Newcastle United F.C.

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"Newcastle United" redirects here. For the Australian football (soccer) club, see Newcastle United Jets.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United emblem
Full nameNewcastle United Football Club
Nickname(s)The Magpies, The Toon Army
Founded1892
GroundSt James' Park,
Newcastle upon Tyne
Capacity52,387
ChairmanEngland Freddy Shepherd
ManagerEngland Glenn Roeder
LeagueFA Premier League
2005-06Premier League, 7th

Newcastle United Football Club are an English professional football team based in Newcastle upon Tyne, nicknamed the "Magpies", who currently play in the FA Premier League. Newcastle United supporters are known as the "Toon Army" or the "Geordies" due to the area the team is based in. The team was formed in 1892 after the merger of two local clubs, Newcastle East and Newcastle West and currently plays at St. James' Park, the old Newcastle West ground in the city. Newcastle United are the eighth most successful team in English football according to a recent article published in The Times, taking into account all results since the beginning of English league football in 1888, however a lack of success in modern times has led to a label of being underachievers.

The current manager is Glenn Roeder, who appointed Kevin Bond as his Assistant in June 2006. The club chairman is Freddy Shepherd. The club's traditional local rivals are Sunderland and, to a lesser extent, Middlesbrough.

History

For more details on this topic, see History of Newcastle United F.C..

In November 1881, the Stanley Cricket Club of South Byker decided to form an association football club, to play during the winter after the Cricket season had ended. They won their first match 5-0 against Elswick Leather Works 2nd XI. Just under a year later, in October 1882, they changed their name to Newcastle East End FC to avoid confusion with the cricket club in the town of Stanley, Co.Durham. Meanwhile, across the city, another cricket club began to take an interest in football and in August 1882, they formed Newcastle West End FC. West End played their early football on their cricket pitch, but later moved to St. James' Park.

The region's first league competition was formed in 1889 and the FA Cup began to cause interest. Ambitious East End turned professional in 1889. West End however, did not fare so well. During the Spring of 1892, West End approached East End with a view to a takeover, the directors having decided that the club could no longer continue.

Ultimately, it was decided that West End's players and most of its backroom staff would join East End. East End also took over the lease on St. James' Park, this effectively merged the two rival clubs together. By December 1892, they decided to give the club a new name and a new image. At a public meeting, several new names, including Newcastle Rangers and Newcastle City, were suggested, before all agreed on Newcastle United. The FA agreed to the name change on 22 December, but the new title was not legalised until 6 September 1895, when Newcastle United Football Club Co. Ltd. was constituted.

Newcastle United then went on to lift the League Championship on three occasions, 1905, 1907 and 1909, although the 1908-09 season also saw them record what is still a record home defeat in the top flight of English football, 9:1 to Sunderland. They also reached five FA Cup Finals in seven years (winning only in 1910 against Barnsley FC in a replay at Goodison Park away from the regular FA Cup Venue of Crystal Palace) leading up to World War I in 1914. They won the League a fourth time in 1927.

During the 1950s, United lifted the FA Cup trophy on three occasions within a five year period. In 1951 they defeated Blackpool 2-0, a year later Arsenal were beaten 1-0 and in 1955 United defeated Manchester City 3-1. The Magpies had a high profile, and so did their players; 'Wor Jackie' Milburn and Bobby 'Dazzler' Mitchell in particular.

An old war horse returned to revitalise the Magpies in the shape of Joe Harvey, who had skippered the club to much of their post-war success. He teamed up with Stan Seymour to rebuild United and the Black'n'Whites returned to the elite as Second Division Champions in 1965. United then became very much an unpredictable side, always capable of defeating the best, but never quite realising their huge potential until very recently.

Joe Harvey's side qualified for Europe for the first time in 1968 and surprised many the following year by lifting the Inter Cities Fairs Cup; which two years later evolved into the UEFA Cup beating the likes of Sporting Lisbon, Feynoord and Real Zaragoza along the way before triumphing over two legs against the Hungarians Újpesti Dózsa in the final. United possessed a solid eleven and Newcastle's tradition of fielding a famous Number 9 at centre-forward since earliest years continued as big Welshman Wyn Davies was prominent along with the likes of Bryan 'Pop' Robson, Bobby Moncur and Frank Clark.

In the years that followed European success, manager Harvey brought in a string of talented entertainers who thrilled the Gallowgate crowd. Pleasers like Jimmy Smith, Tony Green and Terry Hibbitt. And especially a new centre-forward by the name of Malcolm Macdonald. Nicknamed 'Supermac', Macdonald was one of United's most popular figures. He had an impressive goalscoring tally, which led United's attack to Wembley twice, in 1974 and 1976, against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Manchester City in the League Cup. But on each occasion the Magpies failed to bring the trophy back to Tyneside.

By the start of the 1980s, United had declined dramatically and were languishing in the Second Division. Gordon Lee had replaced Harvey as boss, yet he in turn soon gave way to Richard Dinnis and then Bill McGarry. But it was Arthur Cox who steered United back again to the First Division with ex-England skipper Kevin Keegan the focus of the side, having joined the Magpies in 1982.

Later, Kevin Keegan returned to Tyneside to replace Ossie Ardiles as manager on a short term contract in 1992, taking what he claimed to be the only job that could tempt him back into football, United were struggling at the wrong end of Division Two. Sir John Hall had all but taken control of the club and he needed a minor miracle to stop the Magpies from tumbling into the Third Division for the first time in their history. Survival was confirmed by winning both of their final two league games at home to Portsmouth and away to Leicester City, the latter to a last minute own goal, although as it transpired Newcastle would have survived even if they'd lost at Leicester .

The following season saw a dramatic turn around in the clubs fortunes. They would win their first eleven league games before a 1-0 home defeat against Grimsby Town ended the run, two games short of the English league record of thirteenth. Playing an exciting brand of attacking football Newcastle would clinch promotion with a 2-0 away win, ironically at Grimsby, and become champions.

Under Keegan Newcastle continued to succeed even at the higher level. Impressing everyone with their attacking flair they would finish a commendable third in their first season back in the top flight and 6th the season after. The 1995-6 season would see the team come close to winning the FA Premier League. Despite being twelve points ahead of their nearest rivals, Manchester United, Newcastle would go on a terrible run of form and lose out. One in particular stands out, the 4-3 reverse away at Liverpool which has been voted the best game ever in the 14 years of the English Premier League. The following season saw them finish in second place again, despite the signing of Alan Shearer.

Keegan resigned in 1997 and was replaced by Kenny Dalglish, who it was felt would help solidify the team defensively. In their first season under his guidance, Newcastle entered the Champions League, and reached the 1998 FA Cup Final only to fall to a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. However, Dalglish's cautious brand of football proved unpopular with supporters used to Newcastle's previous swashbuckling style; more importantly this careful style was not producing results. Several unsuccessful transfer deals along with a poor start to the 1998-1999 season led to Dalglish being sacked.

Ruud Gullit, mostly famous for being a trophy winning manager with Chelsea a few years previously, was put in charge promising to bring back 'sexy football' to Newcastle. The team again started promisingly, and reached the FA Cup final that season. Unfortunately, this time around they were to lose to Manchester United. Gullit also made some high profile mistakes in the transfer market (notably, Spanish defender Marcelino and Croatian forward Silvio Maric bore the brunt of supporters frustrations). Gullit also fell out with several senior players, firstly by refusing to give long time midfield stalwart Robert Lee a squad number and then by dropping talisman Alan Shearer for the home game against bitter rivals Sunderland; this was seen as a very unpopular decision by the fans and led to a 2-1 defeat. After a dreadful start to the 1999/00 season, and increasing pressure from the club's supporters, Gullit resigned.

Veteran ex-England manager, and local boy, Sir Bobby Robson was brought in to replace Gullit. His first job, unthinkable a few years previously, was to ensure Newcastle's survival in the Premiership. This was achieved, at the expense of stylish football, but with Lee and Shearer back onside. That said, Robson's first home match in charge was remarkable, Newcastle beating Sheffield Wednesday 8-0, with Shearer scoring five. Over the next few seasons Robson built up an exciting young squad. Players such as Kieron Dyer (a Gullit signing), Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert ensured the team were capable of once again punching their weight in the league. An unlikely Championship challenge almost emerged in the last few weeks of the 2002/2003 season, and Newcastle achieved qualification for the lucrative Champions' League.

After nearly five years in charge, Sir Bobby Robson was dismissed on 30 August 2004 following a poor start to the 2004/05 season and alleged discontent in the dressing room. Graeme Souness was appointed as Robson's successor two weeks later.

Graeme Souness replaced Sir Bobby Robson as manager on 13 September 2004, two days after the Magpies' match against Souness' former club Blackburn Rovers. After initial good results, the team soon became mired in the bottom half of the table, remaining there until December when they reached the top half of the table for the first time that season.

In August 2005, the club signed Michael Owen for a record £17 million from Real Madrid, surpassing the previous £15 million Newcastle paid to Blackburn Rovers for Alan Shearer. However, injuries meant Owen played only ten matches for Newcastle in his first six months at the club. Newcastle started the new season poorly, and in February 2006 Souness was sacked following a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City. In the interim, former West Ham manager, Glenn Roeder (who was Newcastle United's Youth Academy Director) was given the Caretaker Manager role, assisted by Club Captain, Alan Shearer. In Roeder's first game in charge against Portsmouth on 4 February 2006, Alan Shearer scored his 201st goal for Newcastle, overtaking Jackie Milburn as the club's highest goal-scorer. His tally later reached 206 in a match against rivals Sunderland, on 17 April 2006 - a game in which he also suffered a serious injury, forcing his retirement three games earlier than planned.

Glenn Roeder (an ex Newcastle United Captain) was appointed as caretaker manager to help Newcastle United from the relegation battle which Graeme Souness's mismanagement had left the club in this position, after this appointment, the passion and pride came back and Newcastle United ended in the fantastic position of seventh place in the league which earned the club a UEFA Intertoto Cup place. After the successful run, chairman Freddy Shepherd appointed Roeder as Newcastle manager on a permanent basis, on a two year contract. The FA Premier League agreed to grant him special dispensation to manage the club during which time he will be expected to acquire the mandatory FIFA Pro Licence. This though has led to some cries of outrage from the League Managers Association. His first major signing was the purchase of Damien Duff from Chelsea.

Colours

Newcastle's traditional home colours

Newcastle originally wore red and white stripes when the East End and West End clubs unified, continuing the tradition of the defunct Newcastle East End. To avoid confusion with their neighbours, Sunderland, Newcastle changed to their now familiar black and white stripes in 1904. Since then, the basic concept of the home kit has remained unchanged, although the sock colour has invariably changed from black to white over the years - notably during the Ruud Gullit era, who believed white was lucky.

Newcastle's away colours are inconsistent, with no one particular colour being more recognisable than others. In the 1970s and 1980s, the away kits were mostly yellow and green, quite similar to Norwich City's home kit - these colours are often seen on Malcolm Macdonald. Since the 1990s, the away strip has often been some shade of blue. Other common away colours are all black, all white and grey. The most unusual away colour is arguably the maroon and blue colours from the 1995-96 season. These colours would later return for the 2006-07 season.

Newcastle's shirt sponsors were Scottish & Newcastle Breweries from 1982 - 1986. In 1986, Greenalls took over and ran until 1990 when S & N returned for a ten year stint. In 2000, NTL took over for three years, and then the club were sponsored by Northern Rock. Newcastle's home and away kit is currently manufactured by Adidas and in the past has been manufactured by Admiral, Bukta, Umbro and Asics.

Stadium

Main article: St James' Park

Newcastle's home stadium is St James' Park, which has been their home since the merger of East End and West End in 1891, though football was first played there in 1880. At the turn of the 20th century the ground could hold 30,000, but this was soon expanded to 60,000 [1]. However, the ground was altered little in the next 70 years, and by the 1980s was looking dated.

The Bradford fire in 1985 prompted renovation, but progress was slow due to financial difficulties. The takeover of the club by Sir John Hall in 1992 resolved these difficulties, and the stadium was redeveloped to comply with the Taylor Report. Later, the club wished to build a new ground in the nearby Leazes Park, however these plans were quashed. In response to this, the club expanded St. James' Park further. Following the completion of the construction in 2000, St James' Park became the club ground with the second highest capacity in England, with 52,387 seats, although they later became the third highest capacity after the completion of the Emirates Stadium.

Two stands, the Sir John Hall stand and the Milburn stand, have two tiers and are of cantilever construction, whereas the East Stand and the Gallowgate End are roughly half as high, and each have a single tier. This makes the stadium look quite lopsided at times, although it also makes it quite unique. The Gallowgate End is traditionally home to Newcastle's most vociferous supporters, as it was once the stand with no roof covering.

Supporters

Newcastle fans often refer to themselves as the "The Toon Army" and "Geordies". The Toon name comes from the geordie word for "Town". The term Geordie is less clear cut,it may originate from the "Geordie Lamps" - safer miners lamps developed by (and affectionately named after) George Stephenson. There is some evidence that miners from the Bolton and Blackburn coalfields were known as 'Geordies', but in this case the monniker did not last.It has also been claimed that during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745, King George the second recruited many troops from around the Newcastle area .They were known as George's men ,or Geordies men in the local dialect,hence Geordies.

The club is based in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, the only major club in the city. It attracts fans from all backgrounds. In recent times, where other clubs have attracted fanbases from all around the world (see Glory hunter), Newcastle's fanbase is still mostly from the area, with a small percentage from other parts of the country and abroad, particularly Scandinavia.

Like all major English football clubs, Newcastle have a number of domestic supporters' clubs. The club's supporters publish fanzines such as The Mag. In addition to the usual English football chants, Newcastle's supporters sing the traditional Tyneside song "Blaydon Races"

Newcastle supporters are often considered to be the most passionate in the country, regularly following their team even when almost in the relegation zone.[citation needed]

Newcastle's longest-running and deepest rivalry is with their nearest major neighbour, Sunderland, colloquially known as "The Mackems" (a term used by Geordies and Mackems alike and coined in the shipyards from the way Wearsiders pronouce the phrase "make them and take them", referring to the ships built on the Wear). Matches between the two are referred to as Tyne and Wear derby.

Newcastle also have a smaller rivalry with Middlesbrough, which is never as intense as matches between Newcastle and Sunderland. There is a long standing impression that the rivalry is taken more seriously by Middlesbrough supporters than Newcastle's.[citation needed]

Some notable Newcastle United fans include Prime Minister Tony Blair, TV comedy duo Ant and Dec, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, "Auf Wiedersehen Pet" stars Tim Healy, Jimmy Nail and Kevin Whately, actor Robson Green, Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers and the late Basil Cardinal Hume, Archbishop of Westminster from 1976 until his death in 1999.

Current squad

As of 22 August, 2006 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Shay Given
2 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Stephen Carr
4 MF Peru PER Nolberto Solano
5 MF Turkey TUR Emre Belözoğlu
7 FW Spain ESP Albert Luque
8 MF England ENG Kieron Dyer
10 FW England ENG Michael Owen
11 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Damien Duff
12 GK England ENG Steve Harper
14 MF France FRA Charles N'Zogbia
16 MF England ENG James Milner
17 MF England ENG Scott Parker (Captain)
18 DF Australia AUS Craig Moore
19 DF England ENG Titus Bramble
21 MF England ENG Lee Clark
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 MF England ENG Nicky Butt
23 FW England ENG Shola Ameobi
26 DF England ENG Peter Ramage
27 DF England ENG Steven Taylor
31 DF England ENG Phil Cave
32 DF England ENG Paul Huntington
33 DF Nigeria NGA Celestine Babayaro
34 DF England ENG Liam Atkin
35 MF South Africa RSA Matty Pattison
36 DF England ENG Kris Gate
37 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan O'Brien
40 GK Netherlands NED Tim Krul
41 FW England ENG Carl Finnigan
42 DF Canada CAN David Edgar

Squad Changes During 2006/2007 Season

In:

Out:

Notable players

Listed according to year of Newcastle United first-team debut (year in parentheses)

See also: List of Newcastle United F.C. players

Manager History

Team managers of Newcastle United and the dates they took over. As of August 24, 2006. Only competitive matches are counted.

Name Nat From To Record
P W D L
Glenn Roeder England 2 February 2006 Present 21 14 3 4
Graeme Souness Scotland 13 September 2004 2 February 2006 87 39 19 29
John Carver (Caretaker) England 11 September 2004 13 September 2004 1 1 0 10
Bobby Robson England September 1999 August 30 2004 255 119 64 72
Steve Clarke (Caretaker) Scotland September 1999 September 1999 1 0 0 1
Ruud Gullit Netherlands 1998 1999 52 18 14 20
Kenny Dalglish Scotland 1997 1998 78 30 26 22
Terry McDermott (Caretaker) England 1997 1997 1 0 1 0
Kevin Keegan England 1992 1997 251 138 52 62
Ossie Ardiles Argentina 1991 1992 47 10 18 19
Jim Smith England 1998 1991 121 44 38 39
Colin Suggett (Caretaker) England 1988 1988 5 0 2 3
Willie McFaul Republic of Ireland 1985 1988 140 47 39 54
Jack Charlton England 1984 1985 48 15 15 18
Arthur Cox England 1980 1984 169 76 42 51
Bill McGarry England 1977 1980 118 37 33 48
Richard Dinnis England 1977 1977 40 12 10 18
Gordon Lee England 1975 1977 74 28 20 26
Joe Harvey England 1962 1975 591 224 52 215
Norman Smith England 1961 1962 35 12 8 15
Charlie Mitten England 1958 1961 145 53 28 64
Doug Livingstone England 1954 1956 99 43 20 36
George Martin England 1947 1950 155 76 40 39
Stan Seymour England 1939 1958 338 130 74 134
Tom Mather England 1935 1939 179 78 32 69
Andy Cunningham* Scotland 1930 1935 251 105 45 101
  • Technically, Andy Cunningham was the first manager of the club, as Frank Watt had no control over team selection.

Honours

  • FA Cup
    • Winners - 1910, 1924, 1932, 1951, 1952, 1955
    • Finalists - 1905, 1906, 1908, 1911, 1974, 1998, 1999

Club records

  • Record League Victory: 13-0 v Newport County, Division 2, (05 October, 1946)
  • Record Premiership Victory: 8-0 v Sheffield Wednesday (September 1999)
  • Record League Defeat: 0-9 v Burton Wanderers, Division 2, (15 April, 1895)
  • Record Premiership Defeat: 0-5 v Chelsea, (2004)/ 0-5 Arsenal
  • Record Top Flight Defeat: 1-9 v Sunderland, 05 December 1908
  • Most Overall Appearances: 496 by Jimmy Lawrence
  • Most League Appearances: 432 by Jimmy Lawrence
  • Most European Appearances: 54 by Shay Given
  • Most Goals scored: 206 by Alan Shearer
  • Most League Goals: 177 by Jackie Milburn
  • Most European Goals: 30 by Alan Shearer
  • Most Goals in a Season: 41 by Andy Cole, (1993/1994)
  • Most Capped Player: Shay Given, 70 Republic of Ireland
  • Record Attendance Premier League: 52,327 v Manchester United (28 August, 2005)
  • Record Attendance All Time: 68,386 v Chelsea, Division one (03 September, 1930)
  • Youngest Player: Steve Watson, 16 years 223 days (10 November, 1990)
  • Oldest Player: Billy Hampson, 42 years 225 days (09 April, 1927)
  • Longest Serving Player: Frank Hudspeth, 19 years (1910 - 1929)
  • Longest Serving Manager: Joe Harvey, 13 years (1962 - 1975)
  • Longest Serving Individual: Sandy Mutch, 64 years (1922 - 1986)
  • Record Fee Received: £13.667 Million for Jonathan Woodgate (2004)
  • Record Fee Paid: £16 Million for Michael Owen (2005)

League history

Premier League history

Newcastle United have been members of the Premier League since winning Division 1 in 1992-93. Their best finish occurred in 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 when they finished 2nd.

Season Position P W D L F A Pts FA Cup
1993-94 3rd 42 23 8 11 82 41 77 Round 4
1994-95 6th 42 20 12 10 67 47 72 Quarter Final
1995-96 2nd 38 24 6 8 66 37 78 Round 3
1996-97 2nd 38 19 11 8 73 40 68 Round 4
1997-98 13th 38 11 11 16 35 44 44 Final
1998-99 13th 38 11 13 14 48 54 46 Final
1999-00 11th 38 14 10 14 63 54 52 Semi-Final
2000-01 11th 38 14 9 15 44 50 51 Round 3
2001-02 4th 38 21 8 9 67 30 71 Quarter Final
2002-03 3rd 38 21 6 11 63 48 69 Round 3
2003-04 5th 38 13 17 8 52 40 56 Round 4
2004-05 14th 38 10 14 14 47 57 44 Semi Final
2005-06 7th 38 17 7 14 47 42 58 Quarter Final
Pos = Position; P = Played; W = Won; D = Drawn; L = Lost; F = Goals For; A = Goals Against; Pts = Points

Official

Unofficial

Footnotes

  1. ^ "The St James' Park Story: Part 1". Newcastle United official website. Retrieved March 9. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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