Tuesday July 14th, 2026

    Last update 15:19 BST

      Your genial hosts: Niall and Biffa




 

Next Match

 

Darlington
Friendly
The KNOX
Saturday 18th July
Kick-off tbc
(BCD - no public access)
Last Match

 

Fulham 2
Newcastle 0
Premier League

Craven Cottage
Sunday 24th May

Match report

The Never-Ending Tour

  Number of Newcastle
  games attended by
  NUFC.com in 2026/27:

0

.

alt  

 

Bristol City (a) Member sale now
Valencia (a)
Member sale now
Bayer / Strasbourg (h) Public sale now
CC & FA schemes (h) closed

L7 ST relocations (h) ends Fri 17.07
Bayer / Strasbourg (h) discount ends Wed 22.07

2026/27:
Kickabouts online

NUFC confirm that all six of their public pre-season fixtures will be available as paid live streams with various prices.

More details
here

Update:
Manzambi
: gazumped

Reports on Sunday claimed that Newcastle's elongated pursuit of Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi had been derailed by late interest from Aston Villa.

The Magpies had looked set to conclude a £51m deal for the 20 year-old once Switzerland's World Cup campaign had ended, but it now appears that Villa Park rather than St. James' Park is his preferred destination - along with Champions League football next season.

Sadly this is starting to become a familiar story for Newcastle, who saw their agreement for Osasuna's Victor Munoz earlier in this window disintegrate once Liverpool targeted the player.   


WC:
Burn in the USA

World Cup updates:

Dan Burn (England)
Wed 15.07.2026 Argentina, Atlanta, (8pm) bbc

Find Coral's WC betting markets online here   

Update:
We've got Bruno,
in a muddle....


Attempts by Newcastle to avoid a repeat of last summer's Alexander Isak to Liverpool saga with Bruno Guimaraes and Arsenal continue, hampered by the absence of a formal bid from the Gunners and concerted media pressure.

Far from that unsettling the player though, it increasingly looks as if this is driven from the Guimaraes camp and a deliberate strategy to try and dislodge him on the cheap. Certainly the ploy of turning supporters of his existing club against him comes straight from the Anfield playbook - featuring some of the same media figures as last year.

Claims persist of a verbal agreement with Arsenal over personal terms, but unlike deals speedily concluded for Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali after acceptable bids were received, this one looks like dragging on.  

As was the case with Isak in 2025, the absence of any direct comment from the player himself is telling - his own socials singularly failing to welcome any of the trio of signings he will supposedly be captaining within weeks.

It seems beyond doubt that Bruno wants to go and given the riches available to him elsewhere, offering an improved deal to remain on Tyneside seems futile and a financial mis-step given our current situation. 

His departure would mean that all three captains who lifted silverware at Wembley less than 18 months ago have gone - and while Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles rightly went, a massive chunk of knowledge and experience will have gone from the dressing room since last season.

That's a situation that cannot be rectified by recruiting a posse of international bright young things, even if that reduces the average age of the squad as was desired.

Update:
Mike Larnach RIP


The death of former Magpie Mike Larnach has been announced, at the age of 73.

The striker began his career with Campsie Black Watch and East Stirlingshire, joining Clydebank in 1972 and netting 29 times as they won the Scottish First Division title in 1976.

Newcastle made a £100K bid in late 1977, boss Bill McGarry looking to cure his side's goalscoring problems by recruiting Larnach and Mark McGhee from Greenock Morton.

Mike debuted in a 0-2 home loss to Liverpool on the last day of 1977, failing to find the net in his 14 appearances and returning to Scotland following Newcastle's relegation to Division Two, Motherwell paying £75K for his services.

Later playing for Ayr United and Stenhousemuir, Larnach rejoined Cyldebank and complete a century of goals. He also worked in the engineering industry at Grangemouth.

Latest:
Steur it up!




Thursday saw Newcastle confirm their third senior arrival of the close season, paying an undisclosed fee for 18 year-old midfielder Sean Steur from Eredivisie side Ajax.

The Dutch youth international left Ajax's first team training camp on Tuesday after a deal was agreed, flying into Tyneside ahead of his medical.

A fee of around £23m is claimed for Steur, who shares an agency with current Magpies Harvey Barnes, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento plus manager Eddie Howe.

Signing a five year deal, he'll wear squad number 14, vacant since a certain Swedish striker exited last year.

A product of the Ajax academy, Sean made his competitive senior team debut in February 2025, adding 25 appearances last season including three in the Champions League.

Steur follows
goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen (£18.5m from Reims) and midfielder Bazoumana Toure (£43m from Hoffenheim) up Barrack Road so far this window.

He'll become the ninth Dutchman to represent United in the Premier League, after John Karelse, Patrick Kluivert, Tim Krul, Vurnon Anita, Daryl Janmaat, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jetro Willems and current Magpie Sven Botman.

The last permanent switch from Ajax to Newcastle came in August 2017 when Siem De Jong arrived at SJP - like brother Luuk a Dutch international, but born in Switzerland.

Update:
Antonio away again


Newcastle confirm that they have concluded a further loan agreement for Antonio Cordero, who will return to Spanish second tier side Cadiz for the coming season.

Signed by the Magpies last summer, the 19 year-old winger had an unprofitable loan spell with Belgians KVC Westerlo before agreeing to join Cadiz at the turn of the year.

Following a slow start, Cordero got more pitch time after two changes of coach, ending up as a Cadiz crowd favourite after they avoided relegation from the Spanish second tier.

Cordero is the third player to leave on loan, after Odysseas Vlachodimos agreed a further seasonal switch to Spaniards Seville and Harrison Ashby joined League One Luton Town.

The latter move signals the end of the 24 year-old full back's time on Tyneside, as he's now in the final 12 months of the deal agreed when signed from West Ham in January 2023.

On the bench for Newcastle's closing two Premier League game of the 2022/23 campaign without getting on, Ashby featured in the last three senior pre-seasons before leaving for loan periods with Swansea City, QPR and Bradford City.

Update:
Pro deals confirmed


Update: The Magpies have confirmed further professional contracts for development squad players, with 18 year-old quartet Guy Bloomer, Jake Durrant, Henry Johnson and Kacey Wooster all now signed up.

Right back Bloomer, central defender Johnson and forward Wooster all progressed from the U18 side to the U21s last season, with left back Durrant about to follow suit.

Earlier: Inking their first professional deals at Newcastle are 17 year-olds Sam Alabi and Mason Miley, both of whom were blooded at U21 level by United last season.

Alabi was acquired from Oldham Athletic ahead of the 2023/24 season and given a first taste of U18 football at home to Blackburn Rovers the following April.

Debuting for the U21s at Harrogate Town in an EFL Trophy tie in November 2025, England U17 captain Sam was an unused first team substitute in the Champions League at Marseille and Premier League at Old Trafford soon after.

The younger brother of Jamie and Lewis, fellow midfielder Mason followed his siblings through the academy ranks at United, making his U18 bow in August 2024 against Boro.

Miley's first U21 outing then came in a PL International Cup tie against Croatia Zagreb during December 2025.

2026/27:
Bayer/Strasbourg (h)


Newcastle conclude their pre-season programme with kickabouts over successive days at SJP as follows:

Sat 15.08.2026 Bayer 04 Leverkusen (3pm)
Sun 16.08.2026 Strasbourg (4pm)

Games are billed as the
VisitMalta Weekender 2026, with a kickabout between NUFC Women and Inter Milan at 1pm on Sunday before the Strasbourg men's game.

Tickets are on public sale now.

Prices:

Full Weekender Ticket (Early Bird offer ends 22.07.2026)
Premium: £50 adults, £25 concessions
Others: £40 adults, £20 concessions

Day 1 Bayer Leverkusen:
Premium: £30 adults, £15 concessions
Others: £25 adults, £12.50 concessions
Adult+concession combo: £60 (2 adults, 2 concessions)

Day 2 Inter Women / Strasbourg:
Premium: £30 adults, £15 concessions
Others: £25 adults, £12.50 concessions
Adult+concession combo: £60 (2 adults, 2 concessions)

While a visit from the Bundesliga side the Magpies faced in last season's Champions League was already known, the participation of the French side has just been confirmed.

Strasbourg have appointed Hugo Oliviera as head coach after Gary O'Neill left to manage Ipswich Town.

Portuguese-born, the 47 year-old is no stranger to SJP, having previously assisted Marco Silva when he was in charge of Fulham, Everton, Hull ​City and ​Watford.

2026/27:
Kind of blue




Currently doing the rounds on social media are images of United's 2026/27 away shirt. Release date is still tbc.

2026/27:
TV times


The Premier League have published their revised fixture schedule for live TV covering August and September, with Newcastle's opening four games all altered:

Sun 23.08.2026 Liverpool (h) 4.30pm Sky
Sat 29.08.2026 Spurs (a) 5.30pm Sky
Sat 05.09.2026 Bournemouth (h) 12.30pm TNT
Mon 14.09.2026 Leeds United (a) 8pm Sky*
Sat 19.09.2026 Hull City (h) 3pm no live UK TV

* if NUFC or LUFC are in the Carabao Cup Third Round and drawn against a club in the Champions League (Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City or Manchester United), this game will be on Sat 12.09.2026 @ 12.30pm.

Assuming both sides survive the Second Round, a final decision on the PL game will rest on the Third Round draw, which takes place on or around Tue 25.08.2026.

The possible move is because Carabao Cup Third round ties are once again split over two weeks, the first clashing with Matchday 1 in the Champions League Group stage.

PS: Although trains are scheduled to run as usual between Newcastle and London on the day of the Spurs away game, Kings Cross station will be closed the following day.

Update:
Deadline set for L7 Singing section moves


NUFC confirm that they continue to accept requests from current season ticket holders to relocate into a dedicated singing section at the North West Corner of Level 7.

These must be made by Fri 17.07.2026. Details
here

U21s:
Moors v Mags


National League North side Spennymoor Town confirm that they will host Newcastle U21s in pre-season, the Magpies visiting Brewery Field on Thursday July 30th at 7pm.

Admission for that game is £10 adults, £5 over 60s/U18s, with advance sales from STFC here or pay at the gate.

The game comes ahead of United U21s staging a training camp at the Pinatar Arena in Spain, after which Robbie Stockdale's side visit St. Mirren for a behind closed doors fixture on Wednesday August 12th at 12.30pm.


Update:
Squad updates


Senior players signed (3):
Ewen Jaouen, Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure

Senior contracts extended (2):
Mark Gillespie, Fabian Schar (both to 2027)

Senior players sold (2):
Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Sandro Tonali (Spurs)

Senior players loaned (3):
Harrison Ashby (Luton Town), Antonio Cordero (Cadiz), Odysseas Vlachodimos (Seville)

Professional contracts signed (6):
Sam Alabi,
Guy Bloomer, Jake Durrant, Henry Johnson, Mason Miley, Kacey Wooster

Scholarship contracts signed (8):
Chukwudi Afumuzor, Theo Benjamin, Roman Dowell, Jayden Kouossu, George Mair, Leon Mukumbira, Alfie Seldon, Lesecond Yeutembip.

Development squad player sold (1):
Travis Hernes (Groningen)

Unlikely lads:
Comings and goings

SJP old boys on the move recently include:

Tom Allen was Darlington, now Hebburn Town
Elliot Anderson
was Nottingham Forest, now Man City
Will Anderson
now South Shields (trial)
Demba Ba
now Le Havre (Sporting Director)
Dan Barlaser
was Boro, now MK Dons
Rafa Benitez
left Panathinaikos (Manager)
Habib Beye
left Marseille (Head Coach)
Joe Brayson now George Washington University
Adam Campbell
was Hartlepool United, now South Shields
John Carver
left Lechia Gdansk (Manager)
Ian Cathro
was Estoril, now St.Etienne (Head Coach)
Michael Chopra
now Trethomas Bluebirds
Lee Clark
was Rotherham, now Hartlepool (Manager)
Steve Clarke
left Scotland (Coach)
Karl Darlow
was Leeds United, now Manchester United
Luuk de Jong
left Porto
Amadou Diallo
was Oliveirense, now KF Skenderbeu
Martin Dubravka
was Burnley, now Spurs
Damien Duff
now Brentford (Coach)
Kieron Dyer
now Southend United (Manager)
Rob Elliot
was Gateshead, now Carlisle (Manager)
Ludwig Francillette
was Morecambe, now Oxford City
Ryan Fraser
left Western Sydney Wanderers
Macauley Gillesphey
was Charlton, now Bradford City
Liam Gibson
left Harrogate Town
Alex Gilliead
left Shrewsbury Town
Isaac Hayden
was QPR, now Leyton Orient
Chris Hogg now Northampton Town (Manager)
Joselu
left Al-Gharafa
Jamaal Lascelles
left Leicester City
Valentino Lazaro
was Torino, now Al-Ain
Robert Lee
now Hornchurch (Director of Football)
Jamal Lewis
left Preston North End
Kevin Mbabu
left Midtjylland
Charlie McArthur
now York City
Steve McClaren
now Rotherham (Head of Football)
James Milner
left Brighton & Hove Albion
Michael O'Neill
left Blackburn Rovers (Manager)
Scott Parker
left Burnley (Manager)
Brian Pinas left Feyenoord (Coach)
Matt Ritchie was Reading, now Bournemouth (Tech Dir)
Callum Roberts
was Scunthorpe, now Notts County
Allan Saint-Maximin was RC Lens,
now Charlotte FC
Mo Sangare left Morecambe
Lubo Satka was Samsunspor
Josh Scott was Bishop Auckland, now West Auckland
Danny Simpson now Arabian Falcons (player/coach)
Islam Slimani
left Cluj
Elias Sorensen was Valerenga, now PEC Zwolle
Dylan Stephenson
was Dagenham, now Darlington
Louis Storey
was Gateshead, now Carlisle United (Coach)
James Tavernier
left Rangers
Steven Taylor now Desert Falcons (Manager)
Max Thompson now Rotherham United (trial)

Kieran Trippier
now Wolves
Jake Turner left Gillingham
Jay Turner-Cooke
was Halifax, now Shrewsbury Town
Dan Ward was South Shields, now Chester
Isaac Westendorf was Oxford City, now Torquay United
Georginio Wijnaldum left Al-Ettifaq
Mike Williamson now South Shields (Manager)
Callum Wilson was West Ham, now Brentford
Jack Young left Worthing


 






Privacy policy
 

 
alt





Tickets/Fixtures
Season 2026/27

NUFC ticketing website online here

NUFC Box Office: 

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 until KO

Milburn Stand Box Office manned:
Wednesdays only: 10am to 5pm
Home games: 10am to half time


2026/27 ST prices here

2026/27 ST home cup scheme: 
closed on Mon 13.07.2025 @ 5pm

ST home cup pricing: 
CC: £22 & £28
FA
: £35 & £40


SJP seating plan online here  

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


Home ticket
transfers are possible from three weeks until one hour before KO. 

Away ticket
transfers are possible between 72 hours and five hours before KO (times may vary). A maximum of two are permitted per season (PL only).

More info online here and here

ST holders have 24 hours to apply for away tickets, 24 hours to determine success, then 48 hours to buy.


Success is based on the loyalty point total calculated from applications received. Any applications from ST holders with less points are entered into a ballot, which will have taken place before tickets go on sale.

Regardless of the loyalty point level a game sells out at, to purchase a ticket you must have applied in the initial 24 hour window.

The initial purchase window is divided into two sections determined by a loyalty point division that alters for each game - those successful applicants above that point division usually get two hours head start.

NB: emails from NUFC confirming success may arrive after the purchase window opens - if you think you qualify due to your points total, log on and complete your purchase. 

Tickets not bought by successful applicants are then offered to unsuccessful applicants with a reduced loyalty points total - new applications cannot be made at this time.

Only those within the new loyalty point total are eligible to buy - even if you had more, your purchase window has already closed.  

PL away ticket prices are unchanged at £30 for both the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons.

Metro service updates are online here


2026/27 Magpie Mover details tbc

Fixtures:


Fri 17.07.2026
ST L7 singing section relocation deadline.

Sat 18.07.2026 Darlington (h) @ The KNOX training ground, KO tbc. Friendly. Behind closed doors - no public access.

Wed 22.07.2026
Home friendly early bird ticket offer ends.

Sat 25.07.2026 Gateshead (a)
@ International stadium, 12.30pm. Friendly. Public sale now, all sales via GFC here (no loyalty point issued).

Wed 29.07.2026 Bristol City (a) @ Ashton Gate, 7.30pm. Friendly.
Member sale now
. Away ticket transfers not permitted. Allocation:  3,407 (paper tickets).

Thu 30.07.2026 U21s v Spennymoor Town (a) @ Brewery Field, 7pm. Friendly. £10 adults, £5 over 60s/U18s. Advance sales from STFC or pay at the gate.

Sat 01.08.2026 U21 training camp
@ Pinatar Arena, Spain (until Sun 09.08).

Sat 08.08.2026 Valencia (Spain) (a)
@ Mestalla Stadium, 9pm local
time. Friendly. Member sale now. Away ticket transfers not permitted. Allocation: 2,000 (digital tickets).

Wed 12.08.2026 U21s v St.Mirren XI (Scotland) (a) @ venue tbc, 12.30pm. Friendly. Behind closed doors - no public access.

Wed 12.08.2026 Everton (n)
@ Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, 5.15pm. Friendly. Public sale now, all sales via Ticketmaster
(no loyalty point issued).

Sat 15.08.2026 Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Germany) (h)
@ SJP, 3pm. Friendly. Public sale now.

Sun
16.08.2026 NUFCW v Inter Women (Italy) (a) @ SJP, 1pm. Friendly. Admission included in men's game.

Sun 16.08.2026 Strasbourg (France) (h)
@ SJP, 4pm. Friendly. Public sale now.

Sun 23.08.2026 Liverpool (h
) @ SJP, 4.30pm. Premier League. Ticket details tbc.
Live on Sky Sports.

Tue 01.09.2026 Transfer window closes @ 11pm. 

Fri 01.01.2027 Transfer window opens @ Midnight.

Mon 01.02.2027 Transfer window closes @ 11pm.


NUFC live on TV:
Sun 23.08.2026 Liverpool (h) 4.30pm Sky
Sat 29.08.2026 Spurs (a) 5.30pm Sky
Sat 05.09.2026 Bmouth (h) 12.30pm TNT
Mon 14.09.2026 Leeds United (a) 8pm Sky*

* should either side face a team from the Champions League in CC R3, this game will be on Sat 12.09.2026 @ 12.30pm.

(PL selections made to Sun 20.09.2026)

(PL season ends on Sun 30.05.2027)


PL live TV release dates:  

Oct
w/c Mon 24.08.2026
Nov w/c Mon 21.09.2026
Dec w/c Mon 19.10.2026
Jan w/c Mon 30.11.2026
Feb w/c Mon 21.12.2026
Mar w/c Mon 18.01.2027
Apr w/c Mon 22.02.2027
MW35 w/c Mon 29.03.2027
MW36 w/c Mon 05.04.2027
MW37 w/c Mon 26.04.2027
MW38 after Sun 23.05.2027

Carabao Cup:
(NUFC enter in Round 2 regionalised into Northern and Southern sections. The draw takes place after Round 1 ties, played from Fri 07.08.2026 to Sun 09.08.2026).

R2:
w/c Mon 24.08.2026
R3:
w/c Mon 07.09.2026 / Mon 14.09.2026
R4:
w/c Mon 26.10.2026
QF:
w/c Mon 14.12.2026
SF1:
w/c Mon 11.01.2027
SF2:
w/c Mon 01.02.2027
F:
Sun 21.03.2027

FA Cup: 
(NUFC enter in Round 3: draw takes place on or around Sun 06.12.2026).

R3: Sat 09.01.2027
R4: Sat 13.02.2027
R5: Sat 06.03.2027
QF: Sat 03.04.2027
SF: Sat 24.04.2027
F: Sat 22.05.2027

EFL Trophy Northern Group C:
??.??.2026
Bradford City (a)
??.??.2026 Rotherham United (a)
??.??.2026 York City (a)


Round dates - match order tbc:
w/c Mon 21.09.2026
w/c Mon 05.10.2026
w/c Mon 09.11.2026


FA Youth Cup:
NUFC U18s enter in Round 3, ties be played on or before Sat 12.12.2026. Draw date tbc.


Other events @ SJP:

Euro 2028:

Four group stage games and one last 16 tie will be played at SJP on the following dates:

Mon 12.06.2028
Thu 15.06.2028
Sat 17.06.2028
Tue 20.06.2028
Sun 25.06.2028

(Kick-off times will be advised in 2027)

 

International Magpies
National Service

Seung-soo Park (South Korea U23s):
15.09.2026 to 03.10.2026 Asian Games (Japan)

2026/27:
21.09-06.10.2026
09.11-17.11.2026
22.03-30.03.2027

2027/28:
20.09-05.10.2027
08.11-16.11.2027
20.03-28.03.2028
 

Coxy's Corner

Whoops, He did it Again...


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

On This Day in History
14th July


Born Or Died:

1899 George Martin born, Bothwell, Scotland. (Manager 1947-50)

As a player, the high point of Martin's career was an FA Cup winner's medal for Everton in the 1928 final, also playing for Hamilton Accies, Hull City and the smoggies before ending his playing days at Luton Town.

Beginning his coaching career at Kenilworth Road in 1939, Martin became the Hatters boss in 1944 and saw his side beaten 7-2 on Tyneside by United in April 1947.

However, it was his side's 4-3 victory over United earlier in the season that impressed the SJP board, who endorded him ahead of the other possible choice, Don Welsh of Charlton Athletic.

Succeeding Stan Seymour (who had been in honorary charge since the outbreak of war) Martin guided United back to Division One in 1948, dealing with dressing room discontent by shipping out the likes of Roy Bentley, Charlie Wayman and Len Shackleton.

However, he himself left the club in 1950 to manage Aston Villa, as Seymour's influence on the first team remained decisive.

Martin later returned for a second spell at Luton Town, initially as scout and then later resuming as manager - although that was to be both brief and undistinguished.

He passed away in 1972.

1944 Colin Clish born, Hetton-le-Hole. (1961-63)

Left back who was a part of the 1962 FA Youth Cup winning side, by which time he'd already made a senior debut in a League Cup tie at Sheffield United in October 1961.

Colin's league bow then came in a home game against Derby County the following April and he and George Dalton shared the number 3 shirt the following season.  

Having made just a single appearance the following campaign however, Clish was persuaded to join Rotherham United in a £5,000 move during December 1963.

As an aside, Dalton broke his leg four months later and his place was taken by promising reserve full back Frank Clark, who had just recovered from a similar injury. 

Colin completed a century of games for the Millers before a switch to Doncaster Rovers in February 1968 saw him collect a Fourth Division Championship medal at Belle Vue the following season.

However, a broken leg in August 1969 put Clish out of action for several months and he struggled to regain form thereafter.

Completing a century of games for Rovers during 1972 he was then released and signed for non-league Gainsborough Trinity.

Joining the British Transport Police, Colin was based at Doncaster station during his time in the force, retiring in 2003. 

1995 Esteban Cardona Lopez born, Virginia, Risaralda, Colombia. (2011-13)

Academy winger who moved to England from Colombia at the age of nine, living in London before relocating to the North East. 

Appeared for Wallsend Boys Club before joining United, Esty featured in the club's successful Nike Cup campaign of 2010.

Debuting from the bench for the U18s at home to Sheffield Wednesday in 2011, he enjoyed a brief run in the side the following season and netted in a 1-7 defeat away to Manchester United.

Failing to feature for the rest of the season, his name then appeared on a list of players released by the academy in June 2013.

Lopez later moved into local non-league circles with Birtley Town, Whitley Bay, Killingworth and Red House Farm.

 


What Else?

1948 Ahead of their return to Division One, United completed a £15,000 move for Cardiff City's outside right Colin Gibson.

1975
Newcastle announced they had signed full back Peter Kelly as a professional, having joined as an Apprentice in the previous season and played well for the reserves. 

1982
United boss Arthur Cox took central defender Jeff Clarke on a free from the mackems - an astute signing whilst media attention was centred on the arriving Kevin Keegan. 

Injury prevented Jeff playing a greater role in the club returning to the First Division, but he gave valuable service once the club were back in the top flight.

After retiring from playing, Clarke returned to both Newcastle and the mackems in coaching roles. He later held a joint coaching/physio role at Dundee United.

2001 Sporting Lokeren (Belgium) (a)
4-0
(3-0)
Intertoto Cup Third Round 1st Leg
Quinn(14), Ameobi(24,40), LuaLua(86)
3,000
Despite having finished the previous season in 11th, the failure of the Italians to take up their allotted place in the Intertoto Cup saw United offered the chance to appear in the competition.

Their first opponents were Belgians Lokeren, who had already won through the opening two rounds of the competition by beating B68 Toftir (Faroes) and Zaglebie Lubin (Poland).

Around 600 Toon fans made the journey to the Daknam Stadium, enduring tight security from the local police who clearly expected a rerun of the riotous scenes involving England fans in Charleroi the previous summer.

The Saturday night fixture passed off without incident; Wayne Quinn scoring his first Toon goal and recent acquisition Craig Bellamy making his Magpies debut. 

Lomana LuaLua's first for the club was the pick of the goals however - a spectacular bicycle kick and somersault celebration.
NUFC.com match report

2002 A 1-1 draw with Brazil at Oxford's Kassam Stadium was enough to hand England's U17 side victory in The Nationwide Tournament. 

Magpies defender Steven Taylor (pictured) lifted the trophy in front of almost 10,000 fans.

His future SJP team mate James Milner had given England an early lead.

2003 Big Brother TV company, Endemol, announced their intention to produce a documentary series about the goings-on at Newcastle United. 

Thankfully, plans were scrapped before any filming took place preventing us becoming a laughing stock, as the mackems had been after Premier Passions.

2004 Thailand (a)
1-1
(0-1)
(lost 2-4 on penalties)
Friendly
Bowyer(67)
Chaikamdee(20)
30,000

A depleted Newcastle side began their two game tour of South East Asia with defeat in Bangkok.

Tied after 90 minutes, the game went to a penalty shootout; custodian Tony Caig conceding four times and seeing one other spot kick attempt whacked over his bar.

Debutant James Milner meanwhile saw his penalty saved by the Thai goalkeeper.
NUFC.com match report

2004 Omitted from the touring party, Hugo Viana was quoted in the Portuguese press about his unhappiness on Tyneside:

"I don't like being here. I don't feel well at Newcastle. I want to leave, but always with the agreement of those in charge at Newcastle. 

"I am willing to go to any team in the world. Since last season I have shown my desire not to stay at the club. I just want to play."

2005 It was confirmed that the Emre deal had been completed, our second summer signing joining on a five year deal and taking the vacant squad number 5.

2007 A story possibly invented by bored headline writers, but Sam Allardyce was supposedly interested in French defender Rod Fanni. He was playing for Nice at the time which meant combining player and club names proved simply irresistible....

2009 An interesting selection of quotes from squad members:

Sebastien Bassong:
"I think in this situation, a lot of players will want to leave - they cannot stay in this situation. 

"I'm not the only one. It would be different if a manager was in charge particularly Alan Shearer, as he knows the club and the team.

"I would like to play in the Premier League with Newcastle but that's not possible. I want to leave for my career."

Habib Beye:  "I'd like nothing more than to stay and help the team get back to where it belongs but there is no chance of us being promoted the way things are going.

"This cannot go on it really can't. I feel for the good of my career I have to get away because it is dragging me down." 

Jose Enrique: “My opinion is that everything seems difficult at this club. 

"We haven’t signed any players this season so far and we don’t have a manager. Chris Hughton is a very good person, but he is not a manager. We need a manager. The things going on inside are not good - that can’t be good for the supporters either."

Steve Harper: "What happened last season was desperately disappointing but just when you think there’s an opportunity for this club to put itself right, build and get straight back up, the opposite happens.

"A lot of fans have said '‘In two or three years, it might be a blessing that relegation happened'. Obviously everyone is very disappointed that it happened but if something good comes out of it and the club rebuilds then maybe I can see that point."

Kevin Nolan: "The fans need to know what the conclusion of this is. For them to be hearing the ins and outs of the sale of the club is driving them crazy. They'll go potty. We've got fantastic fans, so I hope they will stay as patient as they can with it.

"It's a tough situation for everybody. Chris and Colin have come in and done a fantastic job – it's a weird situation for them.

"We would prefer to know whether Mike Ashley is going to keep it next season or not or whether somebody is coming in. Then, we start getting ready for the Championship."


Steven Taylor: 
"We need a manager in as soon as possible. We need things sorted out.

"Newcastle United in the Championship just doesn’t seem right. It was probably the worst day of my career when we went down but now we’ve got a job to do – we’ve got to get the club back in the Premier League. 

"We’ve got some difficult games at the start of the season, we’ve got to be strong and stick together through these difficult times. At the minute we need stability, we need a manager and we need to know who the owner is going to be."

2010
A young Reserve XI lost 1-2 at Darsley Park to a touring Faroe Islands side, despite leading at half time through Phil Airey.

After the visitors levelled, United spurned a chance to regain the lead when their Faroe Islander, Jóan Símun Edmundsson, won and then promptly missed a penalty.

The visitors then won it late on with a close range header from an 88th minute corner.

2013 The Mirror reported that Papiss Cisse had been made to train on his own after refusing to wear the new kit sponsored by payday loan company Wonga.

The objection was supposedly on religious and ethical grounds due to Cisse's Muslim faith and an interpretation of Sharia law.

2015 Club Atlas (Mexico) (n)
1-2
(1-2)
Friendly
Sissoko(45)
Bergessio(10pen,16)
21,256

Newcastle's three game USA tour began with defeat to a Mexican side in the unfamiliar surroundings of Miller Park, home to MLB side Milwaukee Brewers.

A fairly bizarre evening included Atlas fans clad in wrestling masks, the airing of three different national anthems and a player with squad number 100. 
NUFC.com match report


2017 Heart of Midlothian (Scotland) (a) 2-1 (2-1)
Friendly
Gayle(3,26)
Walker(24)
10,001
United began their pre-season programme at Tynecastle against a Jambos side managed by ex-Magpie coach Ian Cathro.

Dwight Gayle netted either side of a Jamie Walker strike, Hearts missing a penalty when Esmael Goncalves blazed over
.

Defender Florian Lejeune made his debut for Newcastle following the completion of a transfer from Spanish side Eibar.
NUFC.com match report


2019 United's squad for the Asian Cup arrived in the Chinese city of Nanjing without a manager, as the pursuit of Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce threatened to get very messy.

2024
Euro 2024 ended with no current Magpies on the field in the final, as Spain defeated England 2-1 in Berlin.

Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon were  left on the bench for England, old boy Ivan Toney an 89th minute arrival.

Spain brought on ex-Magpie Mikel Merino late on to protect their lead, while Joselu was an unused substitute and Ayoze Perez didn't make the final squad.

2025 Having lost out to Chelsea in their pursuit of Brighton striker Joao Pedro,
Newcastle were widely tipped to sign Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike.