Luton (h) Resale/forwarding/resale seats open 
Forest (a) SOLD OUT 
Bmth (h) Resale/forwarding/resale seats open
Arsenal (a) ST ballot opens Fri 02.02.24, 10am
Blackburn (a) Ticket sale details awaited

Update:
No moves

The transfer window closed at 11pm on Thursday, with no major arrivals or departures at Gallowgate.

Inbound:

Confirmation of a permanent deal for Alfie Harrison emerged, the transfer of the 18 year-old midfielder from Manchester City was verbally confirmed by Eddie Howe last week. His deal runs until 2026. 

Jay Turner-Cooke has cut short a season-long loan to Scottish side St.Johnstone and is back on Tyneside.

The 20 year-old midfielder has made just one brief substitute appearance since Craig Levein took over in November. Saints have completed a deal for Connor Smith, who previously played under Levein at Hearts.

Outbound:

Having truncated his loan in Belgium with Standard Liege, Isaac Hayden has joined QPR on loan for the rest of the season. Various Championship clubs were keen on the 28 year-old midfielder whose Magpies deal runs until 2026.

21 year-old reserve midfielder and Academy product Josh Scott has made a permanent move to Scottish Championship side Queens Park.

Also heading across the border for the remainder of the season is forward Michael Ndiweni, signing on loan for Scottish First Division side Annan Athletic.

SJP old boys:

Nottingham Forest have signed Belgian international goalkeeper Matz Sels - formerly of this parish and with French side Strasbourg since 2018. He cost £5m, which is around about what we paid for him in 2016.

The never-ending tour of Islam Slimani continues, with the 35 year-old striker switching clubs for the fifth successive transfer window. He's now joined Belgian League side KV Mechelen.  

Former reserve defender Lewis Cass has completed a loan switch from League One Port Vale to League Two leaders Stockport County.

Former NUFC coach Steve Agnew left his post at Aberdeen following the sacking of manager Barry Robson.

U21s: 
Clitheroe kids

Following two previous postponements, a third date and a third different venue has been confirmed for the U21s' Premier League Cup tie against Fleetwood Town.

That's now set to take place this Friday night (Feb 2nd) at the Shawbridge home of Clitheroe FC aka the EcoGiants Stadium. Postcode for that is BB7 1LZ.

Kick-off is at 7pm, admission at the turnstiles (cash or card) £5 adults and £3 concessions.

PS: a new date has been announced for the postponed PL2 home game against Aston Villa, on Friday March 29th. Venue is Whitley Park, kick-off at 7pm.

2023/24:
Luton Town (h) 

Saturday sees Newcastle host the Hatters for the very first time in the Premier League.

It's an old-fashioned, non-televised 3pm start and sold out, with the visitors taking and selling their maximum allocation of 3,188 places.

Following losses to Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, the black and whites are bidding to avoid a trio of successive PL home defeats for the first time since January/February 2021.

Town have failed to win any of their last 14 games at Gallowgate since a 2-0 FA Cup success in 1973. In the league only, Luton have left SJP with maximum points just once in 23 visits - in September 1937.

In an effort to promote sustainability by reducing private vehicle journeys, anyone with a ticket for Saturday's game can take advantage of free public transport across Tyne and wear. Find further details online here

Team: To follow 

LTFC: There could be a debut for Japanese international defender Daiki Hashioka, after he completed a transfer from Belgian side Sint-Truiden on Tuesday.

Luton come into the game unbeaten in their last six league and cup games, two draws followed by three successive victories - the latest of which was a 4-0 slaying of Brighton at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday.

Elijah Adebayo hit a first half treble in that game.

UK TV: None

WonderBar in The Gate opens at 10am, with DJ Mad Mick on stage from 11.30am for his pre-match show. 

He returns at 5pm before live music at 7pm from The Overthinkers. Admission free all day details here

Overseas TV: To follow

UK Radio: Live on BBC Radio 5 Sport

Local Radio: Live on BBC Radio Newcastle

Hospital Radio: Radio Tyneside commentary is accessible free of charge in local hospitals via Hospedia.

Referee: Tom Bramall - second NUFC game of the season for the Manchester-based whistler after the 2-0 PL home win over Burnley.

VAR: Michael Salisbury

Metro: No scheduled issues. 

Rail: The latest bout of strike action by ASLEF staff will affect LNER services on Friday February 2nd, and may cause some issues to services on Saturday.

Rail disruption updates: online here

Buses: The Go North East X50 football service from the Metro Centre will be in operation. Details here

Road closures: Temporary road closures around the ground will be in place from an hour before kick-off until 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Foodbank: The usual stall and bucket shakers will be on Strawberry Place. NUFC Jamie Reuben will once again double all cash donations made on matchday.

Stats:

Hatters in Toon - last 10:

2017/18 won 3-1 (FAC) Perez 2, Shelvey
1993/94 drew 1-1 (FAC) Beardsley pen 
1992/93 won 2-0 (Ch) Clark, Kelly 
1988/89 drew 0-0 (D1)
1987/88 won 4-0 (D1) O'Neill 3, Goddard 
1986/87 drew 2-2 (D1) P.Jackson, Goddard
1985/86 drew 2-2 (D1) Roeder, Beardsley
1984/85 won 1-0 (D1) Wharton
1981/82 won 3-2 (D2) Brown 2, Varadi
1980/81 won 2-1 (FAC) Clarke, Martin

Latest Premier League fixtures:

Sat 03.02.2024:
Everton v Spurs (12.30pm) TNT
Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace (3pm)
Burnley v Fulham (3pm)
Newcastle v Luton Town (3pm)
Sheffield United v Aston Villa (5.30pm) Sky

Sun 04.02.2024:
Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest (2pm)
Chelsea v Wolves (2pm)
Manchester United v West Ham (2pm) Sky
Arsenal v Liverpool (4.30pm) Sky

Mon 05.02.2024:
Brentford v Manchester City (8pm) Sky

2023/24:
Schar: I got
two, babe!

Aston Villa  1  Newcastle  3

Match report

Latest Premier League results:

Tue 30.01.2024:
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
Fulham 0-0 Everton
Luton Town 4-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield United
Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle

Wed 31.01.2024:
Manchester City 3-1 Burnley
Spurs 3-2 Brentford
Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

Thu 01.02.2024:
West Ham 1-1 Bournemouth
Wolves 3-4 Manchester United

Internationals: 
Gallowgate date for
England reported

Following speculation that England would stage one warm-up game ahead of Euro 2024 away from Wembley, St. James' Park has now reportedly been selected. 

The Bosnia and Herzegovina FA posted an update via social media to the effect that they will face Gareth Southgate's side in Newcastle on Monday June 3rd.

Final confirmation of what would be the national team's first game at SJP since 2005 is still awaited. 

U18s: 
Academy call-off

Due to the visitors playing an FA Youth Cup tie this Sunday, Saturday's U18 Premier League home game against Liverpool has been postponed.

No new date has been set as yet.

The Borrowers: 
Loan lads

Harrison Ashby (Swansea City):
A 1-3 loss at Leicester City in the Championship on Tuesday night saw Harrison in the starting XI, but replaced at half time. That appears to have been a tactical switch rather than related to fitness issues. 

Dylan Stephenson (South Shields):
There was a first start for Dylan on Tuesday as the Mariners won 3-0 at Hereford in National League North, although he didn't get on the scoresheet.

Jamal Lewis (Watford):
The defender kept his place in the side for Wednesday's Championship visit to Sheffield Wednesday, completing 73 minutes of a scoreless draw.

Jeff Hendrick (Sheffield Wednesday):
The midfielder remains absent from the Owls squad, although fit enough to be photographed playing some trendy version of tennis on social media.

Ryan Fraser (Southampton):
Rotherham United (a) Championship, Saturday.

Jay Turner-Cooke (St. Johnstone):
Ross County (a) Scottish Premiership, Saturday.

Kelland Watts (Wigan Athletic):
Peterborough United (a) League One, Saturday.

Matty Bondswell (Newport County):
Swindon Town (h) League Two, Saturday.

Garang Kuol (Volendam):
Utrecht (a) Eredivisie, Sunday.

Yankuba Minteh (Feyenoord)
AZ Alkmaar (a0 Eredivisie, Sunday.

Rodrigo Vilca (Vozdovac):
tbc

Compo:
Hat giveaway - winner

It was Stuart Pearce and from the correct entries received, one from Paul Leck was randomly picked.

*All Standard UK orders will ship Royal Mail 48 Tracked (Email/SMS). Special Delivery is available for guaranteed next day delivery (UK. T&Cs apply).

FAC5: 
Off to Ewood

A 4-1 home win for Blackburn Rovers over Wrexham in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup on Monday means that Newcastle will travel to Ewood Park next month.

7,338 Wrexham fans were in the Darwen End to see their side beaten by Championship opposition and the Magpies can expect to receive a similar allocation.

Whether they replicate the selling arrangements is unclear as yet though: adult ticket prices were £15 and all issued digitally, although A4 sized printed copies were acceptable.

Rovers are managed by former Magpie Jon Dahl Tomasson, who played in two FA Cup ties for Newcastle.  

His side's progress means that four of United's last 10 Fifth Round ties will have been against them.

Newcastle's last visit to Ewood Park was for a Third Round FA replay in January 2019. That ended in a 4-2 win, with Sean Longstaff among the goalscorers.

Eddie Howe's side will head to Blackburn looking for a fifth successive FA Cup victory on their ground.

Ties are played on or around Wednesday February 28th - between our Saturday night PL visit to Arsenal and Saturday afternoon PL home game with Wolves.

That there's no provision for replays in the Fifth Round and a result must be achieved on the night, during 30 minutes of extra time and failing that, penalties.

Newcastle have now been drawn away from home on four successive occasions, their longest sequence in the FA Cup since they came out of the hat second on four occasions between 2015 and 2017.

And the most recent occasion that we were handed away draws in the third, fourth and fifth rounds before this season was back in 1975/76.

NUFC last 10 Fifth Round ties:

2023/24 Blackburn Rovers (a)
2019/20 West Bromwich Albion (a) won 3-2
2005/06 Southampton (h) won 1-0
2004/05 Chelsea (h) won 1-0
2001/02 Manchester City (h) won 1-0
1999/00 Blackburn Rovers (a) won 2-1
1998/99 Blackburn Rovers (a) won 1-0 R (0-0 h)
1997/98 Tranmere Rovers (h) won 1-0
1994/95 Manchester City (h) won 3-1
1992/93 Blackburn Rovers (a) lost 0-1

Magpies versus Rovers - FAC all time:

2023/24 R5 (a)
2018/19 R3 drew 1-1 (h) won replay 4-2 (aet) (a)
2011/12 R3 won 2-1 (h)
1999/00 R5 won 2-1 (a)
1998/99 R5 drew 0-0 (h) won replay 1-0 (a)
1994/95 R3 drew 1-1 (h) won replay 2-1 (a)
1992/93 R5 lost 0-1 (a)
1951/52 SF drew 0-0 (n) won replay 2-1 (n)
1927/28 R3 lost 1-4 (a)
1909/10 R3 won 3-1 (h)

Fifth Round draw:

Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United
Chelsea or Aston Villa v Leeds United or Plymouth
Bournemouth v Leicester City
Liverpool v Watford or Southampton
Bristol City or Notts Forest v Manchester United
Wolves v Brighton
Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry v Maidstone
Luton Town v Manchester City

Fourth Round replays:

Tue 06.02.2024:
Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday (7.45pm)
Plymouth Argyle v Leeds United (7.45pm) BBC
Southampton v Watford (7.45pm)

Wed 07.02.2024:
Aston Villa v Chelsea (8pm) ITV1
Nottingham Forest v Bristol City (7.45pm)

2023/24: 
Pope boost

The Times report that goalkeeper Nick Pope is expected to return to the Newcastle squad during mid-March - raising his own hopes of making the England squad for this summer's Euro finals.

The 31 year-old dislocated his shoulder in the home win over Manchester United in early December. Estimates of a four month recuperation period were made then - and at this stage, appear to be accurate.

2023/24: 
Miley signed up

From NUFC, Monday:

Newcastle United are delighted to announce that Lewis Miley has signed a new long-term contract.

The 17-year-old midfielder has committed his future to the Magpies having become an important part of Eddie Howe's first team squad this season.

A product of the Newcastle United Academy, Lewis became United's youngest ever Premier League debutant when he featured for his boyhood club on the final day of the 2022/23 season away at Chelsea.

He has since made 18 competitive first team appearances, including three outings in the UEFA Champions League, and has been capped at Under-19 level for England.

In November 2023, Lewis became the youngest ever Newcastle United player to register an assist in the Premier League when he set up an Alexander Isak goal in a 4-1 victory over Chelsea.

He also became the youngest player to record an assist for an English side in UEFA Champions League history in December 2023, laying on a pass for Joelinton to score against AC Milan.

And just three days later, he became Newcastle United's youngest ever scorer in the Premier League, bagging the opener at the Gallowgate End as the Magpies ran out 3-0 winners against Fulham.

Upon committing his future to the club, Lewis said: "It's a really proud moment for me and my family to sign another professional contract with my boyhood club. I couldn't be prouder.

"Hopefully I can continue to do well over the next few years, and I can keep improving my performance and getting better as a player.

"It's a real joy playing in front of the fans, especially to hear them chanting my name. Their support means so much to me and my family, and I'm looking forward to the future."

Newcastle United head coach, Eddie Howe, commented: "Lewis is an exceptional young talent and has all the attributes to be a huge part of Newcastle United's journey, both now and for many years to come.

"He has already contributed to the team with excellent performances in very challenging circumstances this season, and we are very excited about what is to come as he continues to develop his game and grow with us.

"I'd like to acknowledge the role of the club's Academy in Lewis' development. He is a shining example of the club's talent pathway and he can hopefully inspire our younger players to follow in his footsteps."

PS: Wor Flags are currently running a prize draw for a framed 2022/23 replica home shirt signed by Lewis, marking his PL debut against Chelsea last May. The full-size Anthony Gordon banner waved by Wor Flags as games is also up for grabs in the same draw. 

Tickets cost £5 and proceeds are split between Wor Flags and the Great North Children's Hospital. The draw closes this coming Saturday (February 3rd). 

More details and entries online here

2023/24:
Local heroes

Fulham  0  Newcastle  2 

Match report

U21s: 
More late heartbreak

Blackburn Rovers U21s  2  Newcastle U21s  1 

Match report

2023/24: 
Wolves (h) not on TV

Friday saw the latest Premier League fixture alterations for live TV announced, with only one round of games mucked around with - the first weekend in March.

Newcastle's home meeting with Wolves wasn't selected for live coverage meaning that it stays at 3pm on Saturday March 2nd.  

Update:
Incoming confirmation

As confirmed by Eddie Howe on Friday, Newcastle have completed the permanent transfer of Manchester City academy midfielder Alfie Harrison on a long-term deal.

The Manchester-born 18 year-old is left footed and initially joins United's U18 squad. He's yet to make a senior competitive bow and debuted for City U21s just last month.

PS: It also appears that a second teenager has put pen to paper in recent days, namely Brayden Clarke - a Welsh U17 youth international defender most recently with the Wolves Academy.

2023/24: 
Transport updates

Advance notice of things we've spotted that may alter travel to and from upcoming Newcastle games:

Sat 17.02.2024 Bournemouth (h)
Kings Cross station is closed. LNER train services will start and terminate at Peterborough, with rail replacement bus services in operation via Kettering.

NB: same disruption on Sun 18.02.2024, Mon 19.02.2024 and Tue 20.02.2024.

Sat 02.03.2024 Wolves (h)
Buses replace trains between York and Newcastle in both directions, except for an hourly LNER service via a diversionary route that will take additional time. 

NB: similar disruption on Sun 03.03.2024.

Sat 09.03.2024 Chelsea (a) tbc
Buses replace trains between Newcastle and York in both directions, except for an hourly LNER service via a diversionary route that will take additional time. 

NB: similar disruption on Sun 10.03.2024.

Metros:

Sat 17.02.2024 Bournemouth (h)
Sat 24.02.2024 Arsenal (a)
Buses replace Metros between Regent Centre and Airport for a nine day period until Mon 26.02.2024.

Sat 16.03.2024 Palace (a) tbc
Buses replace Metros between South Gosforth and Heworth.

NB: similar disruption on Sun 17.03.2024.

Sat 30.03.2024 West Ham (h) tbc
Buses replace metros between South Gosforth and Heworth for a four day period until Tue 02.04.2024.

Publication: 
West End boys



Available now is the latest publication from club historian Paul Joannou, covering the decade during which Newcastle West End were in existence - the original tenants of St.James' Park.

We have a limited number of copies available - email [email protected] for further details. 

PS: Local journalist Tony Henderson has written about the book for Cultured North East online here

ON SALE NOW