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- 25/26 Team Overview - Newcastle United
25/26 Team Overview - Newcastle United
The Magpies
nick lochner
August 15, 2025
2023/24 Finish - 5th PlaceQualified for Champions League |
Northern Dominance. Located in the far northeast of England, Newcastle United FC is a medium/big club. The Magpies have been in the top league for 93 seasons and in the second league for 29. 30 of the last 32 years have been in the PL (top). Prior to last three seasons, NU had finished in the lower half of the PL in 10 straight seasons, including 1 relegation and then promotion back. For England standards, it’s a hike to get to Newcastle for most clubs and supporters, and the culture of the area is truly unique. The Magpies have been the dominant club in the area over the years.
SWF.LIV. There have been lots of eyes on Newcastle over the last several years as they are now owned by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Saudi Arabia. Think LIV golf. This has brought lots of discussion and differing points of view from fans and non-fans of the club. You can see more on the topic below in the Ownership section. What it has meant to the play on the pitch - player spending has increased significantly - 4th most in the PL.
Load Management. Three years ago, Eddie Howe led Newcastle to a fourth-place finish in the PL (his first with the club as gaffer) and that meant a Champions League spot for last year. Going into last couple seasons the question the Magpies had to answer was could they handle the added load. Answer - not really. They need more players.
Speaking of More Players. You would think given the clubs money, playing in the Champions League next season, having a top manager in Eddie Howe and the energy from winning the Carabao Cup Newcastle should have lots of options on players - but they don’t. Players are turning down the opportunity to go to Newcastle and their best player wants out in Alexander Isak. In fact Isak has sold his house and said he will never play for Newcastle again.
The Club
Located in Newcastle on Tyne (Far NE) St. James Park, 52,000 capacity Rough estimates $370M Annual Revenue (7th in PL) $120M Player Payroll  | History on the Pitch
Sponsorship |
 Home |  Away |
OwnershipIn 2020 Saudi Public Investment Fund put an offer in to acquire NU prompting concern and criticism of sportswashing around human rights. Many politicians and fans called for the deal to be blocked. In July of 2020, SA announced its withdrawal of the offer resulting in widespread criticism by fans the other way. In October Prime Minister Boris Johnson was said to be involved. Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman was said to have gone on record as saying diplomatic relations would be strained. In the end, the deal got done when the PL agreed to the sale saying they had “legally-binding assurances” that the Saudi state would have no control over the club. However, in February 2023 if was determined that Newcastle’s Chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan is “a sitting minister of the Saudi government”. To date, nothing has changed. | Biggest Rival - SunderlandTyne-Wear Derby aka Northeast Derby
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The Culture
The Toon Army - “toon” is derived from the local dialect for “town” and represents Newcastle United fans. Looking for a place to watch NU play a match, don’t search on Newcastle, search on Toon Army and you’ll find a place. Newcastle is a “regionalized club” in the Northeast of England, the largest and most successful in the region. NU had arguably the best striker to ever play, Alan Shearer (1990s), who still holds the record of most PL goals scored at 260. The Toon Army is a blue collar, gritty, group. Think Phili, Buffalo. It is a true road trip for most clubs in the PL, about 300 miles for London clubs and 175 miles for Liverpool clubs. The clubs’ fans typically top the league in costs incurred to travel to away matches. When NU was relegated to The Championship in 2016, the club averaged 51,000 home fans, 20,000 over the average attendance of the league.
Fans are struggling with their current success. They’re happy and still love the club but recognize the success is in part a result of the outside ownerships ability to outspend most other clubs in the world.
Black and white stripes, the club is very proud of their colors. I suspect they will have no problem rooting for their team and players, regardless of what they think of ownership.
GeordieGeordie is a nickname for a person from the Tyneside area in NE England who uses a distinctive dialect, also known as Tyneside English. Not everyone in the NE is a Geordie, but most all Geordie’s are in the NE. While there are different definitions of what it means to be a Geordie, Newcastle United supporters are called Geordie’s and when you order a Newcastle Brown Ale, you get it served in a Geordie Schooner. Supporters You May Recognize
 | SongBlaydon Races’ is a Geordie folk song, written by Geordie Ridley, here is the Chorus: “Ah me lads, ye shudda seen us gannin', We pass'd the foaks alang the road just as they wor stannin'; Thor wis lots o' lads an' lassies there, aal wi' smiling faces, Gannin' alang the Scotswood Road, to see the Blaydon Races.” Game Day Pub Guide |
Fan Sites
Official Twitter@NUFC High Follows on Twitter @ChronicleNUFC (154k) @toonnews (37k) @ToonArmy_com (100k) @AdamP1242 @ToonArmyAmerica @ComingHomeNUFC |
The Team
The Gaffer
 Eddie Howe ODDS
| Roster NotesFull Roster click link CS Projected to finish 5th
Goalkeeper
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St James’ Park
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