Signing claim:
Hendrick still
undecided

2020/21:
Jack's return home

Tuesday saw Championship side Nottingham Forest conclude the permanent signing of Jack Colback after the midfielder's contract at SJP ended.

The 30 year-old made 55 appearances over two separate loans at the City Ground during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, and last kicked a ball competitively in April 2019 when with Forest.

Fellow former Magpie midfielder Gael Bigirimana is also on the move, after agreeing terms with Glentoran.

The 26 year-old joins the Belfast-based club after an unsuccessful stint at National League side Solihull Moors.

SJP old boys changing clubs during this transfer window include:

Jak Alnwick St, Mirren (Scotland)
Gael Bigirimana Glentoran (NI)
Luke Charman Darlington
Jack Colback Nottingham Forest
Victor Fernandez Viitorul Constanta (Romania)
Michael Hoganson West Auckland Town
Ki FC Seoul (South Korea)
Jonathan Mitchell Northampton Town (loan)

The new Chinese Super League season is well underway, but for Dalian Professional and their coach Rafa Benitez things are little improved from last time round.

A 2-2 draw at Shanghai Shenhua on Monday left Dalian seventh in their eight team league, with just two points from their opening four league fixtures.

Benitez has won six of the 19 league games he's taken charge of since joining the club that were then known as Dalian Yifang in July 2019.

However four of those victories came in his opening six games; the subsequent 13 seeing him collect just 10 points from a possible 39.  

Dalian striker Salomon Rondon scored twice against Shenhua and now has four in as many games. He netted five times in eleven league outings last season.

PS: There was another familiar face involved in Monday's game, with SJP old boy Obafemi Martins in the Shenhua starting line-up.

Now 35 (at least), Martins spent two years out with a serious knee injury incurred while playing for Shenhua in 2018. Released while sidelined, he rejoined them in July of this year.

2020/21:
Kits confirmed

NUFC have now revealed next season's two change kits, confirming that the recent pictures leaked online were accurate.

The nominal second kit is a pale yellow colour on the front and back, with black contrast on shoulders and collar.

From the photos, the colour is more akin to the lemon change kit of 2012/13 than the "Brazil" version of the following season.

The third kit meanwhile is purple and black, with the design supposedly inspired by the Tyne Bridge. The back panel is black.

Both designs can be pre-ordered online now ahead of the official release date of August 17th when they'll be in-store.

NB: a couple of outlets have proclaimed these as the final kits to be produced for NUFC by Puma, but our understanding is that a two year deal extension has been agreed with the kit manufacturer.

2020/21:
Diary dates

Sat 15.08.2020 Amended go-live date for test sporting events with limited crowds (had originally been Sat 01.08.2020).

Mon 17.08.2020 NUFC senior squad return for pre-season training.

Mon 24.08.2020 PL fixture list release (date subject to final confirmation).

Sat 12.09.2020 PL season start date.

The latest edition of The Blizzard football magazine includes some NUFC-flavoured recollections from retired journalist David Taylor, in conversation with fellow Toon fan Paul Brown online here

PS: David also appears in a 1968 TV documentary online here about urban redevelopment on Tyneside.

Update: the fan petition online here has now exceeded 106,000 - an incredible figure.

Earlier: While previous periods of fan unrest during the Ashley era have been characterised by protests inside and outside grounds and match boycotts (actual and proposed), the current pandemic has taken the fight firmly into cyberspace.

Most noticeably, an online petition calling on HM Government to launch an enquiry into the conduct of the Premier League was initiated by one fan.

NB: the petition is hosted by change.org a not-for-profit organisation. Unlike a petition hosted by gov.uk, there is no requirement for any form of official response regardless of the level of take up.

While in itself of no consequence, the level of support is symbolic of the depth of feeling and frustration; the increasing amount of signatories prompting additional media coverage both in the UK and further afield.

That includes media outlets in Saudi Arabia, where the takeover process had rarely made any headlines.

Separate to the petition, The Newcastle United Supporters Trust have become a rallying point in recent days, reporting a sizeable increase in new sign-ups.

Having polled their membership to receive overwhelming support for the Investment Group takeover, they are now attempting to "get answers from the Premier League which could aid this process and get information and an explanation."  

Again it's debatable what purpose this will serve, given that the bid was withdrawn amid claims of a lack of clarity over the proposed ownership structure.

If nothing else though, various fan groups and accounts have set aside rivalries and combine their energies with the NUST, creating a less fractured fanbase than has been seen in previous times of turmoil.

The Trust website is online here and they have created an online template allowing discontented fans to email their MP regarding the takeover, regardless of their constituency. online here

Over 7,000 emails have been sent out and received a variety of positive responses, including one from the MP for South Ruislip & Uxbridge aka the PM.

Update:
Takeover timeline

Tuesday 04.08.2020:

The chief executive of Newcastle City Council Pat Ritchie contacted the Premier League to ask for clarity over their process for the takeover online here

Monday 03.08.2020:

Martin Cruddace (CEO of Arena Racing Company, owned by the Reuben brothers) was quoted online here

Monday 03.08.2020:

The Independent Football Ombudsman Professor Derek Fraser responded to supporter queries by saying that he had advised the Premier League to make a statement regarding the takeover process online here

The curtailed Premier League 2 season has been concluded on a points per game basis, with Chelsea winning the Division One title and Wolves relegated.

West Ham and Manchester United both gained promotion from Division Two meanwhile, with no playoffs possible - Newcastle among several teams with a chance of qualifying when their season was called off with four games left.

With Burnley, Leeds and Palace all gaining Category 1 status for their academy and accepted into PL2, that means that 27 sides will contest the two divisions next season as follows:

D1: (13 teams) Arsenal, Blackburn, Brighton, Chelsea, Derby, Everton, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Southampton, Spurs, West Ham.

D2: (14 teams) Aston Villa, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leeds, Boro, Newcastle, Norwich City, Reading, Stoke City, mackems, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion, Wolves.

With Newcastle facing a semi-final tie against Blyth Spartans, the decision was taken to abandon the Northumberland 2019/20 Senior Cup. And a similar fate has befallen the Premier League Cup, with the Magpies drawn away to Exeter City in the last 16.

PS: Details of the U18 league composition are awaited, with the two leagues at that level divided on regional grounds rather than merit. As with the U23s, Burnley, Palace and Leeds will all be added.

Loan departure:
Jake's progress

League Two side Morecambe have concluded a season-long loan deal for Newcastle's U23 goalkeeper Jake Turner.

The 21 year-old joined United just over a year ago and made 20 appearances in all competitions for the reserve side last season before fixtures were curtailed.

Loaned out to non-league sides Frickley Athletic, Stalybridge Celtic and Darlington while with previous club Bolton Wanderers, Jake is yet to make his league bow.

2020/21:
PL: back to
three substitutes