Valencia (a) SOLD OUT
Bayer / Strasbourg (h) Public sale now
Liverpool (h) ST forwarding/resale now
Spurs (a) Seat selections ended

Bombshell:
Coach departures
now confirmed

Following Thursday morning's media revelations about the future of Eddie Howe, the club formally announced the exit of him and his coaches on Friday afternoon as follows:

Newcastle United can announce that Eddie Howe has informed the club of his decision to step down as head coach.

The club has accepted Eddie’s decision and would like to thank him for his extraordinary contribution.

Also leaving the club are coaches Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone, and head of performance Dan Hodges.

Eddie Howe:

"After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United.

"After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break.

"Although it’s been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it’s the right one. I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I’ve been here and this one is no different.

"It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have been the manager of Newcastle United.

"It is difficult to put into words what this club, the city and its supporters mean, and will always mean, to me and my family. From the moment myself, Jason and all of the staff arrived nearly half a decade ago, Newcastle instantly felt like home and the people here welcomed us with open arms. We took huge pride in representing the club from day one and this city will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

"There have been so many incredible moments in our time here. From fighting relegation in our first season to the numerous unforgettable nights at St. James’ Park in the Champions League soon after. The progression was fast.

"Everyone came together, united and what a force we became, culminating in bringing home our first domestic trophy in 70 years. These are all memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

"I would like to put on record my sincere thanks and appreciation to Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Jamie Reuben, Jacobo Solís and everyone at PIF, David Hopkinson, Ross Wilson and the entire ownership and leadership group for placing their trust in me and for giving me the opportunity to lead this special football club.

"I remain incredibly positive and enthusiastic about the future of Newcastle. The club is in fantastic hands with a great leadership team and I have no doubt together, alongside whoever comes in to replace me, they will continue to deliver success on the pitch.

"Thank you to Jason Tindall, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches, Simon Weatherstone, Dan Hodges, Andy Howe and Jordan Tribe for their incredible loyalty, support and dedication and to all of the amazing staff behind the scenes whose hard work and loyalty makes this club what it is.

"A special thank you to all of the players who have represented the club during my time here. Without you, nothing would have been possible and it’s been an honour to have coached you all.

“"Finally, and most importantly, thank you to our incredible supporters. Your passion and loyalty have inspired me every single day. To stand on the touchline at St. James’ Park as your manager with the honour of representing your club has meant more to me than you will ever know.

"While my journey as manager has now come to an end, the affinity and love I will always hold for Newcastle United never will.

"Thank you for everything. I wish the club every success for the future.”

David Hopkinson:

"Eddie and his staff leave with the deep gratitude and respect of everyone at Newcastle United, and with a lasting place in the club’s history.

"While we are naturally disappointed to see Eddie leave, we remain immensely thankful for everything he has done for the club.

"On behalf of our owners, Board, players, staff and supporters, I would like to extend sincere thanks to Eddie for his outstanding service and leadership, and wish him and his family every success and happiness for the future.”

Ross Wilson:

"I would like to thank Eddie and his staff for everything they have done for Newcastle United.

"I'm grateful for the support, trust and partnership Eddie has shown throughout our time working together. His dedication to the players, staff and supporters has been evident, and he leaves with the respect and admiration of everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside him.

"I wish Eddie and his family every happiness and success in the future."

The process to recruit a new head coach is at an advanced stage and updates will be communicated shortly.

Update:
Now I must wave goodbye

News of Howe's abrupt departure so soon after the death of Kevin Keegan has done nothing to improve the collective mood of what is an emotional fanbase at any time.

Tellingly though, sadness at the circumstances that led to the decision and gratitude at what he achieved seems combined with a certain relief that it has happened now. 

Like Kevin, Eddie's exit at this point ensures that he leaves Gallowgate with his reputation largely intact; he won't be recalled as "that fella who took Newcastle down." 

Whether the "not like it was in the brochure" line from 1992 is applicable in 2026 depends on whose interpretation of events you trust. There is a certainly a parallel in terms of financial limitations that dictate player trading, even if they are now as a result of external restrictions rather than internally (plc) generated, as was the case in 1996.

The time in post for both Keegan and Howe is also broadly similar (approaching five years) and the personal cost of steering this particular ship for that period is real: both looked haunted at the end of their tenure. 

The state of the club Howe leaves is of great concern to us, with uncertainty our current identity rather than intensity.

Ahead of whatever our next chapter is though, it would be remiss of us not to mark this event in some way.

For our favourite Eddie moment not to be what happened at Wembley in March 2025 - and across the city days later - would be even more obtuse than usual, but here are a slack handful of other Howe highlights, in his own words:

Jan 2022 Leeds United 0 Newcastle United 1

"An incredible intensity...today we learned that there's a resilience in the team. They are fighting for each other and fighting for the club. They have belief that we're not dead and buried and there's more to come."

April 2023 Newcastle United 6 Spurs 1

"We want the high energy and intensity off the ball and then we want the calmness on it. We want progressive football so the lads have had to take on a lot of information but they're doing incredibly well.

"Since I walked through the door here, the players have responded so well to us and I can't thank them enough really. There was that little bit of happiness after the game, which you want. There’s smiles, and that feeling of winning is unique."

Oct 2023 Newcastle United 4 PSG 1

"The atmosphere was very special, I knew it would be. There was an extra level tonight, I can’t thank the supporters enough. I hope there are a lot more nights like this to come. It is a very special night for all of us.

"We hope that gives us that belief we need to be successful.... only by doing this can you truly prove [you belong at this level]. Hopefully this goes a long way towards that."

Nov 2023 PSG 1 Newcastle United 1

"As much as this is a huge deflating feeling, it could be another story in our season. Despite huge numbers of quality players not being here, the group stepped up and gave more, we've shown a spirit of togetherness and a willingness to fight for each other than is as good as I've ever seen.

"We're still in it, and that's the thing we can't forget. We still believe." 

Jan 2025 Arsenal 0 Newcastle United 2

"We knew what was at stake and the players put their bodies on the line. It’s still very much game on and we’ve only done half the work.

"These are big wins for us – hopefully that can help us in future games. We have to try and win at any ground and go into any game feeling that we are capable of doing that.

"When you’re in my shoes you have to be strategic and plan well."

Nov 2025 Newcastle United 2 Manchester City 1

"It was a really high-level game between two really good teams...we're just delighted to win tonight.

"The heart, the endeavour, the attitude of the group pleased me today....it should give us a big lift in a tough Premier League season.

"The challenge now is to keep it up....we need to have the identity we played with today."

There's a certain poignancy that his last public appearance at SJP was to be laying a wreath in tribute to Keegan.

There may never be a statue erected or a stand named in his honour, but Howe's place in our history is cemented as the man who succeeded where a cavalcade of illustrious managers since Joe Harvey and including KK had failed.

Others may have won celebrated battles (Howay 5-0, Barca 3-2 etc) but he won a war. He has the winner's medal, we have memories of something we never truly expected.

For that, he has our eternal gratitude.   

Update:
Meet the new boss

Howe's replacement is set to be Matthias Jaissle, the 38 year-old German-born coach who has been in charge of Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al Ahli since 2023.

Reports on Thursday claimed that United had met his release clause, a five year contract was agreed and a compensation figure in the region of £10m would be payable.

Like United, Jeddah-based Al-Ahli are overseen by PIF. On their books at present is former Magpie striker Ivan Toney.

It's reported that Jaissle will bring a full complement of support staff to Gallowgate.

Update:
Lukas deal looms

Update: Saturday saw further claims that the Hornicek transfer was nearing completion, with the player set to undergo his medical in Spain before linking up with the Newcastle squad in La Manga.

Earlier: Reports that Newcastle are closing in on Sporting Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek strengthened on Thursday, when the Czech international missed Braga's Conference League qualifier against Zeleznicar Pancevo.

The 24 year-old has a claimed £30m release clause and was linked with both Leeds United and Hull City in this window - reportedly rejecting an offer from the latter.

Update:
The third Mag

It's now predicted that Bruno Guimaraes will link up with Newcastle at their Spanish training camp on Sunday, although his departure to Arsenal now looks inevitable.

The Times speculated on Thursday that an £80m deal is in place for the Brazilian international and although other outlets are less certain, the direction of travel now looks unmistakably towards North London.

PS: Thursday also brought reports regarding Joelinton and an alleged desire to play in Saudi Arabia. It's reported that he was on the squad flight to Spain on Friday lunchtime. 

Update:
Ready, Eddie, Go

It sounds like the beginning of a bad (or dad) joke: 

Dan Burn walks in to the training ground and says, "anything happened since I've been away...?"

Even by our comedic standards, the last two months or so have been bonkers. Player departures, arrivals, phantom and failed bids, another big player saga, the untimely death of a manager who should have ended the wait for silverware and the unforeseen departure of the one who did.

All of that was set against the backdrop of some minor football competition in North America and before a ball is kicked in anger. A reminder that it's still July.

We had privately speculated that the extended international break that followed the opening 10 Premier League games of this season could prove simply irresistible to the club, were results not acceptable. 

Our conviction that Howe remained the best person for the job meanwhile was based less on faith in and loyalty to him and more on doubts over the club's ability to appoint a superior replacement. We'll now get the chance to find out.

Instead, the end came at the start of a 10 day break before the next pre-season kickabout, with a sizeable chunk of senior players yet to dirty their boots. Never mind adjusting to new tactics and formations, the La Manga training camp may now need to be extended to accommodate the number of player and staff initiations required.....

Matthias who? A left field appointment compared by one seasoned malcontent as akin to that of teutonic technician Erik Dornheim in the Goal! movie. The name may not have been mentioned, but what looks to amount to the reallocation of a PIF resource comes as little shock.

Like many supporters, Howe looked to have the weight of the world on his shoulders barely two months ago, at the end of the longest season in the club's history.

Had he departed on June 1st it would have had seemed like a natural conclusion with an air of inevitability. To come at this point in time initially looked like classic knee-jerk NUFC these cynical eyes, but it appears that the club persuaded him not to quit in May, giving him the opportunity to rediscover his Magpie mojo to no avail. 

From Bill McGarry to Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Bobby Robson we're no strangers to managerial exits in the early weeks of the season. Howe's departure however is akin to Jack Charlton's departure in 1985, walking after some low level terrace dissent during a friendly against Sheffield United with less than 5,000 fans rattling round SJP.

Fast forward four decades and the latest managerial exit delights the dissenters (including what we term the cyber bedsheet brigade) and dismays the less demonstrative element that still supported him.

Opinions are polarised but it's not a black and white, match goers versus onlookers situation: some of the most audible critics of Howe are the fans who travelled far and wide to support his team, while among his biggest defenders are overseas converts who have never set foot inside SJP. 

At a moment's notice, the ongoing communal conversation about whether the NUFC "project" had stalled or ended is replaced by a thirst for knowledge about what direction the club is now plotting a course in.

We don't subscribe to the idea that CEOs, MDs or whoever the buck stops with need to conduct a constant dialogue, but it seems an opportune time for a mission statement containing clear intent, not just bland platitudes.

It's never dull round here, just increasingly difficult to keep pace with, rationalise - and afford.

2026/27:
Hot and bothered

Bristol City  4  Newcastle  1

Match report

Match action

The remainder of United's public pre-season games are available as paid live streams from NUFC here 

U21s:
Moors v Mags

Spennymoor Town  3  Newcastle U21s  3



Match report

Loan lads:
Youngster on target

Antonio Cordero (Cadiz):
Wednesday saw Cadiz beaten 1-3 by Ceuta in their latest kickabout, Antonio completing 85 minutes and opening the scoring for his side.

Odysseas Vlachodimos (Seville):
The goalkeeper appeared off the bench at half time in Friday's 2-1 friendly win at NEC Nijmegen, quickly punting the ball downfield to set up his side's equaliser.

Harrison Ashby (Luton Town):
An ankle injury kept the full back out of Luton's last two kickabouts, but he's expected to return when Go Ahead Eagles visit Kenilworth Road on Sunday.

Update:
Kept Mag

Another day, another Ross Wilson photo opportunity.... 

Newcastle's Sporting Director posed with Harvey Barnes in photos released on Monday confirming what is described as "a new long-term contract" for the winger.

It's three years since he arrived from Leicester City, signing a five year deal for a claimed fee of £38m.

28 year-old Barnes follows Sven Botman, Lewis Miley and Fabian Schar in agreeing a revised contract recently.

Schar's 12 month extension expires next summer, when Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope and Joe Willock all become free agents as it stands. Expect further photos... 

Update:
Sho goes on

Newcastle have added a new Head of Corporate Affairs to their management team in the form of Shola Ameobi, who vacates his previous role of club loans co-ordinator.

Announcing the news, the club confirmed that Shola was part of the Premier League’s Executive Pathway Scheme in 2023 and graduated with a master’s degree in strategic leadership at Newcastle University in December 2025.

There's no mention of who will take on the "loan arranger" role, or whether the post will be filled at all. 

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.

Update:
Squad updates

Senior players signed (4):
Ewen Jaouen, Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba

Development players signed (1):
Afner Ca

Senior contracts extended (3):
Harvey Barnes, Mark Gillespie, Fabian Schar

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

Development squad players sold (2):
Travis Hernes (Groningen), Joe White (Crewe Alexandra)

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


 

What Else?

1959 Edinburgh Select (Scotland) (a) 3-4 (1-1) Friendly  McGuigan(1-1), Eastham(70), White(81), Cumming(24), Bauld(50), Scott(60), Ormond(72)  26,237 Another United visit for this annual pre-season charity fixture, played this time at Easter Road. Team: Simpson (Harvey), Keith, McMichael, Scoular, Stokoe, Mitchell (Bell), Taylor, Eastham, White, Allchurch, McGuigan. 1970 Dundee United (Scotland) (a) 2-1 (1-0) Friendly  Smith(9), Davies(52) I.Reid(66)  7,000 Following the two-legged Fairs Cup tie of the previous year, the Terrors became frequent friendly foes. A meeting in February 1970 at SJP followed, while this Tannadice game was restaged on Tyneside just four days later. Jim Smith headed home Keith Dyson's cross to put United ahead and Dyson then provide the touch for Wyn Davies to lob in a second. The victory was overshadowed by the late loss of Frank Clark with an injury to his right knee, having just returned to training following a cartilage operation on his left knee. Team: McFaul, Craig, Clark, Gibb, McNamee, Moncur, Robson, Dyson, Davies, Smith (Foggon 80), Mitchell. Sub n/u: Burleigh. 1977 SC Telstar (Holland) (a) 1-2 (1-1) Friendly  Burns(15) Mickelsen(25), Jonker(70) 4,500 United's pre-season programme kicked off with defeat in the Dutch town of Velsen, despite Mickey Burns taking John Bird's pass and grabbing the opening goal via a post. Team: Mahoney, Gorry, Kennedy, Cassidy, Bird (Callachan), McCaffery, Barrowclough, Blackhall (Oates) Burns (Cannell), Gowling, T.Craig. 1978 At Croft Park meanwhile, Blyth Spartans registered a noteworthy 4-1 win over Dutch side Den Bosch. Newcastle boss Bill McGarry was in attendance as striker Alan Shoulder hit a hat trick, while there was a debut in green and white for David Craig, after ending his long association with the Magpies. 1979 Torquay United (a) 3-2 (2-1) Friendly  Shoulder(14), Walker(38), Mitchell(65) Cooper(1,60)  2,450 The Magpies paid a maiden visit to Plainmoor on this Wednesday evening and quickly conceded. Bill McGarry's side recovered to win the game however, despite Alan Shoulder seeing a 56th minute penalty saved by John Turner. Team: Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Cartwight, Barton (Mitchell), Bird, Nicholson (Armstrong) Withe, Walker, Shoulder, Hibbitt (Cassidy). 1985 Wigan Athletic (a) 4-1 (1-0) Friendly  McDonald(38,56), Roeder(60), Beardsley(69) Lowe(55)  3,000  Following defeats by Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers, United concluded their first appearance at the Isle of Man Tournament with victory over the Latics in Castletown. Team: Thomas, Hedworth, McKinnon, Davies, Reilly, Roeder, McDonald, Megson, Cunningham, Beardsley. Heard. 1987 Brondby IF (Denmark) (a) 1-2 (0-1) Friendly  Goddard(78) Jensen(40pen), Neilsen(68) 1,452 United's pre-season preparations began in the town of Glostrup, near to Copenhagen. In the home ranks was highly-rated youngster Brian Laudrup, whose elder brother Michael had just completed a move to Juventus. Team: M.Thomas, McDonald, Bailey (Tinnion), Anderson (Stephenson), P.Jackson, Roeder, Hodges, Gascogne, Goddard, Wharton, D.Jackson (A.Thomas). 1988 Katrineholm (Sweden) (a) 4-0 (0-0) Friendly  Mirandinha, Hendrie, Robertson, O'Neill  1,000 A small crowd turned up to see new arrivals Andy Thorn and John Hendrie debut on a bumpy pitch - the latter marking the occasion with a goal.  1989 Mjallby AIF (Sweden) (a) 3-0 (1-0) Friendly  Quinn(15), McGhee(70), Brazil(60)  1,000 The penultimate date in Newcastle's five game perambulation around Swedish non-entities took them to the small town of Hällevik. Mick Quinn got off the mark for his new club - although the tribunal that would decide his transfer fee were still yet to convene.  Team: Wright, Ranson (Anderson 46), Thorn (Kristensen 46), Scott, Sweeney, Gallacher (Brazil 46), Brock, Dillon, Fereday, Quinn, McGhee. 1990 Oadby Town (a) 3-0 (1-0) Friendly  og(Kirby), Gallacher, O'Brien  980  The black & white "bar code" strip made its debut in this Leicestershire town, in a match arranged by Magpies director and Oadby President Peter Mallinger.  After the match, Newcastle manager Jim Smith performed the opening ceremony on a new clubhouse at Invicta Park. 1992 York City (a) 3-1 (1-0) Friendly  Sheedy(17), Peacock(46), Carr(79) Tilley(63)  3,424  The Magpies continued their pre-season preparations by easing to victory in this Saturday kickabout at Bootham Crescent.  Team: Wright, Venison, Beresford (Neilson 46), Bracewell, Kilcline, Scott (Ranson 46), Clark, Peacock (Quinn 62), Kelly, Watson (Carr 62), Sheedy. 1994 Wrexham (a) 3-4 (1-1) Friendly  Mathie(36,89), Beardsley(73) Connolly(2,54) Taylor(47,85) 5,842 United visited the Racecourse Ground to form the opposition in Dixie McNeil's testimonial. Some sources credited Peter Beardsley's goal as an own goal after it was deflected in by Barry Hunter - a former Magpies trainee who later found his way to the Racecourse Ground. Team: Srnicek (Hooper 46), Neilson, Beresford, Lee, Venison, Peacock, Fox, Jeffrey (Holland 70), Beardsley, Mathie. Elliott.    1996 S-League All Stars (a) 5-0 (2-0) Friendly  Ferdinand(7), Ginola(25pen,73), Kitson(72,88) 50,000 The second game of United's tour of the Far East was staged in front of a capacity crowd at Singapore's National Stadium. New £15m signing Alan Shearer had linked up with the tour party but didn't play. David Batty was booked in what was a combative kickabout at times, while manager Kevin Keegan removed Tino Asprilla at half time after the Colombian was guilty of a trio of bad fouls. Team: Hislop, Barton, Beresford, Peacock (Howey 67), Batty (Lee 46), Albert (Elliott 57), Clark (Watson 67), Gillespie (Beardsley 57), Ferdinand, Asprilla (Kitson 46), Ginola. 1997 A Magpies reserve XI drew 1-1 with non-league Chorley at their Victory Park home, in a friendly staged as part of the deal taking striker David Eatock to SJP. The home side led at half time through Andy Gayle's 22nd minute effort, before Eatock levelled 13 minutes before the end. Team: Keen, Arnison, Woodcock, S.Elliott, Paxton, Kelly, Gibson (Lanzman 46), Barrett, Gudjonnson (Burghall 66), Pinas, Eatock. Sub n/u: Harper. 1998 Benfica (Portugal) (n) 0-0 (0-0) Friendly 5,430 Day one of the JD Sports tournament held at the Riverside Stadium saw the Magpies beaten on penalties after a drab 90 minutes. Graeme Souness's Benfica side won 4-3 in the shootout, Steve Watson, Stuart Pearce and Temuri Ketsbaia on target before Gary Speed and Ralf Keidel missed from the spot. NUFC.com match report 2000 Temuri Ketsbaia reminded the watching Bobby Robson of his qualities with two goals and a string-pulling midfield display in a pre-season game at Berwick Rangers. Ahead through Shola Ameobi, the Borderers got back into the game after the break and at one stage it was 2-3, before a quickfire double from James Coppinger rounded off a 5-2 success in front of 2,015 fans.  NUFC.com match report 2001 1860 Munich (Germany) (h) 3-1 (1-1) Intertoto Cup Semi-final  2nd Leg  Speed(5), LuaLua(80), Solano(89pen) Schroth(42) 36,635 After a fine 3-2 victory in the Olympic Stadium, United finished the job against the Germans and qualified for the Intertoto Cup Final on a 6-3 aggregate.  Your correspondents will forever remember this game for a bizarre pre-match meeting with a certain Mr Shepherd. On the field, new signing Laurent Robert was paraded, but took no part in the game.  NUFC.com match report 2003 So when was the last time we scored nine goals in one night and lost? Read on.... 2003 Sheffield Wednesday (a) 3-4 (1-1) Friendly Dyer(20), Ameobi(47),  LuaLua(65) Owusu(2), Smith(68),  Armstrong(77), Kuqi(79) 14,995 Managed by Sir Bobby Robson, half of United's senior squad lost at Hillsborough despite holding a 3-1 lead midway through the second half. Future Magpie striking (belly)flop Shefki Kuqi scored the winner for third tier Wednesday.  NUFC.com match report 2003 Hartlepool United (a)  6-0 (4-0)  Friendly Bellamy(9), Shearer(17,28,35), Solano(47), Speed(52) 4,712 At the same time another Magpies senior XI were filling their boots at Victoria Park, under the command of coach John Carver. NUFC.com match report 2004 Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) (h) 0-1 (0-1) Friendly Tello(33) 23,446 Day Two of the Newcastle Gateshead Cup and after routing Rangers 4-2 24 hours earlier, Sir Bobby Robson's current side were anything but impressive against his old one. Patrick Kluivert made his Toon bow in what would be the first of three visits to SJP Sporting made that season - returning for a UEFA Cup group tie and a Quarter Final. NUFC.com match report 2006 The draw for the UEFA Cup Second Qualifying Round paired United with Latvian league leaders FK Ventspils. TV demands saw the away leg switched to the Skonto Stadium, Riga, rather than their own home ground - saving team, fans and TV technicians a three hour trek from the Latvian capital to the coastal town. 2007 Hull City (a) 0-1 (0-1) Friendly Hughes(41) 14,000(est) The floodwaters had receded from Hull, but provided the travelling fans with material for their repertoire on a night when there was precious little else for them to applaud. Such was the youth and inexperience of the side that Sam Allardyce was forced to field due to injuries that goalkeeper Steve Harper remarked that he felt like "their Grandad". NUFC.com match report 2008 Hertha Berlin (Germany) (n) 0-1 (0-0) Friendly Nicu(80) 2,000(est) A poor performance from Kevin Keegan's side in the first of two matches to be played at Palma's ONO Stadium in the Mallorca Cup. Jonas Gutierrez made his Magpies debut in the stadium he had called home until just a few weeks previously. NUFC.com match report 2012 Newcastle's second string kicked off their preparations for the season with a 4-1 win over Conference Premier side Gateshead at the International Stadium.  Mehdi Abeid, Romain Amalfitano, Conor Newton and Marcus Maddison netted in front of 1,274 fans,  while new defensive arrival Curtis Good made his Magpies bow. NUFC.com match report 2015 Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany) (h) 0-1 (0-0) Friendly Hazard(66) 21,088 A dispiriting pre-season for new boss Steve McClaren came to a close at SJP. Chancel Mbemba made his Toon bow but Thorgan Hazard (brother of Chelsea's Eden) scored the only goal of the game. NUFC.com match report 2017 The reserves beat Northern League side Ashington 4-2 at Woodhorn Lane. Owen Bailey scored twice with Adam Wilson and Lewis McNall also on target. NUFC.com match report 2018 SC Braga (Portugal) (a) 0-4 (0-0) Friendly Horta(52), Novais(77), Fransergio(85), Sousa(90) 6,000(est) Following a 0-0 draw in Porto, United moved on to Braga for their penultimate pre-season game, making their debut in the striking setting of the Municipal Stadium. Conceding four times without reply during the second half was soon overshadowed by from Rafa Benitez underling a strained relationship with his employers, as they struggled to operate in the transfer market. NUFC.com match report 2021 Former Magpie loanee Joe Willock featured for Arsenal in a pre-season defeat by Chelsea, suggesting that a permanent SJP return wasn't in the offing. 2022 Newcastle U21s lost their 100% pre-season record at the fourth time of asking, drawing 2-2 with Dundee United. The game was staged at the Saints Sport facility of St. Andrew's University, United twice behind but equalised through Santiago Munoz and Matty Bondswell. NUFC.com match report