Valencia (a)
SOLD OUT
Bayer / Strasbourg (h)
Public sale now
Lpool (h) Seat
selections end Fri 31.07.2026, Noon
Spurs (a)
Seat selections end Fri 31.07.2026, 2pm
U21s:
Moors v Mags
Spennymoor Town 3 Newcastle U21s 3
National League North side Spennymoor Town
hosted Newcastle U21s in a pre-season friendly at Brewery Field on
Thursday evening where the sides shared six goals.
Newcastle took the lead in the 19th minute when Richie Bennett clipped
Trevan Sanusi on the right side of the box and Sanusi scored from the
spot.
Four minutes later Moors equalised from another spot-kick when Scott Bailey
dragged over Bennett and the same player got up to convert.
United regained the lead in the final minute of the half with an eye
catching run and strong finish by Matheos Ferreira.
The home side equalised again just before the hour when Bennett got his
second after a free-kick was played long to the back post and headed across
for Bennett to get the last touch from close range.
The Magpies went ahead for the third time in the 72nd minute when Rory
Finneran pushed forward before slipping a pass through for Alfie Seldon
to slip the ball under the goalkeeper.
But back came Moors with a third equaliser in the 81st minute as a trialist
(no.27) crossed from the left to the back post and Frankie Whelan headed in
from almost on the line.
Team 1st half: Mair, M.Miley, Charlton, Watts, Pivas, Bailey, Sanusi,
Munda, Salla, Ferreira, Seung-soo.
Team 2nd half: Dowell, Johnson, Craggs, Moran, Finneran, Mills, Alabi,
Ca, Yildiz, Fitzgerald, Seldon.
STFC: Trialist, Jones, Cantrill, Ramshaw, Mondal, Pollock, Salkeld,
Darcy, Bennett, Trialist, Trialist.
Subs (tbc): Barron, Whelan, Beals, Jenkins, Dawson, Trialist,
Dolan, Trialist, Raine, Trialist.
Crowd: 730.
United U21s now stage a training camp at
the Pinatar Arena in Spain, after which Robbie Stockdale's side
visit St. Mirren for a behind closed doors fixture on
Wednesday August 12th at 12.30pm.
2026/27:
Howe gone
Thursday morning
brought widespread reports that Eddie Howe
had left his position as Newcastle United manager, following a pre-season defeat at
Bristol City hours before.
News of his decision to depart looked to have taken the club by
surprise, with no official word from them by 4pm.
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.
Like United, Jeddah-based Al-Ahli are overseen by PIF. On their
books at present is former Magpie striker Ivan Toney.
Discussions reportedly took place between Howe and the club
hierarchy over the previous 48 hours, after he is said to have
initiated talks in recent weeks about leaving.
Uncertainty over the future of Bruno Guimaraes may have hastened
those discussions, following the departures of Anthony Gordon and
Sandro Tonali.
There were times last season where Howe
intimated he had thought about walking away, but had always concluded
that he wanted to continue.
There were no visible signs of discontent at Ashton Gate on Wednesday
night, as he and Jason Tindall communicated as normal with each other and
the players during the game.
Howe then took to the field to
acknowledge the travelling support alongside his squad - he's to the
far left of the photo below:
His final interview as Magpies boss is online here
David Ornstein wrote in The Athletic on Thursday:
Eddie Howe is set to leave his position as Newcastle United head
coach, with Matthias Jaissle of Al Ahli poised to replace him.
Howe decided to remain at St. James’ Park at the end of last season
but has since had a change of heart and will depart in the coming
days after five years in charge.
The 48-year-old, who led Newcastle to their first trophy in 70 years
with the 2025 Carabao Cup, has told the club he wants to take a
break from football.
The situation is amicable and Newcastle are well prepared for his
exit, with talks between Jaissle and the club at an advanced stage.
Jaissle, 38, is a two-time Asian Champions League winner with Al
Ahli – who, like Newcastle, are majority owned by Saudi Arabia’s
Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The German, who spent his entire playing career with Hoffenheim,
coached Red Bull Salzburg for two seasons, cementing his reputation
by winning back to back Austrian Bundesliga titles and the Austrian
Cup.
He joined Al Ahli in 2023, and has led them to consecutive Asian
Champions League crowns in 2025 and 2026 with a brand of
high-intensity, attacking football..
Latest:
The third Mag
It's now predicted that Bruno
Guimaraes won't be on Newcastle's flight to their Spanish
training camp on Friday, with his departure to Arsenal now looking
inevitable.
The Times speculated on Thursday that an £80m deal is now in
place for the Brazilian international and although other outlets are
less certain, the direction of travel now looks unmistakably towards
North London.
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 seems like classic knee-jerk
NUFC.
The impulse is to suggest that the loss of
Bruno was the final straw that made Howe pack his bags, but something far
more mundane and fiscally-related is just as feasible.
From Bill McGarry to Kenny Dalglish and
Ruud Gullit, we're no strangers to managerial exits in the early weeks of
the season. Howe's departure however takes us back to Jack Charlton
territory in 1985. when he walked 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 online chorus of discontent (the cyber bedsheet
brigade if you will) and dismays the less demonstrative element that still
supported him.
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 action is online here
United's pre-season
preparations went badly awry against Championship opposition at a sun-soaked
Ashton Gate on Wednesday, as a makeshift defence conceded four goals and
suffered a further blow when Fabian Schar limped off.
The loss of Schar 20 minutes into what was only the second game of his
comeback from injury was a further blow to the black and whites on a night
when they enjoyed extended periods of possession but again lacked a cutting
edge.
In the absence of any new right back and with both Tino Livramento and Lewis
Miley still unavailable, Jacob Murphy stepped in until Leo Shahar's arrival
from the bench, but who'll play there against Liverpool is anyone's
guess.
City goalkeeper Sam Tickle was twice tested in the early stages before the
hosts went ahead on 25 minutes, Ewen Jaouen beaten by Sam Greenwood's free
kick from just outside the box that went in off the underside of the bar.
Michael
Skubala's side soon doubled their lead, when Lorent Tolaj got away
with a blatant shove on Sven Botman outside the area, advancing on goal and
beating Jaouen.
The Dutchman and his colleagues protested in vain, having perhaps grown
accustomed to the Premier League level of officialdom compared to tonight's
less lenient performance from select group whistler Paul Tierney.
Jaouen made way for Nick Pope in United's only interval replacement, but
within five minutes of the restart was retrieving the ball from his net
after Max Bird got away from Botman and shot home.
Thoughts turned to the infamous 1-6 Leyton Orient loss in pre-season, but
City failed to find further goals amidst a multitude of substitutions
including one un-named trialist.
The black and whites did belatedly register a goal when Harvey Barnes converted a low shot from the edge of the area
after good work from Matheos Ferreira and Jacob Ramsey, only for Botman to round off
his miserable evening by volleying a cross from the City left into his own
net.
The scoreline suggests an Avon culling, but in chances created the
visitors were ahead; Anthony Elanga denied an obvious penalty just on half
time and Sean Neave striking the goal frame early in the second half.
Aside the obvious fact that this was just a kickabout, that 2009 Leyton
Orient reverse and a 0-4 shoeing at Braga in 2018 both came concerningly
close to the start of the season - and with virtually all of the senior
squads involved.
That isn't the case in 2026 with a significant chunk of players still to
join pre-season, but concerns abound in all areas of the field, not just the
Bruno Guimaraes saga.
The travelling support rightly raised their voices in praise of Kevin
Keegan, but in terms of the current crop on show tonight, there wasn't much
worth shouting about.
Team: Jaouen (Pope 46),
J.Murphy (Shahar 82), Hall (M.Miley 90), Schar (A.Murphy 20), Botman, Steur,
Ramsey, Willock (Charlton 90), Barnes, Elanga (Ferreira 74), Neave (Seung-soo
56).
Subs n/u: Harris, Munda, Pivas, Sanusi, Finneran.
Goal: Barnes 78.
BCFC: Tickle, Tanner (Bell 73),
Dickie (Atkinson 73), Eissat (Eile 73), Pring (Wallace 68), Randell (Yah
73), Knight (Williams 73), Bird (Twine 69), Horvat (Morrison 46), Greenwood
(Thelwell 73), Tolaj (Trialist 69).
Subs n/u: Thomas, Knight-Lebel, Naylor, Ezendu.
Goals: Greenwood 25, Tolaj 29, Bird 50, og(Botman 80).
Crowd: 21,509 including
a claimed 3,354 away fans, who were housed in the Atyeo Stand.
Kevin Keegan's passing was marked with applause from both sets of fans
between 07:00 and 08:00 (strictly speaking the eighth minute), as a photo of him was displayed on the stadium
scoreboards.
Referee: Paul
Tierney. As the Bristol fans correctly sang "Premier League, you're
having a laugh"....
Eddie
Howe:
"I actually thought it was a pretty strong performance, despite the
fact that the goals we conceded were bizarre.
"Pre-season is to get out all the rustiness of the summer, to get the
players to a position where, when the team faces Liverpool, they're
ready."
On Bruno Guimaraes:
"Any distraction, if it's not healthy, is unhealthy."
"So, yes, it would be negative for things to drag on but we’re not in
control of that. And to some degree, I don’t think Bruno's in control of
that either."
"What will be, will be. We can't control the forces that are at play
here, we've just got to make sure that when Bruno comes back, we look after
him and he trains well, which I’m sure he will do. And he makes a
difference as he always has done."
"We've spoken numerous times. Assurances? I don't think you can push
too hard for those.
"I've said many times we want players who are committed and Bruno has
always been committed. His training performances and his game performances
have been outstanding, every time he's worn the shirt, he's played with the
fans by his side. I'd love to see that continue."
"The details I don't actually know but I don’t see any reason why he
wouldn't be back (for training) on Friday.
"We want to keep all of our best players. They’re so valuable. I’ve
said numerous times, there’s not many of them, so to get them and develop
them, when you have them, you want to keep them. Bruno’s very much in that
category, he’s an outstanding player.”
This game and the remainder of United's public pre-season programme are available as paid live streams
from NUFC.
More details
here
Update:
Goalkeeper
linked
Update: Hornicek was not in the
Braga squad for their Conference League qualifier against Zeleznicar
Pancevo.
Claims emerged in Portugal on
Wednesday that Newcastle were attempting to conclude a deal for
Sporting Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
The 24 year-old Czech international isn't expected to feature in
Thursday's UEFA Conference tie against Zeleznicar while discussions
continue. He has a claimed £30m release clause.
Hornicek has been the subject of interest from other Premier League
clubs in this window, rejecting the chance to join one club -
believed to be Hull City.
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:
KK tributes
KK tributes in 2026
Floral tributes to Kevin Keegan left outside the South West Corner of
SJP were removed on Tuesday, with other items recovered by club staff on Wednesday.
Tributes began to appear soon after news of Keegan's passing on
Monday July 20th, with the area around the Bobby Robson and Alan
Shearer statues chosen due to ongoing construction work inside the
stadium.
That meant the scenes that followed Sir Bobby's passing in 2009 when
the public were allowed to place and view tributes on the Leazes End
couldn't be replicated:
SBR tributes in 2009
As was the case 17
years ago, an unprecedented level of response has come from football
personalities and fans alike, many with no direct link to the
deceased, other than
an appreciation of their contributions to the game.
PS: Wor Flags are raising funds to stage a
Keegan-themed tribute ahead of the season opener at home to
Liverpool in August. Donations can be made online
here
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:
Own goal saves blushes
Gateshead 1 Newcastle
1
Match
action
Match report
Update:
The King is dead
Following his own recent comments,
news of Kevin Keegan's death comes as no surprise,
but remains a shock of seismic, "remember where you were when you
heard" magnitude.
His arrival on Tyneside in 1982 not only filled the ground of a club
that was dying of indifference, but gave it some desperately-needed
legitimacy, some pride in the colours.
It's difficult to properly describe the enormity of someone like
Keegan joining a Second Division side but it was massive. Then to
see him, Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley net 65 goals between them
and gain promotion in his second season was phenomenal.
Anticipation turned to excitement and a return to the top flight,
only for the rot to set in again prior to a second act almost a
decade later, when the roof truly came off and dreams almost became
the most memorable reality.
In the absence of the coveted silverware, what remains tangible are
moments of high emotion from the debut goal versus QPR and four
goals at Millmoor via his walkout and Milburn steps cameo to Howay
5-0 and Graham Fenton.
The third coming of Keegan remains a regrettable episode for all
concerned; his biggest victory coming in a courtroom rather than a
football pitch - the legacy of which was a self-imposed exile from Gallowgate that he spoke of ending earlier this year, but tragically
didn't get to enjoy.
It's as the inspirational captain and then ringmaster of the
Entertainers that he'll be fondly recalled by generations of
Geordies - along with countless individual moments; a handshake
here, a photo or an autograph there, just a minute of his time but
etched in the recipient's memory.
His passing severs another connection with football as it once was,
coming just hours after the unpalatable circus where a World Cup
Final should have been.
Love it? we certainly did. Farewell Special K.
PS - it still niggles us that the "Love it!" clip is always
referred to as the time KK lost the mind games with Fergie.
It was arguably Kev's finest hour in response to some shameful
utterances from the Manchester United boss after the Red Devils had
just beaten Leeds 1-0 and thumped Forest 5-0.
It was actually a fantastic rallying call but it perhaps came a game
too early - following our win at Elland Road but before the fateful
1-1 draw at the City Ground.
It's also worth recalling that far from throwing away the title that
season through kamikaze defending, Newcastle only conceded two more
goals than their rivals.
Also often overlooked is that the Mancs
collected an incredible 40 points from their final 15 games to win
the league (plus six FA Cup wins on their way to a "double").
Latest:
KK RIP
Statement from the
Keegan family, Monday July 20th:
"It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan
has passed away at the age of 75.
The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and
was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.
"Kevin, a double Ballon D'or winner, was a much loved husband,
father and grandfather.
"The family would like to thank Kevin's incredible medical team for
all their support.
This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and
privacy."
From Newcastle United:
"We are devastated to learn
of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential
and deeply loved figures in our club’s history.
"Kevin was more than a legendary
footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United
for generations of supporters.
"As a player, he brought
world-class talent, ambition and belief to St. James’ Park, helping
to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be.
"As a manager, he ignited our
city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose
style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans
around the world. He was so much more than an Entertainer.
"Above all that, Kevin forged an
extraordinary bond with Newcastle, built on the roots of his father,
Joe. He understood our people. He embraced the North East with a
passion that was genuine and unwavering, and in return, he earned
his rightful place in the hearts of millions.
"Kevin’s impact will not be
measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories
he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he
went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in
love with football because of him.
"At this profoundly sad time, we
send our love and deepest sympathy to Kevin’s wife Jean, his family,
friends and all who had the privilege of knowing and working
alongside him.
"Today, we mourn the loss of a
true giant of our history, and at the appropriate moment, we will
carefully consider how we shape a lasting tribute to Kevin’s
remarkable life and legacy.
"Rest in peace, King Kev."
From Eddie Howe:
"Like everyone connected with Newcastle United, I was devastated to
hear the news that Kevin has passed away.
"On behalf of our
players and staff, I want to send our love, strength and deepest
condolences to Kevin’s family and friends at this incredibly
difficult time.
"Kevin was an inspiration to me
as a young player and, I’m honoured to say, a friend whose guidance
and support meant a great deal in recent years.
"Long before I ever dreamed of
becoming a manager, I was captivated by his Entertainers team. They
played with courage, freedom and excitement. They made people fall
in love not only with football, but with Newcastle United.
"Those teams reflected Kevin
himself – passionate, positive, fearless and full of energy. That
spirit remains part of this club’s identity today and will continue
to push our players and staff and inspire generations to come.
"Kevin understood better than
most the privilege and responsibility of leading Newcastle United.
He was always willing to share his wisdom, offer encouragement and
provide support, and I will always be grateful for that.
"For me personally, Kevin’s influence became even more meaningful
when I arrived at Newcastle United as manager.
"He showed me incredible warmth
and generosity. He had already given so much to this football club,
yet he immediately made me feel welcome.
"Kevin understood better than
most the privilege and responsibility of leading Newcastle United.
He was always willing to share his wisdom, offer encouragement and
provide support, and I will always be grateful for that.
"What struck me most was his
humility. Despite everything he achieved in the game and his iconic
status here, he never sought recognition. He simply wanted to help
because he cared deeply about the club and the people within it.
"Every conversation with Kevin
left you feeling better. He had remarkable warmth and humour and
also a love for football that touched everyone around him. It is
profoundly saddening that he is no longer with us.
"Kevin’s legacy will live on
through this football club, its supporters and everyone he inspired.
"Thank you, Kevin, for
everything. Rest in peace."
From Terry McDermott and his family:
"We are heartbroken by the loss
of our dear friend, Kevin Keegan.
"Kevin was so much more than a
team mate. He was a lifelong friend whose warmth, loyalty, humour
and passion for football touched so many lives. The memories they
shared, both on and off the pitch, will be treasured forever.
"Although Terry’s dementia means
he is no longer able to express his feelings publicly, we know how
much Kevin meant to him and how deeply this loss would have affected
him.
"Our thoughts and prayers are
with Jean, Laura, Sarah and all of Kevin’s family at this incredibly
sad time. We hope they find comfort in the love and respect being
shown for Kevin by so many people.
"Kevin was one of football’s
true greats, but to Terry he was, above all, a cherished friend.
"He will be greatly missed and
never forgotten."
Update:
Second string
striker secured
Newcastle have confirmed the signing of 19 year-old forward Afner Ca
following his release by Spanish side Levante.
The Guinea-Bissau youth international spent last season playing for
Levante's U19 side, having moved there from Portuguese club Amora
last summer.
A five year deal is claimed for Ca, whose recruitment is part of the
club's attempts to boost their U21 side.
The borrowers:
Loan lads
Antonio Cordero (Cadiz):
Cueta (h) Friendly, Wednesday.
Odysseas Vlachodimos (Seville):
NEC Nijmegen (a) Friendly, Friday.
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.
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.
1969
Hearts (Scotland) (h) 1-0 (1-0)
1985
Blackburn Rovers (a)
1986
Isle of Man XI (a)
1997
Bradford City (a)
2014
Sheffield Wednesday (a) 1-0 
2021 Burton Albion (a)