Season Preview 20in20 - Newcastle United

13 of 20 - The Magpies

Author

nick lochner
August 05, 2023

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2022/23 Finish - 4th Place, Will Play in Champions League

Located in the far northeast of England, Newcastle United FC is a medium/big club that has grown significantly with an influx of money from new ownership, Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund - think LIV in golf - and its working on the pitch. Newcastle has been in the top league for 91 seasons and in the second league for 29. 28 of the last 30 years have been in the PL (top). Prior to last season, The Magpies had finished in the lower half of the PL in 10 straight seasons, including 1 relegation and then promotion back.

Enter new ownership and unlimited spending - and Newcastle jumped to 4th last season, ahead of schedule. Projected 6th this year by the odds makers, they could play spoiler in both the CL and PL if they continue to acquire top talent. Manager Eddie Howe seemed to overachieve at Bournemouth with lesser talent, and with a deeper team can he exceed expectations and make a run at the title?

The Club

Located in Newcastle on Tyne (Far NE)

St. James Park, 52,000 capacity

Rough estimates

$250M Annual Revenue

$125M Player Payroll

History on the Pitch

  • 4 Titles, last in 1927

  • 6 FA Cups, last in 1955

  • No Europe Cups

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 gotten gone on record as saying diplomatic relations would be strained. In the end, the deal got done and its given media members a bunch to “talk” about.

Sponsorship

Biggest Rival - Sunderland Tyne-Wear Derby aka Northeast Derby

  • 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 - 156 matches, 53W 53L 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.

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 Twitter

@NUFC

High Follows on Twitter

@ChronicleNUFC (154k)

@toonnews (37k)

@ToonArmy_com (100k)

@AdamP1242

@ToonArmyAmerica

The Team

The Gaffer

  • Eddie Howe (England), 41yo

  • 2nd 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.

ODDS

  • To Win League +1,400

  • To Be Relegated +20,000

  • To Finish Top 4 +130

  • To Finish Top 10 -1400

Roster Notes

Full Roster click link

Projected to finish 6th

  • No Americans on the roster

  • Continuing to spend, added over $150M in acquisitions, will need depth to handle the CL schedule.

  • Jamaal Lascelles (England) 29yo Center Back - Captain

  • Harvey Barnes (LCFC) and Sandro Tonali (AC Milan) are more than $100M in acquisitions in July.

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