Wednesday June 18th, 2025

    Last update 01:23 BST

      Your genial hosts: Niall and Biffa




Next Match

 

TBC
Last Match

 

Newcastle 0
Everton 1
Premier League
St. James' Park
Sunday 25th May
Match report

The Never-Ending Tour

  Number of Newcastle
  games attended by
  NUFC.com in 2024/25:

91

 

alt

 

Celtic (a) SOLD OUT
Atletico Madrid (h) Public sale now  
ST home Cup schemes x3 sign up by 27.06 @ 5pm

2025/26:
PL fixtures @ 9am 

The 2025/26 season Premier League fixtures will be released at 9am on Wednesday morning, with the season running from Friday August 15th to Sunday May 24th 2026.

The PL confirm that the scheduled season will consist of 33 fixture rounds at weekends with a further five midweeks. No games will be played on Wednesday December 24th.

Interest will centre on scheduling of the first Tyne-wear derby fixtures in the league since 2015/16, in addition to United's maiden visit to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium - which will become the 61st venue to have staged a PL fixture involving the Magpies.

The return of Burnley, Leeds United and the mackems at the expense of
Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City means that Newcastle's seasonal away mileage will reduce by a whopping 1,300* miles from 9,462 to 8,162. 

* subject to slight alteration, depending on which daft route the Toon bus convoy takes to wearside....

Competition:
Fanzine giveaway

Available online now is the latest issue of Seen.By. a softback photography fanzine that covers regional topics captured by a loose collective of photographers.

Issue 2 documents the events of March 2025, when Newcastle's eternal quest to win silverware ended in memorable style against Liverpool at Wembley.

Photos of that day from Wembley, Covent Garden and Tyneside are joined in the 84 pages by other memorable shots from the open top bus parade and celebrations.

Limited to 250 copies, the fanzine costs £10 plus £3.70 postage (overseas postage rates available on request) and can be purchased online
here

We have copies of the books to give away and to be in with a chance of winning, send your answer to the following question via email to [email protected] by 9pm on Monday June 23rd. Subject line of Photos


Eddie Howe became the first English-born Manager to guide a side to League Cup glory since 2004, when Middlesbrough had won that trophy. Who was the Boro boss that day? 

No age limit, open to anyone on the planet. Delivery only to UK addresses. One entry each please per person.

2025/26:
Teen trio commit 

Newcastle have agreed contract extensions with a trio of 18 year-old players on the verge of the senior squad.

Full back Leo Shahar, winger Trevan Sanusi and forward Sean Neave have all put pen to paper on new deals of unspecified duration.

First professional contracts have been awarded to forward Joe Brayson and defensive duo Logan Watts and Luke Craggs, who are all 18 or reach that age imminently.

Elsewhere in the Academy, Sam Alabi, Michael Mills and Sam Pinnington have accepted scholarships and Thomas Bryant's scholarship is extended into a third year.

2025/26:
Cup Schemes x 3 - 
sign up by June 27th 

NUFC have confirmed the pricing and time frame for season ticket holders to join Cup Schemes for each of the three cup competitions the Magpies will enter in 2025/26.

As was the case in previous seasons, enrolment for the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup Schemes must be done separately and ST holders can opt for 0,1,2 or 3.

For anyone who doesn't sign up, there's no guarantee of any seat for a home tie in that competition and their sales window will open alongside that of club members.

Enrolment must be complete by Friday week, June 27th at 5pm. That is a hard deadline with no exceptions.

Pricing for the two domestic cup competitions is unchanged from 2024/25 at £35 & £30 for home FA Cup ties and £25 & £20 for Carabao Cup games at Gallowgate.

FA Cup and Carabao Cup payments will be taken within seven days of a home game being confirmed.

Champions League tickets cost £70 & £60, increasing from our last entrance in 2023/24 when they were £60 & £55. 

Regardless of when United's Champions League home games are staged, payments will be taken for those tickets on the 1st day of July, August, September and October.

NUFC Cup Scheme announcement is
here

NUFC Cup Scheme enrolment guide is here

NUFC Cup Scheme FAQs are here

NUFC Cup Scheme Ts & Cs are here

Internationals:
Cordero on target 

Antonio Cordero (Spain U19s):
Mon 16.06.2025 Romania (a) won 3-1 ECF
Success for Spain in Voluntari, with the future Magpie opening the scoring against the hosts in only the third minute. Cordero then supplied an assist for the second. 

Following a 1-0 success over Denmark in their opener, six points out of six confirms a semi-final spot for defending champions Spain with one group stage game remaining. 

Thu 19.06.2025 Montenegro (n) Ploiesti ECF


Update:
Coach departure 

Newcastle confirmed on Monday that U21 lead coach Diarmuid O’Carroll had left Gallowgate in order to join the senior team coaching staff at Czechs Sparta Prague.

O'Carroll moved from his post as St. Mirren assistant manager in September 2024 to join the Magpies, combining that role with coaching the Northern Ireland national team.

The U21 lead coach role became vacant in July 2024 when Ben Dawson left to join Leicester City, Neil Winskill and Jack Ross taking interim charge until O'Carroll's appointment.


Old boy:
AA joins Tynesiders 

National League side Gateshead confirm that former Magpie Alun Armstrong has become their new manager.

The 50 year-old came through the ranks at Gallowgate but left without making a senior competitive debut, appearing for the likes of Stockport County, Boro and Ipswich Town during his playing career.

Previously taking charge of Blyth Spartans and Darlington, Alan has been out of management since leaving the latter back in September 2023. More recently he became head of Elite and Performance Football at Gateshead College. 

Internationals:
Euros continue 

Tino Livramento (England U21s):
Wed 18.06.2025 Germany (n) Nitra ECF

This tie will be shown live on Channel 4 from 7.30pm.

Defending champions England will progress to the quarter finals if they avoid defeat. A defeat would also suffice, should Slovenia fail to beat the Czech Republic.

Sun 15.06.2025 Slovenia (n) drew 0-0 ECF
Another 90 minute shift for Tino at left back in Nitra.


Thu 12.06.2025 Czechia (n) won 3-1 ECF
The United full back played the full game and supplied a brace of assists en route to winning man of the match.

William Osula (Denmark U21s):

Wed 18.06.2025 Finland (n) Kosice ECF
Channel 4 list live coverage on their YouTube channel.

Sun 15.06.2025 Netherlands (n) won 2-1 ECF
Promoted to the starting line-up, the Newcastle forward scored a goal either side of the interval in Presov to turn a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 success and confirm qualification to the knockout stages for the Danes with a game to spare.

Osula completed 71 minutes. Watch his goals here

Thu 12.06.2025 Ukraine (n) won 3-2 ECF
Osula came off the bench at 1-1 to set up one goal before scoring the winner in Presov. 


Giveaway:
Theatre
compo winner 

Returning to Newcastle's Theatre Royal later this month for three performances is "Carrying David", Ed Waugh's stage adaptation of boxer Glenn McCrory's autobiography.

The play recounts Durham-born McCrory's rise to fame in the ring and the inspiration he took from caring for his terminally ill brother, David.

"Carrying David" is on Saturday June 21st at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and Sunday June 22nd at 4pm. Tickets are available now online here

We had a pair of seats up for grabs for one of the shows and asked weight class Glenn McCrory was boxing in when he became World Champion during 1989.

Most folks knew that it was Cruiserweight and the winning entry came from Steve McKenna.

RGR:
Running Mag 

NUFC.com reader Mark Allison aka Run Geordie Run continues his charitable trek across the USA, with donations heading towards £21,000.  

Mark continues to support the vital work of St.Benedicts Hospice. If you can help, please do so online here  

Links to the various RGR online outlets appear here  

2025/26:
Korea
confirmation

Following last months announcement that Newcastle will play two pre-season games in South Korea, belated confirmation of the dates and venues has now appeared.

Eddie Howe's side will take place in the Coupang Play Series against a local XI and fellow Premier League side Spurs.

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

That will be followed by a kickabout against Spurs on Sunday August 3rd (8pm local time) at the 65,000 capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium (above).

The two venues are around 25 miles from each other.

From NUFC: 

Tickets for fans based in South Korea will be available during pre-sale and general sale windows, with pre-sale exclusively available to Coupang Play Sports Pass subscribers.

Team K League: 
Pre-sale 25.06.2025 (8pm), general sale 27.06.2025 (8pm)

Spurs: 
Pre-sale 26.06.2025 (8pm), general sale 04.07.2025 (8pm)

Tickets will be exclusively available via Coupang Play.

Tickets for fans travelling to South Korea will be initially available to ST Holders and Mags Members from 10am (BST) on 30.06.2025, prior to general sale from 10am (BST) on 07.07.2025.

United's pre-season schedule now extends to five matches as follows, which are predicted to follow a behind closed doors friendly and a training camp in Austria.

Unconfirmed reports that a second home friendly will be played at SJP on Friday 08.08.2025 continue to appear.

Sat 19.07.2025 Celtic (Scotland) (a)
Sun 27.07.2025 Arsenal (n) in Singapore
Wed 30.07.2025 Team K League (South Korea) (a)
Sun 03.08.2025 Spurs (n) in South Korea
Sat 09.08.2025 Atletico Madrid (Spain) (h)

Update:
Bill of rights

Marking a century since a rule change by football's ruling body inspired by his cunning, The Athletic reflect on the genius of Newcastle United's Bill McCracken here

PS: A detailed biography of McCracken has been written by NUFC club historian Paul Joannou and is due for publication in September 2025.

Update:
FAB minutes

Minutes from the most recent FAB (Fan Advisory Board) meeting at SJP are now available online
here

Amongst the usual range of topics covered was the following update regarding 2025/26 kit releases:

"Third kit to launch in early July and Away shirt launch planned to be on pre-season tour in Asia during July or August."

Update:
Bill McKinney RIP 

The death of former Magpie Bill McKinney has been announced, at the age of 88.

Wallsend-born Bill served his apprenticeship as a plater at Swan Hunter Shipyard, playing junior football for both Wallsend Rising Sun and Wallsend St. Lukes.

Completing his national service in the army, Bill was selected for their national XI and joined United during May 1956, playing for their "A" team initially.

Losing out to fellow new arrival Dick Keith in his first season at Gallowgate, Bill had to wait until December 1957 for a first team chance, stepping up from the reserves to play in a 3-3 draw away to Spurs.

Finally becoming a first team regular at right back in the 1960/61 relegation campaign, Bill played in both full back positions and at centre half as unsuccessful promotion challenges were mounted over the next three seasons.

Replaced by David Craig late in the 1963/64 season, Bill featured just twice more ahead of a £2,750 switch to Bournemouth in August 1965 - leaving Gallowgate with eight goals in 95 league and cup games. 

Reunited with Dick Keith at Dean Court 1966 saw him join Third Division side Mansfield Town and he played on at Field Mill for another two seasons. 

A move to Southern Premier League side Wellington Town (who later renamed themselves Telford United) followed, McKinney settling in the Shropshire town of Dawley and remained there after his retirement. 


2025/26:
Moving on up

The 2025/26 season Magpie Mover is now on sale via NUFC, with the price fixed at £25 (no concessions).

The ticket covers competitive men's first team games at SJP, allowing one direct return trip via specified public transport within Tyne and wear up to three hours before kick-off to the end of daily service post-match.  

NUFC's launch announcement reveals that Magpie Movers now come as a digital mobile download, although lacking the capability to open ticket barriers. There's no mention of continued availability in an alternative card format. 

For the first time, Magpie Movers can be purchased by Mags+ members in addition to season ticket holders.

Press release here

Old boys:
Comings & goings 

SJP old boys with new clubs/jobs include:

Tom Allan Darlington
Alun Armstrong
Gateshead M
Jean-Alain Boumsong
Auxerre C
Mark Boyd Carlisle City AM
Lewis Cass Harrogate Town
Stan Flaherty Hampton & Richmond
Lloyd Kelly Juventus
Oisin McEntee Hearts
John Robertson Ross County AM

Free agents leaving SJP:

Jamal Lewis
Lloyd Kelly
John Ruddy
(possibility of new terms)
Callum Wilson (possibility of new terms)

Josh Donaldson
James Huntley
Harry Powell
Rory Powell
Ellis Stanton
Jay Turner-Cooke


Former Magpies leaving their clubs include:

Tom Allan Gateshead
Graeme Carrick Boro C
Lewis Cass
Grimsby Town
Nicky Deverdics
Blyth Spartans
Paul Dummett
Carlisle United
Stan Flaherty Kingstonian
Fraser Forster
Spurs
Dwight Gayle
Hibernian (retired) 
Jeff Hendrick Derby County
JJ Hooper Blyth Spartans
Tim Krul Luton Town
Oisin McEntee
Walsall
Greg Olley
Gateshead
Jonjo Shelvey
Burnley
Ben Tozer Forest Green Rovers (retired)
Jonathan Woodgate
Boro C
Freddie Woodman
Preston North End

 







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 online here

2025/26 ST home cup scheme: 
closing date Fri 27.06.2025 @ 5pm

ST home cup scheme pricing: 
CL: £60 & £70
FA
: £30 & £35
CC:
£20 & £25

2025/26 Memberships
- ££ unchanged.


SJP seating plan
online here  

Away ticket transfers are possible between 72 hours and five hours before kick-off (times can occasionally vary).

Home ticket transfers are possible between three weeks and one hour before kick-off. 

More info online here

Away tickets:
The PL-wide £30 away ticket price cap for adults will apply in 2025/26.

All
2025/26 Champions League away ticket prices will be pegged at €50.

Away ticket FAQ is online here

Wed 18.06.2025 PL fixture release @ 9am.

Fri 27.06.2025 Cup Schemes (h) ST holder sign-up closes @ 5pm.

Sat 19.07.2025 Celtic (Scotland) (a)
@ Parkhead, 3pm. Friendly. SOLD OUT. Allocation: 7,200 (paper tickets).

Sun 27.07.2025 Arsenal (n) @ National Stadium, Singapore, 7.30pm local time. Friendly.
Tickets available online here

Wed 30.07.2025 Team K League (South Korea) (a) @ Suwon World Cup Stadium, South Korea, 8pm local time. Friendly. ST holder sale Mon 30.06.2025 10am, public sale Mon 07.07.2025, 10am.

Sun 03.08.2025 Spurs (n) @ Seoul World Cup Stadium, South Korea. 8pm local time. Friendly.  ST holder sale Mon 30.06.2025 10am, public sale Mon 07.07.2025, 10am.

Sat 09.08.2025 Atletico Madrid (Spain) (h) @ SJP, 4pm. Friendly. Public sale
now. 


Sat 16.08.2025 PL begins
. 

Thu 28.08.2025 CL League stage draw.

Mon 01.09.2025 Transfer window closes.

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

Sun 24.05.2026 PL ends. 

NORD VPN products protect and secure
your online activity.
Click here for fast
and secure sport streaming guidance.

Live TV release dates: awaited

Carabao Cup:
(NUFC enter in Round 3:
draw takes place on or around Wed 27.08.2025). 

R3:
w/c Mon 15.09.2025 / 22.09.2025*
R4: w/c Mon 27.10.2025
QF: w/c Mon 15.12.2025
SF1: w/c Mon 12.01.2026
SF2: w/c Mon 02.02.2026
F: Sun 22.03.2026

* NUFC tie will be played in w/c 22.09

FA Cup: 

(NUFC enter in Round 3: draw takes place on or around Sun 07.12.2025).

R3: Sat 10.01.2026
R4: Sat 14.02.2026
R5: Sat 07.03.2026
QF: Sat 04.04.2026
SF: Sat 25.04.2026
F: Sat 16.05.2026

EFL Trophy:
Group Stage draw 26.06.2025
Matchday One: w/c Mon 01.09.2025
Other dates tbc

U19 Youth League:
League fixtures replicate the first six in the CL (not eight). The competition then moves to a knockout phase from the last 32. 

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:

14.06-06.07.2025 Concacaf Gold Cup
01.09-09.09.2025
06.10-14.10.2025
10.11-18.11.2025
23.03-31.03.2026

11.06.2026-19.07.2026 World Cup

 
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
18th June


Born Or Died:

1968 Neil Mouncher born, North East Durham. (1988)

Goalkeeper who appeared briefly as a trialist for the reserves, debuting in a 4-3 victory at Preston North End in March 1988.

However, no contract offer was forthcoming and mackem-supporting Mouncher made his way back to the Northern League, turning out for various clubs including Washington before opting to relocate to New Zealand.

Joining the police, he continued his playing career with Melville United, Ngaruawahia, Whakatane and Waikato - also serving the latter as assistant manager and goalkeeping coach.

1988 Islam Slimani, born Algiers, Algeria.
(2018)

United's attempts to boost their fight against relegation during the January 2018 transfer window saw Aleksandar Mitrovic loaned out and fellow striker Islam Slimani arrive from Leicester City for the rest of the season.

The Algerian international joined the Foxes for £28m from Sporting Lisbon during August 2016 as Jamie Vardy's replacement - only for the England forward to stay at the club.

Slimani bagged a brace against Burnley on his Premier League bow for the Foxes, ended the season with seven PL goals and another in the Champions League.

However he struggled for pitch time in the 2017/18 season and four of his five Foxes goals came during League Cup ties.

And sadly he was to have only a limited impact during his time at Gallowgate.

Arriving with a thigh injury, Slimani's debut was delayed for two months and further absences were then caused by ineligibility and suspension issues.

Although not enough to justify a permanent move, Islam's cameo substitute roles were a factor in lifting the team at a crucial time - his involvement in goals against Huddersfield Town and Arsenal absolutely priceless. 

The end to Slimani's brief stay at SJP was ultimately determined by poor behaviour in a home defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

TV cameras caught him kick an opponent as a corner was delivered and a retrospective three game suspension saw him sit out United's closing trio of matches.

Returning to Leicester having played just 130 minutes over four games, a loan switch to Turks Fenerbahce came next - managing just one league goal and three in the Europa League in 22 appearances.

Slimani was more successful on his next loan stint at Monaco, netting nine times before the season was suspended due to COVID.

Finally leaving Leicester in early 2021, the free agent signed for Ligue 1 Lyon. However he was released in January 2022 and rejoined Sporting Lisbon.

That August saw Slimani return to France with Brest, but six months later he'd joined Belgian side Anderlecht
.

Brazilian side Coritiba announced his signing in August 2023 but he soon moved again to Belgian side Mechelen.

He returned to one of his first Algerian clubs, CR Belouizdad in September 2024 but went out on loan to Belgian side Westerlo in January for the rest of the 2024/25 season.


 

What Else?

1952 Southern Rhodesia (a) 4-2 (2-0)
Friendly 
G.Robledo 3, Harvey
Scorers tbc
Crowd tbc
Game nine of their gruelling schedule saw United in Salisbury (now Harare, Zimbabwe).

1986 Peter Beardsley scored England's second goal against Paraguay in a 3-0 World Cup victory in Mexico City.

1994 Colombia lost 1-3 to Romania in Los Angeles at the World Cup in front of over 91,000. Tino Asprilla is pictured here 20 months before joining United.

1996 SJP's third and final qualifying game of Euro '96 was a convincing 3-1 victory for France over Bulgaria that ensured their qualification for the second stage of the tournament. 

However just 26,976 fans attended and many of "Les Bleus" spent just hours on Tyneside, flying in and out on day trips from France.

The farcical nature of the ticketing system saw many of the empty seats dumped by French travel agents, who bought them to acquire second stage tickets - only available when bought with first round ties.

France: Lama, Thuram, Lizarazu, Karembeu, Desailly, Blanc, Guérin, Deschamps(c), Dugarry (Loko 70), Zidane (Pedros 62), Djorkaeff.
Goals: Blanc(21), og(Penev(63), Loko(90) 
Bulgaria:
Mihaylov(c), Kremenliev, Ivanov, Tzvetanov, Houbtchev, Iankov (Borimirov 79), Iordanov, Balakov (Donkov 82), Letchkov, Penev, Stoitchkov. 
Goal: Stoitchkov(69)
Ref: Dermot Gallagher (England)

1998 The World Cup continued and without the absent Stephane Guivarc'h, France beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in the Stade De France.

1999 "Auf Wiedersehen, Prat," as Dietmar Hamann went back on gushing statements about wanting his children to grow up on Tyneside. Arsenal seemed favourites to land the German midfielder but eventually Liverpool claimed his mercenary services.

2000 Just when defender Alessandro Pistone looked like he'd fought his way back into favour, United accepted a bid from Everton. 

£3m was too good an offer to refuse and subsequently proved to be a great piece of business, as the Italian struggled massively at Goodison Park with various fitness issues.

2001 Magpies Chief Executive David Stonehouse confirmed his resignation, citing "personal reasons" for his departure. 

The club then showed all the foresight and vision of a myopic mole by promoting long-serving "yes man" Russell Cushing.

Stonehouse was poached from the mackems after helping put them on a sound financial footing - and also managed to keep his black and white allegiances quiet, mackem Chairman Bob Murray famously claiming at the time that no Mags were on their board.

Stonehouse seemed approachable and a man of integrity so his days at United were always going to be numbered.... 

2003 Steve Caldwell signed a one year deal with United despite better offers from other clubs. The terms were also inferior to those being offered to his colleagues but he opted to stay and fight for a first team place.

Meanwhile, David Beckham's move to Real Madrid seemed to put the mockers on any chance of Ronaldinho moving to Newcastle. In reality, there was never any real possibility of the Brazilian coming to Tyneside. 

More realistic was the move to St. James' of Brett Emerton from Feyenoord. News of a "done deal" from Holland proved to be wrong as Emerton ended up at Ewood Park.

2006 Magpies boss Glenn Roeder was quoted as saying:

"We need to add to the squad. We've already lost one or two players. Alan Shearer has retired, Lee Bowyer and Michael Chopra have gone. That's three players down straight away.

"We won't be signing anybody this week but we're talking to players. I hope we'll have a couple of new faces. Maybe there will be five or six in total."

Roeder added: "It's important for the players we have that they see us bringing in new faces over the coming weeks."

Damian Duff and Oba Martins arrived in July and August, while Antoine Sibierski, Giuseppe Rossi (loan) and Olivier Bernard (free agent) were low-key additions as the transfer window closed until January.

2007 Despite reports that Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund were in pole position to sign David Rozehnal, the defender looked to be closing in on a move to SJP.

The Czech international had recently been voted player of the year at Paris St.Germain.

2009
Numerous media reports claimed that up to four separate parties had satisfied the financial demands in order to be able to see the club's books - and there was also talk that one formal bid had been received.

The size of the bid and identity of that bidder remained unconfirmed never came to light, prompting doubts as to whether they ever existed in the first place.


2011
A third incoming transfer brought a third Frenchman to SJP, Sylvain Marveaux following Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye.

The 25 year-old midfielder agreed a five year deal following the expiry of his contract with Rennes.

2021 Two Newcastle colleagues met at the Euros in St.Petersburg; Martin Dubravka conceding the penalty that allowed Sweden to defeat Slovakia 1-0. Emil Krafth appeared from the bench in the final seconds to protect that lead.

2023 Newcastle's Miguel Almiron found the net for Paraguay in a 2-0 friendly win over Nicaragua in Asuncion.