Wednesday July 16th, 2025

    Last update 23:59 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:
Isak
, Ekitike etc.

After another day of media claims regarding the futures of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, it appears that:

Newcastle made a club record bid for Ekitike that Eintracht Frankfurt rejected. It's claimed that a second bid has gone in, the size and current status of that isn't known.

Liverpool are said to have contacted Frankfurt over the same player, but it's unclear whether they have actually placed a bid or the contact was with his agent only.

Liverpool are said to have contacted Newcastle over Isak, but don't appear to have actually placed what would be a Premier League record bid. It appears that following contact with Liverpool, Isak's agent met with Eddie Howe earlier this month. It's disputed whether Isak himself favours remaining at Gallowgate or moving to Anfield. 

There have been no updates on whether discussions over an extension to Isak's current deal that expires in 2028 began, are ongoing or have ended without a resolution.

Update:
Hoping for Hugo 


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

Negotiations continue for what would be a club record transfer fee in excess of £80m, smashing the previous record of £60m to Real Sociedad for 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.

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.


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 

Eddie Howe and his squad remain in Austria at a training camp in the Tyrol village of Seefeld - their third such trip after visiting Stegersbach in 2007 and Saalfelden in 2022.

The Seefeld Tourist Board website that initially publicised United's visit confirms that there will be no public training sessions or matches.

Among those joining up with the squad were Dan Burn, Martin Dubravka, Emil Krafth Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali. It's unclear when Tino Livramento will join up with the squad, having ended his season with England U21s on June 28th.

Aside from the main senior team group, Harrison Ashby, Mark Gillespie, Travis Hernes, Alex Murphy, John Ruddy, Leo Shahar, Max Thompson and Joe White all travelled.

Sean Neave, Ben Parkinson and Trevan Sanusi were all involved against Carlisle United last Saturday but we're yet to spot them in footage or photos from Austria.

Sean Longstaff travelled to Seefeld but is set to return after terms of his move to Leeds United were agreed.

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.

Given the size of the away support, both the usual away corner and sections of home seating will be occupied by Toon followers.

All away supporters must enter the away section via London Road. On entry from London Road you will be directed to the correct location based on your turnstile number, which are detailed below:

Turnstiles 48–61 via Lisbon Lions Car Park on Dalriada St.
Turnstiles 62–65 via the right hand side of Kinloch St.
Turnstiles 66–67 via the left hand side of Kinloch St.

Newcastle United Box Office staff will be at South East Reception, next to Turnstiles 62 - 65, from 1pm.

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: Lewis Hall isn't expected to feature, as he continues his recovery from foot surgery back in March.

The Magpies are set to debut their new 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 beat Sporting Lisbon 2-0 in the Algarve on Wednesday.

Referee: tbc 

VAR:
n/a

Overseas TV: 
VG+ (Norway)

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Click
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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 £28,000 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.


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:
PL TV delay continues

The Premier League are still to publish live TV alterations for the month of September, meaning that the following trio of Newcastle games remain tbc:

Sat 13.09.2025 tbc Wolves (h)
Sat 20.09.2025 tbc Bournemouth (a)
Sat 27.09.2025 tbc Arsenal (h)

The scheduling of those games will be influenced by when European club fixtures are played, meaning that some or all of them will come with either/or caveats.

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).


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
Nicky Deverdics
Newton Aycliffe
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
Luuk De Jong
PSV Eindhoven (tbc)
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

alt



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 here
2025/26 ST T&Cs here

PL home ST limits:
ST left unused, limit is 5
ST sold/transferred limit is 10

2025/26 Cup Scheme FAQs here
2025/26 Cup Scheme T&Cs here


2025/26 home cup pricing: 
CL: £60 & £70
FA
: £30 & £35
CC:
£20 & £25

4 x CL Cup Scheme payments taken: 
(Tue 01.07.2025)
Fri 01.08.2025
Mon 01.09.2025
Wed 01.10.2025

FA/CC Cup Scheme payments taken 7 days after home cup fixture date confirmed.

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


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...


If you know your history... the official Celtic don't, that 2007 game was on Tyneside.

What's this all about then? Click here  
for a rambling explanation of sorts....
 

On This Day in History
16th July


Born Or Died:

1944 Albert Bennett born, Chester Moor.
(1965-69)

Beginning his playing days with Chester Moor Juniors, Albert was a prolific goalscorer and inevitably found his way to SJP on trial.

Newcastle's hesitation in offering Albert terms however cost them dear when Rotherham United signed the apprentice bricklayer in 1961.    

A regular goalscorer at Millmoor, Bennett was selected for England U23 duty against Wales at Wrexham in November 1964, only to break his ankle in a tussle with future Magpie colleague Ollie Burton.

Recovering fitness and gaining his nickname of "ankles" for the bandages he later wore for protection, Division One-bound Newcastle paid £27,500 for Albert in the summer of 1965, pipping fellow suitors Aston Villa.

Named as United's first-ever substitute for the season opener at home to Nottingham Forest in August 1965, although he wasn't called into action. 

Debuting in a 0-1 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday the following Saturday, Albert's first goal came in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea the following month.

Reaching double figures in his first season Albert struggled for goals during the 1966/67 campaign as United flirted with relegation, but returned to form with three goals in the opening four games of the following season.  

Colliding with Coventry City's John Tudor at Highfield Road in January 1968 however, Bennett sustained cartilage damage and was missing until the following August.

After just four more games including a sub outing against Sporting Lisbon in the Fairs Cup, Albert made a £25,000 switch to Norwich City during February 1969.

Problems with his other cartilage then forced the outside right to retire from full-time football in February 1972 after scoring 16 goals in 60 games for the Canaries.

Moving into local league football in East Anglia, Bennett played for Bury Town, Yarmouth Town, Sprowston Athletic, Carrow, Quebec Rovers and Taveners.

Albert found employment as a prison warder, had a pub near Carrow Road, was involved in a catering business and even ran a joke shop on Lowestoft Pier at one point!

Diagnosed with cancer in 2000, Albert had a successful operation to remove one lung and was reunited with his old colleagues in 2009 to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Fairs Cup win.

Sadly he passed away in December 2016, aged 72.

Bennett retains a small part in Liverpool folklore following a visit to Anfield in 1967, as the late Emlyn Hughes recounted in his autobiography:

"...the first time their winger Albert Bennett tried to go past me, I just grabbed him around the waist and fell over with him and rolled around on the track.

“The crowd howled with laughter and the newspaper that evening christened me ‘Crazy Horse’. The nickname has stuck with me ever since.”

1991 Andros Townsend born, Leytonstone. (2016)

Newcastle's third capture of the January 2016 transfer window arrived from Spurs for a claimed £12m, signing a five and a half year contract at St. James' Park.

In dispute with his previous club after being eased out of their Premier League XI by Mauricio Pochettino, the England winger retained his fitness by playing for the U21s ahead of his move to Tyneside.

With Spurs from the age of eight having previously trained with Arsenal, Andros became a full-time Academy scholar in 2007 and made his senior debut aged 17 on loan at Yeovil Town in March 2009. 

Subsequent loan moves took him to Leyton Orient, MK Dons and Ipswich Town, with a senior Spurs debut seeing him net in a 3-0 FA Cup home victory over Charlton Athletic during 2011.

Further temporary spells at Watford, Millwall, Leeds United and Birmingham City followed before the first of 50 league appearances for Spurs (22 starts) in September 2012.

Capped by England U21s, one further loan to fellow Premier League side QPR came before finally getting a run of games at Spurs in the 2013/14 season.

Impressing sufficiently to earn a first full England cap, he netted against Montenegro in a 4-1 win at Wembley in October 2013 - winning nine further caps ahead of his move to Newcastle but missing the 2014 World Cup finals due to an ankle problem.

Named in Roy Hodgson's initial squad for Euro 2016, Townsend was omitted from the final group that travelled to France.

Four goals in 13 Newcastle games failed to stave off relegation and once United were demoted his exit seemed inevitable.

However, his decision to join Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace for a reported £15m, stuck in the throat of some fans - and an undistinguished start to life as a Glazier saw him overlooked internationally.

Attempts to re-sign Andros in January 2017 failed when a clearly reluctant Palace (by now under the guidance of Sam Allardyce) quoted a prohibitive price.

Summer 2018 brought yet more rumours of a return to Tyneside as Roy Hodgson took charge of the Eagles but the player opted to remain in South London.

Running his contract down at Palace, he signed a two year deal at Everton in July 2021 following the arrival of his former boss Rafa Benitez at Goodison.

Five goals in his first nine league and cup games seemed to make the reunion a success, but the Toffees would struggle badly and jettison Rafa in January 2022.

Initially keeping his place in the squad under incoming boss Frank Lampard, a knee injury meant that Andros played no part as Everton stayed up.

Playing no part in their relegation escape the following season he appeared as a trialist with Premier League-bound Burnley in the summer of 2023.

In the event though Townsend signed for another promoted side in the shape of Luton Town - inevitably scored the winner against Newcastle at Kenilworth Road. 

The Hatters returned to the Championship after just one season but Andros remained with them after signing a long-term deal in early 2024.

However, he had been sold to Turkish side Antalyaspor by September that year.


 

What Else?

1952 Southern Transvaal (a)
6-4
(3-2)
Friendly
Foulkes 2, Crowe, Walker, Mitchell, Davies
Scorers tbc 
10,000 
A floodlit encounter in Johannesburg ended Newcastle's South African tour, which unbelievably had begun two months earlier with the same fixture. 

The sheer scale of the tour and its length was blamed by the players for a below-par start to the following season and future tours were drastically shorter.

1988 Neil McDonald left United to join Everton, at a cost of £525,000. The transfer was prompted by his frustration at being continually played in midfield rather his preferred right back position.

1997 Derry City (Ireland) (n) 2-0 (2-0)
Friendly 
Crawford(7), Beardsley(36) 
15,000 

24 hours after defeating PSV Eindhoven, Newcastle easily won the Irish International Club Soccer Tournament at a damp Lansdowne Road, Dublin.

The Irish part-timers had beaten Celtic to reach the final, but were out of their depth against United, who could have won by more.
NUFC.com match report

Youtube footage is online here

1998 The signing of French defender Laurent Charvet from Cannes was confirmed by United at a cost of £520k. 

Charvet had played for Chelsea on loan during the previous season but opted to join United when no contract offer from Stamford Bridge was forthcoming.

1999 SV Deurne (Holland) (a) 4-0 (1-0)
Friendly
Shearer(38pen), Barton(68), McClen(76), Coppinger(85)
1,200
24 hours after a 2-1 victory over Den Bosch, Ruud Gullit sent his United side out for the second of their three pre-season games in the Netherlands.

Having joined United from Ipswich in a £6m deal just hours before, Kieron Dyer kicked his first ball for United in a decent debut against the amateur side.

Around 200 travelling fans enjoyed a pleasant night in
this small town close to Eindhoven - you could tell they weren't local, as they were just about the only people who didn't arrive by bicycle...

NUFC.com match report

2002 A pre-season opener for the reserves saw them held 3-3 by North Shields at Ralph Gardner Park.

Striker Richard Offiong scored twice with winger Tommy English nabbing another in between.
NUFC.com match report  

2003 The reserves shared six goals with homeless Bishop Auckland in a friendly played at Shildon's Dean Street ground. 

United let a 3-1 half-time lead slip after Calvin Zola-Makongo scoring twice and Martin Brittain added a third.
NUFC.com match report

2004 While the first team were sweating their proverbials off in the Far East, a young Reserve XI had a gentle 4-0 introduction to the new season against Shildon at a sunny Dean Street.

The game was arranged as a tribute to home player Lee Hainsworth, who died in a car accident and United's strike trio of Guy Bates, Carl Finnigan and Marc Walton all found the net - the latter scoring twice.
NUFC.com match report

2008 The day began with reports that Real Zaragoza midfielder Pablo Aimar was about to sign for Newcastle. Within hours however, these looked to be wide of the mark as the player indicated he was off to Benfica.

2011 United's second string began their public pre-season campaign against Berwick Rangers at Shielfield Park.

Midfield pair Yven Moyo and Brandon Miele both netted as the  hosts were beaten 2-1.
NUFC.com match report


2012 AS Monaco (France) (n)
1-0
(1-0)
Friendly

Ba(33)
900(approx)
Demba Ba's header was enough to secure the first victory of pre-season, in the Bavarian town of Landsberg am Lech.

Playing at the Hacker Pschorr Sport Park of TSV Landsberg, manager Alan Pardew fielded a more experienced starting XI than the one beaten at Chemnitz three days earlier.

NUFC.com match report

Youtube footage is online

2013 Motherwell (Scotland) (a)
4-2
(3-1)
Friendly

Vuckic(8), Gouffran(15), Sissoko(39), Marveaux(64)
Vigurs(26)pen, McFadden(52)
4.475
United kicked off their pre-season with a maiden visit to Fir Park.

Officially the first game on the watch of the club's new Director of F***all JFK, he gave a taste of things to come... by not attending.
NUFC.com match report

Youtube footage is online here

2016 Bohemian (Ireland)
(a) 6-0 (2-0)
Friendly

Ritchie(15), Mitrovic(30pen), Gayle(51), Thauvin(54), Aarons(59), Wijnaldum(74)
4,200

Following their week-long training camp at Carton House, United faced Airtricity Premier League opposition at Dalymount Park.

There were first outings for Matz Sels, Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle, Isaac Hayden and Jesus Gámez, while Florian Thauvin and Gini Wijnaldum both netted amid talk of their impending departures.
NUFC.com match report

Youtube footage is online here

2016 The reserves defeated Darlington 5-1 at the Northern Echo Arena, with Haris Vuckic, Ivan Toney, Callum Roberts, Lubo Satka and Sean Longstaff on target.
NUFC.com match report

2018 United U23s began pre-season with a 3-2 victory against National League side Barrow at their Holker Street ground.

Danish youngster Elias Sorensen scored twice and Ivan Toney also struck once. Trialist midfielder Rosaire Longelo featured and was later signed permanently.
NUFC.com match report

2022 There was a winning start to pre-season for the U21s, defeating Spanish side Elche 2-1
at the Pinatar Arena on the Costa Blanca.

Michael Nidweni and Joe White netted, while there were first sightings of new boys Alex Murphy and Jordan Hackett.
NUFC.com match report


2024 News of Gareth Southgate's resignation as England manager triggered media speculation that Eddie Howe was on the FA's shortlist to replace him.

The Times claimed that the Newcastle boss was the FA's preferred candidate, along with the unattached Graham Potter and England U21 boss Lee Carsley.