Internationals:
No home comforts
for Fraser & Co.

Tuesday night saw Scotland's hopes of reaching the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time end at the hands of a clinical Croatia side.

Newcastle's Ryan Fraser again had to be content with a place on the bench and was introduced for the closing 20 minutes of a 1-3 loss at Hampden.

With Fabian Schar's Switzerland and Emil Krafth's Sweden both assured of a place in the last 16, attention now turns to whether Martin Dubravka and Slovakia can join them.

Slovakia have the tricky task of facing Spain in Seville on Wednesday night, at the same time that Sweden play their final group game against Poland in St.Petersburg.

Euro 2020 fixtures via BBC online here

Matches:

Ryan Fraser (Scotland):
14.06.2021 Czech Rep (h) lost 0-2
18.06.2021 England (a) drew 0-0
22.06.2021 Croatia (h) lost 1-3

Martin Dubravka (Slovakia):
14.06.2021 Poland (n) won 2-1
18.06.2021 Sweden (n) lost 0-1 23.06.2021 Spain (a) Seville

Emil Krafth (Sweden):
14.06.2021 Spain (a) drew 0-0
18.06.2021 Slovakia (n) won 1-0
23.06.2021 Poland (n) St Petersburg

Fabian Schar Switzerland):
12.06.2021 Wales (n) drew 1-1
16.06.2021 Italy (a) lost 0-3
20.06.2021 Turkey (n) won 3-1

Ten former Magpies have been named in the final Euro squads as follows: 

Austria: Valentino Lazaro
Belgium: Matz Sels
France: Moussa Sissoko
Netherlands: Luuk de Jong, Tim Krul Patrick van Aanholt, Gini Wijnaldum
Scotland: Grant Hanley
Slovakia: Lubo Satka
Switzerland: Kevin Mbabu

Our pals at the Snood Store have a new Euro-flavoured range of snoods and masks available online here

To get a 25% site-wide discount, use the promo code NUFC25 until Euro Final day on Sunday July 11th.

2021/22:
Harrogate Town
(a) update

There's no confirmation as yet from Newcastle, but League Two Harrogate Town are now advertising their home friendly against Steve Bruce's side as a 2pm start on Sunday July 18th.

If correct, that means Newcastle will play two games at the same time that day, with half of the senior squad lining up at York City for another 2pm kick-off.

Ticket sale information for both games is awaited, amid uncertainty over what capacity both grounds will have - given that it's the day before the planned removal of lockdown restrictions in England.

2021/22:
PL opener moved

Friday saw confirmation of the Premier League's live TV selections for August - with just one of Newcastle's three games that month rescheduled for broadcast.

That's the season opener at home to West Ham, which moves to Sunday August 15th at 2pm, live on Sky Sports.

Neither the visit to Aston Villa a week later or the home meeting with Southampton on Saturday August 28th were chosen, meaning that both remain as 3pm starts.

Update:
Wednesday deadline looms

This Wednesday (June 23rd) sees the deadline for final alterations to the official Premier League lists of players released or retained by their clubs.

In Newcastle's case, the status of six senior players remains to be clarified as follows:

Andy Carroll status unclear, current contract expires end of June.

Federico Fernandez status unclear, current contract expires end of June.

Jacob Murphy contract extension of unspecified length agreed but not confirmed. Credence has been added to that claim by sightings of Murphy training at Darsley Park this week.

Paul Dummett contract extension to 2022 agreed but not confirmed.

Fabian Schar contract extension to 2022 agreed but not confirmed.

Dwight Gayle contract extension to 2024 agreed but not confirmed.
 

2021/22:
Benitez still no
closer to Toffees

Various news outlets reported on Wednesday evening that former Newcastle Manager Rafa Benitez was close to taking charge of Everton.

The 61 year-old Spaniard has been out of football since ending his ill-fated stint in China back in January.

Were Benitez - who still lives in the North West following his time in charge at Anfield - to take the job, then he'd become the first person ever to manage both Liverpool and Everton.

However it appears that both sides may be having second thoughts about the wisdom of making that historical decision.

Loan lad:
Penalty joy
for 'Pools
 
Sunday saw Hartlepool United seal their return to League Two after a dramatic National League playoff victory over Torquay United at Ashton Gate.

Injury meant that on-loan Magpie Lewis Cass didn't play for 'Pools, who led 1-0 until the Gulls goalkeeper headed home an equaliser in second half added time.

Extra time failed to bring any further goals and the tie was settled by a 5-4 penalty shootout win for 'Pools, including successful spot kicks from ex-Newcastle pair Jamie Sterry and Ryan Donaldson.

SJP old boy Kyle Cameron was in the starting line-up for Torquay and had two goals chalked off during his 77 minutes on the field in an enthralling encounter.

Hoyoots etc:
Su-done

Ex-Magpie Lee Clark has confirmed his departure from Sudani Premier League side Al-Merreikh SC after just three months in charge.

Clark leaves after winning four of his eight games in charge, amid speculation that he's closing in on a managerial post rather closer to home.

Ex-Magpies with new clubs:

Demba Ba Lugano (Switzerland)
Craig Baxter Dunston UTS
Habib Beye Red Star Paris (France) C
Tony Caig Falkirk (Scotland) AC
Colin Calderwood Northampton Town C
Paul Farman Barrow
Macaulay Gillesphey Plymouth Argyle
Nacho Gonzalez Danubio (Uruguay)
Joe Kerridge Seaham Red Star
Peter Lovenkrands Fremad (Denmark) M
Marcus Maddison Spalding United
Danny Rose Watford
Cedwyn Scott Gateshead
Florian Thauvin Tigres UANL (Mexico)
Gini Wijnaldum Paris SG (France)

Ex-Magpies now out of contract:

Sammy Ameobi Nottingham Forest
Hatem Ben Arfa Bordeaux (France)
Papiss Cisse Fenerbahce (Turkey)
James Coppinger Doncaster Rovers
Nicky Deverdics Gateshead
Mo Diame Al-Gharafa (Qatar)
Shane Ferguson Millwall
Alex Gilliead Scunthorpe United
Mace Goodridge Burnley
JJ Hooper Barnet
Louis Johnson Marske United
Achraaf Lazaar Watford
Jonathan Mitchell Derby County
Gabriel Obertan BB Erzurumspor (Turkey)
Brendan Pearson Blyth Spartans
Nile Ranger Southend United
Loic Remy Rizespor (Turkey)
Andros Townsend Crystal Palace
Callum Williams Morpeth Town
Josef Yarney Chesterfield

Coaches etc:

Sam Allardyce West Bromwich Albion
Ian Cathro Wolves

2021/22:
New York
visit confirmed

A fourth game has been added to Newcastle's pre-season schedule, with confirmation of a visit to League One Rotherham United.

The Millers will host the Magpies at New York Stadium on Tuesday July 27th. Kick-off will at 7pm.

This will be Newcastle's second-ever visit to the ground that opened in 2012, following a 1-0 success there during the 2016/17 Championship-winning season.

Also confirmed so far are visits to York City, Harrogate Town and Burton Albion - with one or possibly two home friendlies also pencilled.

Incoming:
Teen tracked

The Athletic claim that Newcastle are close to agreeing a three year contract for free agent Remi Savage.

The 19 year-old defender had been with Liverpool since the age of nine, signing a first professional contract at Anfield in 2020. However he's reportedly turned down an extension in order to move on, with an undisclosed compensation fee payable by any club that signs him.

Assuming the deal is concluded, Savage will follow Niall Brookwell (Liverpool), Stan Flaherty (Arsenal) and Matty Bondswell (RB Leipzig) into the U23 squad.

It's also anticipated that United will conclude a deal for striker Cameron Ferguson, who spent the closing weeks of last season on trial with the club.

The 18 year-old was most recently with Tranmere Rovers after spending time at Everton as a schoolboy. He's the son of former Magpie Duncan Ferguson.

1881 and all that:
Chronicled: part II

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

Presenter Matt Ketchell is joined by club historian Paul Joannou to discuss the formative years of the club that would become Newcastle United.
 

2021/22:
Sunday service
for Moyes boys

Next season's Premier League fixture list sees Newcastle kick off at home for the fifth time in the last six top-flight seasons, hosting West Ham on Sunday August 14th. It's a 2pm kick-off live on Sky.

Our season ends at Burnley on Sunday May 22nd, the previous weekend's fixtures pencilled in for Sunday May 15th to avoid a clash with the FA Cup Final on the Saturday. In our case that's a home game with Arsenal.

The usual mangling by TV means that it's unclear precisely how much pain will be endured for travellers (especially the dreaded Monday night slot), but the only definite midweek away trip at this stage is to Liverpool on December 15th (the Goodison visit is set for Tuesday December 28th, but that's a Bank Holiday this year).

TV schedules for September are promised by July 5th, with just one of United's first three games in August broadcast live.

The tail end of 2021 seems gruesome, while seeing in 2022 at Southampton is plain urine extraction. A run of four successive away games in London from February meanwhile just looks plain lazy - and will doubtless coincide with some large-scale rail engineering work....

In terms of non-TV movements, Leicester's group stage participation in the Europa League should see our visit there in mid December changed from the Saturday.

An additional international break looks to have been inserted on the final weekend of January 2022, with the FA Cup Fourth Round on the first weekend of February.  

NUFC 2021/22 fixtures:
(all subject to alteration for TV)

Sun 15.08.2021 West Ham (h) 2pm
Sat 21.08.2021 Aston Villa (a) 3pm
Wed 25.08.2021 LC2
Sat 28.08.2021 Southampton (h) 3pm

Sat 11.09.2021 Manchester United (a)
Sat 18.09.2021 Leeds United (h)
Wed 22.09.2021 LC3
Sat 25.09.2021 Watford (a)

Sat 02.10.2021 Wolves (a)
Sat 16.10.2021 Spurs (h)
Sat 23.10.2021 Crystal Palace (a)
Wed 26.10.2021 LC4
Sat 30.10.2021 Chelsea (h)

Sat 06.11.2021 Brighton (a)
Sat 20.11.2021 Brentford (h)
Sat 27.11.2021 Arsenal (a)

Wed 01.12.2021 Norwich City (h)
Sat 04.12.2021 Burnley (h)
Sat 11.12.2021 Leicester City (a)
Wed 15.12.2021 Liverpool (a)
Sat 18.12.2021 Manchester City (h)
Wed 22.12.2021 LC5
Sun 26.12.2021 Manchester United (h)
Tue 28.12.2021 Everton (a)

Sat 01.01.2022 Southampton (a)
Wed 05.01.2022 LCSF(1)
Sat 08.01.2022 FAC3
Wed 12.01.2022 LCSF(2)
Sat 15.01.2022 Watford (h)
Sat 22.01.2022 Leeds United (a)

Sat 05.02.2022 FAC4
Wed 09.02.2022 Everton (h)
Sat 12.02.2022 Aston Villa (h)
Sat 19.02.2022 West Ham (a)
Sat 26.02.2022 Brentford (a)
Sun 27.02.2022 LCF

Sat 05.03.2022 Brighton (h)
Wed 09.03.2022 FAC5
Sat 12.03.2022 Chelsea (a)
Sat 19.03.2022 Crystal Palace (h)
Sat 19.03.2022 FAC6

Sat 02.04.2022 Spurs (a)
Sat 09.04.2022 Wolves (h)
Sat 16.04.2022 Leicester City (h)
Sat 16.04.2022 FACSF
Sat 23.04.2022 Norwich City (a)
Sat 30.04.2022 Liverpool (h)

Sat 07.05.2022 Manchester City (a)
Sat 14.05.2022 FACF
Sun 15.05.2022 Arsenal (h)
Sun 22.05.2022 Burnley (a)

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.

 

Development squad:
Academy exodus

Academy players released: Owen Bailey, Lewis Brannen, Tai Ebanks, Ludwig Francillette, Lucas Gamblin, Josh Gilchrist, Josh Harrison, Florent Indalecio, Oliver Marshall, Tom Midgley, George Rounsfell, Kyle Scott, Jude Swailes, Yannick Toure, Oliver Walters.

All but four of those came through the club's youth set-up, but proved unable to progress further.

The four exceptions are:

Ludwig Francillette (22): Towering centre half born in Guadeloupe who was playing minor league football in France when his agent secured a trial at United during 2019.

Played in warm-up games ahead of the 2019/20 season, he signed permanently and got as far as training with the senior side ahead of the Rochdale FA Cup tie.

Florent Indalecio (24): Striker whose back story was far more impressive than the 410 goalless and incident-free minutes he managed for the U23 side last season.

Secured on a short-term deal in October 2020, the Frenchman had been with St. Etienne alongside Allan Saint-Maximin a decade earlier, and ASM seems to have played a part in his arrival at SJP.

Flo reached Tyneside via surgery to remove a cancerous tumour on his knee, non-league football in his homeland, failed trials in the USA and a spell working on building sites in Australia.

Kyle Scott (23): Central midfielder who represented England, Scotland and USA internationally before arriving as a free agent at SJP in 2019 following his release by Chelsea.

He leaves having started just 14 out of 58 reserve games in all competitions played during his time at United and failing to break his scoring duck. Scott spent time with MLS side Cincinnati earlier this year but failed to conclude a move.

Yannick Toure (20): Senegal-born forward who grew up in Switzerland and played for them at international youth level. United signed him in 2018 after his contract at former club Young Boys Berne expired, paying an undisclosed compensation fee.

Fitness issues affected his availability for the U23s last season; he leaves having scored 14 goals in 60 U23 league and cup appearances (38 starts).

There's better news for the following five youngsters, who have all agreed new deals to remain at the club following their contributions to United's FA Youth Cup campaign last season. They also all got some pitch time at U23 level:

Nathan Carlyon, Lucas de Bolle, Joe Oliver, Josh Scott, Dylan Stephenson.

Five further U23 players have also been offered contract extensions as follows:

Ryan Barrett, Will Brown, Oisin McEntee, Mo Sangare, Adam Wilson.