Newcastle United F.C.

Did You Know?

• Newcastle United became the world's first carbon positive football club in December 2012.
• The club's supporters group Wor Flags, founded in 2016, produces large flag and tifo displays entirely funded by fans.
• Newcastle's widest league victory was 13–0 against Newport County in 1946; their heaviest defeat was 9–0 against Burton Wanderers in 1895.

History

The earliest recorded football on Tyneside occurred on 3 March 1877 at Elswick Rugby Club, and later that year Newcastle's first club, Tyne Association, was formed. Newcastle United's origins trace to a football club established by the Stanley Cricket Club of Byker on 15 November 1881, which was renamed Newcastle East End F.C. in October 1882. After merging with Rosewood F.C., Newcastle East End moved to Heaton in 1886. Meanwhile, Newcastle West End F.C. formed in August 1882 and moved into St. James' Park in May 1886.

The two clubs became Northern League rivals. Newcastle West End, facing financial trouble, dissolved, and its players and staff joined Newcastle East End, which took over the St. James' Park lease in May 1892. With only one senior club in the city, development accelerated. To attract larger crowds, Newcastle East End adopted the name Newcastle United on 9 December 1892, approved by the FA on 22 December, though the club was legally constituted on 6 September 1895.

In 1893–94, again denied First Division entry, they joined the Second Division alongside Liverpool and Woolwich Arsenal, playing their first competitive match that September, a 2–2 draw with Woolwich Arsenal.

Club identity

Newcastle's home colours are black-and-white striped shirts, usually with black shorts and black or white socks. Initially, the club wore plain red shirts, white shorts, and red socks, the kit of Newcastle East End. In 1894, the black-and-white stripes were adopted from the reserve team because they were not associated with either predecessor club. Grey shorts were worn until 1897, then blue shorts until 1921, when black shorts became standard.

Away colours have varied frequently: white shirts and black shorts from 1914 to 1961, then white shorts until 1966; yellow shirts and blue shorts in 1967–68; all red from 1969 to 1974; yellow again from 1974 to 1983; all grey from 1983 to 1988; yellow until 1993; and since 1995, a new away kit each season. The current crest, introduced in 1988–89, incorporates elements from Newcastle's city coat of arms: two sea horses symbolising maritime connections and a castle representing the city's keep.

The city arms first appeared on shirts in 1969 and were used until 1976, with a scroll bearing the Latin motto 'fortiter defendit triumphans' ('triumphing by brave defence'). From 1976 to 1983, a circular badge featured a magpie by the River Tyne with Newcastle's keep. A simpler design with the initials NUFC and a small magpie was used from 1983 to 1988.

Stadium

Newcastle United has always played at St. James' Park, the oldest and largest football stadium in North East England and the seventh-largest in the Premier League. Football was played there as early as 1880 by Newcastle Rangers, and it became the home of Newcastle West End in 1886. Newcastle East End bought the lease in 1892 before renaming to Newcastle United. At the turn of the 20th century, capacity was 30,000; redevelopment between 1900 and 1905 raised it to 60,000, making it England's largest stadium for a time.

The stadium changed little for most of the 20th century. The old West Stand was replaced by the Milburn Stand in 1987, the Sir John Hall Stand replaced the Leazes End in 1993, and the ground became an all-seater with 37,000 capacity. Between 1998 and 2000, double tiers were added to the Milburn and Sir John Hall stands, bringing capacity to 52,305. In October 2009, owner Mike Ashley announced plans to lease the naming rights; the stadium was temporarily renamed sportsdirect.com @ St. James' Park Stadium until November 2011, then the Sports Direct Arena until October 2012, when Wonga restored the St. James' Park name.

After the 2022–23 season, a small section between the East stand and Gallowgate end was converted to safe standing, making the stadium no longer all-seater for the first time since 1993.

Ownership

Newcastle United was established as a private company limited by shares on 6 September 1895, and for much of the 20th century was dominated by the McKeag, Westwood, and Seymour families. In 1991, John Hall bought 79.2% of the club for £3 million and floated it on the stock exchange as a public limited company in April 1997, with 57% held by Hall and his family and a minority by Freddy Shepherd. In December 1998, media group NTL bought a 6.3% stake for £10 million and considered a full takeover, but dropped it after the Competition Commission raised concerns about media ownership of football clubs.

In 2007, Mike Ashley purchased the combined 41% stakes of Douglas and John Hall through St James Holdings, appointed Chris Mort chairman, and by 11 July 2007 owned 95%, forcing remaining shareholders to sell. Ashley announced plans to sell the club three times: first in September 2008 after fan protests over Kevin Keegan's resignation, taking it off the market in December 2008; again in June 2009 with a £100 million asking price, withdrawing by August; and in October 2017, hoping for a deal by Christmas.

In April 2020, a consortium comprising the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, PCP Capital Partners, and RB Sports & Media was reported to be finalising an offer, prompting concerns about sportwashing and human rights issues.