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Newcastle United have been reeling a bit after manger Eddie Howe left the club a couple weeks before the start of the season after disagreements with management on player acquisition and retention. And he has a point. The Magpies have lost some of their top talent and have not brought in anyone to replace them. Most of the issue is due to “Financial Fair Play" rules that have Newcastle kind of strapped.
That cloud hangs over the home opener as the Magpies welcome Liverpool to St. James’ Park to take on Sunday, August 23, 1030a CST.
2024/25 Finish - 12th Place
55 - Over/Under projected points.
A medium-big club located in the far northeast of England, Newcastle United FC have been in the top league for 94 seasons and in the second league for 29. 31 of the last 33 years have been in the PL (top). After 3 straight seasons in the top 10, the Magpies fell back to below the top 10 where they had spent the majority of the last decade.
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 however Sunderland, the big rival of Newcastle, got back into the PL team and beat NU both times they played.
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.
Four 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. Going into the last couple seasons the question the Magpies had to answer was if they could handle the added load. Answer - not really. They need more players, and there are now questions about Eddie Howe.
2025 was a step back. Expectations remain high. Losing to your biggest rival is a big issue. There was a lack of consistency throughout the season. St James’ Park saw too many dropped points. Yet an experienced manager, elite resources and a talented squad all return. Expect Newcastle to bounce back and challenge for Europe.
The Club
Located in Newcastle on Tyne (Far NE)
St. James Park, 52,000 capacity
Rough estimates
$425M Annual Revenue (7th in PL)
$280M Player Payroll
History on the Pitch
4 Titles, last in 1927
6 FA Cups, last in 1955
1 Carabao Cup in 2025
No Europe Cups
Sponsorship
Kit: Adidas (new)
Shirt: Knox Hydrate
Sleeve: noon
Home Kit
Away Kit
Ownership
In 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 - Sunderland
Tyne-Wear Derby aka Northeast Derby
WELCOME BACK TO THE RIVALRY. Sunderland swept last season.
Very even matchup that has been played since 1883.
Located just 12 miles apart and both on the North Sea, the cities have been rivals historically taking opposite sides in many conflicts including the English Civil War throughout the 1600s.
Newcastle results - 158 matches, 53W 55L 50D
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.
Word Association
Magpies, St James' Park, Saudi PIF Ownership, Howay the Lads, Geordie Passion, Eddie Howe, Toon Army, The North Sea, Winter is Coming.
Geordie
Geordie 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
Sting
Sam Fender
Brian Johnson AC/DC
James Bay
Song
Blaydon 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 X
@NUFC
High Follows on X
@ChronicleNUFC (154k)
@toonnews (37k)
@ToonArmy_com (100k)
@AdamP1242
@ToonArmyAmerica
@ComingHomeNUFC
The Team
The Gaffer
Eddie Howe (England), 48yo
5th year at NU
Player and manager with Bournemouth for most of career, bringing that small club to the PL and sustaining success. Now bringing that success to NU.
Needs a good start or could be on a short list to be sacked.
Eddie Howe
ODDS
To Win League +4,400
To Be Relegated +7,500
Roster Notes
Full Roster click link
No Americans on the Roster
Bruno Guimaraes
Nick Woltemade
Bazoumana Toure
Tino LIvramento
Malick Thiaw
Lewis Hall
Sven Botman
Jacob Ramsey
Harvey Barnes
Anthony Elanga
William Osula
Joelinton
Yoane Wissa
Lewis Miley
Aladji Bamba
Goalkeeper
Nick Pope - Top 15 in PL.
St James’ Park
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