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Last Match |
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Newcastle 0
Everton 1
Premier League
St. James' Park
Sunday 25th May
Match
report
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The Never-Ending Tour |
Number of Newcastle games attended by NUFC.com
in 2025/26: |
0 |
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ST
home Cup schemes x3 end
on Fri 27.06 @ 5pm
Celtic (a)
SOLD
OUT
Atletico Madrid (h) SOLD
OUT (premium seats left)
Aston
Villa (a) details
awaited
Internationals:
Danes bow out
William Osula (Denmark U21s):
Sunday 22.06.2025 France (n) lost 2-3 ECF QF
The Newcastle forward was unable to add to his three goals and two assists
in the tournament in Sunday's quarter final tie. Playing for the opening 60
minutes in Presov, he made little impact and went off with his side 2-1
ahead.
Tino Livramento (England U21s):
Sat 21.06.2025 Spain (n) won 3-1 ECF
With the Newcastle full back restored to the starting line-up, England ran
out winners in Trnava. Livramento completed the full game at right back while ex-Magpie
Elliot Anderson rounded off the scoring with a late penalty.
England's reward is a semi-final meeting with the Netherlands on Wednesday.
2025/26:
Extra home friendly
Newcastle confirm that they will play an
additional pre-season friendly fixture at St. James' Park, facing Spaniards Espanyol in
a 7.30pm kick-off on Friday August 8th.
That's the night before the sold-out visit of fellow La Liga side Atletico
Madrid to Gallowgate - the fourth successive season that Eddie Howe's side
have concluded their preparations with back to back home kickabouts.
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, June 24th with no
exclusive period for ST holders or members - it's open to everyone with a
box office account at that time.
Cheapest adult tickets cost £20.
The two sides last met in a pre-season kickabout staged at Espanyol's former
home at Montjuic Stadium in August 2000, the hosts running out 2-1 winners.
The Magpies did rather better against in Spain during May 1960,
securing a 5-2 victory at Espanyol's previous Estadi de Sarria base.
Giveaway:
Fanzine
compo
- ends Monday

Available
online now is the latest issue of Seen.By. a softback
photography fanzine that covers regional topics captured by a loose
collective of photographers.
Issue 2 documents the events of March 2025, when Newcastle's eternal quest
to win silverware ended in memorable style against Liverpool at Wembley.
Photos of that day from Wembley, Covent Garden and Tyneside are joined in
the 84 pages by other memorable shots from the open top bus parade and
celebrations.
Limited to 250 copies, the fanzine costs £10 plus £3.70 postage (overseas
postage rates available on request) and can be purchased online here
We have copies of the books to give away and to be in with a chance of
winning, send your answer to the following question via email to [email protected]
by 9pm on Monday June 23rd. Subject line of Photos.
Eddie Howe became the first English-born Manager to guide a side to League
Cup glory since 2004, when Middlesbrough had won that trophy. Who was the
Boro boss that day?
No
age limit, open to anyone on the planet. Delivery only to UK addresses. One
entry each please per person.
2025/26:
Cup Schemes x 3:
sign up by Friday Sign-ups
remain open for the three stand-alone home cup schemes available, allowing
season ticket holders to guarantee entry to Champions League, FA Cup and
Carabao Cup fixtures at Gallowgate this coming season.
Enrolment must be complete by Friday June 27th at 5pm. That is
a hard deadline with no exceptions.
Anyone struggling to opt in can contact NUFC via 0344
372 1892 from 10am until 5pm every weekday, but the ticket office in
the Milburn Stand will only be open for personal callers this coming Wednesday
from 10am to 5pm.
For anyone who doesn't sign up, there's no guarantee of any seat for a home
tie in that competition and their sales window will open alongside that of
club members.
Pricing for the two domestic cup competitions is unchanged from 2024/25 at
£35 & £30 for home FA Cup ties and £25 & £20 for Carabao Cup
games at SJP.
FA Cup and Carabao Cup payments will be taken within seven days of a home
game being confirmed.
Champions League tickets cost £70 & £60, increasing from our last
entrance in 2023/24 when they were £60 & £55.
Regardless of when United's Champions League home games are staged, payments
will be taken for those tickets on the 1st day of July, August, September
and October.
NUFC Cup Scheme announcement is here
NUFC Cup Scheme enrolment
guide is here
NUFC Cup Scheme FAQs are here
NUFC Cup Scheme Ts & Cs are here
2025/26:
Fixtures announced Newcastle
will begin their 2025/26 season against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday
August 16th, with kick-off confirmed as 12.30pm for live UK TV
(TNT Sports).
The first Tyne-wear derby league fixtures since 2015/16 take United to the
dark place on or around December 13th, with the return at SJP on or around
March 21st - a game that would be rescheduled should Eddie Howe's side make it
to Wembley to defend the Carabao Cup.
The festive season will be played away from Tyneside, with successive trips
to Manchester United and Burnley - note that the only "blackout"
day announced by the PL is December 24th, meaning that fixtures are liable
to be rescheduled to both December 26th and January 1st.
There's a Wednesday night London game
against Spurs in February, but a further trio of midweek home fixtures.
Two Saturday home games are set to be pushed back to Sundays as a result of
European scheduling: the visit of Nottingham Forest to SJP in October moving
to Sunday 5th assuming that the visitors have progressed through their
Conference playoff and are in action on Thursday 2nd.
Similarly, the home game against Aston Villa in January should move to
Sunday 25th as the Villans will be in Europa League action the previous
Thursday.
There's no clash with PL games on any FA Cup round weekend until the
semi-finals, with the Quarter Finals on or around Saturday April 4th, which
is the Easter weekend.
That follows an international break, meaning that there's a guaranteed 19
day period with no PL games as it stands.
The final home game against West Ham is scheduled
on Sunday May 17th along with the rest of the PL games that weekend.
Saturday May 16th is clear for the FA Cup Final.
The closing game of the season then takes the Magpies to Fulham on Sunday
May 24th, Craven Cottage also the venue for our 38th and final PL game in
2019 and 2021.
United's visit to Everton is scheduled for the final weekend of November, with
the Hill Dickinson Stadium the 61st venue to have staged a
PL fixture involving the Magpies.
This will be the first time since 2020/21 that Newcastle have begun and
ended a season away from home.
fixture
list
The return of Burnley, Leeds United and the mackems at the expense of
Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City means that Newcastle's seasonal
away mileage will reduce by a whopping 1,300* miles from 9,462 to
8,162.
* subject to slight alteration, depending on which daft route the Toon bus
convoy takes to wearside....
RGR:
Road runner
The man known as Run
Geordie Run is now in the state of Kansas, as he continues
his
charity trek across the USA from New York to California.
Donations are now heading towards £22,000 with every penny raised supporting the work of St.Benedicts Hospice.
If you can help, please do so online here
Find the RGR blog here
Old
boys:
The departed
Former Magpie
Andy Carroll has announced his departure from Bordeaux, after
spending one season with the club who were demoted to the fourth
tier of French football due to financial issues.
It's unclear whether the 36 year-old will extend his playing career
elsewhere, but in a statement confirming the exit, Bordeaux say
Carroll is returning to England in order to be closer to his
children.
Also heading for pastures new is Steven Taylor, who is
standing down as Coach of UAE-based Al Qabila despite leading the
club to promotion last season.
And League of Ireland Shelbourne have confirmed the mid-season
departure of manager Damien Duff, ahead of next month's
Champions League meeting with Linfield.
Internationals:
U19 Euro update
Antonio Cordero (Spain U19s):
Thu 19.06.2025 Montenegro (n) won 5-0 ECF
Spain's perfect start to defending their European Championship title
continued with a third win in as many Group A ties.
Cordero was rested and appeared from the bench with 83 minutes
played in Ploiesti and the scoring having ended.
Next up is a semi-final meeting on Monday afternoon against Germany -
Netherlands and hosts Romania clash in the other tie later the same
day.
U21s:
Mariners again
In
a repeat of their 2024/25 pre-season meeting, Newcastle U21s will
travel to South Shields for a friendly fixture on Sunday
August 3rd. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Before that public fixture, the second string host Hull City U21s
behind closed doors on Saturday July 26th (1pm).
2025/26:
Teen trio commit
Newcastle have agreed
contract extensions with three 18 year-old players on the verge of the
senior squad.
Full back Leo Shahar, winger Trevan Sanusi and forward Sean
Neave have all put pen to paper on new deals of unspecified duration.
First professional contracts have been
awarded to forward Joe Brayson and defensive duo Logan Watts
and Luke Craggs, who are all 18 or reach that age imminently.
Elsewhere in the Academy, Sam Alabi, Michael Mills and Sam
Pinnington have accepted scholarships and Thomas Bryant's scholarship
is extended into a third year.
Update:
Coach departure
Newcastle confirm that U21 lead coach Diarmuid O’Carroll
has left Gallowgate in order to join the senior team coaching staff at
Czechs Sparta Prague.
O'Carroll moved from his post as St. Mirren assistant manager in September
2024 to join the Magpies, combining that role with coaching the Northern
Ireland national team.
The U21 lead coach role became vacant in July 2024 when Ben Dawson left to
join Leicester City, Neil Winskill and Jack Ross taking interim charge until
O'Carroll's appointment.
Old
boy:
AA joins Tynesiders
National League side
Gateshead have appointed former Magpie Alun Armstrong as their
new manager.
The 50 year-old came through the ranks at Gallowgate but left without making
a senior competitive debut, appearing for the likes of Stockport County,
Boro and Ipswich Town during his playing career.
Previously taking charge of Blyth Spartans and Darlington, Alan has been out
of management since leaving the latter back in September 2023. More recently
he became head of Elite and Performance Football at Gateshead College.
2025/26:
Korea
confirmation
Following last months announcement that
Newcastle will play two pre-season games in South Korea, belated
confirmation of the dates and venues has now appeared.
Eddie Howe's side will take place in the Coupang Play Series against
a local XI and fellow Premier League side Spurs.

The meeting with Team K League will
take place on Wednesday July 30th (8pm local time) at the 42,000 capacity
Suwon World Cup Stadium (above).

That will be followed by a kickabout against Spurs
on Sunday August 3rd (8pm local time) at the 65,000 capacity
Seoul World Cup
Stadium (above).
The two venues are around 25 miles from each other.
From NUFC:
Tickets for fans based in South Korea will be available during pre-sale and
general sale windows, with pre-sale exclusively available to Coupang Play
Sports Pass subscribers.
Team K League:
Pre-sale 25.06.2025 (8pm), general sale 27.06.2025 (8pm)
Spurs:
Pre-sale 26.06.2025 (8pm), general sale 04.07.2025 (8pm)
Tickets will be
exclusively available via Coupang Play.
Tickets for fans
travelling to South Korea will be initially available to ST Holders and Mags
Members from 10am on 30.06.2025. General sale is from 10am
on 07.07.2025.
United's pre-season schedule now extends to six matches as follows,
preceded by a behind closed doors friendly:
Sat 19.07.2025 Celtic (Scotland) (a)
Sun 27.07.2025 Arsenal (n) in Singapore
Wed 30.07.2025 Team K League (South Korea) (a)
Sun 03.08.2025 Spurs (n) in South Korea
Fri 08.08.2025 Espanyol (h) (Spain) (h)
Sat 09.08.2025 Atletico Madrid (Spain) (h)
Update:
Bill of rights
Marking a century since a rule change by football's
ruling body inspired by his cunning, The Athletic reflect on the
genius of Newcastle United's Bill McCracken here
PS: A detailed biography of McCracken has been
written by NUFC club historian Paul Joannou and is due for publication in
September 2025.
Update:
FAB minutes
Minutes from the most recent FAB (Fan Advisory Board) meeting at SJP are now
available online here
Amongst the usual range of topics
covered was the following update regarding 2025/26 kit releases:
"Third kit to launch in early July and Away shirt launch planned to be
on pre-season tour in Asia during July or August."
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
Lewis Cass Harrogate Town
Stan Flaherty Hampton & Richmond
Lloyd Kelly Juventus
Oisin McEntee Hearts
John Robertson Ross County AM
Josh Scott Darlington
Free agents leaving SJP:
Josh Donaldson
James Huntley
Jamal Lewis
Lloyd Kelly
Harry Powell
Rory Powell
John Ruddy (possibility of new terms)
Ellis Stanton
Jay Turner-Cooke
Callum Wilson (possibility of new terms)
Former Magpies leaving
their clubs include:
Tom Allan Gateshead
Graeme Carrick Boro C
Andy Carroll Bordeaux
Lewis Cass Grimsby Town
Nicky Deverdics Blyth Spartans
Damien Duff Shelbourne M
Paul Dummett Carlisle United
Stan Flaherty Kingstonian
Fraser Forster Spurs
Dwight
Gayle Hibernian (retired)
Jeff Hendrick Derby County
JJ Hooper Blyth Spartans
Tim Krul Luton Town
Oisin McEntee Walsall
Greg Olley Gateshead
Josh Scott Queens Park
Jonjo Shelvey Burnley
Steven Taylor Al Qabila
Ben Tozer Forest Green Rovers (retired)
Jonathan Woodgate Boro C
Freddie Woodman Preston North End

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:
closing date Fri 27.06.2025 @ 5pm
ST home cup scheme pricing:
CL: £60 & £70
FA: £30 & £35
CC: £20 & £25
2025/26 Memberships
- ££ unchanged.
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
Fri 27.06.2025 Cup Schemes (h) ST holder sign-up closes @ 5pm.
Wed 09.07.2025 Aug & Sep PL live TV picks due @ no specific time.
TBC ??.07.2025 Team tbc (?)
@ venue tbc, KO tbc. Friendly. Behind
closed doors.
Sat 19.07.2025 Celtic (Scotland) (a)
@ Parkhead, 3pm. Friendly. SOLD OUT. Allocation:
7,200 (paper tickets).
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.
Tickets
available online here
Wed 30.07.2025 Team K League (South Korea) (a)
@ Suwon World Cup Stadium, South Korea, 8pm local time (Noon BST). Friendly.
ST holder sale Mon 30.06.2025 10am, public sale Mon 07.07.2025,
10am.
Sun 03.08.2025 Spurs (n)
@ Seoul World Cup Stadium, South Korea. 8pm local time (Noon BST). Friendly. ST holder sale Mon 30.06.2025 10am, public sale Mon 07.07.2025,
10am.
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 Tue 24.06.2025 @ 10am
(no exclusive sales period for ST holders or members).
Sat 09.08.2025 Atletico Madrid (Spain) (h)
@ SJP, 4pm.
Friendly. SOLD OUT (Premium tickets still
available).
Sat 16.08.2025
Aston Villa (a) @ Villa Park, 12.30pm. Premier League. Live
on TNT 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
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
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Live TV release dates:
Aug
by Wed 09.07.2025
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
EFL Trophy (Vertu Trophy):
Group Stage draw 26.06.2025
Matchday One: w/c Mon 01.09.2025
Other dates tbc
Premier League International Cup:
Details tbc
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.
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
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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
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Coxy's Corner |
|
Whoops, He did it Again... |
|
The Star's coverage of the England U21 game seems to suggest
that the Magpies have made their first foray into the summer
transfer market....
(Kev Murdie)
What's this all about then?
Click here
for a rambling explanation of sorts....
|
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On This Day in History |
|
22nd June |
|
Born Or Died:
1868 Bob
Foyers born, Hamilton, Scotland. (1895-97)
Left back who
was capped twice for Scotland while playing for Edinburgh St.Bernard, joining
United in 1895, shortly after winning a Scottish Cup medal.
Debuting in a 3-0 home victory over Loughborough Town in September 1895, Bob
was subsequently made club captain - only to be stripped of it over an
off-field disciplinary matter.
A brief return to St. Bernards came during 1897, followed by an equally short
stay with Clyde. Bob died in August 1942.

1879 Bobby
Templeton born, Coylton, Scotland. (1903-04)

A tricky
winger known for his weaving style on the ball, Bobby had made his name with
Kilmarnock and Hibernian before a first foray to England in 1899 came with
Aston Villa.
Moving to to United in January 1903 at a cost of £400, he proved to be a
popular but inconsistent player. And after less than two years on Tyneside, a
£250 switch took Bobby to Woolwich Arsenal.
Later spells with Celtic and Kilmarnock followed, as well as another further
stint back over the border, with Fulham.
During his time at SJP Templeton won three of his eleven full Scotland caps. He
passed away in November 1919.

1891 Alex
Rainnie born, Banff, Scotland (1919-20).
Left half whose solitary senior appearance for United was a 0-4 loss at
Everton in January 1920, deputising for Jock Finlay.
Beginning his playing career with Dumbarton, Alex moved to the North East as
a youngster and played for Hebburn Argyle.
Serving in the Royal Navy during WW1, he returned to Tyneside and was
spotted by Newcastle playing for South Shields in May 1919.
Featuring for the reserves aside from that one call-up, Rainnie joined
Darlington in July 1920 and then Ashington for a season in 1923/24 - The
Colliers playing in the Football League at that time.
Finding employment in Tyneside shipyards,
Alex passed away in 1965. His death was recorded in County Durham.

1 914 Alf
Garnham born, Birtley.
(1934-42)

Left half who
joined United from his local side during April 1934 and was promoted to the first
team for a 0-1 loss at Norwich during December 1935.
Moving on to Queen of the South shortly before the outbreak of World War II,
Alf returned to guest for the Magpies in the War Leagues.
A fireman in Dumfries during the conflict, Garnham became player-manager of
West Stanley in 1946 and was forced to retire from playing through injury four
years on.
He passed away in 1998.

1993 Loris Karius born Biberach, Germany (2022-24)

An unexpected arrival in September 2022,
Karius was a free agent when agreeing a short-term contract as cover for the
existing Gallowgate goalkeepers.
His signing followed the departure of Martin Dubravka on loan to Manchester
United and an ankle injury to Karl Darlow that left Nick Pope as the only
available custodian with Premier League experience.
Karius had been a free agent after his deal with Liverpool ended in 2022 -
although he'd not appeared for the Reds since the 2018 Champions League
Final loss to Real Madrid.
Loaned to Besiktas and Union Berlin after shouldering some the blame for
that loss, his most recent competitive appearance had come in a Bundesliga
game in May 2021.
Named on the bench in the Premier League for Newcastle, Loris extended his
stay until the end of the season in January 2023, as Karl Darlow headed on
loan to Hull City and Dubravka returned from Old Trafford.
By then he'd managed 45 minutes on the field for the Magpies; playing the
first half of a friendly win over Al-Hilal in Riyadh.
Rather improbably, Karius would make his competitive Magpies bow in the
Carabao Cup Final at Wembley the following month; with Pope suspended,
Dubravka cup-tied and reserve custodian Mark Gillespie overlooked.
He made one more appearance before leaving the club in Summer 2024, a
1-4 mauling in the Premier League at Arsenal.
Clubless until the following January when joining Schalke 04 on a short-term
deal, Loris then signed a two year extension at the Bundesliga 2 club that
summer.
A German youth international who failed to win a senior cap, Loris began his
career with Stuttgart before signing for Manchester City during 2009.
However he didn't advance beyond the reserves.
Loaned to German side Mainz in 2011, he initially played for their second
string before being promoted to the senior side, making his move permanent
in 2012.
A switch to Liverpool then followed four years later, playing the first of
49 league and cup games in September 2016.
| Lge |
LC |
Tot |
| A |
S |
G |
A |
S |
G |
Ap |
Su |
Gl |
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1 |
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1 |
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2 |
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1996 Mikel Merino born Pamplona, Spain.
(2017-18)

United's fifth close
season capture ahead of their top flight return in 2017 came on a
season-long loan from Borussia Dortmund.
Beginning his professional career with Osasuna in his home city of Pamplona,
the midfielder made his senior debut in January 2015 and agreed a five year deal
with Dortmund the following year.
Debuting in the Bundesliga against Hertha Berlin in October 2016, Mikel made
nine league and cup appearances in total (two starts) without scoring.
Like Jacob Murphy, Merino played at the 2017 Euro U21 finals - a tournament that NUFC head scout Steve Nickson
attended.
Both Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao were linked with Merino and he was
omitted from the squad for Dortmund's Swiss training camp in expectation of
a move.
First glimpsed in friendly action away to Mainz, Mikel's senior bow came at
home to Spurs on the opening day of the season.
His first Premier League
goal resulted in a 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace that October and news of a
permanent five year deal at a cost of , which had been provisioned in the
original loan.
However, a back injury sidelined Merino a month later and by the time he
returned, Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey had formed an effective unit in
midfield.
Speculation of a return to his native Spain did the rounds in the media and
what proved to be a farewell outing came late on in a 1-2 loss at Watford in
May 2018.
A £10.5m release clause was triggered by Real Sociedad amid
interest from Athletic Bilbao, Benitez later confirming that the
agreed price applied only to Basque clubs.
Full international honours then arrived in August 2020 for Mikel,
selected to face Germany in a Nations League tie.
Merino returned to the Premier League with Arsenal for around £31m in August
2024, only to immediately fracture his shoulder in training.
Fielded as a makeshift centre forward at times in his first
season as a Gunner, he featured in both Premier League and Carabao Cup
games on Tyneside but
neither of the Emirates meetings.
First capped at senior international level by Spain in 2020,
Mikel was part of the squad that won silver at the Olympic
football tournament the following year.
A late substitute in the 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2024
Final in Berlin, he came off the bench a year later against
Portugal in the Nations League Cup Final.
That ended in a 2-2 draw, Merino then netting in the penalty
shootout only for his side to then lose 3-5 in Munich.

| |
What Else?
1960 Following
their demotion to Division Three, Bristol City
completed a £5,000 deal for Newcastle forward Alex
Tait.
26 year-old Tait had made 34 league and cup
appearances for the Magpies during the previous four
seasons, three of his ten goals coming in a 6-2
derby win in 1956.
1986 England exited the World Cup Finals at the
Quarter Final stage, beaten 2-1 in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium.
Scoreless at the break, Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God'
effort gave his side a 51st minute lead before the
same player hit a world-class goal four minutes
later.
Gary Lineker netted in the 81st minute but there was
no equaliser for an England side managed by Bobby
Robson.
Newcastle's Peter Beardsley lined up with future Magpies Kenny Sansom and John
Barnes and ex-colleague Chris Waddle.
Bobby Robson who later said of the
"goal":
"It wasn’t the hand of God. It was the hand of a rascal. God had nothing
to do with it. (Maradona's second was) a brilliant goal - I didn’t like
it but I had to admire it.”
1998 Newcastle's summer signings so far: Stephane
Guivarc'h (Auxerre £3.5m), Stephen Glass (Aberdeen £650K), George
Giorgiadis (Panathinaikos £500K), Lionel
Perez (mackems £0).
1999 Although an official announcement
hadn't yet confirmed it, Real Mallorca defender Elena Marcelino was on his way
to Tyneside for a reported £6m.
Meanwhile, the infamous Lee Clark
Wembley SMB T-shirt pic first appeared on NUFC.com.
2001 Rumours that Coventry City striker
Craig Bellamy was on Bobby's wanted list started to grow.
2005 United announced they had filled
the vacancy left by Academy Coach John Carver by appointing ex-Mag Glenn Roeder.
A year later he was in charge of the big lads....
2006 Michael
Owen may have been back home but Newcastle still had a World Cup goalscorer as
Craig Moore's first half penalty sent Australia into the last sixteen.
A 2-2 draw against Croatia was enough for Australia to qualify in second place
as Brazil thumped Japan 4-1 to win the group.
Harry Kewell got Australia's second after
Croatia had taken the lead for the second time but referee Graham Poll took
centre stage, brandishing three red cards and infamously three yellows for Josip
Simunic!

2016 United received
confirmation that their first league game out of the top flight since 2010 would
be on a Friday
evening against Fulham at Craven Cottage, live on Sky TV.
2018 Aleksandar
Mitrovic, United's sole representative at the World Cup Finals in Russia, found
the net for Serbia in their 1-2 Group Stage defeat by Switzerland.
The striker's goal in Kaliningrad
made him only the seventh Magpie to net at in a
World Cup Final tournament:
George Robledo Chile v USA 1950
Ivor Broadis England v Belgium 1954 (2)
Peter Beardsley England v Paraguay 1986
Alan Shearer England v Tunisia 1998
Alan Shearer England v Argentina 1998
Craig Moore Australia v Croatia 2006
Moussa Sissoko France v Switzerland 2014
Aleksandar Mitrovic Serbia v Switzerland 2018
2021 Ryan Fraser came off the bench but was unable to help his Scotland
colleagues avoid a 1-3 defeat to Croatia at Hampden Park that ended their Euros
campaign.
2023 there was a lively start for United's Anthony
Gordon as England began their European U21
Championship Final games.
Playing as a striker, he laid on one goal and had an
effort chalked off as England defeated Czech
Republic 2-0 in Batumi.
2023 Over in Cluj,, Italy U21s lost 1-2 to
France, with
Sandro Tonali captaining the beaten Azzurri side and
adding an assist.
The AC Milan midfielder was reported to be on the
verge of completing a £60m switch to Newcastle
United.
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