Norwich (h) Public sale now
Season tickets (h) Public sale now

Update:
Gunners outing
for Willock

Sunday saw Arsenal play their penultimate pre-season fixture, beaten 1-2 at home by Chelsea at the Emirates.

Omitted from squads for games against Millwall and Watford in recent days, Joe Willock was among 14 substitutes as speculation over his future continues.

Gunners Head Coach Mikel Arteta turned to Willock during the second half and the former Magpie loanee thought he'd levelled when his powerful shot hit the crossbar and dropped over the line.

With VAR not in operation, the on-field officials didn't award what TV replays quickly showed was a valid goal.

Speaking after the game, Arteta gave few clues about the immediate future of Willock and other players whose place in Arsenal's 25 man squad is in doubt.

The Gunners conclude their pre-season preparations at Spurs on Sunday.

Chants:
Can you hear the
Geordies sing...?



The short answer is yes, on a fine crowd compilation online here courtesy of our favourite YouTube channel Newcastle United 1980 - 1994 Video's.

Update:
J-League return
claimed for Muto

Japanese media outlets are reporting that Newcastle's unwanted forward Yoshinori Muto has agreed a permanent transfer to Vissel Kobe in his native Japan for an undisclosed fee.

The 29 year-old began his professional career at hometown club Tokyo FC, who have also been credited with recent interest in signing him.

Leaving there for Bundesliga side Mainz in 2015, he headed to Tyneside three years later but managed just two goals from 28 senior appearances in all competitions (10 starts).

Following an unsuccessful loan spell at Spaniards Eibar last season, Muto began the last year of his Magpies contract back in pre-season training but hasn't been sighted since a brief outing against York City. 

Magpin:
Shear joy
 


The latest Magpin release commemorates the first of 206 competitive goals for Alan Shearer in a black and white shirt.

Badge #3 in the ShearMagic collection depicts the sheet metal worker's son in the immediate aftermath of scoring against Wimbledon at the Leazes End in August 1996.

All three badges in the series are available to purchase online here

2021/22:
Old boys build up
a Head of steam

Gateshead  4  Newcastle U23s  1



Match report

2021/22:
Brewers droop
after early blows

Burton Albion  0  Newcastle  2



Match report

Watch the goals online here

U18s:
Donny dumped

Saturday saw Newcastle's U18 side retain their 100% record in pre-season with a 5-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers.

That followed wins over Nottingham Forest (4-3) and Spennymoor Town (1-0) the previous weekend in 60 minute games.

Spennymoor were a late replacement for Glasgow Rangers, who pulled out.

The young Magpies are due to face both Carlisle United and Sheffield United before their league season opener at home to Burnley on August 14th.

Leading the way with three goals so far in pre-season are Kyle Crossley and Ben Parkinson. Michael Ndiweni has two, with Ciaran Thompson and Nathan Nkunku registering one apiece.

U18 fixtures are online here

2021/22:
Norwich City (h)

Newcastle round off their pre-season by hosting fellow Premier League side Norwich City at SJP on Saturday.

That was arranged some time ago, after issues in confirming the usual home kickabout against overseas opposition due to pandemic-related movement issues.

Several other top-flight clubs are hosting continental opponents this weekend with Spaniards Athletic Bilbao, Cadiz, Celta Vigo, Getafe, Real Osasuna, Sevilla and Valencia all heading to these shores. Serie A outfit Atalanta are also visiting the UK.

Ironically, Norwich have now been hit with an outbreak of COVID in their squad....

It's a 2pm kick-off and tickets are now on public sale online, priced at £10 adults and £5 concessions. Prices rise to £20 and £10 respectively on match day.

Only the lower bowl is on sale.

The NUFC Foodbank collection point returns to Strawberry Place on Saturday and will be open for donations of cash and provisions from Noon.

Team: It remains to be seen whether Callum Wilson or Allan Saint-Maximin return to the squad, while Martin Dubravka, Javier Manquillo and Jonjo Shelvey are yet to play in pre-season.

Karl Darlow isn't expected to feature but is anticipated to be back in training this week.

NCFC: Due to a "small amount" of positive COVID tests, Norwich cancelled friendlies against Coventry City last Wednesday and Sheffield United last Saturday.

However the Canaries are pressing on with plans to stage a home kickabout against Gillingham this Tuesday. 

NUFC issued the following advice:

"Supporters should only attend the fixture if they are free of any COVID-19 symptoms, and are also encouraged to maintain good hand hygiene and wear face coverings in crowded areas unless exempt."

(Hand sanitisers were in evidence around the stadium at the Sheffield United home game back in May).

PS: The Spurs v Arsenal friendly to be played this weekend has been designated as a test event for the NHS COVID pass.

Meanwhile Chelsea have announced that entrance to their home games at Stamford Bridge will be dependent on producing either evidence of COVID vaccination or a negative lateral flow test within 48 hours.

Logically, that ruling will also apply to away supporters - although Newcastle's PL visit isn't until next March.

Shadow play:
Change kit on sale

Friday saw the official release of  Newcastle's 2021/22 Castore away kit, described as black, gold and grey.

Shorts are black, socks are black and gold (with alternate gold shorts and socks in the event of a colour clash with the home club).

2021/22:
Stand-in striker saves Bruce's blushes

Rotherham United  1  Newcastle  1

Match report

2021/22:
Hammers reveal
opening game info

West Ham travel to SJP for the opening Premier League game of the new season on Sunday August 15th, and have now published sale details and criteria for their allocation of places in Leazes Level 7.

Announcing that they've taken 3,000 seats, The Hammers also list the adult ticket price as £30 - which falls in with the Premier League's pricing policy.

The £30 cap was introduced in 2016 for an initial three seasons and then extended for the same period in 2019.

Notwithstanding the fact that there were no away fans for the entirety of last season (and part of the 2019/20 campaign), the current £30 cap agreement will expire at the end of this one.

Retro:
Chronicled: part VIII

The latest episode of a free NUFC history Podcast series hosted by the Chronicle is now available online here

Presenter Matt Ketchell and NUFC club historian Paul Joannou are joined by local author Dan Jackson to recount United's maiden visit to Wembley in 1924.
 
2021/22:
U23s fixtures out

The Premier League 2 fixtures for next season are now available, with United seeking to improve on their last place finish in Division Two last season and win promotion at what would be the eighth attempt.

An extension of the competition this season takes both divisions from 13 to 14 sides; Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest both added to Division Two.

Leeds United and Crystal Palace both gained promotion to Division One last season, with Southampton the only team relegated in order to balance the leagues.

All games kick off at 7pm unless stated otherwise and home games are expected to be played at Whitley Park except for two at Gallowgate, marked as SJP.

As yet there has been no indication if or when spectators will be admitted.

U23 fixtures are online here

PS: United's second string will again enter an U21 team in the EFL Trophy aka Papa John's Trophy this season. Their group stage ties are as follows:

31.08.2021 Sheff Wed (a) 7pm
05.10.2021 Harrogate (a) 7.45pm
09.11.2021 Mansfield (a) 7.45pm

Those ties are expected to be played at the main home ground of the EFL host side.

Danish departure:
Elias exits

Update: Sorensen took just eight minutes of his competitive debut for Esbjerg to find the net on Saturday - but his new side ended up losing 1-3 at home to Helsinger.

Monday saw NUFC confirm the permanent departure of reserve striker Elias Sorensen to Danish second tier side Esbjerg.

The 21 year-old hadn't featured in pre-season for either the senior or U23 sides and  was in the last year of his contract at Gallowgate. He's signed a four year deal at his new club.

Sorensen follows fellow striker Yannick Toure out of SJP this summer, both once tipped for great things after making promising starts to their Toon careers.

While Toure failed to progress while at United though, the rot set in with Sorensen during a trio of unimpressive loans - failing to hold down a regular place at Carlisle United and barely getting his boots dirty at Blackpool.

Two pre-season outings for Newcastle's first team during the Asia Trophy were followed by a season-long switch to Dutch second tier side Almere, but Elias again found himself relegated to the bench as an abortive promotion attempt reached a climax.

And while a run of goals for United's U23 side in the 2018/19 season led to calls for Sorensen to be promoted to the senior squad, those diehards regularly in attendance at Whitley Park were rather less enthusiastic.

Update:
Unlikely lads

Former Magpie

SJP old boys on the move - first team:

Sammy Ameobi Middlesbrough
Christian Atsu Al Raed (Saudi Arabia)
Demba Ba Lugano (Switzerland)
Fabricio Coloccini Aldosivi (Argentina)
Ryan Donaldson Morpeth Town
Yasin Ben El-Mhanni Southend (trial)
Nacho Gonzalez Danubio (Uruguay)
Achraf Lazaar Reading (trial)
Kazenga LuaLua Genclerbirligi (Turkey)
Sylvain Marveaux Charlotte FC (USA)
Danny Rose Watford
Florian Thauvin Tigres UANL (Mexico)
Andros Townsend Everton
Patrick van Aanholt Galatasaray (Turkey)
Gini Wijnaldum Paris SG (France)

SJP old boys:
Unlikely lads:
reserves etc.

Former Newcastle reserve/junior players and staff with new clubs:

Mikel Antia Charlotte FC (USA) C
Kieren Aplin Hebburn Town (loan)
Yannick Aziakonou Ashington
Owen Bailey Gateshead (trial)
Craig Baxter Dunston UTS
Rafa Benitez Everton M
Habib Beye Red Star Paris (France) C
Tony Caig Falkirk (Scotland) AC
Kyle Cameron Notts County
Colin Calderwood Northampton Town C
Ian Cathro Spurs C
Nicky Deverdics Blyth Spartans
Joan Edmundsson Waasland-Beveren (Belgium)
Paul Farman Barrow
Owen Gallacher Crawley Town
Macaulay Gillesphey Plymouth Argyle
Alex Gilliead Bradford City
Jamie Harley Everton (Sports Science)
Mackenzie Heaney York City
Michael Hoganson (Whickham)
Louis Johnson Guisborough Town
Joe Kerridge Seaham Red Star
Peter Lovenkrands Fremad (Denmark) M
Marcus Maddison Spalding United
Ryan McGorrigan Ashington
Callum Morris Morpeth Town
Scott Parker Bournemouth M
Cedwyn Scott Gateshead
Louis Storey Gateshead P/C
Steve Stone Burnley C

Update:
Pledge reaches £100K

Launched here on April 10th, the 1892 Pledge scheme launched by the Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) has now passed the £100K milestone.

The scheme aims to build up funds to achieve supporter representation in the event of the club's future sale.