One Club and following the Growth

The 2024/25 season only finished just over a month ago but before we know it, it will be August 16th and the game against Aston Villa will be kicking off our new Premier League campaign. The 1st team will be the highlighted measuring stick for whether our club is succeeding on the pitch but as we approach the 4-year anniversary of the takeover could we start looking at any progression from all our teams.  

Consistent Progression

Celebrating out 1st Domestic Trophy in 70 Years

For the 1st team and everyone involved on and off the pitch next season may be the most scrutinised and important since the takeover.

In 2021 Eddie Howe became our manager and, in the months following the takeover brought in some quality signings, significantly improved players already at the club, and saved us from relegation with time to spare.  The 2nd season we took a big leap forward in our progression by qualifying for the Champions League and giving the Toon Army a chance to descend on Wembley for a cup final. Season 3 was a small step back for our new era. Although the league position was still respectable, in some ways the season was defined by Injuries and the noticeable PSR frustrations delaying our potential on and off the pitch. Season 3 finished with an unlikely cup final win for Man Utd meaning our 7th Place finish wasn’t enough for European Qualification which just added to the “Bad Luck” of that season. Then brought the greatest season in the lives of many as a Newcastle United fan. We qualified for the Champions league and won the trophy that everyone with a connection to the club was craving.

3 and a half seasons, 2 Champions League Qualifications, 1 Trophy and memories a plenty. So why do I say this season is so important?  

We have tasted that success and now is the time to show our credentials as regular diners at the top table. This summer we have a bit more freedom to make significant improvements to our 1st team squad. We are linked with proven premier league players but also players with potential and look in an extremely strong position to keep our core stars. Finishing in the top 4 (5) is imperative to show that consistent progression on the pitch while also maintaining the necessary revenue streams off the pitch that consistency brings.

The Women’s Super League is Evolving into a new Era.

Beth Lumsden Becoming the Mackem Slayer in our Debut Season at the second Tier

The big statement as you load up the WSL website says…

“This is the new era of women’s super league football.” A brand in motion. Moving with clubs, crowds and culture.”

My response to that is “The WSL need Newcastle United women to be there for the start of that era.”

That clearly comes from a slightly biased place but am I completely looking through loyalty goggles when I say that?

We had a record-breaking Championship crowd of 38,502 at St James Park in the second tier and the 4th or 5th average home attendance across Women’s football in England. That’s before you bring into account the away support that follows the lasses across the county as well as NFTV being the only YT fan channel that follows their Women’s team home and away. Our fan base can lead that culture drive into the WSL. Can you imagine Newcastle United Women Vs Arsenal Women at the Emirates and St James Park selling out both games in 26/27?

Of course there is still a gap to bridge on the pitch. We finished a respectable and positive 5th place in our 1st season at this level and as a club we will be better for the experience. However, with the Brutal nature of the release/Retained list, The incoming Director of Football for the Women’s team and the announcement that potentially 3 teams will be promoted from WSL2 this season, expectations and pressure will be at an all-time-high for NUW. How we cope with that this season, especially in the early stages will be quite telling. Eyes will be on July 25th for the fixture release date for WSL 2 but also on a wave of new signings that will have the added pressure of not only succeeding on the pitch but also replacing heroes and legends of the lasses Journey in the minds of many.

The Next Generation

Antonio Cordero, Joining Newcastle on the 1st July after Impressing at the Under 19s Championship

The men’s 1st team looking that consistent progression, The Women’s team could be on the front line of a new Era for Women’s football so what about our Youth sides. Anyone who plays Football Manager on a regular basis will always be on the lookout for a wonderkid, setting up development schedules and even scouting the NxGn50 Award top 20 every year. However, when it comes to our own academy/youth sides, I must confess and regret that my knowledge is very limited to how they have progressed since the takeover.

I’m hoping to change that this season but for now I can look at progress in basic terms of league positions only.

In Premier League 2 Newcastle United Under 21s finished 9th Last Season on 32 points, a big improvement on the previous season where they finished 22nd on 19 points. Improving on the 9th place finish would be positive news or maybe even a little run in the EFL trophy would be a welcome sight. As the season progresses that progress may get measured through 1st team opportunities and breakout moments, like that of Lewis Miley the season before last.

For the Under 18s playing in the Premier League Under 18s North they have improved each season for the last 3. Finishing 12th on 24 Points in 22/23, 8th on 32 Points in 23/24 and 5th on 35 Points last season. Does that show a sign that something positive is on the way when it comes to our academy?

The Women’s team also have an under 21s development team that also attracts interest from the Newcastle United Women community. The Development team finished 3rd in the Reserve Northern Division last season. If they can continue to impress with results, they could also receive positive levels of support as the lasses 1st team did during their prominent rise through the women’s Football Pyramid.

So, do we view the growth of our club solely on what happens to the most visible branch? Or Can growth also be measured by each branch getting stronger with each year?