Girona (h) Public sale now
Brest (h) Public sale now
Saints (h) ST forwarding/resale/member sale now
Spurs (h) Member ballot open now
Bournemouth (a) ST sale now, 100pts

2024/25:
Mariners fail to 
make net gains

South Shields  1  Newcastle U21s  1

Some wayward finishing from South Shields ensured that Newcastle U21s avoided defeat on Sunday afternoon in their only advertised pre-season friendly.

1,424 fans were at the 1st Cloud Arena to see the National League North Mariners round off their preparations for next week's opener at Hereford.

And the home fans were cheering in the ninth minute as  Paul Blackett's low cross from the right was finished off by Ewan McGowan's shot inside the box.

Having supplied an assist, home centre forward Blackett then fired wide of the target before testing Aidan Harris with a clever header. 

A defensive error gave the young Magpies sight of goal midway through the opening period, Johnny Emerson eluding an opponent and confidently picking his spot.

The second half saw Adam Harrison take over from Harris, but Blackett proved to be no more adept at getting the ball past him - the Mariners captain twice off-target in quick succession just before the hour.

With a refashioned Magpies side unable to threaten Myles Boney in the Shields goal, the hosts continued their quest to find a winning goal - Blackett missing another sitter 11 minutes from time. 

However it remained 1-1 - replicating the scoreline from Newcastle's last visit here, 32 years to the day.

Team: Harris (Harrison 46), R.Powell (Palmer 46), Charlton, Stanton (Watts 64), C.Thompson, H.Powell (Craggs 64), trialist A (Brayson 64), Hernes [R.Powell 83], Donaldson (trialist B 64), Munda (Bloomer 75), Emerson. Subs n/u: None.

Cathal Heffernan, Jamie Miley, Alfie Harrison, Trevan Sanusi and Jay Turner-Cooke were all unavailable after receiving senior team call-ups for the Japan tour.

Following the departure of U21 head coach Ben Dawson, the Magpies coaching staff on Sunday included old boy and current Darlington boss Steve Watson.

Newcastle included two trialists, a left footed right winger played for just over an hour and a forward appearing for the final 26 minutes of the second half.

 

Trialist A looks to be Galway United's teenage prospect Kyle Fitzgerald, while we think that the attacker is Muhamadou Sedibeh, linked with a move from Bradford City to Tyneside on social media over the weekend.     

SSFC: Boney, Taylor (Shepherd 46), Bramwell, Broadbent, Heaney, Mee, Ward, Jenkins, McGowan, Blackett, Rutledge.
Subs n/u: Seymour, Henry, Savage, Watts, Sloan.

The Mariners are managed by ex-Newcastle U21 coach, Elliott Dickman, who has added SJP old boys Kyle Crossley and Dan Ward to a squad that already included Mackenzie Heaney.

Referee: tbc

2024/25:
Tokyo drift

Yokohama F. Marinos  2  Newcastle  0

Match action

Match report

Giveaway:
Bucket list
 
Newcastle-based Football Bobbles have restocked their bucket hats, including a reversible design inspired by the 1996/97 season home and away kits.   

Made for NUFC fans by NUFC fans, the Shearer hat  comes in three sizes online here

We have one to give away in our latest free-to-enter competition. To enter, please email your answer to the question below to [email protected] subject Hats:

Alan Shearer took just three minutes of his comeback game for Newcastle after injury in early 1998 to score. Which non-league side was he facing? 

Closing date is Noon on Thursday August 8th. No age limit, open to anyone on the planet but delivery must be to a UK address. One entry each please per person.

PS: NUFC.com readers can also take advantage of a special offer on the Shaka bucket hat for just £14.99. Use promo code openingday at checkout.  

Incoming:
Come on Rory

Update: It's claimed that Newcastle have now made a further foray into the transfer market at youth level, acquiring Finneran's Ireland youth international colleague Kyle Fitzgerald. 

The NUFC blog website report that a deal has been agreed with Galway United for the 17 year-old forward who made his senior club debut earlier this year.

News outlets in Ireland assert that the transfer will be concluded next January, when Fitzgerald celebrates his 18th birthday.

Fitzgerald spent time on trial at Brighton last year but looks to North East bound, following the example of defender Alex Murphy who moved from Galway to Newcastle in July 2022 at the age of 18. 

Earlier: Several months after it was first speculated upon, Newcastle appear to have clinched the signing of Blackburn Rovers midfielder Rory Finneran.

The Ireland youth international celebrated his 16th birthday back in February, weeks after having made a senior debut in the FA Cup - becoming Blackburn's youngest-ever player in the process.

Finneran was then an unused substitute against Newcastle in the Fifth Round tie at Ewood Park. 

Photos of him clad in a Newcastle shirt have emerged on social media, although formal confirmation of the move is yet to follow from either club. It's unclear whether a suitable compensation package has been agreed or will have to be determined by a tribunal.

Finneran follows goalkeeper James Taylor, striker Kayden Lucas and defensive trio Aaron Epia, Ezra Tika-Lemba and Miodrag Pivas to Tyneside in recent weeks.

Update:
Tommy Cassidy RIP

We're sorry to report the passing of former Magpie Tommy Cassidy on Friday, at the age of 73.

The Northern Ireland international made a £25,000 switch from Glentoran in his native Belfast during October 1970, debuting in a 0-2 defeat against Southampton at the Dell the following month.

That would be the first of 239 senior appearances in all competitions over the next decade, before moving on to join Burnley for the 1980/81 season. 

Originally a striker he became a regular in midfield, finishing on the losing side for the Magpies at Wembley in the 1974 FA Cup Final and 1976 League Cup Final.

Cassidy's 28 league and cup goals included a brace in a 3-2 home win over Manchester United in 1973 and six in his final season, memorably including one in the 3-1 derby victory at Gallowgate on New Years Day 1980. 

A late flourish for the Clarets included winning the Third Division title and appearing for Northern Ireland at the 1982 World Cup Finals, the last of his 24 caps as substitute in the epic 1-0 wins over hosts Spain.

Ending his playing days in Cyprus with Apoel Nicosia, Tommy's managerial career began there before spells in charge of Gateshead, Glentoran, Ards, Sligo Rovers, Workington, Newcastle Blue Star, Whitby Town and Blyth Spartans - leaving Croft Park in October 2012.

2021 brought the sad news that Tommy had been living with dementia since 2017.

Update:
Defender approach
now reported

Writing for The Athletic, the usually well-informed David Ornstein divulges that Newcastle are in contact with Crystal Palace over central defender Marc Guehi.

Negotiations are said to be in progress to sign the 24 year-old England international who has two years left on his current contract at Selhurst Park.

More to follow... 

Update:
Striker talk increases

Update: Friday brought confirmation from Sky that a deal was in place for the player, but no agreement on personal terms had been reached.

Earlier: Having surfaced via several media outlets last week, Thursday brought renewed speculation of a move by Newcastle for Sheffield United's William Osula.

The Danish-born striker turns 21 on Sunday and made his most recent competitive appearance for the Blades from the bench during their 1-5 Premier League loss at SJP last April. He's netted twice in pre-season so far.

Sky Sports News report that the Magpies are in "advanced talks" for Osula, claiming a £10m initial fee with £5m in add-ons. He's under contract until 2027.

The interest is presumably prompted by Callum Wilson's latest injury setback and a lack of forward cover from the club's academy.

Debuting for Sheffield United in the Championship in March 2022, Osula played and scored in a training ground game against Newcastle U21s ahead of the 2022/23 season.

That was then followed by a report in the Sheffield Star newspaper that the Magpies held an interest in signing the player, although no more was heard after that.

Loaned out to League One Derby County soon after, William netted five times in all competitions for the Rams, returning to Bramall Lane last season to score three goals (all in the FA Cup). He made nine PL starts and a further 12 substitute appearances without netting.

2024/25:
U18/U21 fixture release 

Newcastle's U18s and U21s have received their league fixture lists for the coming season, with both kicking off over the same weekend as the first team.

The youngsters open up with a home meeting against Boro on Saturday August 17th at 11am.

2024/25 U18 league fixtures are online here

Their elders meanwhile host the mackems on the following Monday (August 19th) at 7pm. The PL website lists that at Whitley Park, but NUFC themselves say that the venue is still tbc.

2024/25 PL2 league fixtures are online here

Update:
No Summer holiday 

Among the free agent players to have taken advantage of a PFA-sponsored pre-season training camp are former Magpie duo Dwight Gayle and Ciaran Clark.

Both now 34, the pair were clubless after leaving Derby County and Stoke City respectively, joining around 30 other unattached players at the Champneys Springs hotel in Leicestershire.

And in the case of Gayle, the programme may have paid dividends with League Two Stockport County giving him a trial and some pitch time in a kickabout against Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.  

2024/25:
Diamonds cut

Urawa Red Diamonds  1  Newcastle  4

Match report

Match action

2024/25:
Bournemouth (a)
ticket sale update



NUFC's additional notes for this fixture are as follows:

AFC Bournemouth has introduced licensed safe standing in the away end at the Vitality Stadium. 

Safe standing locations will be found in Rows J – R of our allocation. Those that prefer to remain seated should secure seating in Rows A – I, option indicated during the purchase process.

Unaccompanied children/young people under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 and above.

All concession sales are advised to carry proof of age including photo ID and valid expiry date when paying student rate.

Tickets will be in the form of paper.

There are major rail disruptions during the weekend of the Bournemouth game on Sunday August 25th, principally the closure of Kings Cross Station from Saturday night until Monday morning.

More details are online here

Closer to home, the Metro is closed between St James and Wallsend in both directions from Saturday August 24th to Sunday September 1st.

Replacement bus service 900 will operate.

More details online here

96 tears:
"Love It..." offer

Following a successful run there last year, "Love It If We Beat Them" returns to the Live Theatre on Newcastle Quayside from September 10th to the 28th.

Rob Ward's play mixes football and politics against a backdrop of Newcastle's fruitless pursuit of the 1995/96 Premiership title.

NUFC.com readers can buy tickets for just £19.96 by using promo code NUFC here. 

The discount also extends to personal callers at the box office but is only valid until the start of the PL season on August 17th. 

2024/25:
Season tickets

2024/25 digital season tickets are appearing in NUFC ticketing accounts online here with emails from the club dropping into inboxes.

Select "My Account" then "Season Tickets" and a download option should then be evident. 

Update:
No Lions

Speaking to the media in Japan on Tuesday, Eddie Howe responded to questions about the England job as follows:

"I have had no contact whatsoever from anybody - I am fully committed to Newcastle.

"There is nothing to talk about, I do not need to address the players. They know how by how I act and I hope they can see how I am on a daily basis to see how committed I am to the club too."

2024/25:
Change kit launch

Newcastle launched their new third kit during the club's Japanese tour on Tuesday morning, Shola Ameobi meeting fans at a sports shop in the Ginza area of Tokyo. 

That's on sale now from JD Sports online here

The inspiration for the colour scheme looks to be the 1999/00 season change kit, reviving the NUFC round crest not seen on a Magpies strip since 1988. 

Eagle-eyed NUFC.com reader Neil Rutherford spotted the 2024/25 change strip - or the shirt anyway - already on sale in a sports shop near Times Square in NYC, USA.

Premier League:
Man City (h) ticket
sale information 

Ticket sale dates for Newcastle's home game against Manchester City have been confirmed as follows.

A reminder that ticket sales are restricted to members, but a limited sale on a first come, first served basis now follows the ballot.

Full details of that are online here

Manchester City (h)
Ballot open: Tue 27.08.2024 @ 10am
Ballot closes: Thu 29.08.2024 @ 10am
Ballot winners notified: by Thu 29.08.2024 @ 5pm
Ballot winners purchase open: Fri 30.08.2024 @ 10am
Ballot winners purchase closes: Sun 01.09.2024 @ 10am
Ticket forward/resale: Mon 02.09.2024 @ 10am
Member sale opens: Tue 03.09.2024 @ 10am

2024/25:
Tigers tamed

Hull City  0  Newcastle  2 

Match report

2024/25:
Away tickets: no change 

Friday saw NUFC divulge the details of their recent away ticketing survey. The main points are as follows:

No change to the loyalty point system, with points only applied to season ticket holder accounts once it has been confirmed that it was used to gain entry. 

Spot checks of ID to continue unchanged, with the manner in which they are conducted to be subject to review.

No change to the situation where away tickets can be transferred, but further consultation to take place over a possible limited change to that rule.

The full document is online here  

Update:
Transfers

First team arrivals and departures:

Inbound:
Odysseas Vlachodimos Nottingham Forest
John Ruddy unattached
Lloyd Kelly unattached
Lewis Hall Chelsea

Outbound:
Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest
Yankuba Minteh Brighton
Paul Dummett unattached
Matt Ritchie unattached
Loris Karius unattached
Kell Watts Cambridge United
Jeff Hendrick unattached  

Old boys:
Unlikely lads

SJP old boys with new clubs/jobs include:

Craig Bellamy Wales Manager
Kyle Cameron St.Johnstone (loan)
Adam Campbell Hartlepool United
Lewis Cass Grimsby Town
Ian Cathro Estoril (Portugal) Head Coach
Luke Charman Hartlepool United
Stephen Clemence Barrow Head Coach
Kyle Crossley South Shields
Mathieu Debuchy Lille (France) C
Ryan Donaldson Blyth Spartans
Cameron Ferguson Inverness CT (Scotland)
Owen Gallacher Stockton Town
Dwight Gayle Stockport County (trial)
Dan Gosling Westfield
Jamie Holmes North Shields
Jack Hunter Hartlepool United
Joselu Al-Gharafa (Qatar)
Dan Langley Morpeth Town
Steve McClaren Jamaica Manager
Michael Ndiweni Darlington (trial)
Michael Ndiweni Gateshead (trial)
Michael Ndiweni Blyth Spartans (trial)
Michael Newberry Cliftonville (Northern Ireland)
Scott Parker Burnley Manager
Ben Pollock Chester
Allan Saint-Maximin Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Antoine Sibierski Troyes DoF (France)
Moussa Sissoko Watford
Elias Sorensen Portsmouth
Dylan Stephenson Dagenham & Redbridge
Jude Smith Carlisle United
Lewis Suddick North Shields
Ben Tozer Forest Green Rovers
Dan Ward South Shields
Callum Williams Tow Law Town