Tuesday July 15th, 2025

    Last update 22:00 BST

      Your genial hosts: Niall and Biffa




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
Liverpool (h) Member ballot Mon 21.07 @ Noon

Update:
Lobby for Leeds

After submitting an improved bid totaling £15m, Leeds United reached agreement with Newcastle on Tuesday evening for the transfer of midfielder Sean Longstaff.

The 27 year-old will leave the Magpies' training camp in Austria to undergo his medical with the Elland Road side, having previously reached agreement on personal terms. 

Depending on how quickly the deal is concluded, he could make his Leeds debut against Manchester United in Stockholm this Saturday.

Longstaff was into the final 12 months of his contract at Gallowgate, 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.


Latest:
Isak: fresh Anfield
interest disclosed

Update: Coverage of Liverpool/Isak in The Times noted that a £130m bid was forecast and also that the player's agent met with Eddie Howe earlier this month. 

Earlier: Tuesday brought credible reports that Liverpool had sounded out Newcastle over the transfer of Alexander Isak for what would be a Premier League record fee.

This follows a lack of progress on a mooted extension to the contract tying the striker to Gallowgate until 2028 and a claimed approach by United for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike - also allegedly on the Anfield wish list.

How all of this is linked is as yet unclear, but it would seem feasible that either Isak or Ekitike will be a Liverpool player before the current window ends on September 1st.

Whether the other one is wearing black and white by then remains to be seen.... 

Latest:
All systems go for Hugo 


Following last week's capture of Anthony Elanga, United's next foray into the transfer market is widely tipped to be Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike - their prime forward target following the failure to land Joao Pedro.

Negotiations are reportedly underway for what would be a club record transfer fee in excess of the £60m United paid to Real Sociedad for Alexander Isak three years ago.

The 23 year-old Frenchman has been on Newcastle's radar since a failed attempt to capture him from hometown club Reims during the January 2022 transfer window. 


Joining PSG initially on loan the following season, Ekitike's time at the Parc des Princes soon turned sour and he was excluded from their Champions League squad in 2023/24 - meaning that he didn't get to face Eddie Howe's side. 

A further loan with a purchase option took him to Frankfurt in early 2024 and his 19 goals in 47 appearances helped them to sixth and third place finishes in the Bundesliga.

2025/26:
Liverpool (h) ballots etc. 

Ticket information for United's opening Premier League home game against Liverpool has appeared online as follows:

Member Ballot opens: Mon 21.07.2025 @ Noon
Member Ballot closes: Tue 22.07.2025 @ Noon
Member Ballot winners notified Wed 23.07.2025 by 11am
Member seat selection opens: Wed 23.07.2025 @ Noon
Member seat selection closes: Fri 25.07.2025 @ Noon
ST ticket fwding/resale open: Friday 25.07.2025 @ Noon
Member Sale open: Mon 28.07.2025 @ 10am

2025/26:
Austria again 

Following Saturday's training ground kickabout against Carlisle United, Monday saw Eddie Howe and his squad fly to Austria for a five day training camp. 

Destination for what is Newcastle's third pre-season visit to Austria is the Tyrol village of Seefeld, following similar trips to Stegersbach during 2007 and Saalfelden in 2022.

Among those added to the squad for the continental jaunt were Dan Burn, Martin Dubravka, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali.

The Magpies are in Austria all week before travelling to Glasgow for Saturday's friendly against Celtic.

2025/26:
Celtic (a) 

Saturday sees Newcastle play their first public advertised pre-season game, facing reigning the SPL champions at Celtic Park for the Adidas Cup.

It's a 3pm kick-off and the Magpies have sold their full allocation of 10,000 places. The club's online ticket transfer option won't operate for this game.

A significant number of home season ticket holders are boycotting this game in protest at Celtic's decision to charge them to attend, having previously included one friendly game in their renewals.

United's last visit to the east end of Glasgow in 2004 saw the same situation unfold, resulting in a crowd of 20,000 - compared to the 60,000 present for the 1999 game. This time round a 40,000 turnout has been predicted.

(Live streaming details for this and the remainder of the pre-season fixtures is in the next news piece below).

A match programme will be on sale, priced at £4.

Team: To follow

The Magpies are set to debut their blue third kit. 


CFC:
To follow

Following a trio of low-key kickabouts (two wins and one loss), Brendan Rodgers will see his side in home action for the first time in pre-season. Ahead of our visit, they will face Sporting Lisbon on the Algarve this Wednesday.

Referee: tbc 

VAR:
n/a

Overseas TV: 
VG+ (Norway)

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Metro: No scheduled alterations

Rail:
Scheduled disruptions are online
here

Stats:  

Hoops v Magpies - last 10:


2007/08
won 4-1 (h) Luque 2, Martins, Milner
2005/06 won 3-2 (h) Luque, OG, Shearer
2004/05
lost 1-2 (a) Bellamy
1999/00
lost 0-2 (a) 
1995/96
drew 1-1 (a) Ferdinand
1967/68 won 3-2 (a) Davies, Scott, T.Robson
1967/68 won 1-0 (h) Scott
1952/53
won 2-0 (h) Robledo 2
1951/52
drew 3-3 (a) Robledo 2, Taylor
1922/23 drew 1-1 (h) Harris

Following Saturday's Parkhead encounter, United embark on a three game Asian tour, playing one game in Singapore followed by two in South Korea.

The club have published travel advice for those attending these games, which can be read online here



Sun 27.07.2025 Arsenal (n) 
(at the 55,000 capacity Singapore National Stadium)

United will then contest the annual Coupang Play Series against a local XI and fellow Premier League side Spurs.



Wed 30.07.2025 Team K League (South Korea) (a)
(at the 42,000 capacity Suwon World Cup Stadium)



Sun 03.08.2025
Spurs (n)
(at the 65,000 capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium)

Those two venues are around 25 miles from each other.

Eddie Howe's side then return to Tyneside for kickabouts against Spanish opposition on successive days:

Fri 08.08.2025
Espanyol (h) (Spain) (h)
Sat 09.08.2025 Atletico Madrid (Spain) (h) 

2025/26:
Pre-season TV coverage

NUFC have made all six public pre-season games available to watch via the club's official website and app.

Pricing for the full 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 prices. 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).

RGR:
End of the road 

After 73 days of torture, Mark Allison aka Run Geordie Run took the tough decision to spare his shredded feet from any further damage and curtailed his USA charity run.

Leaving Coney Island on May 1st, Toon fan Mark ticked off 10 states and racked up over 1,800 miles, enduring almost constant physical pain in addition to a catalogue of other misfortunes en route.  

Mark did complete one final mile on Sunday (his birthday) in a memorable location, explaining more about that here  

This latest fundraiser has collected over £27,000 for St. Benedicts Hospice, meaning that various causes Mark has supported over the years are over £370,000 better off.

If you can help to boost that, please do so online here 

2025/26:
Cumbrians beaten 

Newcastle  4  Carlisle United  0

Match report

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)

2025/26:
Magpies learn National League Cup opposition 


Groups for this season's 32 team National League Cup have been announced, with Newcastle U21s paired with three of last season's four opponents, namely Boston United, Gateshead and FC Halifax Town.

The only new group stage opponents will be Scunthorpe United rather than Tamworth, with Group D completed by the U21s of Leeds United, Boro and the mackems.

As was the case last season, the U21 sides each play all four National League clubs away from home but don't meet each other, with the top two teams in each of the four groups advancing to the knockout stages.

Six National League sides turned down a place in this season's competition; Altrincham, Carlisle United, Eastleigh, Hartlepool United, Yeovil Town and York City.

The Magpies exited at the knockout stage last season on penalties at Altrincham.

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 

Monday saw the Magpies announce that a newly-created Head of Football Strategy position would be filled from within the club by the appointment of Jack Ross

It's a third permanent role in as many years for the 49 year-old native of Falkirk, who arrived as Head of Coach Development at the academy in 2023 before switching to Head of Strategic Technical Football Partnerships. 

The former defender began his managerial career a decade ago at Alloa Athletic, later taking charge of St Mirren, the mackems, Hibernian and Dundee United.

PS: NUFC confrimed on Friday 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)

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.


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
Lucas De Bolle
Portimonense
Stuart Findlay
Hearts
Stan Flaherty
Hampton & Richmond
Massadio Haidara Kocealispor
Lloyd Kelly Juventus
Oisin McEntee Hearts
Joe Oliver Hebburn Town
Greg Olley York City
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
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. Ticket sales from venue.
Live on NUFC TV.   

Wed 30.07.2025 Team K League (South Korea) (a) @ Suwon World Cup Stadium, South Korea, 8pm local time (Noon BST). Friendly. Ticket sales from venue.
Live on NUFC TV. 

Sun 03.08.2025 Spurs (n) @ Seoul World Cup Stadium, South Korea. 8pm local time (Noon BST). Friendly. Ticket sales from venue. 
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:
NUFC are in Group D with Boston United, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead and Scunthorpe United. Leeds United, Boro and the mackems make up the group.

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
15th July


Born Or Died:

1908 William Carlton born, Washington.
(1926-29)

Right half signed from Washington Colliery in September 1926 who was given a first taste of senior action in a 1-1 home draw with Liverpool during December 1927.

His final outing came in a 2-0 FA Cup loss to Swindon Town in early 1929 and by May of that year he had joined Welsh side Merthyr Town - then a Football League club. 

1921 Doug Graham born, Ashington.
(1940-50)

Full back who joined Newcastle on amateur terms from local league Barrington United in April 1940 and turned professional soon after.

Debuting in a 3-4 home loss to Bradford City that June (on the same day that another Magpies XI were at Leeds in the same competition), Doug appeared
in 90 senior War League and Cup games and also guested for Middlesbrough.

In the lineup when United resumed Football League duty at Millwall in August 1946, he remained at left back until December 1947 when he succumbed to injury.

Missing the remainder of that promotion season, Graham didn't return to the first team until the closing four games of the following campaign.

A run in the side came at right back the following season but after just a single appearance in the first half of 1950/51 he joined Preston North End for £8,000.

After just over a year at Deepdale though, Doug dropped down to Division Three North outfit Lincoln City, where he was captain and helped them gain promotion.

Leaving Sincil Bank in 1957, he became the player/coach of Swiss side St.Gallen
- 25 years after his father-in-law Norman Smith (NUFC trainer) had held the same post. 

Returning to the North East, Doug joined the coaching staff at Gateshead in the summer of 1965 but left the following January due to financial pressures at Redheugh Park.

Working for a car dealer on Tyneside, his death was noted in November 1993.

1976 Jose Rodrigues Alves Antunes born, Belem, Brazil. (1999-00)

The second Brazilian to represent United after Mirandinha remains one of the most peculiar and inexplicable signings made by the club in the Premier League era. 

Widely known as Fumaca (aka formica, aka you knacker), this midfielder proved to be singularly lacking in the silky samba skills usually associated with his homeland.  

Sir Bobby Robson's first signing in September 1999, Fumaca arrived from Catuense in Brazil on loan via Benfica in Portugal and a tour of various Football League clubs.

Unsuccessful spells on trial at Birmingham City, Watford, Grimsby Town and Derby County led to the player joining Colchester United in March 1999, making a single appearance that ended in him departing on a stretcher after a clash of heads.

Brought to Layer Road by then-U's boss Mick Wadsworth, Fumaca linked up with him again the following season by which time Wadsworth was coaching at Crystal Palace, the player having also tried his luck with Barnsley in the interim.

Wadsworth's installation as head coach at St. James' Park then saw Fumaca exit the Eagles (where he'd been on an expenses only agreement and played five times) to become a Magpie, initially for two months. 


His senior debut - and sole start for United - came in a home win over Spurs in November and five further unimpressive substitute outings following that season after his loan deal was extended.

They were interspersed with reserve team appearances where he scored four times - including one against the might of Prudhoe Town in the Senior Cup.

Failing to win a contract, Fumaca had left by the time the first team departed for a post-season trip to Trinidad and Tobago, a bizarre footnote in the club's history and routinely included in "worst ever XIs". 

He later appeared at: Catuense SA (Brazil), Real Zaragoza (Spain), Cologne (Germany), America Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Catuense SA (Brazil), Caxias do Sul (Brazil), Drnovice (Czech Republic), Gornik (Poland), Türkiyemspor Berlin 1978 (Germany), SC Paderborn 07 (Germany), SV Wilhelmshaven (Germany) and Türkiyemspor Berlin 1978 (Germany).

Fumaca then took over coaching duties at FSV Hansa 07 during 2009, overseeing both the Academy and Veterans squads at the Berlin-based minor league club.

Since leaving there in 2013, he's dropped out of public view.

1992 Yoshinori Muto born, Tokyo, Japan. (2018-21)

Newcastle's first Japanese-born player arrived in August 2018 for a claimed £9.5m fee from German side Mainz 05.

The forward had faced United 12 months earlier when Rafa Benitez took his side to Germany for pre-season games. 

Playing for hometown club FC Tokyo from 2013 and 2015 after leaving university, Muto moved to Mainz in 2015 and scored a total of 20 Bundesliga goals over three seasons.

Earning his first senior international cap in 2014, Muto made one appearance at the 2018 World Cup Finals in Russia.

His Magpies debut came as a second half substitute during the opening day defeat by Spurs at SJP, his first goal putting us 2-0 up at Old Trafford before losing 2-3.

However he spent much of the season on the bench, a call-up by Japan for the Asian Cup in January 2019 doing nothing to move him up the pecking order and seeing Joselu selected for FA Cup duty.

Steve Bruce's appointment as manager did even less for Muto's career but doubled his goals tally against Leicester City in the League Cup before spending the 2020/21 season on loan to Spanish club Eibar.

That hardly boosted either player or club, Eibar finishing bottom of the table and Muto contributing a solitary league goal from his 26 appearances.

He returned to Japan and signed for J-League club Vissel Kobe in August 2021.


 

What Else?

1997 PSV Eindhoven  (Holland) (n)
3-2
(2-1)
Friendly 
Gillespie(21), 
Tomasson(24,80)
Bruggink(30)
Stam(75)

18,000 
The Magpies began pre-season with victory at Lansdowne Road, debutant Jon Dahl Tomasson grabbing a brace while Shay Given and Temuri Ketsbaia also made their first appearances.

The Dublin Tournament also featured Celtic and Derry City, with the Irish side defeating the Scots 3-2 before Newcastle's game.
NUFC.com match report


1997 David Ginola concluded his £2m move to Spurs, after having refused to take part in pre-season training at Newcastle, and seemingly spent the summer growing his hair and losing whatever fitness he had.

1998 After the much-publicised "resignation" of Freddy Shepherd & Douglas Hall, the pair announced their return just months later.

1999 FC Den Bosch (Holland) (a)
2-1
(1-1)
Friendly
McClen(27), Coppinger(49pen)
van der Laan(33)
1,700
The first friendly of the season saw new defensive pair Alain Goma and Franck Dumas make their United debuts, along with on-trial Beveren goalkeeper Erwin Lemmens. 

23 year-old Belgian was one of a number of custodians tried out by Gullit before John Karelse joined and appeared in the second half here in place of Lionel Perez.
NUFC.com match report

2006 Lillestrĝm (h)
(Norway)
1-1
(0-1)
Intertoto Cup Third Round 1st Leg
Luque(50)
Koren(21)

31,059
Newcastle didn't exactly hit the ground running in their first competitive game of the season, but Albert Luque's second half equaliser meant that the second leg success in Norway was enough to secure a spot in the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Cup.
NUFC.com match report

2008 Despite taking an early lead, United reserves were humbled 2-6 by Northern League Newcastle Benfield at their Sam Smiths Ground.

First team boss Kevin Keegan looked on as Ryan Donaldson and Jonny Godsmark both scored, but Magpies 'keeper Fraser Forster picked the ball out of his net five times in just over 30 first half minutes.
NUFC.com match report

2009 The reserves began pre-season with a 3-2 win over Ashington at Woodhorn Lane.

Newcastle netted through Fabio Zamblera, Wesley Baheng and Sammy Ameobi, while ex- Magpie Liam Atkin was on target for the Colliers.
NUFC.com match report


2011 Darlington (a)
0-2
(0-1)
Friendly
Barton(3), Sa.Ameobi(56)
9,721
United won their pre-season opener at the Northern Echo Arena, but in addition to giving 22 players a run out, both Alan Pardew and John Carver found themselves taking to the field.

The United managerial pair were forced to make appeals for calm after some loutish behaviour from a section of the 6,000+ travelling support saw play suspended for almost ten minutes when Sammy Ameobi's goal prompted a pitch invasion.
NUFC.com match report

2012 Reports circulated that Newcastle had enquired about re-signing Andy Carroll on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool - with apparent confirmation coming via club officials to Sky Sports. It didn't happen.

2019 The unpalatable prospect of Steve Bruce succeeding Rafa Benitez at SJP moved closer with news that he'd resigned from his post at Sheffield Wednesday amidst ongoing wrangles over the level of compensation due to the Owls for him and his coaches.

2019 Although U23 head coach Neil Redfearn was thousands of miles away with the first team in China, his new side began pre-season with a victory.

Goals from Luke Charman and Lewis Cass gave them a 2-1 success against Hibernian at their training ground in East Lothian.

2019 La Liga side Deportivo Alaves completed the signing of Joselu from Newcastle for £2m.

The 29 year-old forward was in the initial squad for United's pre-season visit to China but was subsequently withdrawn.

2020 Tottenham Hotspur (h) 1-3 (0-1)
Premier League

P36, 43pts, 13th/20
Ritchie(56)
Son(27), Kane(60,90)
BCD

Harry Kane's second half brace gave Spurs their third successive victory at Gallowgate - and Jose Mourinho the first league win on Tyneside of his entire managerial career.
NUFC.com match report

2021 Newcastle confirmed the arrival of Darren Eales as their new Chief Executive Officer. The Essex-born 49 year-old left a similar role at MLS club Atlanta United and would be reunited with Sporting Director Dan Ashworth at SJP, having worked with him previously at West Bromwich Albion.

2022 1860 Munich (Germany) (n)
3-0
(0-0)
Friendly
Willock(55), S.Longstaff(63), Guimaraes(76)
600

Newcastle's second pre-season kickabout came against Bundesliga opposition in the Austrian alpine town of Saalfelden 

Recent signings Sven Botman and Nick Pope both made their club debuts.
NUFC.com match report

2023 Gateshead (a)
3-2
(0-2)
Friendly
Anderson(50), Saint-Maximin(59), Turner-Cooke (81)
Dinanga(12), Wearne(45)
7,096

Pre-match and half time downpours left the International Stadium pitch saturated, as Newcastle recovered from going two goals down to claim victory against Mike Williamson's Tynesiders.
NUFC.com match report