Update:
More silverware
for Young Mags

Following on from their recent triumph in the Premier League International Tournament, Newcastle's U15 side enjoyed further trophy success over the Easter weekend.

The Toon prospects travelled to the Dutch city of Rotterdam and lifted the Orange Veins Cup after a penalty shootout victory over PSG in the final on Monday.

Four 30 minute group stage games on Sunday saw United win twice and draw twice to finish first in their section and progress to the following day's semi-finals.

They then recovered a 0-1 half time deficit against Borussia Monchengladbach to win 3-1, thanks to late efforts from Charlie Robinson (2) and Daniel Hynd.

That set up a final against PSG that ended 1-1 with Muawiya Ghanem opening the scoring for the black and whites before the French youngsters levelled.

Newcastle then won the penalty shootout that followed, with goalkeeper Lucas Flack making a vital stop.  

Premier League:
Fixture updates

Sunday's defeat on penalties to Leeds United ended West Ham's interest in this season's FA Cup at the quarter-final stage - and has implications for Newcastle's PL fixtures.

Now that the Hammers no longer have Wembley on their minds, they'll provide the opposition at St. James' Park when the Magpies play their final home game of the season.

Along with the other PL fixtures, that has a provisional date of Sunday May 17th, with confirmation of that weekend's schedule due this Wednesday when the TV picks appear.

No PL games will be played on Saturday May 16th to avoid clashing with the FA Cup Final that day. That was also the case last season, when PL games took place on the Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of FA Cup Final weekend*.

* The two Tuesday PL games played were those involving that weekend's FA Cup finalists.

The remainder of United's season now looks like this:
 
Sun 12.04.2026 Crystal Palace (a) 2pm Sky
Sat 18.04.2026 Bournemouth (h) 3pm no TV

Sat 25.04.2026 Arsenal (a) 5.30pm Sky
Following Arsenal's FA Cup exit on Saturday, the PL advice regarding fixture changes was updated to say that this game remains "subject to participation in UEFA competitions."

Should Arsenal win their Champions League Quarter-final tie on Tue 07.04.2026 and Wed 15.04.2026 against Sporting Lisbon, they'd be in Semi-final first leg action on Tue 28.04.2026 or Wed 29.04.2026.

That PL advice theoretically leaves our Arsenal game subject to further rescheduling at very short notice - although how a move could benefit the Gunners is open to question.

No similar advice appeared from the PL regarding a change to the other game that weekend that could feature a CL Semi-finalist: Liverpool v Palace at 3pm on Sat 25.04.

Sat 02.05.2026 Brighton (h) 3pm no TV
Sun 10.05.2026 Nottingham Forest (a) 2pm Sky

Sun 17.05.2026 tbc West Ham (h) 3pm tbc
Confirmed as taking place over the weekend of Sun 17.05.2026, day and kick-off to be confirmed once TV schedule is announced - due this coming Wednesday.

Sun 24.05.2026 Fulham (a) 4pm
All games kick off at 4pm that day - TV schedule to be announced after 17.05.2026 fixtures are completed.

Update:
Tripps away

Saturday brought confirmation from Newcastle that full back Kieran Trippier's current contract at Gallowgate won't be extended and will expire this summer.

Now 35, Trippier became United's first senior signing of the post-Mike Ashley era when making a £12m switch to SJP from Atletico Madrid in early 2022.

He's made 157 appearances in all competitions, pivotal in lifting United from a relegation spot into Carabao Cup winners via a pair of Champions League campaigns.

Trippier quotes:

"The time has come to leave this amazing club after four-and-a-half years. This is where I have felt most at home. It's emotional, and I'm really going to miss it.

"I want to say a massive thank you to the supporters for all the support through the good and the bad times. You've always supported me, always stood by me.

"To my team mates, it's going to be emotional. It's been an amazing journey with you guys. I'm going to miss you all, but to win a trophy with you guys was really, really special - the best of my career.

"And to the manager, Eddie Howe, all the coaching staff and the team behind the scenes, a massive thank you. The gaffer had the trust - twice - to sign me, gave me the opportunity to represent and captain this great club and most importantly, we managed to win a trophy.

"I'm going to miss everyone at the club. Thank you."

Eddie Howe:

"Kieran has been magnificent for us on and off the pitch. From the moment he walked through the door, he has helped to drive standards that have changed the club's trajectory.

"His performances on the pitch have been to the highest level. Building strong partnerships with the players around him. His outstanding technical ability helped elevate the team and his strong crossing ability helped create many goals and chances for his team mates.

"His leadership skills have been invaluable. In difficult moments his experience has proved calming and his drive and will to win has inspired the players to keep pushing forward.

"While we'll be saying goodbye to Kieran shortly, we also know we have a lot left to play for this season, and I know a player of Kieran's character will be giving absolutely everything to end his time here on a high."

Ross Wilson, Newcastle United's sporting director:

"Kieran should be so proud of the contribution he has made to Newcastle United's progress over the last four-and-a-half years.

"I've admired Kieran from a distance for many years, and seeing him up close in recent months has only reinforced the impact he has as a leader, both in the dressing room and on the pitch.

"When the time comes, Kieran will leave with the respect and gratitude of everyone connected with Newcastle United. We wish him every success in whatever comes next."

U21s:
PL2 update

Although their hopes of a top 16 finish and a place in the playoffs rely on results elsewhere, Newcastle U21s have a significant part to play in the race for the PL2 title.

Friday sees them face a Manchester United side at Leigh Sports Village (now known as the Progress with Unity Stadium) with the Red Devils level on points with leaders Chelsea at kick-off, although trailing on goal difference.

Chelsea meanwhile will take on Fulham at Motspur Park - both games kicking off at 7pm.

There's an added edge to the clash of the two Uniteds, with the Red Devils now managed by Adam Lawrence - who was Newcastle U21 boss for a spell earlier in the season.

FAO anyone looking to attend our game at Leigh, admission is by advance ticket only, available online here

The U21s then conclude their PL2 campaign by facing Wolves at Whitley Park on Monday April 13th (7pm).

Update:
Opportunity Knox

Newcastle United have agreed a sponsorship deal with South African sports drink company KNOX, including training ground naming rights and training kit sleeve sponsorship.

From July 1st, the three year deal worth £18m in total sees United's Darsley Park training ground renamed The KNOX.

Meanwhile the club's teams - men, women and academy - will wear training kit that includes KNOX sleeve branding.

Efforts to secure a main (front of shirt) sponsor for training kit remain ongoing, while news of a shirt sponsor to replace SELA when that deal expires this summer is also awaited.

Update:
Toon in the USA

Newcastle have two representatives in the England U16 squad selected for games in the US state of Florida.

London-born defender Aristide Lesecond Yeutembip* and midfielder Jayden Kouossu who hails from Milan are both named in a 23 man party for games against the USA (April 16th), Argentina (19th) and Mexico (22nd).

* known as Les.

Update:
Loan lads

Matt Targett (Middlesbrough):
Injury meant that Matt missed Monday's 2-2 draw at Swansea City in the Championship.

Harrison Ashby/Joe White (Bradford City):
Harrison made only his second start for the Bantams as a 2-1 win at Wycombe Wanderers boosted their chances of remaining in the League One playoff places.

Fielded at right wing back, he completed 80 minutes at the cost of a booking.

Tyler Jones (Dunston UTS):
The goalkeeper wasn't involved on Monday as Dunston won 3-0 at Newton Aycliffe in the Northern Premier League.

Antonio Cordero (Cadiz)
No pitch time for the on-loan Magpie as Cadiz lost 1-3 at home to Cordoba in La Liga 2 on Saturday.

Charlie McArthur (Airdrieonians):
The defender completed the entirety of Saturday's 4-0 win away to Ross County in the Scottish Championship.

Mon 13.04.2026:
Manchester United v Leeds United (8pm) Sky

Update:
Derby abuse: arrest made

From The Northern Echo, Wednesday:

A man has been arrested following reports of racist abuse during March's Tyne-Wear derby.

The incident took place during the match at St James’ Park on March 22.

A 45-year-old man from the Gateshead area was arrested on Tuesday. He was detained on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence and has since been released on bail.

Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida reported the abuse during the second half of the match, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to pause the game.

Detective Inspector Phil Guard of Northumbria Police said: "Racial abuse has absolutely no place in football or in our communities, and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour.

"Following proactive policing enquiries and close partnership working with both clubs and their supporters, a suspect has been arrested.

"They have since been bailed with robust conditions while the investigation continues.

"We will continue to work with clubs, supporters and partner agencies to tackle any form of criminality at football matches."

Newcastle United released a statement condemning the reported abuse, stating: "Our stance is clear – we do not tolerate discrimination of any form.

"We will work with the authorities to fully investigate and will ensure any individuals are identified and held accountable."

Sunderland also offered their support to the player and condemned the incident.

A spokesman said: "We stand with Lutsharel, who has our complete backing, and we commend him for displaying bravery and leadership by reporting this incident to the match officials.

Internationals:
WCF line-up set

WCF groups - NUFC player involvements in bold:

Update:
Record revenues reported

NUFC's financial results for the year to June 2025 were published on Tuesday morning online here

A pre-tax profit was achieved by selling St.James' Park to a PIF subsidiary company, although the land that the stadium sits on remains under the ownership of city Freemen.

The land on which the STACK development stands adjacent to St.James' Park was also sold in a similar fashion.

Club notes accompanying the results claim those changes are part of the process leading towards the decision on whether to rebuild the stadium or move, and that meeting PSR was not a primary motivation for the sale.

That is disputed by some media outlets, who assert that failure to generate funds by some means would have left United vulnerable to PSR breach and possible sanctions.

Update:
Hopkinson on Howe etc.

Speaking to the media, club CEO David Hopkinson said:

On Eddie Howe:

"I don't have a stance on his future. What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt.

"So there are a multitude of things we need to employ, including developing our own, looking for opportunities in the marketplace and making sure we are maximising our opportunity within the available price we can produce."

On possible big-name departures:

"We are not ready to answer that.

"We can make a box office signing but we might not be able to do that without selling somebody. What I do know is that players that leave this club will need to do so on our terms.

"Our competitors are formidable and they’ve already got a head start on us, but all they’ve got is a head start and we’ve got a tremendous opportunity for growth right in front of us.

"We’ve got to catch these guys.”

PS: questions regarding training ground and stadium plans weren't answered in any meaningful fashion.

Update:
Alex Cropley RIP

The death of former Magpie Alex Cropley has been confirmed. He was 75.

Arriving on Tyneside on loan from Aston Villa in January 1980, the midfielder struggled to influence Newcastle's faltering bid to gain promotion from the Second Division.

Struggling for fitness after several injuries, Cropley made his Magpies debut in a 0-1 loss at Wrexham, keeping his place for a 0-0 home draw against Birmingham City and a 1-3 reverse away to Shrewsbury Town before exiting.

Winning two Scotland caps despite his Aldershot birthplace, Alex began his career at Hibernian in 1969 before joining Arsenal five years later, where he suffered two broken legs.

Sold to Aston Villa in 1976 he was part of their League Cup winning side the following year.
   
After his brief loan spell at SJP, Cropley returned to Villa Park before a year in Canada with Toronto Blizzard. A brief period with Portsmouth was then truncated by injury.

Returning to Edinburgh, Cropley ran a pub in the Portobello area of the city before becoming a taxi driver.

A dementia diagnosis sadly came in December 2020.