2011. 

"It was announced at that time that the player's future would be determined after a full investigation. The investigation has led to a fuller understanding of the issues that the player has faced since the start of the season, which has seen him seek specialist medical treatment at the Sporting Chance Clinic for depression.

"He is now ready to recommence training and the club will facilitate any further treatment that is required. We were exceptionally disappointed when Andy refused to play before the Burnley game and felt let down.

"It is now apparent that there were a number of issues that he was dealing with at that time which affected him in a way we could not imagine and he was not in a right state of mind to make such decisions.

"On this basis we believe he deserves a second chance and we will do everything we can to assist him. The club would appeal to its fans to support the player on his road back to first-team action."

Update:
Speed inquest verdict


Monday saw the inquest into the death of Gary Speed resume at Warrington Coroner's Court before the coroner for Cheshire, Nicholas Rheinberg.

After hearing evidence from Speed's widow Louise and other witnesses including a statement from Alan Shearer, the Coroner recorded a narrative verdict, saying that "the evidence does not sufficiently determine whether this was intentional or accidental".

From the evidence heard, it was established that no form of note was left by Speed at the scene and later searches of both his mobile phone and computer failed to yield one.

His widow confirmed that in an exchange of texts less than a week before he was found hanged, Gary had:

"...talked in terms about taking his own life and then he moved on and talked about moving forward and how important the boys were to him. It was in the context of the ups and downs of our marriage. The texts went on about our future together and how excited he was about our journey together."


A description followed of the night of Saturday November 26th, when Speed and his wife had been to a dinner party before, "we walked in the house and we had an exchange of words about something and nothing."

Within hours Speed's body had been discovered.


Visit the North East and see the
spectacular Northumberland coastline:
 

alt
Jenningsforddirect.co.uk | 0845 020 5918

  

NUFC
Next Match
Aston Villa
Premier League

St. James' Park
Sunday 5th February
Kick-off 1.30pm
Live on Sky
NUFC
Last Match

Blackburn Rovers 0
Newcastle 2
Premier League

Ewood Park
Wednesday 1st February
Match report

NUFC.com's
Never-Ending Tour
 
Number of Newcastle games attended by NUFC.com in 2011/12:
 

55

Newcastle United:
The Ultimate Record


On sale now, the book that's best described as the NUFC bible. 

It's available to buy direct from 
the publishers 
online here


Copies also on sale now from NUFC club stores and The Back Page.

Fixtures, Tickets etc.
Season 2011/12


The SJP Box Office is located upstairs in the club shop (underneath the Gallowgate End stand) and open as follows:

Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
Sat 9am-6pm
Sun 11am-5pm

 

The Box Office on the South West corner of SJP only opens on home match days. Ticket collections from the windows at the back of the Gallowgate End continue as previously.

SJP Box Office phone: 0844 372 1892* Online Box Office available here 

Home Match Tickets are sold in person from NUFC Club shops at the Metro Centre and in Eldon Square.


(* 0044 870 444 1892 for overseas callers)

Following the events at the Darlington away friendly, away match tickets are only sold to season ticket holders and members - all public sale has ceased until further notice.

SJP Stadium seating plan

Altoonative Travel is the public face of the Newcastle United Travel Plan, aimed to help fans get to and from games using the most efficient and sustainable methods available.

Home match journey planner

It's managed by Newcastle City Council on behalf of the Newcastle United Supporter Travel Plan Advisory Board, which includes Nexus, Network One, Newcastle City Council and Newcastle United. more details here

First Team/Other Fixtures etc:

Sun 05.02.2012 NUFC v Aston Villa (h) @ SJP, 1.30pm. Premier League. Live on Sky. Public sale now. Category B match: Adults £30 and upwards.

Thu 09.02.2012 NUFC U18s v QPR (h) @ SJP, 7pm. FA Youth Cup Fifth Round.

Sat 11.02.2012 NUFC v Spurs (a) @ White Hart Lane, 5.30pm. Premier League.
Live on ESPN. SOLD OUT.

Tue 14.02.2012 NUFC Res v Everton (a) @ Finch Farm Training Ground, Finch Lane,  Halewood, L26 3UE, 1pm. Premier Reserve League North. Behind closed doors - no public access.

Sat 18.02.2012 NUFC U18s v mackems (a) @ academy of plight, 11am. Premier Academy League.

Sat 25.02.2012 NUFC U18s v Barnsley (h) @ Little Benton, Noon. Premier Academy League.

Sat 25.02.2012 NUFC v Wolves (h) @ SJP, 3pm. Premier League. Public sale now (online), Mon 13.02.2012 (by phone /in person). Category C match: Adults £26 and upwards.

Tue 28.02.2012 NUFC Res v Blackburn Rovers (h) @ Darsley Park, 2pm. Premier Reserve League North. Behind closed doors - no public access.

Sat 03.03.2012 NUFC U18s v Wolves (a) @ Sir Jack Hayward Training Centre, WV3 9BF, 1pm. Premier Academy League.

Sun 04.03.2012 NUFC v mackems (h) @ SJP, Noon. Premier League. Member sale now, online from Mon 06.02.2012, date tbc (by phone/in person). Category A match: Adults £tbc and upwards.  Live on ESPN.

Mon 05.03.2012 NUFC Res v Aston Villa (a) @ venue tbc, ko tbc. 

Thu 08.03.2012 NUFC Res v mackems (h) @ SJP, 7pm. Premier Reserve League North. ST holders/NUFC members free, or else adults £3 and concessions £1.50.

Sat 10.03.2012 NUFC U18s v Bolton Wanderers (a) @ venue tbc, Noon. Premier
Academy League.

Mon 12.03.2012 NUFC v Arsenal (a) @ Emirates Stadium, 8pm. Premier League. Live on Sky Sports. Ticket details: tbc. Allocation: tbc.

In association 
with NUFC.com:
supplying hotels to
the Geordie Nation 


International dates etc:

Sun 12.02.2012
Af. Cup of Nations Final
Sun 26.02.2012 Carling Cup Final
Sat 14.04.2012 FA Cup Semi-Finals
Sat 05.05.2012
FA Cup Final
Fri 08.06.2012 Euro 2012 kicks off

07.09.2012 / 11.09.2012 WC qualifiers
12.10.2012 / 16.10.2012
WC qualifiers
22.03.2013 / 26.03.2013
WC qualifiers

??.01.2013 to ??.02.2013 African Cup of Nations Finals (South Africa). Although nominally a bi-annual event, the tournament takes place in both 2012 and 2013 as it is altered to a rotation of odd years, to avoid clashing with the World Cup.

Northumberland Senior Cup Semi Final:

31.01.2012 NUFC
5-1
Bedlington Terriers
02.04.2012 T.Northumbria v Ncle Benfield

FA Youth Cup Fifth Round:

Southampton 1-5 Nottingham Forest
Swansea City 1-5 Manchester United

Mon 06.02.2012:
Blackburn v Stoke City
Wed 08.02.2012: WBA v Burnley
Thu 09.02.2012: Newcastle v QPR
Wed 15.02.2012:
Chelsea v West Ham
Wed 15.02.2012: Man City v Fulham
Thu 16.02.2012: Charlton v Spurs

Sixth Round Draw:

Newcastle / QPR v Blackburn / Stoke
Man United v Charlton / Spurs
Man City / Fulham v WBA / Burnley
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea / West Ham


 

 
NUFC Live on Sky Sports:
Sun 05.02.2012 Aston Villa (h) 1.30pm
Mon 12.03.2012
Arsenal (a) 8pm
Sun 25.03.2012 WBA (a) 4pm
Sun 01.04.2012 Liverpool (h) 1.30pm

(Games announced up to 02.04.2012)


NUFC Live on ESPN:
Sat 11.02.2012 Spurs (a) 5.30pm
Sun 04.03.2012 mackems (h) 12pm

(Games announced up to 24.03.2012)


unɹ ǝıpɹoǝƃ unɹ



Mark Allison
aka Run Geordie Run will visit Australia for his next charity effort, running 2,600 miles from
Perth to Sydney in 2013. Click on the image for more details.  

 

International Magpies
National Service


Thu 12.04.2012
ESFA U18s v Scotland
Centenary Shield, SJP, 7.35pm, live on Sky.

2012 Olympic football fixtures @ SJP:

Nine games take place on six separate days: six in the men's, three in the women's. NB: Team GB men's and women's sides won't play any of their games at SJP. 

Prices: £20, £30 & £40 for the Preliminaries (one ticket covers both games on one day). £20, £40 & £50 for Quarter Finals.  

Thu 26.07.2012 @ 2.30pm 
2 x men's Preliminaries (FB006)

Sun 29.07.2012 @ 5pm 
2 x men's Preliminaries (FB014)

Tue 31.07.2012 @ 2.30pm 
2 x women's Preliminaries (FB016)

Wed 01.08.2012 @ 2.30pm
1 x men's Preliminary (FB022)

Fri 03.08.2012 @ 2.30pm
1 x women's Quarter Final (FB028)

Sat 04.08.2012 @ 5pm 
1 x men's Quarter Final (FB034)

Tickets are now on sale from the Olympic website here and the only acceptable form of payment is by Visa credit or debit card.

However, the fixtures to be staged at SJP won't be confirmed until the men's and women's draws, on Tue 24th April 2012.

 

Coxy's Cockup Corner
Whoops, He did it Again...



From the BBC's report of midfielder Alan Smith moving to MK Dons on loan:

"...he has had just six minutes of first-team football this season in two late appearances as a substitute, the most recent of them in last month's 4-2 win against Norwich."

If only that were true - we lost 2-4....

(Roger Kirby, Dale Wighton)

What's this all about then?
Click here  
for a rambling explanation of sorts....
 

On This Day in History
4th February


Born Or Died:

1915 Norman Wisdom born, London. 

Toon sympathiser of long-standing who attributed his liking for the Magpies to the influence of a Geordie he served with during his army service. 

Norman died in October 2010 after years of ailing health, although rumours of his death in December 2008 (Sky news running a pre-prepared obituary) proved to be premature.

1938 Dave Hollins born, Bangor, Wales. (1961-67)  

Goalkeeper signed from Brighton and Hove Albion who made his debut in a 2-1 victory at Spurs in March 1961, saving a penalty from Danny Blanchflower at White Hart Lane.

However, United were still relegated that season and Dave won the first of his 11 full international caps for Wales in 1962 against Brazil as a Division Two player.

Moving on to Mansfield Town in 1966, Dave was loaned to Nottingham Forest and later appeared for Aldershot Town and Romford.

After retiring he worked as a painter and decorator in the Guildford area of Surrey.

PS: Dave skippered United against Chelsea in 1965, leading the side out alongside brother John who captained the home side.

1953 Alan Shoulder born, Bishop Auckland. (1978-82)

Although it was only back in December 1978, the tale of Alan Shoulder's belated introduction to professional football already seems to have come from another age.

A 25 year-old pitman (working at Horden Colliery after previous shifts at Fishburn and East Hetton), Shoulder also played for both non-league Blyth Spartans and Coundon club, having previously been at Bishop Auckland.

Standing at just 5" 5', Shoulder's rise came about as a consequence of Blyth's run to the FA Cup Fifth Round in 1977/78.

Watched by Newcastle boss Bill McGarry on the recommendation of Jackie Milburn in an FA Cup First Round replay at York City, Alan scored twice as Blyth lost 5-3.

Summoned to SJP soon after Shoulder agreed a deal on the Monday, signed in a £20,000 transfer on the Tuesday, trained with his new team mates on the Wednesday and debuted against Stoke on the Saturday.

Partnering Peter Withe, he scored his first Newcastle goal at Fulham in his second game and went on to become a crowd favourite. 

1982 saw Shoulder join Carlisle United, recruited by manager Bob Stokoe, departing as Kevin Keegan arrived at Gallowgate.

He returned to SJP the following year to net as the Cumbrians earned a 2-2 draw. Alan then repeated the feat at Brunton Park later that year as Carlisle beat the Magpies 3-1.

Remaining at Carlisle until 1985, Shoulder made 122 appearances and scored 33 times before switching to Hartlepool United.

Returning to the non-league with Ferryhill Athletic, Alan later held managed or coached at Gretna, Blyth Spartans, Crook Town, Blue Star, Coundon, Stanley United, Bishop Auckland, Willington and West Auckland.

A brief stint at Brandon United came in 2005 alongside fellow former Magpie Steve Howey.

Sent off at the age of 47 for fighting while playing for Stanley United against Dunston Fed, Shoulder appeared in the Northern League for Willington at the ripe old age of 50.

Away from football, Shoulder works in the family egg business at Leasingthorne, near Bishop Auckland.

1982 Kevin Gall born, Merthyr, Wales.
(1997-2001)

Welsh youth international striker who had been with Cardiff City as a schoolboy and cost the Magpies £50,000 in compensation when he moved to Tyneside.

Impressing at U17 and U19 level, Gall came to prominence in the FA Youth Cup during the 1999/00 season and broke into the Magpies reserve side.

A memorable appearance came in a victory over the mackems at Kingston Park in April 2000, when Kevin produced an acrobatic scissors kick soon after arriving as a sub.

A month later, he was again in the reserve side and scored again as Newcastle Blue Star were beaten 4-1 in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup at Kingston Park.

However, Gall failed to establish himself in the second string the following season, with the likes of Shola Ameobi, James Coppinger and Pablo Bonvin ahead of him.

Following his release from SJP in March 2001, Kevin joined Bristol Rovers after impressing the Pirates during the FA exit trials staged at Lilleshall. 

Dropping down to Conference level with Yeovil Town in February 2003, Gall's prolific scoring helped the Glovers into the Football League that season and they went on to win the League Two title at the first attempt.

Moving on to Carlisle United in the summer of 2006, Kevin spent three years at Brunton Park but was in and out of the team and loaned out at various times to Darlington, Lincoln City and Port Vale.

Having had an unsuccessful try-out with John Carver's Toronto MLS side, summer 2009 saw Gall a free agent.

After a brief trial with former club Yeovil, he signed for Darlington before returning to the Conference when joining York City in November of that year, agreeing a contract for the remainder of the 2009/10 season.

He signed for Conference club, Wrexham, in July 2010 but subsequently moved on to Workington and Guiseley.  

1992 Death of Alan Davies, 30. (1985-87) An inquest later recorded a suicide verdict. 


 
 

 
Search for Ford Direct cars for less at Jennings
Used KA Used Fiesta
Used Fusion Used C-Max
Used S-Max Used Mondeo
Used Galaxy Used Ranger
Used Kuga Used Transit
Used Transit Connect Used MiniBus
Ford Parts Contract Hire
All Ford Direct cars come with a 2 year unlimited mileage Warranty and 2 years RAC Cover
jenningsforddirect.co.uk 0845 020 5918

What Else?

1893 Stockton (a)
3-1 
(2-0)
Friendly 
Crate 2, Reay
Jones
1,500

 
1899 Burnley (h)
4-1 
(2-1)
Division One 
Peddie, Rogers 2, Lindsay 
Bowes
20,000

1904 United signed Andy McCombie from rivals Sunderland.

1905 Plymouth Argyle (h)
1-1 
(1-1)
FA Cup 1st Round 
Gosnell 
Dalrymple
28,385

1911 Northampton (h)
1-1 
(1-1)
FA Cup 2nd Round 
Higgins 
Bradshaw
42,023

1922 Arsenal (a)
1-2 
(0-1)
Division One 
McDonald 
Boreham, Toner
30,000 
Debut for Harry Woods, at inside right.

1928 Cardiff City (h)
2-0 
(2-0)
Division One 
McKay, Wilkinson 
15,000

1933 Chelsea (h)
2-0 
(1-0)
Division One 
Lang(pen), Allen 
29,405 
Debut for Billy Leighton.

1939 Coventry City (h)
0-4 
(0-1)
Division Two 
Crawley 2, Davidson, Taylor
43,000 
Forgettable debut at centre half for Dom Kelly, who was never tried again.

1948 Len Shackleton moved from St.James' to Roker for a fee of £20,050, following disputes with the Magpies hierarchy.

1950 Fulham (h)
3-1 
(0-1)
Division One 
Hannah, G.Robledo, Thompson 
R.Thomas
41,120
United bounced back from their FA Cup exit at the hands of fellow West Londoners Chelsea the previous week. 

1956 Tottenham Hotspur (h)
1-2 
(0-0)
Division One 
Paterson
Robb, Duquemin 
29,597
 
1961 Arsenal (h) 
3-3 
(2-2)
Division One 
Scanlon(37), Hughes(45), White(49) 
Strong(7,10), Eastham(55)
34,780
 
 
 
1967 Fulham (a) 
1-5 
(0-2)
Division One 
Robson 
Clarke 3, Haynes, Earle
21,612
 
1967
While the first team travelled to Craven Cottage the Reserves beat Bury at St. James' Park with Fuller, Noble and Alderson scoring in a 3-1 victory.
 

1978 The scheduled Division One fixture between West Bromwich Albion and the Magpies at the Hawthorns was postponed.

 

1984 Portsmouth (a)
4-1 
(2-0)
Division Two 
Beardsley 2, Keegan 2 
Webb
18,686
After a 0-4 FA exit at Anfield and a 1-3 loss at Crystal Palace, United returned to winning ways on their travels.

Former Saint Kevin Keegan antagonised home fans by netting twice and laying on goals for Peter Beardsley - who netted one of the most  memorable goals of his United career.

Taking Keegan's pass from the left and homing in on goal, his first touch took him past 'keeper Alan McKnight, his second wrong-footed a Pompey defender and a feint then left a third for dead before he shot home from inches out. 

1989 Liverpool (h)
2-2 
(1-1)
Division One 
Mirandinha, Pingel 
Rush. Aldridge
30,983
The Magpies fielded an exotic forward duo of a Brazilian and a Dane, with both finding the net - although Frankie Pingel's effort had an element of fortune as he beat Grobelaar when the ball bounced off the back of his head. 

The visitors ended the game with a front trio of future Magpies, old boy Peter Beardsley playing alongside Ian Rush and John Barnes. 

Although played on a Saturday afternoon, live TV transmission to Scandinavia accounted for  the unpronounceable advertising hoardings for unknown products round the SJP pitch.  

1990 Sunderland (h)
1-1 
(0-0)
Division Two 
McGhee(77)
Gabbiadini(49)
31,665 
A noon start on Sunday for the derby, which was spoilt by high winds on Tyneside.

1995 Queens Park Rangers (a) 0-3 (0-3)
Premier League 
Ferdinand(4,7), Barker(18)
16,576
United lined up with a makeshift side as flu laid low most of the others. Subsequently a certain Leslie Ferdinand filled his boots for the R's in a decidedly one-sided contest.

1998 Stevenage Borough (h) 2-1 (1-0)
FA Cup 4th Round Replay 
Shearer(16,65)
Crawshaw(74)
36,705 
A nervous United advanced into the Fifth Round after a hotly-disputed first goal, which the non-league side claimed hadn't crossed the goal-line. It had. Just.

2001 United's Sunday home game against Southampton was called off at 2pm by referee Stephen Lodge. 

A fierce blizzard had left the SJP pitch unplayable and stands and walkways in a snowbound state.


Webcam of the Toon (Tyne Bridge just visible)
on the morning of the game

2002 Over 2,000 fans turned up at Kingston Park on a wet Monday night to see the Reserves get hammered 4-1 by their Smoggie counterparts. The home line-up "boasted" Marcelino, Wayne Quinn, Andy Griffin, Carl Cort, Shola Ameobi and Olivier Bernard.
NUFC.com match report

2006 Portsmouth (h)
2-0
(1-0)
Premiership
N'Zogbia(41), Shearer(64)
51,627

The good times came roaring back to SJP as a first Premiership win of 2006 was recorded and Assistant Manager Alan Shearer finally became Newcastle's all-time leading goalscorer.

It was fairytale stuff as Newcastle (after a pre-match huddle) went at Portsmouth with all guns blazing from the very first whistle.

Shearer had four efforts miraculously saved by Pompey 'keeper Dean Kiely and Charles N'Zogbia was also denied before he broke the deadlock four minutes before half-time.

Again Kiely kept out a powerful header from Shearer but N'Zogbia followed up to slot the ball between the 'keeper and the post to send a noisy home crowd wild.

The momentum was just on the point of decreasing after the break when Shearer did what he'd done 200 times previously for his hometown club, grabbing the goal that took him past the great Jackie Milburn to become the club's greatest ever goalscorer.

There were shades of Keegan's debut goal as the ball went fittingly into the Gallowgate net after Shola Ameobi had back-heeled the ball into his path on the edge of box. Big Al dispatched the ball under Kiely from eight yards to send the ground bananas.
NUFC.com match report

2008 Although his club colleagues Obafemi Martins, Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye had seen their African Cup of Nations campaigns come to a premature end, our remaining representative Geremi and his Cameroon side were still going strong.

Their quarter final against Tunisia went into extra time before the Indomitable Lions won 3-2, our man having netted his second goal of the tournament with a fine free kick.

The reward for Cameroon was a semi final tie against host nation Ghana.

2009 Newcastle's under-18 side tumbled out of the FA Youth Cup as United suffered their third defeat at the hands of Manchester City in a week, following on from first team and reserve reverses.

The 2-4 scoreline flattered our lads and only two-goal Kazenga LuaLua had anything like a decent game, giving the cup holders a late scare with his brace.

 

Copyright © 2012 NUFC.com. All rights reserved. Niall & Biffa.
NUFC.com Privacy Policy