Liverpool (h) ST forwarding/resale now
West Brom (h) ST forwarding/resale Fri 21.08, 4pm
Spurs (a) SOLD OUT
Bournemouth (h) ST forwarding/resale now
Leeds (a) SOLD OUT
Hull City (h) ST forwarding/resale Fri 21.08, 4pm

Compo:
Drill hat giveaway

New in the range of local sellers Football Bobbles is this reversible design; black & white stripes on one side, and a design inspired by the 1995/96 training kit on the other: 

These are available to purchase here now in two sizes and have one up for grabs in a free-to-enter competition.

To stand a chance of winning it, simply supply your score prediction for this Sunday's home game against Liverpool.

Email that to [email protected] with subject Hats before Noon this Sunday, August 23rd.

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

Come in number 37:
Amar, he's making
ayes at me.... 

Newcastle confirmed their sixth senior close season signing on Tuesday, paying a claimed £30m for Benfica full back Amar Dedic, who becomes a Magpie on his 24th birthday.

The Austrian-born Bosnia & Herzegovina international flew from Lisbon to Tyneside on Sunday before undergoing his medical on Monday.

This will be the third time that Dedic has played under Matthias Jaissle, after previous link-ups at Austrian sides Liefering and RB Salzburg.

He's taken squad number 37, most recently worn by Alex Murphy and once infamously handed to Rob Lee - which provided the title of his autobiography.

He'll become the first Bosnian international to represent the Magpies and the second Austrian-born player to play for the club in the Premier League after Valentino Lazaro.

The most recent of Dedic's 31 caps came at this summer's World Cup Finals, starting against Canada, Switzerland and the USA on the right hand side of a back four or five.

He also began in last season's Champions League meeting with Benfica at Gallowgate in the right back role.

Amar has made three competitive appearances so far this season for Benfica and is in line to make his United debut against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

PS: unveiling a new signing on his birthday isn't a common occurrence, but did happen back in August 1994 when Philippe Albert was paraded, cake and all, at SJP.

2026/27:
Lambs slide

Tamworth 5  Newcastle U21s  3

Newcastle U21s lost their first competitive fixture of the season on Tuesday night, beaten at Tamworth in the opening tie of the National League Cup competition.

Robbie Stockdale's side conceded three Lambs goals in 17 first half minutes, reviving to draw level with 20 minutes of the tie remaining, only to then leak further two goals.

Despite retaining just one of their starting line-up from the weekend's defeat to Flyde, Tamworth struck first when Tom McGlinchey fired into the roof of the net after 15 minutes.

The hosts took just four minutes to double their lead, Tom Parkes pinging a perfect pass from the centre spot to Jake Hutchinson, who slipped the ball home from six yards.

McGlinchey then came close to his second of the night, shooting across the face of goal from the right of the box.

A third Tamworth goal then arrived just after the half hour, a flowing attack down the left flank ending with Hutchinson flicking home a first-time effort in front of the near post.

Hutchinson then came close to completing his hat-trick, seeing his 42nd minute shot flash just past the post with goalkeeper George Mair motionless.

The blue-clad Magpies did gain an unexpected foothold in the game in the final seconds of the opening half, Trevan Sanusi intercepting a pass from Oliver Dyson outside the Tamworth box before powering in an unstoppable shot.

That gave the visitors fresh impetus and they reduced the deficit further just three minutes after the restart, Sanusi this time the provider.

His charge down the United left ended with a low ball across the area that newly-arrived substitute Vakhtang Salia slid in to convert from close range.

It was 3-3 in the 71st minute; Georgian-born Salia's low cross shot from the right hand of the box ending up in the net after home 'keeper Reece Lovett failed to keep it out.

Parity was only fleeting however, as a left wing corner from Tamworth dropped into the six yard box and ended up in the net off Daniel Creaney - visiting goalkeeper Mair booked for protesting to the referee that he'd been impeded.

United's attempts to draw level again were then hampered as the home side forced a series of corner kicks before Tamworth added a crucial fifth in the last minute, when youngster Vanyelson Silva's shot was deflected home.

Home goalkeeper Lovett then atoned for his earlier rick with by denying striker Afner Ca a debut goal in second half added time. By then, United's front four comprised of players from Ireland, Guinea-Bissau, Georgia and South Korea.

Team: Mair, Johnson, Craggs (Durrant 84), Pivas, Moran, Bailey, Mills (Salia 46), Harper, Neave (Ca 84), Ferreira (Seung-soo 78), Sanusi (Fitzgerald 83).
Subs n/u: Watts, Walpole.

Booked: Mair

Magpies substitutes included Alex Walpole, a 19 year-old goalkeeper who was released by Huddersfield Town at the end of last season.

Six of the Newcastle starting line-up recently featured in first team pre-season games - messrs Johnson, Craggs, Pivas, neave and Ferreira. Trevan Sanusi was the only one who appeared in the 2024 meeting of these sides.

TFC: Lovett, Hollis, Handley, Calder, Milnes (Kutaran 69), Dyson, Parkes, Tshikuna (Silva 78), Creaney, Hutchinson (Wyse 87), McGlinchey.
Subs n/u: Jasper, Nyakuhwa, Rachel, Rye.

Booked: Hollis, Calder, McGlinchey

Referee: Declan Brown

Crowd: 439

This was United's second National League visit to Tamworth, drawing 1-1 in November 2024 and winning 6-5 on pens.

Newcastle U21s are in Group C and in addition to Tamworth will play ties at Boreham Wood, Solihull Moors and Hartlepool United. Everton U21s, Leeds United U21s and Boro U21s are also in that group but U21 sides don't face each other.

Thanks to GW

2026/27:
TV times 

A week earlier than was scheduled, Monday saw the next round of Premier League live TV alterations announced.

All four Newcastle games in October move as follows:

Mon 12.10.2026 Coventry City (a) 8pm Sky 
Sat 17.10.2026 Aston Villa (h) 5.30pm Sky
Sun 25.10.2026 Crystal Palace (a) 2pm Sky
Mon 02.11.2026 Everton (h) 8pm Sky

2026/27:
Liverpool (h)  

The Magpies kick off their Premier League campaign on Sunday, when Liverpool provide the opposition at SJP.

It's a 4.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports.

A reminder that 2026/27 season ticket holders are able to download digital now tickets via their supporter accounts. Contact the box office if not - don't wait until Sunday....

In addition to Matthias Jaissle's competitive debut as Newcastle boss, the visitors will also have a new face in their dugout in the shape of Andoni Iraola.

While in charge of Bournemouth, the Spaniard won three and drew the other three PL meetings, his sole loss coming on penalties in last season's FA Cup meeting at Gallowgate.

Hat sellers Football Bobbles will have a stall outside the Trent House pub from 1pm, with their brand-new Drill bucket hat in stock. Card payments accepted.

Team: Joelinton and Tino Livramento aren't expected to be involved, with Joe Willock's availability also in question.

Coral rate this game as follows:

NUFC win 5/2
The draw 29/10
LFC win 10/11

Customers receive £30 in bets when signing up and betting £5 (T's & C's apply). Find those markets online here   

LFC: to follow

Referee: Stuart Attwell - the Warwickshire whistler took charge of three Newcastle games in the Premier League last season; a 1-3 loss at Brentford, 2-1 home victory over Burnley and 2-3 defeat by Everton on Tyneside.

VAR: James Bell

UK TV: Live on Sky Sports

Overseas TV: to follow

UK Radio: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport/BBC Sounds.

Travel:

Roads: Barrack Road will be closed to traffic post-match between Stanhope Street and St. James' Boulevard, beginning at the final whistle or earlier and continuing up to 45 minutes after full time or when crowds disperse.

Buses: Stagecoach buses stopping on Barrack Road will be diverted and passengers required to use alternative bus stops while the post-match closure is in place. Details here

Bus: The Matchday Park & Ride X50 Soccerbus from the Metro Centre will operate on Sunday. Due to the closure of Barrack Road, that will depart from St. James’ Boulevard, outside the Citygate building.

(Following last season's trial, an X40 Soccerbus service from the Great Park will run this season. That won't operate for the Liverpool or West Bromwich Albion games but is scheduled to commence for Bournemouth on Sep 5th).

Metro: The line between South Gosforth and Newcastle Airport remains closed in both directions until the start of service on Monday. 

Bus replacement services will run - details online here

Rail: Buses will replace trains between Huddersfield and Leeds all weekend, extending journey times for Trans Pennine services. More details online here

Other scheduled disruptions are online here

Latest PL fixtures:

Fri 21 Aug
Arsenal v Coventry City (8pm) Sky

Sat 22.08.2026:
Hull City v Manchester United (12.30pm) TNT
Everton v Crystal Palace (3pm)
Ipswich Town v mackems (3pm)
Nottingham Forest v Leeds United (3pm)
Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur (5.30pm) Sky

Sun 23.08.2026:
Brighton and Hove Albion v Aston Villa (2pm) Sky
Manchester City v Bournemouth (2pm) Sky
Newcastle United v Liverpool (4.30pm) Sky

Mon 24.08.2026:
Fulham v Chelsea (8pm) Sky

Stats: to follow

Fundraiser:
Signed ball draw  

Thanks to everyone who bought tickets for the Gateshead FC Supporters Society NUFC signed ball raffle - these are now completely sold out.

We'll publish the winning numbers after Saturday's draw.

Find more information about GFC SS here

Loan lads:
Happy Munda!

Anthony Munda (Swindon Town):
Days before his 20th birthday, the central midfielder has agreed a season-long loan switch to the League Two Robins,  currently managed by Ian Holloway.

Featuring in pre-season games against Darlington and Gateshead before Eddie Howe's departure, Tyneside-born Munda has played in United's U21 side since early 2024.

Drawing 0-0 at Northampton Town last weekend, Munda may feature when Swindon host Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Odysseas Vlachodimos (Seville):
Seville made a winning star to their La Liga season on Saturday, beating Rayo Vallecano 2-1 at home. Vlach was beaten within the opening five minutes, but his side converted two second half spot kicks to claim victory.

Harrison Ashby (Luton Town):
The Hatters ran out 4-3 winners in a see-saw League One encounter at Reading on Saturday. Harrison was named on the bench, appearing on 81 minutes with the score 3-3.

Alex Murphy (Kaiserslautern):
It finished 0-0 at home to local rivals Karlsruhe in Bundesliga 2 on Saturday but Alex wasn't in the matchday squad.

Antonio Cordero (Cadiz):
Saturday saw Cadiz commence their Segunda Division campaign with a 0-0 home draw against Celta Vigo II.

Antonio played the full 90 minutes of a low key opener.

2026/27:
Baggies (h) date set  

Newcastle will begin their Carabao Cup campaign with a Second Round home tie against Championship side West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday August 26th.

It's a 7.45pm kick-off and will be played to a finish on the night, with a penalty shootout if it's a draw on 90 minutes.

This and the rest of the ties will be live on Sky Sports.

(WBA were allocated 3,214 places)

The tie comes between United's first two Premier League fixtures, at home to Liverpool the previous Sunday then away at Spurs the following Saturday.

The Baggies will be in Championship action on the same two days, facing Burnley at the Hawthorns the Sunday before travelling to Boro on the Saturday.

Season ticket holders on the Carabao Cup scheme pay £22 or £28 depending on location. Payments were taken on Thursday August 13th. Other ticket sale info is awaited.

Managed by Darlington-born James Morrison, Albion won 4-1 at Rotherham United on Saturday in the First Round.

This is the third time the two sides have met in the League Cup: Albion winning 1-0 on Tyneside back in October 1989 and returning to Gallowgate during October 2003 to register a 2-1 success - Lee Hughes scoring an extra-time winner three minutes after Alan Shearer came off the bench.

Their last visit to SJP ended in a 2-1 Premier League home win behind closed doors in December 2020. Joelinton and Jacob Murphy remain from the 14 players used that day.

2026/27:
Shootout loss despite
Mag Ewen's best stops

Newcastle  1  Racing Strasbourg  1
(Strasbourg win 2-3 on pens)

Match report

2026/27:
Toothless Toon fail
to earn their stripes

Newcastle  1  Bayer 04 Leverkusen  2

Match report

2026/27:
Rams repelled

Newcastle U18s  3  Derby County U18s  1

United's youngsters began their U18 Premier League season with victory at Little Benton on Saturday.

Newcastle trailed at the break after a 28th minute shot from Euan Griffiths struck the crossbar and bounced down before it was bundled into goalkeeper Roman Dowell's net.

The hosts made a change before half time, former West Ham youngster Kyle Healy-Matthews coming on for his debut.

The second half opened up in broadly similar fashion to the first; Newcastle seeing plenty of the ball but their final passes lacking quality.

That changed just when Muawiya Ghanem's low cross in the 59th minute was met by Alfie Hutchison, who directed a left foot shot into the corner of the goal to make it 1-1.

Six minutes later United were ahead, after Alfie Seldon broke into the left side of the Derby area, regaining possession from a deflection and side-footing home.

Chris Moore's side then sealed victory two minutes from the end of normal time, as Sam Alabi's corner kick was finished by substitute Theo Benjamin - his first goal at this level.

Team: Dowell, Patterson (Healy-Matthews 39), Goodbrand (Skelton 81) Alabi, Old, Morgan, Ghanem (Ndiweni 74), Koussou (Afumuzor 73), Hutchison, Robinson (Benjamin 82), Seldon.
Sub n/u: Holland.

Booked: Ghanem, Seldon, Alabi.

2026/27:
Liverpool (a) info

One of our readers notes that Newcastle's Premier League visit to Anfield this season takes place at some point on or around Saturday April 10th 2027 - the day that the Grand National horse race will be staged at nearby Aintree.

While the days of moving Liverpool and Everton home games to avoid clashes are over, transport and hotels etc. across merseyside will be adversely affected that weekend.

Liverpool versus Newcastle should be confirmed as part of the live TV amendments on or around February 22nd - with the added complication of falling between the first and second legs of the Champions League Quarter-finals, were the Reds to reach the last eight.

Internationals:
Magpie is a young Lion

Newcastle youngster Charlie Robinson has been named in the England U16 squad for two friendlies later this month.

The attacker is selected for games against Italy on Tuesday 25th August and Thursday 27th August in Florence.

2026/27:
U18 PL Cup draw

Newcastle's U18s will once again participate in the U18 Premier League Cup this season, drawn in Group G with Derby County, Fulham and Spurs.

Match dates and venues are awaited, with each side faced just once, either at home or away.

2026/27:
U21s break new ground

A new season brings another mixture of first team grounds, training facilities and borrowed venues for Newcastle's U21 side - and some uncharted territory.

Three new stadia appear so far: a Premier League Cup meeting with Peterborough United at the Zeeco Stadium of Stamford in November and a PL2 game against Chelsea in March at the Kings Meadow in Kingston upon Thames.

The third then sees United head to the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham to play West Bromwich Albion in PL2 during April - a venue known more for athletics and now the home of the Baggies' women's side. 

There's some duplication of away venues this season; United's second string facing two trips to the homes of Boreham Wood, Solihull and York where'll they face the nominal home side and also the temporary occupants.

That scenario sees them visit York twice within a week during September for games against City and Leeds.

The U21s kick off by making a National League Cup visit to Tamworth on Tuesday, before successive PL2 home games on the following two Mondays against Spurs and Fulham.

Saturday sees United U18s begin their league campaign, facing Derby County in a 1pm kick-off at Little Benton.

That's the first of three home games on successive Saturdays, with Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers on Tyneside the following two weekends.

As ever, all venues and schedules are subject to change, often at minimal notice - as we've found to our cost....

Update:
Squad updates

Senior players signed (6):
Aladji Bamba, Amar Dedic, Lukas Hornicek, Ewen Jaouen, Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure. 

Development players signed (1):
Afner Ca

Academy players signed (3 - all tbc):
Eli Hall, Kyle Healy-Matthews, Kryan Thompson

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

Senior players sold (3):
Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Sandro Tonali (Spurs), Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal)

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?

1950 Stoke City (a)  2-1 (1-0) Division One P1, 2pts, 5th/22  Milburn (40pen,60) Bowyer(85) 28,000 United began their third successive season back in the top flight with an opening day victory at the Victoria Ground. Back on Tyneside meanwhile, new signing Tom Paterson reportedly had three £1 notes stolen from his wallet in the home dressing room at SJP, during a reserve game against Everton. United won the game 5-0.   1961 Leyton Orient (h) 0-0 (0-0) Division Two P1, 1pt, 14th/22 26,638 Newcastle's first season in the second tier since 1948 began without the injured Len White and Ken Leek. Manager Charlie Mitten had been unable to make any new signings and quit within three months. 1967 Southampton (h) 3-0 (0-0) Division One P1, 3pts, 1st/22  Bennett(59), T.Robson(74), Scott(56)  33,709  A goal on his league debut for Jimmy Scott, who had recently arrived from Hibernian for £35K. Gordon Marshall saved Terry Paine's first half penalty Frank Clark had handled on the line. 1970 Stoke City (a) 0-3 (0-2) Division One P2, 2pts, 14th/22  Ritchie(23), Burrows(39), og(Smith)(89) 15,197 Unchanged from our 3-2 opening day win against Wolves, nothing went right for United in the Potteries. Stoke's opener was scored via a decisive deflection off Bob Moncur, whose poor return pass to goalkeeper Iam McFaul then gifted the hosts a second goal. The misery was then completed near full time, when McFaul was sold a dummy by a City player and Jimmy Smith's back pass rolled into the back of the United net. 1972 Sheffield United (a)  2-1 (0-0) Division One P3, 4pts, 9th/22  Macdonald(48),Tudor(61) Salmons(69)  23,078  BBC "Match of the Day" cameras captured an away win at Bramall Lane, United wearing their change strip of all blue. Off the field, both sets of fans clashed before, during and after the game, with 67 of the 83 arrested identified as Newcastle followers. 1978 Millwall (a)  1-2 (1-0) Division Two P1, 0pts, 16th/24 Barton(44) Seasman(53,59)  12,105  United returned to the second tier after a 15 year absence with a first visit to The Den since 1957. Newcastle included debutants John Connolly and Jim Pearson, while Terry Hibbitt began his second stint at the club following a three year absence. Manager Bill McGarry was absent, with assistant Peter Morris taking charge. Fighting outside the ground following the final whistle resulted in 13 arrests, all but two from the London area.   1981 Striker Mick Harford completed a claimed £160,000 for Bristol City, just eight months after joining United from Lincoln City. 1982 Nacional (Portugal) (a) 0-0 (0-0) Friendly  1,000  The first game of our infamous two match tour of Madeira - remembered for goalkeeper Kevin Carr walking through a plate glass hotel door and sustaining cuts that kept him out of the first seven games of the new season.  Part of a four team tournament, extra time failed to bring a goal and the game went to penalties in order to determine a winner. Almost inevitably United lost, with John Trewick netting, John Craggs hitting the crossbar and trialist Steve Doyle's penalty saved. 1982 A momentous day in the history of Newcastle United, as England Captain Kevin Keegan left top-flight Southampton for Second Division Newcastle in a 100K move. 1987 Tottenham Hotspur  (a) 1-3 (0-3) Division One P1, 0pts, 17th/21  McCreery(62) C.Allen(21), Waddle(25), Hodge(33)  26,261  The 21 team format of the First Division saw one team idle during each round of games and United were first to suffer on the opening weekend of this season. That meant this Wednesday night loss at White Hart Lane was their first game, with hugely underwhelming midfielder Glyn Hodges debuting after arriving from Wimbledon. 1988 Blackburn Rovers (a) 2-2 (1-2) Friendly  Hendrie(5), Mirandinha(53) Ardiles(25), Garner(30)  9,000 A Friday evening visit to Ewood Park for a benefit game in honour of Rovers striker Simon Garner - almost ten years to the day that the Rovers scoring legend had made his league debut, against United at SJP. Andy Thorn, Glenn Roeder, David McCreery, John Robertson and John Anderson were all left on Tyneside due to injury concerns. Team: Beasant (Kelly 46), D.Jackson, Tinnion, Bogie, P.Jackson, Scott, Hendrie, Robinson (Cornwell 59), Mirandinha, Wharton, O'Neill. Subs n/u: Craig, Lormor. 1989 Leeds United (h)  5-2 (1-2) Division Two P1, 3pts, 1st/24  Quinn(18pen,47,67,87) Gallacher(86) Davison(20), Baird(29)  24,396  Following relegation from the top-flight the previous season, manager Jim Smith presented his rebuilt side to a Tyneside public who were unconvinced - and in some cases absent (due to a boycott organised by the United "Supporters For Change" group). With just four players remaining from their last competitive game - Tommy Wright, Kevin Scott, Andy Thorn and Kevin Brock - there were recalls for Paul Sweeney & Ray Ranson.   Debuts were handed to Kevin Dillon, Wayne Fereday, John Gallacher and Mark McGhee (over a decade after his first one).  The visitors meanwhile included former Mags John Hendrie, Ian Baird and Peter Haddock, plus future black and whiter David Batty. However, the day belonged to United's fifth new boy, Mickey Quinn. Emulating Malcolm Macdonald by opening his account with a penalty conversion in front of the Gallowgate End, he then went on to better Macs' three goal home debut haul. Howard Wilkinson's side led at the interval, but just two minutes after the restart Quinn headed in to level matters before completing his hat trick by shooting past Mervyn Day. John Gallacher then cheekily netted before Quinn rounded off an amazing day by converting with an inch-perfect low drive from the edge of the box.  Youtube footage is online here  1990 Scarborough (a)  1-1 (0-0) Friendly  Brazil(69pen) Oghani(67)  The last of eight pre-season games that had included trips to Hungary and Scotland saw another injury setback, as midfielder Neil Simpson limped off with a hamstring pull.  He was replaced by reserve defender Graeme Carter who himself would leave the club just weeks later due to ongoing fitness issues. A below-par United gained a draw at Seamer Road thanks to a dubious penalty award by Barnsley referee Steven Lodge. He would later return to haunt us in competitive matches. Team: Wright, Gourlay, Stimson, Kristensen, Bradshaw, Roche, Simpson (Howey), Sloan (Carter 58), Robinson, Brazil, Clark. 1992 Mansfield Town (h)  2-1 (1-0) League Cup 1st Round 1st Leg  Peacock(2,82) Stant(67) 14,083  Striker Steve Howey's brief trial in midfield wasn't a great success - although he fared rather better when installed at centre back. A Phil Stant goal gave the Stags some hope for the second leg, with former Magpie Chris Withe filling their left back berth. Youtube footage online here 1995 Coventry City (h)  3-0 (1-0) Premier League P1, 3pts, 1st/20  Lee(7), Beardsley(82pen), Ferdinand(83) 36,485  There were debuts in the Tyneside sunshine for Shaka Hislop, Warren Barton, David Ginola and Les Ferdinand, who netted a fine goal in the sunshine, beating the keeper to a Rob Lee through-ball and tucking it into the unguarded Gallowgate net.  United immediately claimed top spot and would remain there until the end of March. PL highlights are online here 2001 Chelsea (a)  1-1 (0-1) Premiership P1, 1pt, 10th/20 Acuña(77) Zenden(8) 40,124 Newcastle target Zenden scored with a soft shot that squirmed through Shay Given's legs but it was the man who Bobby Robson eventually signed who helped us start the season with a point.  Laurent Robert's thunderbolt 40-yard free-kick was spilled by Ed de Goey and Clarence Acuña tapped in from six yards. NUFC.com match report PL highlights are online here 2002 West Ham (h) 4-0 (0-0) Premiership P1, 3pts, 1sr/20 LuaLua(61,72), Shearer(76), Solano(86) 51,072 Four second half goals in 25 minutes set up the season for both sides.  Newcastle went top, West Ham bottom and there both sides ended, give or take a couple of places. Alan Shearer's goal took him level with Supermac on 121 Newcastle goals and fourth equal in the club's all-time scorers list. NUFC.com match report PL highlights are online here 2002 A Magpies Academy side won 3-1 in China against Dalian Shide. A year later the club announced a partnership with Dalian to form a Hong Kong United side.  The idea then promptly sank without trace. 2003 United began what proved to be a one-season experiment of running a second reserve side, in the Pontins League. Their first game saw Clarence Acuna score in a 1-1 draw against Darlington at Whitley Park, with Lomana LuaLua missing a penalty. NUFC.com match report 2004 News stories appeared suggesting that Real Madrid had made a surprise bid for United defender Jonathan Woodgate.  By teatime the Manager and Chairman had confirmed that Woodgate was on his way for close to £14m, subject to a medical.... Coming on the back of Kieron Dyer's refusal to play down the right wing for Sir Bobby and a conjunctivitis outbreak, it was a staggering start to the season, even by this club's remarkable standards. 2005 A new name entered the frame as our striker search moved on to Spain - Albert Luque, a left-sided forward who had already faced us twice in the Intertoto Cup for Deportivo La Coruna. 2006 Wigan Athletic (h) 2-1 (1-0) Premiership P1, 3pts, 6th/20 Parker(38), Ameobi(64) McCulloch(59) 51,569 Scott Parker celebrated his captaincy with his first goal on home for soil for the club as we registered our first opening day success since 2002. However, the three points were secured only after we defied the opposition, the elements and an already-lengthening injury list. NUFC.com match report PL highlights are online here 2009 Sheffield Wednesday (h) 1-0 (1-0) Championship P3, 7pts, 3rd/24 Ameobi(15) 43,823 Shola Ameobi's fourth goal of the season put United third in the Championship, Steve Harper played his part by denying ex-mackem Michael Gray and former Toon target Francis Jeffers for the Owls. NUFC.com match report 2013 Manchester City (a) 0-4 (0-2) Premier League P1, 0pts, 20th/20 Silva(6), Aguero(22), Toure(50), Nasri(75) S.Taylor(45+3) 46,842 A miserable Monday at the Etihad; United offering little in their season opener - save for the brainless antics of Steven Taylor, who was deservedly dismissed in first half time added on. That brought Paul Dummett off the bench for his debut, joining a line-up that lacked Yohan Cabaye amid news of what would be a failed a £10m bid from Arsenal. A complete absence of inbound transfers meanwhile prompted chants from away fans of "spend some f*cking money." NUFC.com match report PL highlights are online here 2023 Manchester City (a) 0-1 (0-1) Premier League P2, 3pts, 6th/20 Alvarez(31) 53,080 Those in the away end who negotiated Newcastle's new ID checks witnessed the usual Etihad Stadium experience first-hand: no goals and no points. United's fifteenth successive league loss there - a fifth without scoring - at least saw them stay in the game until the final whistle; enjoying their best period in the closing stages as they tested City. NUFC.com match report PL highlights are online here 2025 The grubby Alexander Isak saga continued.... The publication of a statement by the player prompted NUFC to respond: "We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening. "We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer. "We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. "As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met. "This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates." Isak's posting included: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors. "The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. "When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”