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• 23 May ' 21:09

  23:58 BST

  Tuesday update: The formalities of Amalfitano's deal were concluded after the flew to Tyneside on Tuesday. Romain made his final appearance for Reims on Friday evening as they drew 1-1 at home to Lens to confirm second place in League Two and promotion.  He then joined his colleagues on an open top bus trip the following day to celebrate the achievement. Galician magician él anota cuando  él quiere...* Wednesday evening saw Deportivo la Coruna secure a 2-1 win away to Gimnastic Taragona, thanks to an extra time strike from our Spanish superstar, Xisco Having managed just one goal in twelve previous outings this season, the £7m man appeared as a 77th minute substitute before conjuring up what NUFC.com reader Andy Ronan calls a "one yard screamer" on 94 minutes. This victory - over the bottom side - leaves Deportivo on the verge of promotion to the top flight and that could be confirmed that if results go their way tomorrow, or else with three points at home to Huesca this coming Sunday. It remains to be seen whether any agreement can be reached over the summer to end Xisco's time as a Magpie - with his contract finally expiring in June 2013.       * that's a haphazard translation of "he scores when he wants..."  Some clarity may follow a scheduled meeting on Wednesday between Celtic and Forster's agent.  Map & Mat for Mags? A 2-1 victory at Auxerre on Sunday was enough to confirm Montpellier as French First Division champions, with United defensive target The 23 year-old has missed only eight games in the three seasons since his side were returned to the top-flight.  .

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• 23 May ' 10:12

  Wednesday May 23rd, 2012                                                         17:28 BST

  Update: Official confirmation of Romain Amalfitano's transfer to United appeared from SJP on Wednesday afternoon. He'll become a Magpie on July 1st when his current contract with Reims expires and a four year deal has been agreed. Squad number is tbc.  commented on various football-related issues. Here's a selection of the most pertinent responses:    IncomingHoops honour Fraser - but future still uncertain Tuesday night saw Magpies goalkeeper Fraser Forster conclude his season-long loan at Celtic by captaining the Hoops in a testimonial match against Norwich City. The game was a benefit for Canaries defender Adam Drury, who played alongside Fraser while our man was on loan at Carrow Road during the 2009/10 campaign. What the future holds for the giant stopper (who still has two years of his current Newcastle deal to run) is still the subject of some debate however, with positive noises from Parkhead about a permanent deal no different to similar assertions made before Christmas. It's believed that a fee of £2m was agreed between United and Celtic for Fraser earlier in the season, with recent claimed interest from the likes of West Ham complicating the situation - and leading to press claims that a move to anywhere but Celtic would require the purchaser to buy out the Glasgow club's option. Some clarity may follow a scheduled meeting today (Wednesday) between Celtic and Forster's agent.  IncomingMap and Mat for Mags? A 2-1 win for Montpellier at Auxerre on Sunday was enough to confirm them as French First Division champions, with United defensive target making his 34th league appearance of the season.  The 23 year-old has missed only eight games in the three seasons since his side were promoted back to the top-flight.  The match wasn't without incident, with disgruntled home fans causing three separate stoppages after throwing eggs, flares, toilet rolls and tennis balls on to the pitch. Brad Inman's fine solo strike then put United 2-0 ahead with five minutes to play, before the Villans reduced the arrears when a left wing cross was deflected into his own net by defender Paul Dummett. He's pictured above during United's successful visit to Hong Kong for the Sevens last weekend.

  23rd May 1 957 Death of Jimmy Stewart, 73. (1908-13) But he did have a wonderful life.... 1976 Stephen Glass born, Dundee, Scotland. (1998-2001) Winger who came through the ranks at Aberdeen and made his first team debut against Dundee United in October 1994.  Going on to make 131 appearances for the Dons and score 13 goals, Glass allowed his contract to run down at the end of the 1997/98 season and quit Pittodrie for SJP, Newcastle paying £650,000 compensation. Making his bow in a pre-season kickabout away at the smoggies, by the time Glass debuted in the Premier League as an early substitute in a 1-4 home loss to Liverpool, manager Kenny Dalglish had departed. Becoming a regular choice under Ruud Gullit, Glass ended his first season on Tyneside by playing in the final 11 minutes of the FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester United. And international recognition had also come his way, with what proved to be his sole senior Scotland cap coming in a European Championship Qualifier against the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie in October 1998. Under the rule of Bobby Robson the next season things started to go wrong for Stephen, with regular bench selections leading to a transfer request before his season was curtailed by a knee injury. Fit again and off the transfer list, Glass marked the first home game of the 2000/01 season by coming on as sub and cracking in what proved to be the winner in a 3-2 home success against Derby County.   However that campaign followed a similar pattern and Glass remained a peripheral figure, marking his final appearance with a goal in the season-closing victory over Aston Villa before leaving Gallowgate on freedom of contract. Joining Watford on a free transfer, Glass played there alongside on-loan Michael Chopra at one stage, netting in an FA Cup semi final loss to Southampton in April 2003 despite having just been told that his Hornets contract wouldn't to be renewed. The winger then returned to Scotland on a free transfer, signing for Hibernian but missing their League Cup Final defeat to Livingston at Hampden through injury. A loan move to Dunfermline followed in January 2007 and although he was unable to prevent the Pars being relegated, he joined them on a free transfer in the close season. Stephen made over 80 appearances and scored 11 goals for the East End Park side in three failed attempts at gaining promotion from the Scottish First Division. Released by the Pars May 2010 after losing most of the season to injury, Glass had a brief trial with St.Mirren before signing for Carolina Railhawks out in the USA. January 2012 then saw Stephen appointed as assistant boss of Shamrock Rovers, after his former Pars team mate Stephen Kenny replaced ex-Magpie Michael O'Neill in charge of the Dublin-based side. 1906 Vienna AS (Austria) (a) Veitch, Gosnell, Orr, Gardner 1909 Danish XI (a) 3-1 Scorers tbc crowd tbc 1922 Gothenberg (Sweden) (a) 4-0 McDonald 2, ogs 2crowd tbc 6,000 1929 WAC Vienna (Austria) (a) 0-2 scorers tbc crowd tbc 1954 A humiliation for England, as a Puskas -inspired Hungary won 7-1 in a friendly held in Budapest. Ivor Broadis of Newcastle was in the England side. 1972 A second full England cap for Malcolm Macdonald saw him making a first appearance at Wembley but he failed to impress and was substituted by Martin Chivers. England lost the home international against Northern Ireland 1-0 in front of 64,000 fans.1987 It finished scoreless at Hampden against Scotland, with Peter Beardsley on the field alongside former Magpie Chris Waddle.1994 despite fielding an attack including Newcastle's Peter Beardsley and future Magpie Alan Shearer, England were held to a goalless draw at Wembley by Norway.1996 the Euro 96 warm-ups were underway, with host nation England somewhat bizarrely travelling to face China in Beijing. Newcastle's Peter Beardsley was in the side as a 3-0 win was recorded, thanks in part to a goal from Gazza. 1998 Another blank day at the Twin Towers, as England's World Cup preparations stuttered along with a 0-0 friendly draw against the might of Saudi Arabia. United's David Batty & Alan Shearer featured, while old boys Paul Gascoigne (Rangers) and Les Ferdinand (Spurs) came off the bench. 2000 Bobby Robson was waiting to hear from the Portuguese FA whether Fernando Meira would become available after contract problems with his club Vitor Guimaraes.  Other rumours included: Kiko from Athletico Madrid, Damien Duff and Matt Jansen from Blackburn Rovers, Christian Bassedas from Velez Sarsfield, Neil Sullivan from Wimbledon and sulky Frenchman Didier Domi to Fulham, 2000 Newcastle's Gary Speed captained the Wales side in Cardiff as they apparently got a morale-boosting result against the Brazilians.  We remain unsure how a 3-0 defeat boosted the morale of the Welsh however.... 2001 United's U17s attempted the impossible at SJP as they faced Ipswich Town - trailing 0-5 after the first leg of their Play-off Final.  To their great credit, Newcastle won 2-0 thanks to goals from Tommy English and Richard Offiong. An amazing 10,388 crowd turned up, despite the lure of the Champions League Final live on TV that same Tuesday night. 2003 Although the deal was still to be rubber -stamped, midfielder Lee Bowyer seemed certain to join Newcastle on a free from Leeds United after unsuccessfully trying to avoid relegation on loan with West Ham.  It was a controversial deal that provoked strong emotions on Tyneside and had some questioning Bobby Robson's judgment.   2006 The mackems announced  a new partnership with a brewery, who became the Official Beer Partner of S*nderland AFC. That company? Scottish & Newcastle...! 2007 Sir John Hall confirmed that he had sold his Newcastle United shares to a relatively unknown businessman named Mike Ashley. Chairman Freddy Shepherd was recovering in hospital at the time from pneumonia and a collapsed lung but still sent out a defiant and obviously shocked response: "There is nothing Mike Ashley can do with this club unless he gets 75 per cent of the stake. "He can’t take full control, he can’t change resolutions or the club’s articles of association. He has spent more than £50million, but he will have to spend a whole lot more as he must now make an offer not just for my shares, but the shares held by all the other shareholders." 2011 18 year-old midfielder Mehdi Abeid agreed a five year contract at SJP, following a successful trial at the club. Previously on the books of Racing Club Lens in his native France, Abeid had been released and was therefore a free agent.

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• 22 May ' 22:20

  23:48 BST

  Chatty MagAnother top five finish? don't bank on it.... Dampening expectations Interviewed by journalist Mihir Bose for the London Evening Standard, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew commented on various football-related issues. Here's a selection extract of the most pertinent responses:   The 2012/13 season: "I’m hoping that I will educate our fans for next season. "If they think we can finish fifth with a European campaign and the finances we’ve got, it’s impossible. I honestly believe that you need to be a bit more open with the fans. The problem some managers have is they’re not open enough. "This year, I’m sure we’ll say something like, ‘We’re looking for a top-eight finish, hopefully attack one of the cups and have a great run in Europe. I wouldn’t say we couldn’t challenge for the top six if we got knocked out of Europe. Then we wouldn’t have those extra 13 games." Getting the job: "I knew that the first few months were going to be difficult but, if you’re going to walk into a manager’s job, you’ve got to take away the fan element of it. You have to say, ‘Are you going to be able to win the dressing room?’ His predecessor: Chris (Hughton) is a great guy, he had coached me (at Tottenham) but is different to me. I’m probably more aggressive than Chris and I had the confidence that I could get the dressing room. And if you get the players on side, then you’ve got a chance of getting the fans because ultimately one leads to the other. His former Captain: "Kevin Nolan was a powerful captain and I made sure of his loyalty. Before I even met him at training, I went to his house and said, ‘Look, I know there’s probably a lot of disappointment that I’m the manager but I am. I want to work with you and I need your help.’ Being the great guy that he is, he offered me that.His current Captain: "He (Coloccini) is our most influential player. A classy footballer, he brings calmness, a winning mentality and a sense of order to all proceedings. He reads the game well. "You can’t coach it. He might see that my left-back is in big trouble with a wide player and he’ll move closer to that area. He’ll look to read situations before they evolve.  "Bobby Moore was probably the greatest at it but Coloccini does that for us brilliantly. Before it happens he’s extinguished it."Papiss Demba Cisse: “Mike (Ashley) had some initial worries: were we getting value? He’d had two years in a poor Freiburg team, scoring loads of goals.Cisse's second goal at Chelsea: "It came out to him and he hit it on the side of his foot. For him to even attempt it was just audacious. We were winning 1-0. As the ball came out to him, I thought, ‘Take it to the corner.’ But, because of the way he did it, I turned to Didier Drogba on the pitch and said, ‘You’ve got to take your hat off to that!’ and he just laughed. "If Cisse had played one game and got injured like Dean Ashton, I could have been out of a job." Joey Barton: “I offered Joey two contracts, one of which he agreed to, initially, so he was very close to staying at the back end of last year. But, when we sold Andy Carroll, he thought we were lacking ambition. You can’t assume anything in football. “I’m not defending his actions at Manchester City (on the last day of the season) but he is a target for a lot of abuse. The trouble with Joey is that he gets upset about anything. Someone not clearing up the dog poo eats into Joey. “His behaviour with me was impeccable, with one exception. When we played Leeds in a pre-season friendly and I didn’t make him captain he got angry and didn’t want to play. If he thinks he’s got justice then he’ll give you justice, though he has a warped sense of justice sometimes. “Joey should serve his time and carry on playing for QPR. It won’t be the end of his career. He’ll fight to the bitter end because he truly loves football. He’s a great student of the game and he’s delved into its psychology.” The owner: "The fans have understood that Mike’s actions are for the club’s benefit. He’s put in the best part of £200m and there’s no return on that as yet. The berating of him in the stands has stopped. That’s been a massive battle in itself.”The England job: “I will not have proven myself good enough until I’ve been in the Premier League for four or five years, won a trophy and competed in Europe. "Do I think Harry (Redknapp) should have got the job? I thought at the time if the media hadn’t played it so strongly maybe he’d have got it. “Because there was such a big push for him, maybe the FA thought they’d do something else. I’ve got no problem with Roy. He deserved it, he had all the right credentials. I’m just glad it’s an Englishman.  "Maybe the initial move for Sven-Goran Eriksson was because they thought another English manager was going to get pilloried by the press. It just got all out of hand. Foreign managers have changed nothing.  "The England team has not improved and these foreign managers have done actually no better than the English managers who went before. "Club football is different. In the Premier League they can change the culture of a football club, like Arsene Wenger’s done. You can’t do that with England! You’ve got a group of players who are coming in for two days’ recovery and one day’s training.  "The only thing you’re going to be able to do is bring it together, tactically be very, very sharp and make sure your substitutions work. Otherwise you’re in trouble.” Thursday week deadline Loan ladDeepdale date  for old boy  Former Newcastle defender Paul Huntington has agreed to join Preston North End when his current contract at Yeovil Town expires later this summer. The Carlisle-born 24 year-old has played over 100 games in the Football League since leaving SJP in 2007, turning out for Leeds and Stockport before joining Yeovil. While Hunty's posting is sorted out though, the numbers of ex-Magpies without a club continue to increase - with QPR publishing their retained list and choosing to release Fitz Hall and Peter Ramage. However the R's have chosen to give perma-crock Kieron Dyer another year.  A seven minute outing on Sunday saw the alleged striker unable to rescue a point for Deportivo, as they were beaten 2-3 at Xerez in the Segunda League. However, the team from the Riazor Stadium remain on course for a top-flight return at the first time of asking.

  Our opponents will be known around Fri 10.08.2012 when the draw is conducted and getting through that qualifier and into the group stage would see games as follows: In terms of possible opponents, our Euro guru Bert Kassies has a developing list

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• 22 May ' 11:45

  Tuesday May 22nd, 2012                                                               16:11 BST

  Romain man As expected, the conclusion of the French league last weekend has kick-started Newcastle's close season transfer dealings and there's already been one arrival. The formalities of a deal to sign Stade Reims midfielder have been concluded and the 22 year-old is now on Tyneside to link up with his new club.  Official confirmation from Newcastle is yet to appear, but a three year contract is agreed. Amalfitano will be a free agent when his current deal with Reims expires soon.   Amalfitano made his final appearance for Reims on Friday evening as they drew 1-1 at home to Lens to confirm second place in League Town and promotion. He then joined his colleagues on an open top bus trip round the town on Saturday to celebrate the achievement. Beginning his senior career at National League side Evian in the third tier of French football, Romain netted three times in 23 league and cup appearances during 2009/10. A free agent in 2010, the Nice-born player signed a two year deal with Reims and after a mid-table finish in his first season at the red and whites, helped them gain promotion this time round. In total he played 63 times in all competitions for them, scoring ten goals.   A 2-1 win for Montpellier at Auxerre was enough to confirm them as First Division champions, with United defensive target making his 34th league appearance of the season. The 23 year-old has missed only eight games in the three seasons since his side were promoted back to the top-flight.  The match wasn't without incident, with disgruntled home fans causing two separate stoppages after throwing flares, toilet rolls and tennis balls on to the pitch. ST renewals:10  days remaining

  22nd May 1881 Colin Veitch born, Heaton. (1899-1926) Invited for a trial by Newcastle in September 1896 after facing them in a Northumberland Senior Cup tie for Rutherford, Colin Veitch signed amateur forms in 1899 and turned professional soon afterwards. Debuting in a 0-1 home defeat to Wolves in October of that year, it took three seasons for the half back to become a regular in the side that finished fourth in 1904. Then heralded an unprecedented period of success for the club and Colin featured in three League Championships and four runners-up finishes, plus five FA Cup final appearances (seven, including replays). Captaining United to their 1910 success in the latter competition, Veitch was capped six times by England but found himself overlooked for selection after becoming involved in the Players Union. Veitch’s final United game was at home to Everton in September 1914, and he served in the Royal Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant. Later returning as trainer and coaching United’s juniors, Veitch became Bradford City manager in 1926 after controversially being given notice to quit Gallowgate.  Reporting on United’s fortunes for the Chronicle upon his return, he was once banned from home games after criticising the club in print. Colin passed away in the Swiss town of Berne, where he had gone to convalesce from pneumonia in August 1938. Publishing his obituary, the Guardian said: "One of the finest footballers in Britain. Veitch's name was synonymous with honesty and good fellowship." 1901 Roddie MacKenzie born, Inverness. (1922-35) Joining United from Inverness Clachnacuddin for £100 in September 1922 after earlier service for rivals Thistle, right half Roddie Mackenzie was initally brought to SJP on a month's trial. Debuting for the senior side in 1-0 home win against Huddersfield Town in April 1923, the  tough tackler was a mainstay of United's side for a decade, playing his part in the  1927 First Division and 1932 FA Cup wins.  Losing his place after Newcastle's relegation in 1934, Roddie played on for Gateshead and had a short spell at Reading. 1931 George Lackenby born, Newcastle. (1950-56) Full back who graduated from Newcastle's junior side and made his league debut in a 1-2 defeat at Spurs in December 1951.  George however found himself restricted to occasional starts for the first team due to the consistency of Bobby Cowell and moved on to Exeter City in 1956 in a £1,500 deal. Later appearing in the colours of Carlisle United, Gateshead, Hartlepool United and Ashington, George died in 2004. 1956 Dave McKellar born, Ardrossan, Scotland.(1986) Goalkeeper loaned by Newcastle from Hibernian to provide cover for the injured Martin Thomas in February 1986. Dave began his career as an apprentice with Ipswich Town under Bobby Robson in 1973 and had loan spells at both Colchester and Peterborough.  However, the Scottish youth international suffered from homesickness and returned to his native Scotland in 1976, turning out for Adrossan Winton Rovers. Tempted back to England with Derby County in 1978, McKellar later played for Brentford, and Hong Kong side Happy Valley. Joining Carlisle United in 1982, Dave was in goal two years later as Newcastle beaten them 5-1 at St.James' Park to end the Cumbrians' own promotion hopes. Reunited with former Carlisle team mate Tommy Craig when he became Hibernian manager in 1985, McKellar however failed to dislodge first choice Alan Rough.  Becoming a free agent in the summer of 1986 after Newcastle declined to offer him a deal, Dave joined Hamilton Academical. He featured for the Accies in a momentous 1-0 win at Rangers in 1987, when future Magpie miscreant Albert Craig allegedly blew his nose on an Ibrox corner flag.... Returning to Brunton Park (initially on loan from Dunfermline) in 1988, McKellar later moved to Kilmarnock, finally ending up at Rangers, as cover for Andy Gorman.  Later worked in child protection for the social services in Scotland, he opted to remain in that role when offered the role of Everton goalkeeping coach by Walter Smith during his time in charge at Goodison.  1959 Alan Brown born, Easington. (1981-82) A product of the mackem's junior system, striker Alan Brown scored twice against Newcastle during a League Cup tie in September 1979 - and then netted the winning spot kick in a penalty shootout.  Falling out of favour at Roker Park during the 1981/82 season, United took him on loan in an attempt to boost their forward options, Alan Shoulder and Bobbby Shinton both struggling for fitness and Imre Varadi left to shoulder the goalscoring burden.  Brown quickly gelled with the equally fleet -footed Varadi and the duo inspired fine home wins over Charlton and Luton in successive games during November 1981. Netted his first Newcastle goal in a 4-1 rout of the Addicks, Brown then grabbed two against the Hatters before leaving the field through injury - United winning 3-2.  Missing a midweek defeat at Orient, Brown then featured in draws against Grimsby Town and Blackburn Rovers without adding to his goal tally. Expectations were high that a permanent deal would be concluded, but Brown then returned to the mackem amid United claims of a back problem that he denied.  Meanwhile, questions were raised about our ability to meet his asking price - said to be £100K. David Mills then appeared on loan from West Bromwich Albion in early 1982 and Brown ended up at Shrewsbury Town in a part- exchange deal with Ian Atkins.  There certainly seemed very little wrong with him on his next appearance at SJP, scoring the winner for the Shrews in our opening game of the 1983/84 season. In fairness, Newcastle's claim of an injury problem looked more authentic when Brown left Gay Meadow soon after and barely played for his next club Doncaster Rovers before retiring in 1986 - aged just 27. Brown later worked as a prison officer at Durham, while son Chris also played for the mackems and Doncaster Rovers. However his off-field exploits - including shooting people with a ball-bearing gun and appearing in a sex tape were rather more memorable than his football. 1968 Paul Moran born, Enfield. (1991) Alleged striker who came through the ranks at Spurs and made his first debut for the Cockerels during the 1986/87 season. Failing to become a regular starter at White Hart Lane, Moran went out on loan during the 1988/89 season to Portsmouth and had a spell at Leicester City a year later. His Magpies career consisted of one erratic outing against Wolves at St.James' Park in February 1991 - after which his loan spell was terminated. Completely missing his kick when an early chance fell to him, claims later emerged that he'd spent the previous evening sampling Tyneside nightlife with fellow Spurs player, Paul Gascoigne  After a brief loan spell at Third Division Southend United, Moran somehow ended up back in favour at Spurs and managed a handful of (scoreless) Premier League appearances in 1992/93 and 1993/94. Handed a free transfer in the summer of 1994, Moran signed for Peterborough United but failed to score in 11 appearances and left London Road the following summer.  He then played for non-league Enfield, Kingsbury Town, Hertford, Hendon, East Thurrock United, Borehamwood and Potters Bar Town - acting as player/coach at the latter until 2005.  Spurs fansites report that Moran worked as a painter & decorator in Enfield, did work for the Press Association and was part of the Spurs Veterans side. 1924 Real Madrid (Spain) (a) 1-2 scorers tbc  1927 Dutch Olympic XI (a) 4-1 McDonald, Clark, MacKenzie, Harris scorer tbc  12,000 Played in Deventer, Holland and a birthday goal for Roddie MacKenzie. 1932 Racing Paris /Red Star XI (a) 1-3 (1-1)Weaver(pen)scorers tbc  crowd tbc Cup Winners United embarked upon a brief tour of France and Germany, but left behind goalscoring hero Jack Allen in hospital for a double hernia operation. Racing Club Paris derived their name from a student athletics club who began to play football. 1958 Progresul Bucharest (Romania) (a) 1-1 Mitchellscorer tbc  40,000 1960 Hadjuk Split (Croatia) (a) (0-1)White, Stokoe(pen)scorers tbc  1983 Select XI Thailand (a) 1-0 McDermott  A 30-yard rocket from the boot of Terry McDermott won this contest staged in Bangkok as United's Far East tour continued. 1986 New Zealand FA (a) 4-0 (3-0) Friendly Reilly (22, 72), Gascoigne (24) Beardsley (30). 6,500  Another "All Whites" meeting - this time at the McLean Park cricket ground in Napier. NUFC: Thomas, Brown, Saunders, McCreery, Clarke, Roeder, McDonald, Cunningham (Gascoigne), Anderson, Beardsley, Reilly.  1988 Jamaica (a) 1-1  Friendly ogscorer tbc 1,000 1999 Manchester United (n) 0-2 (0-1) FA Cup FinalSheringham(11), Scholes(53) 79,101 Another fantastic performance at Wembley... off the pitch, that is.  Amnesia prevents us from dwelling on the second leg of Man United's treble any further. Match report 2001 Exeter City (a) 2-1 (1-1)LuaLua(14), Quinn(35)Roberts(49) 4,702 A friendly match probably best remembered/forgotten for Carl Cort's serious injury after an unnecessarily heavy challenge from Exeter's Graeme Power.  NUFC.com match report. 2011 West Bromwich Albion (h) 3-3 Premier League 46pts, 12thS.Taylor(16), Lovenkrands(39), og(Olsson)(47) Tchoyi(62,71,90) 51,678 While the rest of the Premier League were preoccupied with Survival Sunday, United threw away a three goal lead and lost the chance to finish in the top half of the table, eventually ending a mixed season 12th. NUFC.com match report

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• 21 May ' 13:09

  Monday May 21st, 2012                                                                20:33 BST

  IncomingEn Avant! Graham Carr's new disguise wasn't a total success The conclusion of the French domestic league seasons over the weekend may now signal the start of several transfer deals involving Newcastle - with the added complication of international callups to contend with. A 2-1 win for Montpellier at Auxerre was enough to confirm them as First Division champions, with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa making his 34th league appearance of the season. The 23 year-old defender has missed only eight games in three seasons since his side were promoted.  The match wasn't without incident, as disgruntled home fans causing two separate stoppages after throwing flares, toilet rolls and tennis balls on to the pitch. Montpellier captain Yanga-Mbiwa will now collect the championship trophy at a street party this evening, as speculation over his future intensifies and a move to England looks likely. And despite the lack of a Champions League place next season, Newcastle remain strongly placed in ongoing negotiations with the player.     Lille meanwhile ended their season with a third place finish after a 4-1 home victory over Nancy, although Matheiu Debuchy didn't feature due to suspension. The 26 year-old defender has been strongly linked with a move to Gallowgate and is a close friend of former Lille team mate Yohan Cabaye. Debuchy joined the rest of his current colleagues on the field at full time on Sunday and appeared to be bidding farewell to the Lille supporters:  Both Debuchy and Yanga-Mbiwa - along with Hatem Ben Arfa and Cabaye - are in the French preliminary squad for Euro 2012 and the clock is ticking to conclude deals before that event gets underway on June 8th.  Les Bleus play the first of their warm-up games against Iceland this coming Sunday before naming their final squad on Tuesday week (May 29th).    In the Second Division meanwhile, it's a case of job done for midfielder Romain Amalfitano, who avoided injury and helped his current side Stade Reims to a second place finish that secures promotion back to the top flight. The 22 year-old made what is expected to be his final appearance for Reims on Friday evening as they drew 1-1 at home to Lens in their season-closing game. He then joined his colleagues on an open top bus trip round the town on Saturday to celebrate the achievement. With an agreement in place between Newcastle and the player, it's anticipated that confirmation of his move to SJP will now follow.   PS: The weekend also saw Caen fail in their attempt to avoid relegation from the top flight, leaving the future of their manager Franck Dumas open to question.  The former Newcastle defender has been criticised by a section of the club's support this season and released a bizarre statement last week about being "in the sh*t".   Shane Ferguson (Northern Ireland): Sat 02.06.2012 Netherlands (a) Amsterdam FR

  21st May 1895 Andy Smailes born, Radcliffe, Northumberland. (1919-22) Inside right signed from Blyth Spartans at a cost of £300, having begun his playing career with Ashington. Debuting for Newcastle in a 1-2 defeat at Sheffield United in December 1919, Smailes marked his SJP debut with a goal in a 2-1 victory over the Blades a week later. Enjoying his best season in 1920/21 when netting 18 league goals - one less than top scorer Neil Harris - Smailes fell from favour and played his final game in a 0-2 loss away to Sheffield United in September 1922. Signing for Sheffield Wednesday in a £1,500 deal the following month, Smailes moved on again 12 months later to Bristol City.  Rotherham August 1929 Joining Rotherham as a centre half in August 1929, he switched from player to trainer in 1934 and was Millers boss from 1952 to 1958 - narrowly failing to gain promotion to the First Division on goal average in 1955. Managing Scarborough between 1959 and 1961, Andy's passing was recorded in the Somerset town of Shepton Mallet during October 1978.  1975 Laurent Robert born, Saint-Benoit,  La Réunion. (2001-05) French international left winger who began his career with Montpelier and was signed from Paris St.Germain in August 2001 at a cost of £9.5m.  Introduced to the SJP crowd ahead of the Intertoto tie with 1860 Munich, Laurent's first outing was in Robert Lee's testimonial against Athletic Bilbao, before a debut in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea, with Bobby Robson saying,  "I think we have signed a gem".  Robert's first goal came in his third game ofr the club and was a memorable effort to cap a 4-1 win at the smoggies. Three more strikes then followed in four-goal victories (4-3 at home to Man United, 4-0 at Bolton and 4-1 at home to Ipswich in the League Cup), before sealing our famous Highbury victory as we topped the table.  Five more goals and various assists followed that season as United finished fourth spot, going one place better in the following campaign - although Laurent enjoyed a less prolific season in front of goal. A dozen netbusters followed in what proved to be Sir Bobby's last full campaign in charge, including two stupendous efforts in a home win over Spurs in December 2003. However, those goals and other wonderful free kick conversions were becoming less and less representative of Robert's input, while writing a regular comment column on his own website (often critical of the club) hardly endeared him to colleagues and fans. Grappling on the training pitch with Andy Griffin and storming into the SJP press room to confront a reporter showed some of the gallic fire in his belly, but an awful display on the night we exited from the UEFA Cup in Marseille showed up his unreliability. The final season of Robert's SJP career was something of a long goodbye, his attitude never likely to prove popular with the newly-installed Graeme Souness. This had come to a head by the time United played the second leg of their UEFA Cup Quarter Final away to Sporting Lisbon. Robert watching from the stand as his sode threw away a lead having being dropped following pre-match comments in the press criticising club performances, tactics and transfers - claiming (correctly) that United had gone backwards in twelve months. With no communication between him and Souness a parting was inevitable and following a farewell bow against Chelsea when he left the SJP pitch clad only in grey underpants, his bags were packed. Pantaloon Joining Portsmouth on a season-long loan, the departure of French boss Alain Perrin soon sent that into a tailspin - after just one goal and a public refusal to sit on the subs bench in a game at the mackems. Nominally a Newcastle player again in late 2005, he was released from his deal and joined Portuguese side Benfica early in 2006. After just one year in Lisbon though, he was sold on to Spanish side Levante and after an equally uninspiring spell in La Liga returned to England with Derby County in 2008. However, Robert played just four times for the Rams and could do nothing to halt their headlong slide into the Championship. His next stop was Canada, signing for MLS side Toronto after a successful trial, playing under his former United coach John Carver. That lasted barely five months though before the winger was on the move again, linking up with his one-time Magpies team mate Nicos Dabizas at Greek side Larissa. Back in France by 2009 Robert tried to keep fit by training with former club PSG - along with fellow free agent, Fabrice Pancrate. And when the latter was offered a trial at SJP, Robert encouraged him to go - before urging United to let him return, when a deal was agreed for Pancrate. Chris Hughton mysteriously lost his number though....   1990 James Marwood born St.Albans. (2006-09) Reserve and Academy midfielder who made his second string debut off the bench in March 2007 against Sheffield United at Chesterfield's former Saltergate home. The son of former Hull City, Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday & United winger Brian, James failed to win a professional deal at SJP and was released in 2009, having suffered numerous injury setbacks. After trials at both Darlington and Carlisle signed for Blyth Spartans and later joined Gateshead, via a stint at Northern League side, Team Northumbria. Loaned to AFC Halifax during the 2011/12 season, James later returned to the International Stadium and agreed a new contract with the Tynesiders in 2012.   1991 Max Johnson born, Norwich. (2007-10) Academy 'keeper signed from Bury in 2007, only to sustain knee ligament damage on his debut that sidelined him for five months. Appearing for the club's U18s, Max also guested for Chorley in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2009/10 season and had a stint on loan at Motherwell soon after.   Regular bench cover for Newcastle's reserve side, Johnson made his second string debut against Boro at Whitley Park in April 2010. Leaving United soon afterr, his next port of call was Inverness Caledonian Thistle, before training with Colorado Rapids over in the USA the following summer.  Beginning the 2011/12 campaign back in the region with Blyth Spartans, Max was then spotted in the colours of non-league sides Bacup Borough and Woodley Sports, while also training with Manchester City.   Graduating to the City reserve team squad, he unfortunately suffered another knee injury while playing in a training ground game in February - assisting with coaching at City's Academy while working to regain his fitness. 1905 Berlin British (a) 10-1  Friendly Scorers tbc Scorer tbc United's ten day stay in Prague ended with them having scored a grand total of 36 goals in the five games they played. 1911 Basle (Switzerland) (a) 7-1 (some sources give 7-0)Scorers tbcScorer tbc 5,000  1922 Gais (Sweden) (a) 3-1  Friendly Smailes, McDonald, Dixon  6,000 1924 Everton (a) 2-3  Friendly Cowan, KeatingChadwick 2, Cock Played in Barcelona.NUFC: Bradley; Russell, Hunter; Curry, Spencer (capt), Gibson; MacKenzie, Cowan, Keating, McDonald, MitchellEFC: Harland; Raitt, Livingstone; Brown, McBain, Hart (capt); Parry, Irvine, Cock, Chadwick, Troup Referee: Ramon 1945 Gateshead (h) 3-1 (0-0) WartimeStubbins, Milburn, CarrScorer tbc 18,000 1947 Blackburn Rovers (a) 1-0 (0-0) Friendly Hair 9,000 Cumberland Cup Match at Workington. 1952 Natal (a) 6-2 (5-0) Friendly G.Robledo 4, Harvey, Davies  8,000 The second game of United's exhausting post-season tour of Southern Africa, complete with the FA Cup. The Magpies returned to England almost two months later, after playing a gargantuan sixteen friendlies.1969 Glasgow Rangers (h) 2-0 (0-0)(2-0 on aggregate) Fairs Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg Scott(52), Sinclair(77) 59,303After Iam McFaul's penalty save at Ibrox had kept the tie scoreless after the first leg, second half goals from two of our Scottish-born players sent us into the final. Sinclair's goal sparked a hail of bottles being thrown on to the field from the Rangers fans in the Gallowgate End and pitch invasion that followed halted play for seventeen minutes. Police made 30 arrests - all but five of which were from Clydeside - and 89 fans needed medical attention. Trouble had flared before the game in the city centre with pubs and shops vandalised, while visiting fans forced a gate at the Gallowgate End open to gain entry to the ground. And there had been a brief stoppage before half time in the tie, when Rangers supporters spilled on to the field after a bottle was thrown at their own 'keeper, Gerhardt Neef. 1973 Crystal Palace (h) 5-1 (2-0)(5-1 on aggregate) Anglo Italian Cup Macdonald 3, Barrowclough, Gibb Cannon 12,510After a scoreless first leg at Selhurst Park, this completed a 5-1 aggregate success and gave us a place in the final against Fiorentina.1982 Newcastle midfielder Mick Martin played for the Republic of Ireland as they lost 1-0 to Chile in a friendly international in Santiago.1988 Bobby Robson's England side were grateful to Peter Beardsley, who scored the only goal of the game to beat Scotland at Wembley in a Euro Championship warm-up.1991 Less than 24,000 fans turned up at Wembley to see Graham Taylor's England side beat the USSR 3-1 in a friendly international. Future Magpie David Batty won the first of his 42 senior international caps when appearing as a substitute.1999 24 hours before kicking off at Wembley against Manchester United, the Magpies were settling in to their FA Cup Final hotel, the West Lodge Park in Hadley Wood. 2000 Tobago XI (a) 4-2 (2-0) FriendlyGallacher(20), Gavilan(23), Solano(67,89) James(55), Hutchinson(84pen)4,000The second of our two post-season games in the West Indies saw us move on from Trinidad to neighbouring Tobago.  2005 Little over a week after his 26th birthday, Newcastle confirmed that midfielder Jamie McClen had been released by the club. That brought an end to the Toon career of a man labelled in some quarters as "the luckiest **** on Tyneside" - even if many fans still didn't know his name (McClen not McGlen...). The London Evening Standard stated that Chris Mort would be standing down as Newcastle Chairman with immediate effect. His replacement was announced as Derek Llambias, an Ashley associate and Managing Director of a London casino. The story came as something of a shock to North East journalists - the shape of things to come...

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• 20 May ' 19:40

  Sunday May 20th, 2012                                                                 23:26 BST

  HK Sevens successWhen the dragon  boat comes in! NewcastleAston Villa  1 Newcastle's first appearance at the annual seven-a-side international football tournament in Hong Kong turned out to be a memorable one, as they won the trophy, beating Aston Villa and depriving them of a sixth title in ten years. Beginning the day with a Quarter Final victory over Celtic, a 1-0 success against the mackems then put United into the final against a Villa side whom they'd beaten in a group stage game 24 hours earlier. Kickoff in the final at the Happy Valley home of Hong Kong FC on Sunday was delayed due to heavy rain, but once underway, the Magpies drew first blood when Adam Campbell found the net for the third successive game. Brad Inman's fine solo strike then put United 2-0 ahead with five minutes to play, before the Villans reduced the arrears when a left wing cross was deflected into his own net by defender Paul Dummett. However there was no further scoring and Willie Donachie's side held on to claim the silverware - after which he commented: "This is unbelievable. I thought we would struggle to win a game because we had such a young team, but the players have done exceptionally well, they showed a lot of discipline and they worked hard for each other. "I’ve learned a lot about these players by bringing them to Hong Kong. You see so much more about their character, their will to win and how they adapt to different situations. “I saw Villa training and thought they would be a threat, and yet we’ve beaten them twice, which is great credit to the players "We’d love to come back - this has been a wonderful tournament for the players and staff.” Captain James Tavernier added that:"We stuck together as team - the weather has been a challenge and it was a new format for us, but we’ve done well to adapt. "It’s been a brilliant trip for us. We’re privileged to have been invited and it’s been fantastic to come out to Hong Kong, meet the fans here and show them what Newcastle United is all about. I think we’ve shown we have some talent in the club. "The seven-a-side format took some getting used to but we learned from our first match. We’ve won all our games and we’ve only conceded two goals all tournament, so we’re very happy.”Sunday: After winning all three games on Saturday, Newcastle went forward into Sunday's knockout stages as group winners and opened with a Quarter Final tie against reigning champions, Celtic.  And although James Keating put the Hoops ahead as temperatures hit 36 degrees, United hit back with second half goals from Adam CampbellBrandon Miele to win 2-1.  That set up a semi-final against the mackems, after they beat Chelsea 2-0 in their quarter final. A tight game was ultimately decided though by a late effort from Adam Campbell after a fine passing move - with the scorer rightly congratulated by his team mates for his effort: In the other semi, Aston Villa beat Rangers 1-0 to set up an all Premier League final - Newcastle having already beaten the Villans 1-0 in an earlier group stage match. Saturday: Newcastle opened against local side in humid conditions with a hint of drizzle in the air. put United ahead when he charged down an attempted clearance from the home 'keeper and the ball deflected straight back into the unguarded net. A big thanks to readers and Adrian Leung for providing match updates and photos. Triffic Although Tottenham fans went through a night of torture watching Chelsea somehow beat Bayern Munich on their own ground to win the Champions League and demote Spurs to the Europa League, that result doesn't look to have made any difference to our European qualification. Had they lost, then Di Matteo's side were in line for a Europa League Group Stage place, but after that epic victory Chelsea and Spurs swap competitions - and 'Arry's mob take the Europa League Group Stage place. Subject to final confirmation - which will be forthcoming from UEFA soon - our first European involvement next season will be in the Fourth Qualifying Round as follows: A few people have written in expressing surprise that Newcastle weren't eligible for a Group Stage place. Here's what Bert reckons - the numbers are coefficients and become of relevance for the draw seedings:  TH=Chelsea 135.882 (ch/GS) CL1=Manchester City 63.882 (ch/GS) CL2=Manchester United 141.882 (ch/GS) CL3=Arsenal 113.882 (ch/GS) EL1=Tottenham Hotspur 66.882 (eu/GS) EL2=Newcastle United 16.882 (eu/Q4) LC=Liverpool 90.882 (eu/Q3) Newcastle have strengthened their Academy squad with the arrival of 16-year-old Slovakian central defender Satka is the current captain of Slovakia's U17 side and was acquired from Dubnica, whose first team were United's Intertoto Cup opponents back in 2005. He's pictured above during United's successful visit to Hong Kong for the Sevens at the weekend. A seven minute outing on Sunday saw the alleged striker unable to rescue a point for Deportivo, as they were beaten 2-3 at Xerez in the Segunda League. Premier line-up completed at Wembley means that it's the East Londoners who return to the Premier League next season, along with South East pair and United's pre-season plans are expected to be officially confirmed in the coming days, with visits to South Africa and Portugal for friendly matches now apparently agreed - precise details to follow. And talk of one friendly away to Championship opposition continues, with media claims that Cardiff City could host United over the weekend of August 11th. Crystal Palace had also been mentioned as possible opponents, but the Eagles have now announced a kickabout with Reading on that Saturday.   The pre-season kickabout has previously played host to Manchester United, Manchester City and Spurs - along with local sides Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.  There's also talk of a friendly against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal - although this is yet to be confirmed and would not necessarily be staged at their Alvalade Stadium (Sporting have played some warm-up matches in previous seasons against overseas opposition, either on neutral grounds or as private training ground games). Call-ups etc.

  Sat 21.07.2012 to Thu 26.07.2012 NUFC U16s in Northern Ireland Milk Cup (Premier Section - U17s) - draw scheduled for Fri 25.05.2012.  Other teams playing in the Premier Section include: Everton, Manchester United, Spurs, Bolton, Benfica (Portugal), South Coast Strikers (USA), Otago (New Zealand), Revo Express (Norway). Pre-season claims of away friendlies versus the following - all unconfirmed so far: Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) Orlando Pirates (South Africa) Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) Cardiff City (Wales)Europa League dates:EL 4th QR Thu 23.08 2012 (1st leg)EL 4th QR Thu 30.08.2012 (2nd leg) Group stage begins: Thu 20.09.2012 20th May 1957 Mark McGhee born, Glasgow. (1977-79, 1989-91) One of two young Scottish strikers signed by United during their unsuccessful bid to avoid relegation, Mark came from Greenock Morton for £150K in December 1977. Debuting in a 2-0 win at Leeds, McGhee managed three goals in 18 outings and showed flashes of his potential (unlike fellow new arrival Mike Larnach from Clydebank). Confined largely to the bench the next season after the arrival of fellow striker Peter Withe, Mark managed only two more goals for the first team before joining Aberdeen for £80K in March 1979. Linking up with Alex Ferguson at Pittdorie, winning the Cup Winners' Cup in 1983 and reaching the final the following year. He also collected Scottish league and cup winners medals and was capped by his country. Further moves took him to Hamburg and Celtic before a second stint at SJP, arriving at a cost of £200K in July 1989 to partner fellow new signing Mick Quinn. The latter was quicker to settle and had reached double figures before Mark opened his account at Hull in late September.  However McGhee was to weigh in with a respectable 27 goals in a combined total of 59 in all competitions as United made it to the playoffs before losing to the mackems. The 1990/91 season was less successful for Mark, as he scored just five goals and was missing through injury; Tommy Gaynor, David Mitchell, Paul Moran and Andy Hunt all deputising for him at various times. McGhee's final game proved to a 0-3 loss at Notts County in April 1991, after which he had a brief spell at IK Braga in Sweden. Returning to the UK, he became player/boss of Reading on the recommendation of Fergie - although he'd been set to join Hearts. Leicester City offered him the chance of a Premier League job and he controversially left Reading in December 1994 to take over at relegation-threatened Filbert Street.  The Foxes still tumbled though and McGhee moved on to manage Wolves, flirting with both promotion and relegation at Molineux before losing his job in 1998. Two years of rotten TV punditry followed before taking charge of Millwall and later moving on to Brighton.  Later stints north of the border saw him take charge of Motherwell and Aberdeen before the latter dumped him in December 2010 after some disastrous results. Mark then reappeared in the Football League as the new boss of Bristol Rovers in early 2012. 1906 Vienna XI (a) 4-0 (4-0)Higgins 4 1909 Danish XI (a) 2-1Scorers tbc Scorer tbc 1947 Newcastle announced the appointment of George Martin as first team manager. 1983 Select XI Malaya (a) 1-0 (1-0)VaradiMatch two of the post-season tour of the Far East saw United registering a second victory in 72 hours against our hosts in Kuala Lumpur. We then played two games in Thailand against local sides, before heading to Japan to play in the Kirin Cup (aka the Japan Cup). 1994 United made the first of numerous applications to the Department of Employment for a work permit as they looked to secure the services of USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel.  All attempts proved fruitless (as had earlier efforts by Nottingam Forest) and a further application by the mackems was also denied. Friedel continued his quest to play in English football and eventually joined Liverpool who acquired paperwork in late 1997 on appeal. 1996 United striker Tino Asprillascored a second half goal to give his Colombia side a 1-0 friendly win over Scotland. The game was played at the Orange Bowl in Miami and was the final warm-up for the Scots before their Euro 96 campaign. 1997 Shay Given agreed to join Newcastle from Blackburn Rovers for £1.5m.The fee was set by a tribunal after the clubs failed to agree a valuation for the free agent. 24 hours later, Given won his ninth senior cap for Ireland as they beat Liechtenstein 5-0. The mackems were apparently interested in signing Shay, who had previously appeared for them while on loan, but seemed to have some difficulty in raising the fee.... 2004 The dream was over for Michael Bridges after Newcastle opted not to offer a contract to the striker for the following season. The player had failed to impress during a  three month loan spell from Leeds. 2006Some amazing quotes from the odious Aston Villa manager, David O'Leary, talking up James Milner's supposed move to Villa Park. Under the title of "Milner wants me as manager", the conceited O'Bleary was quoted as saying: "The only assurance James asked was ‘how long am I [O'Leary] going to be at Villa, how long is my contract?’ His agent also rang me and asked the same question. "But it is not just me. He worked under Roy Aitken at Leeds. Roy had him under his wing as a kid. "His mum and dad know us. He said if he was to commit himself to a four year contract, he wanted assurances about us. "I’ve said to him I’ve got two more years left here of my contract and I expect to be here for that two years. When his people were in there talking to the club, they got those assurances themselves. "What they were checking with me was that I wasn’t going to go off my own bat. They were asking me if I had any plans elsewhere for myself." "Everyone knows what I think about James and we hope a deal can be done but, as I have always said, the ball is in Newcastle’s court. He is their player. “We have spoken to Newcastle and know the fee involved and hopefully we can get a deal done. James has told me he wants to come here. He wants to sign and we are keeping our fingers crossed.” Bobby Robson bought James Milner from Leeds in July 2004 for a package quoted as £5m. Although details are unclear, this was said to be an initial £3.6m with £1.4m to follow. And although Graeme Souness seemed not to favour Milner, Glenn Roeder said: "We don't have to rush into making a decision on James. James had a very good season at Villa and has impressed David O'Leary. "But I'll be sitting down with the chairman at the end of the week to discuss the whole squad, including James." In the end, Milner stayed at his club longer than both O'Leary and Roeder before controversially moving to Villa Park in 2008. 2008 Joey Barton was given a six month sentence for assault and affray after an incident in Liverpool on December 27th, 2007. Jailing the 25-year-old Huyton-born midfielder, Judge Henry Globe said: "You delivered many blows and were acting in an extremely violent and aggressive manner."

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• 19 May ' 11:30

  Saturday May 19th, 2012                                                              17:44 BST

  Premier lineup completedSouthbound again A 2-1 victory for West Ham over at Wembley means that it's the East Londoners who will return to the Premier League next season, along with South East pair Reading Southampton - all three clubs formerly managed by Alan Pardew, incidentally. The departure of Blackburn, Bolton and Wolves from the top flight and arrival of the Royals, Saints and Hammers will see the mileage for travelling Toon fans next season change from 7,877 to 8,717 miles - that's an increase of  840 miles (based on return road trips from SJP). A trio of SJP old boys were involved in Saturday's playoff success, Kevin Nolan leading the victorious side and hitting the crossbar with a second half shot with the score at 1-1. He subsequently provided the cross from which West Ham grabbed a late winner. Grinning like a Cheshire cat was victorious manager and his assistant Neil McDonald. However there was no place for Abdoulaye Faye in the squad.  Contrast that celebration with ex-Magpie midfielder Liam O'Brien, who was part of the Hibernian coaching staff at Hampden on Saturday as they lost the Scottish Cup Final - battered 1-5 by Edinburgh rivals Hearts. NUFC in HKHooper nets Hoops tie A Magpies side are currently participating in the annual seven-a-side international football tournament held in Hong Kong and have qualified for the Quarter Final stage after a trio of victories on Saturday. United kicked off against local side HKFA Dragons at the Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley in what were 15 minute duration matches with a 60 second half time. In humid conditions with a hint of drizzle in the air, Steven Logan put Newcastle ahead when he charged down an attempted clearance from the home 'keeper and the ball deflected straight back into the unguarded net. And Willie Donachie's lads went two ahead before half time, when Marcus Maddison (above) got on the end of a left wing cross to head home from point blank range. With no scoring in the second period, it ended 2-0. Next up was a match against tournament hosts HKFC and this was ultimately decided by a second half finish from Brad Inman, who was on hand to tuck in the rebound after the opposing 'keeper parried an earlier header.  By now the drizzle was a little heavier and the lads switched from the black and white home kit to the black strip.   The third and final match of the day in Group D for United pitted them against Aston Villa - who had also beaten the two HK sides earlier in the day.  This time the orange kit got an airing and after Maddison struck a post early on, Academy forward JJ Hooper maintained our 100% record with a second half shot before also hitting the upright. At the other end, Jak Alnwick kept his unblemished record intact by clawing away an attempted chip shot. Newcastle's 1-0 victory confirmed them as group winners, while Villa also advance to Sunday's last eight - along with Celtic, Rangers, Leicester City, the mackems, Chelsea and local outfit Yau Yee League Select. Their Quarter Final opponents will be Celtic, with the winners of that tie going up against Chelsea or the mackems for a place in the final later on Sunday.    NUFC squad: 1.Jak Alnwick, 2.James Tavernier, 3.Paul Dummett, 4.Lubomir Satka, 5.Steven Logan, 6.Brandon Miele, 7.Marcus Maddison, 8.JJ Hooper, 9.Adam Campbell, 10.Brad Inman. Big thanks to exiled NUFC.com reader Neil Brown for match updates and photos. South Africa / Sporting set to be confirmed Update: United's pre-season plans are expected to be officially confirmed in the coming days, with visits to South Africa and Portugal for friendly matches now apparently agreed - precise details to follow.  South African media sources reported on Thursday that Newcastle were one of the clubs under consideration to feature in the annual Vodacom Challenge tournament. The pre-season kickabout has previously played host to Manchester United, Manchester City and Spurs - along with home-based sides Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.  Last year's event featured only three teams, with Spurs playing both South African sides, who then faced each other for the right to meet Spurs in the final - the Premier League side winning the trophy by beating Orlando 3-0. Four different stadia were used, in Polokwane, Nelspruit, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg - all of which had hosted matches during the previous year's World Cup Finals.      There's also talk of a pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal - although this is yet to be confirmed and would not necessarily be staged at their Arvelade Stadium (Sporting have played some warm-up matches in previous seasons against overseas opposition, either on neutral grounds or as private training ground games). Sunday double If you're desperate for a live football fix, then the following may be of interest: Egypt (n) (Marrakech) FR Senegal (h) (Dakar) WCQ Uganda (a) (Kampala) WCQ Tanzania (h) (Abidjan) WCQ Morocco (a) (Marrakech) WCQ Iceland (h) (Valenciennes) FR Serbia (h) (Reims) FR Estonia (h) (Le Mans) FR England (n) (Donetsk) ECGS Ukraine (a) (Donetsk) ECGSSweden (n) (Kiev) ECGS Bayern Munich (a) (Munich) FR Bulgaria (h) (Amsterdam) FR Slovakia (h) (Rotterdam) FR N.Ireland (h) (Amsterdam) FRDenmark (n) (Kharkiv) ECGS Germany (n) (Kharkiv) ECGSPortugal (n) (Kharkiv) ECGS Czech Republic (a) (Prague) FR Republic of Ireland (h) (Budapest) FR Despite winning a trophy, the Carling Cup success was deemed insufficient to keep Kenny at the helm and a disastrous league season and some calamitous public relations, persuaded owner John Henry to relieve Dalglish of his post.  Contributing to that in part was the £35m spent on Andy Carroll that saw a return of just four Premier League goals in 2011/12. Nice to think donating that fee to his former employers contributed to his downfall - some recompense for the Magpie millions he frittered away on the legends that were Des Hamilton, Andreas Andersson, George Georgiadis, Stephane Guivarc'h etc. etc. Kenny also seemed intent on fielding some of the most inoffensive questions with sarcasm and hostility during his pre and post match TV interviews - something he  mastered in his time on Tyneside. And once again, when the time came looking for friends in the media, they were all mysteriously unavailable to pen supportive features. Subject to final confirmation - which will be forthcoming from UEFA soon - these are the dates of first European involvement for Newcastle next season:

  19th May 1937 Barrie Thomas born, Measham, Leicestershire. (1962-64) Centre forward who worked down the mines before signing for Leicester City, only for national service to halt his progress. Joining Mansfield Town before moving on to Scunthorpe United in 1959, Thomas was the top scorer in the Football League with 30 goals in 22 games when fellow Second Division side Newcastle bid a record £45,000 for him in early 1962. The Iron opted to cash in and a deal was concluded with John McGuigan also moving from Gallowgate to the Old Showground - while both Leeds United and Manchester United made their interest known.  Debuting in a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town at SJP, Thomas first found the net in his third game - away at Swansea - and Walter Winterbottom quickly called him up to an England training session, although he failed to make the 1962 World Cup squad. However his time at SJP was blighted by injury and criticism from some fans and colleagues and while netting hat tricks against Boro, Plymouth and Rotherham, he failed to fire his side to promotion.    Losing his place to Ron McGarry, Barrie reluctantly returned to Scunthorpe early in 1964. His scoring touch remained despite fitness issues and as Newcastle celebrated promotion the following May, he netted five as the Iron beat Luton Town 8-1.  Injury ended his playing career at Barnsley, after which he had a spell managing local non-league side Measham Swifts.  1959 Keith Guy born, Seaham.(1975-77)Midfielder who appeared for Deneside Juniors, Seaham Boys and had an England schoolboy trials. Scouted by Tommy Jordan, Keith joined United and played in the FA Youth Cup run to the Semi Final stage in the 1975/76 season - along with namesake Alan. However, he failed to win a professional contract and joined Hartlepool United on a free transfer in 1977. After a dozen outings at the Vic, Keith then signed for local leaguers Seaham Red Star.   1987 David Edgar born, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. (2001-09) The son of former Magpies 'keeper Eddie, David brought up in Canada where his dad had resettled and taken up coaching. Early interest from Manchester United was rebuffed, but an offer from Newcastle saw David move to England aged 13 and live with relatives on Tyneside while he played as a schoolboy for United.   After signing a professional deal in 2005, David's debut came at Bolton on Boxing Day 2006, in a back four composed entirely of Academy graduates: himself, Steven Taylor, Peter Ramage & Paul Huntington."Eddie" then memorably marked his senior home debut by scoring an equaliser against Manchester United on New Years Day 2007.David's first six senior outings came under no less than three different bosses (Glenn Roeder, Sam Allardyce and Kevin Keegan). A second senior goal came in December 2008, when he briefly pulled Newcastle back to within one goal of Liverpool at SJP, before the Reds hit back to triumph 5-1.  David's last game for the Magpies proved to be the season-closing defeat at Aston Villa in May 2009 that confirmed our relegation - when he was dismissed late on for a foul. Joining Premier League new boys Burnley under freedom of contract, compensation of £300K plus appearance-related payments was eventually agreed in December 2009. However he found pitch time hard to come by under both Owen Coyle and Brian Laws and left Turf Moor in March 2010, joining Championship side Swansea City on loan for the remainder of the season. Back at Burnley, injury and suspension hampered Edgar's progress under another manager - Eddie Howe - finally becoming a first team regular in the 2011/12 season. Capped by and captaining Canada at various youth international levels including the U20 World Cup on home soil in 2007, David made his senior debut against Greece in 2011.  1951 Cumberland XI (a) 6-5 (3-1) Friendly Stokoe 2, Hannah 2, Cameron, og Scorers tbc  10,000This Cumberland Cup tie served up an eleven goal thriller at Workington's Borough Park. 1967 Chelmsford City (a) 2-0  Friendly Allen, Bennett  2,210United ended their season with a Friday night kickabout at New Writtle Street against the hosts, who were in the Southern League. 1986 New Zealand FA (a) 2-2  Friendly Beardsley(49), (76pen) Sumner(74pen),  Walker(87) 4,000 This second meeting with the "All Whites", was staged at The Basin cricket ground  in Wellington. Thomas (Kelly), Brown, Saunders, Roeder, Clarke, Anderson, Gascoigne, Haddock, McDonald, Beardsley, Reilly. 1987 England and Brazil drew 1-1 in a a Rous Cup tie at Wembley. Future United striker Mirandinha scored for the visitors, while Peter Beardsley was joined by debutant and future United colleague (briefly) Stuart Pearce. 2001 Aston Villa (h) (2-0) PremiershipGlass(9), Cort(13), og(Delaney)(74)Speed(84)Taylor(84)51,506Gary Speed and Ian Taylor were dismissed near the end of this one but both red cards were later rescinded. David Ginola was humiliated by John Gregory, being hauled off before half-time. All was not well in the Villa Park dressing room with a disconsolate Paul Merson making his feelings clear using 'industrial' language in the post-match press conference. NUFC.com match report 2001The U17s went to Portman Road in the first leg of their play-off final. However, they came away having been spanked 5-0 by Ipswich Town, making the second game a formality.  Darren Bent and a certain Darren Ambrose were in the young Tractor Boys' side. NUFC.com match report 2009 Not surprisingly, United's last-ditch attempt to ensure defender Sebastien Bassong's availability for the season closer failed and he would serve the first of a two-match suspension against Aston Villa. The wrongful dismissal claim was heard and rejected by an FA Commission - a two-match ban the consequence of having already been sent off earlier in the season, at Wigan.2010 Argentina Coach Diego Maradona confirmed that Jonas Gutierrez was in his 23 man squad for the World Cup Finals in South Africa. However there was no place for his club colleague, Fabricio Coloccini.

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• 18 May ' 14:25

  Friday May 18th, 2012                                                                   18:39 BST

  PS: There's also talk of a pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal - although this is yet to be confirmed and may not necessarily be at the Arvelade Stadium (Sporting have played some warm-up matches in previous seasons against overseas opposition, either on neutral grounds or as private training ground games). etcWeekend action If you're still desperate for a live football fix, then the following over this weekend may be of interest:Tony Browell Testimonial: Sat 19.05.2012 Percy Main team v Percy Main Old Boys (2.30pm at Purvis Park. £2 admission, 50p programme.Charity Match (Sir Bobby Robson Foundation) Sun 20.05.2012 Two teams of football writers (1.30pm at Hebburn Town. £3 adults, £1 others) Premier longingNolan hoping for  playoff fortune at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, as the Hammers and Seasiders seek to join Reading and Southampton in the top-flight. Victory for the Hammers would see a top-flight return for a quartet of SJP old boys: the managerial duo of Sam AllardyceNeil McDonald, plus players Abdoulaye Faye and Kevin Nolan. The latter was interviewed in the Independent recently and inevitably commented on his hasty departure from Gallowgate last June: "The most disappointing thing was thinking I was going to be at the club for a long, long time and that I would be part of something at the club, signing off to make sure we were ready for next season and a couple of days later, hang on a minute, what was on the table is now off the table. "I have respect for what Mike (Ashley) and Derek (Llambias) are doing up there because that's how they want to do it. I hold no grudges. I thank them for letting me get away and join another fantastic club. "My only regret is not being able to see everything through that we started and that's probably what I'm more disappointed about. I went to Newcastle and we got relegated and then you become part of this great story. It was just great to be a big part of that. If I see Mike or if I see Derek, I'd shake their hands and I'm happy Newcastle are doing well. It's a club I have really fond memories of. As I said, I don't hold grudges."The full interview is FoundationHalf term bairns  football courses The Newcastle United Foundation is running three day Soccer Schools during the June half term holidays from Tuesday 6 June to Friday 8 June. Open to girls and boys of all abilities aged 5 to 14, they will operate at Complete Football (Gosforth), the Walker Activity Dome (Walker), Powerleague (North Shields), Cardinal Hume Catholic School (Gateshead) and Hirst Welfare Centre (Ashington).  Prices start at £32 for three days, depending on venue. Courses run from 10am to 3pm each day with an early drop off and late pick up service available at all venues. Find more information and make bookings online here in Hong Kong his coming weekend has been confirmed and reserve team coach Willie Donachie leads the following party: United were drawn in Group D and play their group games on Saturday afternoon at the Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley.  Their opposition will Aston Villa, Hong Kong Football Club and HKFA Dragons in what are 15 minute games on an almost full-sized pitch and with only 60 seconds half time. InternationalsCallups etc. Upcoming international action for MagpiesDemba Ba & Papiss Cisse (Senegal): Thu 24.05.2012 Egypt v Senegal (Marrakech) FR Senegal v Liberia (Dakar) WCQ Sat 09.06.2012 Uganda v Senegal (Kampala) WCQ Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast): Team tbc (location tbc) FR Sat 02.06.2012 Ivory Coast v Tanzania (Abidjan) WCQ Sat 09.06.2012 Morocco v Ivory Coast (Marrakech) WCQ&Yohan Cabaye (France): Iceland (Valenciennes) FR Serbia (Reims) FR Estonia (Le Mans) FR Mon 11.06.2012 France v England (Donetsk) ECGS Fri 15.06.2012 Ukraine v France (Donetsk) ECGS Tue 19.06.2012 Sweden v France (Kiev) ECGS Tim Krul (The Netherlands): Bayern Munich (Munich) FR Sat 26.05.2012 Bulgaria (Amsterdam) FR Slovakia (Rotterdam) FR Sat 02.06.2012 N.Ireland (Amsterdam) FRSat 09.06.2012 Netherlands v Denmark (Kharkiv) ECGS Wed 13.06.2012 Netherlands v Germany (Kharkiv) ECGS Sun 17.06.2012 Portugal v Netherlands (Kharkiv) ECGSTamas Kadar (Hungary):Fri 01.06.2012 Czech Republic v Hungary (Prague) FRMon 04.06.2012 Hungary v Ireland (Budapest) FR There was no place for Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012, while his club colleague was similarly overlooked by It's yet tbc whether Shane Ferguson will be selected for Northern Ireland's friendly against the Dutch in Amsterdam. Fergie was red-carded on his last international outing, for Northern Ireland U21s. Ex MagsOld boys relocate Another chapter has begun in the managerial career of former Magpies defender Mark Stimson, with news that he's agreed to take over at Thurrock. The former boss of Grays Athletic, Stevenage Borough, Gillingham and Barnet has been out of work since an ill-fated spell at Kettering Town ended in January and takes over at the Fleet following their demotion from Conference South. Meanwhile, ex-Newcastle striker Mick Harford has been appointed as the new assistant manager of League One side MK Dons, having previously played for Wimbledon before their ridiculous re-branding and relocation.Harford's last coaching role was at QPR in 2010 when acting in a caretaker capacity before the arrival of Neil Warnock. More recently he compiled scouting reports for England U21 coach Stuart Pearce and was recently approached to undertake a similar role for Ipswich Town.   Poor little rich boy Update - from Monday's Football 365 website mailbox, as spotted by NUFC.com reader Ralph Brown: "Amidst all the euphoria at the Etihad yesterday my personal highlight had to be when the coverage switched to the Stadium of Light to see the disbelieving United players. In particular the sight of little Michael Owen who had stripped off his tracksuit and was stood there in his full kit like a seven year-old on Xmas day, ready to join in celebrating a title he had absolutely nothing to do with. "You're a pathetic, self-publicising little mercenary Michael and the look on your face yesterday when news came through of City's triumph made my season."  Mal, LFC. But it will probably omit that his strikes came against lower league opposition - Leeds United(2) and Aldershot - both in the Carling Cup. Loan ladLast man standing.... Sort of.... Xerez (a) Segunda League, Sunday.

  Kick-off TBC 18th May 1958 Howard Gayle born, Toxteth, Liverpool. (1982-83) An injury to Kevin Keegan in November 1982 prompted United to enter the loan market and sign Liverpool reserve midfielder Gayle. Making his first Magpies appearance in a midweek home friendly against Dynamo Kiev, Gayle then debuted in a 2-0 victory over Cambridge United the following Saturday. Showing flashes of good form, Gayle's month long loan was then extended and he found the net in successive games against Derby and Grimsby over the festive period. The return of Keegan to the side then saw Howard return to Anfield, where he'd been on the books since 1974 but played only five first team games for the Reds. That had included a European Cup semi final against Bayern Munich when he came on for the injured Kenny Dalglish and tormented the Germans with his pace. The 1979/80 season saw him on loan at Fulham and he departed from Liverpool in the summer of 1983, joining Birmingham. Moving on to the mackems in 1984, Howard was dismissed on his return to SJP with the red and whites on on New Years Day 1985.  Later transfers took him to the Dallas Sidekicks (USA) and Stoke City, before signing for Blackburn Rovers in 1987. Six seasons at Ewood Park included a rare run of goalscoring in 1988/89, when he managed a career best total of nineteen. Folllowing Gayle's departure in 1992, he played for Halifax Town and Accrington Stanley before hanging up his boots. The former England U21 international then returned to his native Toxteth and became involved as a coach at the Stanley House Youth Football Club.  As part of his work for the Show Racism the Red Card initiative, Howard has said of his playing career that:"When I played for Newcastle & Sunderland, the fans were great, both on and off the pitch. But when I was an opposition player at St. James’s park, I was spat at, there were monkey noises, and all sorts of racist abuse. It wasn’t pleasant, but sadly it was something I had become used to. " 1968 Jeff Wrightson born, Walker. (1985-87) A graduate of Wallsend Boys Club, Jeff was part of Newcastle's 1985 FA Youth Cup -winning side along with the likes of Gazza. A senior debut came at SJP on Boxing Day 1986 in place of the absent David McCreery. Unfortunately that was a 0-4 beating by Everton and United also lost the other three games that season Jeff played in. After that Everton game, boss Willie McFaul admitted that Wrightson wasn't ready for the first team and said his selection had been a mistake. Hardly a great confidence booster.... A move to Deepdale saw him play over 150 games for Preston, before signing for Yeovil Town after trials at Blackpool & Darlington.  Jeff then played in the Conference for Gateshead and subsequently turned out forSpennymoor, Blyth and Walker Central. Appointed as assistant to former Magpie Ian Bogie at Walker, the duo joined Gateshead in April 2007 and guided the Tynesiders to successive promotions. After Gateshead secured Conference status in May 2010, Jeff confirmed his departure due to other work commitments - the non -league side having opted to go full-time from the following season.   Jeff's son Kieron was on the books at  Newcastle for a time and featured in the Academy and reserve side before exiting. 1978 Death of Norman Smith, 80. Former manager Smith collapsed after visiting SJP. 1909 West Bromwich Albion (a) 3-0 Friendly Shepherd 2, Anderson 5,000 1913 Danish XI (a) 1-1 Friendly Scorer tbc Scorer tbc 1924 Real Sociedad (a) ?-?Unknown Scorers (if any) 1927 Dutch Olympic XI (a) 2-0 Friendly Gallacher(35), McDonald(50) 16,000After losing their first friendly match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, United fared better second time around in Rotterdam. Wilson, Maitland, Hudspeth, McKenzie, Spencer, Harris, Low, McKay, Gallacher, McDonald, Seymour. 1940 Bristol Rovers (h) 1-0 (0-0) WartimeCairns 11,573 1943 Roker Park was hit during a bombing raid, presumably by the Germans..... 1950 Jackie Milburn became the first England player to be substituted when he went off injured in a 4-1 victory over Belgium in Brussels. Former Magpie Roy Bentley netted. 1961 Only a win would have retained Wales' interest in World Cup qualification, but a 1-1 against the Spaniards in Madrid was still a creditable result. United's Ivor Allchurch scored the Welsh goal. 1970 Vancouver Spartans (Canada) (a) 4-3 Friendly Robson 2, Dyson, Young scorers tbc 6,000 Newcastle's end of season tour of North America continued with a fixture against the side who were later rebranded as the Whitecaps. 1974 Magpies striker Malcolm Macdonald replaced the ineffective Frank Worthington as England crashed 2-0 at Hampden Park to a Scotland side which included the outstanding Kenny Dalglish. 1982 Hartlepool United (a) 6-2 Friendly Varadi 5, Wharton scorers tbc 1,037 1983 Select XI Malaya (a) 5-2 (0-2) Friendly Keegan 3, Carney, Varadi scorers tbc The opening game in an eight date tour that took United to Malaysia, Thailand and Japan. 1985 New Zealand FA (a) 2-1 (0-0) Friendly Anderson(65),  McDonald(87)Sumner(89) 5,000The first of four friendlies against the "All Whites" saw United visit the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium in Christchurch. In goal for the home side was one Richard Wilson, who presumably "didn't believe it" when John Anderson put the Magpies ahead.NUFC: Thomas, Anderson, Clarke, Roeder, Wharton (Saunders), McCreery, Heard (Brown), Haddock, Gascoigne, McDonald, Beardsley.2000 FL Allstars (a)  1-0 (0-0) FriendlyGallacher(52) 200The first of United's two end -of-season games in the West Indies saw them play at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad.NUFC: Given, Barton (Caldwell G 49 mins),  Griffin, McClen, Caldwell S, Howey (Goma 45 mins), Lee (Kerr 70 mins), Gavilan, Gallacher, Robinson (Green 70 mins), Solano. Subs n/u: Domi, Simon Smith. Nobby Solano followed in the footsteps of fellow Magpies Nicos Dabizas, Andy Griffin & Stuart Pearce by walking relatively unscathed from a serious car crash. Nobby was taken to hospital in Lima, but only suffered a minor injury to the part of his body least used on the pitch - his forehead. He blamed himself and jet-lag for the accident when he said afterwards: "Thank God I'm fine. It was because of driving fast. I hit the pavement and lost control of the car. I think I've felt the time changing between England and Peru."

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• 17 May ' 18:50

  Thursday May 17th, 2012

  2012/13:Geordie vuvuzela? South African media sources reported on Thursday that Newcastle were one of the clubs under consideration to feature in the annual Vodacom Challenge tournament. The pre-season kickabout has previously played host to Manchester United, Manchester City and Spurs - along with home-based sides Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.   However this remains unconfirmed - and other sources earlier this week speculated that the event could be cancelled, or go ahead with no overseas sides. Watch this space for updates as we get them. Discard: New MO brochure being prepared News from Premier League losers, Manchester United, who have decided to discard the fading talents of former Magpie, Michael Owen. Not surprising, given that Owen made just one Premier League appearance in the 2011/12 season and that was from the bench at Stoke way back in September. However, Michael and his team will no doubt be preparing a new PR brochure highlighting his fabulous strike rate for last season which works out at three goals every four games - having scored three times in four games.... But it will probably omit that his strikes came against lower league opposition - Leeds(2) and Aldershot - both in the Carling Cup. His overall record after three seasons at the Red Devils is 52 appearances (34 as sub), scoring 17 goals. He made just six Premier League starts and one in the FA Cup with the other 11 starts coming in the Carling Cup and Europe. Owen leaves the Premier League runners-up aged 32, while old codgers, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs have been offered new contracts aged 37 and 38, respectively. The full list of teams Owen netted against for Manchester United tells its own story (most recent first): Aldershot, Leeds, Blackpool, Southampton, Bolton, Scunthorpe, Aston Villa, West Ham, Wolfsburg, CSKA Moscow, Barnsley, Man City, Wigan. Put that in your brochure and smoke it.... Despite winning a trophy, the Carling Cup success was deemed insufficient to keep Kenny at the helm and a disastrous league season and some calamitous public relations, persuaded owner John Henry to relieve Dalglish of his post. Contributing to that in part was the £35m spent on Andy Carroll that saw a return of just four Premier League goals in 2011/12. Nice to think donating that fee to his former employers contributed to his downfall - some recompense for the millions he threw away on Des Hamilton, Andreas Andersson, George Georgiadis, Stephane Guivarc'h etc. etc. being settled Wed 16.05.2012 New Hartley Juniors 4-0 Newcastle Cowgate Pinpoint JuniorsWed 16.05.2012 Team Northumbria 4-1 West Auckland

  17th May 1924 Roy Bentley born, Shirehampton, Bristol. (1946-48) Roy was known as a centre half when he began his playing career with Bristol Rovers, Bristol City and Liverpool (the latter under the assumed name of Smith) while serving as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy. Converted to a striker by the time he moved to Tyneside in June 1946, Roy was an immediate hit at SJP and a regular scorer. However he abruptedly left midway through the 1947/48 promotion season, moving to Chelsea as a £12,500 replacement for their star man Tommy Lawton. Bentley maintains he "had to leave because of the North-east air. I was so fatigued and the doctor told me it would be better if I moved south. He said, 'If you stay and fight it you could end up with TB'." That does seem to be a little odd given his wartime service on convoy escort ships going up to Murmansk in Russia... After a slow start at Stamford Bridge, Roy came good and was to finish as top scorer in each of his seasons at the Blues. The highlight was a 22 goal haul as his side won the title in the 1954/55 season, a total that including a hat trick against Newcastle in a 4-3 victory at Stamford Bridge. Just over a year later Roy made the switch to nearby Fulham, where he converted back to centre half. QPR then became his final club for a two year spell from 1961.  Winning 12 full England caps during his career, Roy entered management with Reading in 1963, remaining in charge at Elem Park until 1969. He also managed Swansea Town, scouted for Bradford City and took charge of non -league Thatcham Town. A return to Reading saw him serve as club secretary and Roy settled in the town, later holding a similar position at Aldershot Town Bentley's autobiography "Roy Wonder" was published in 2005 and a restaurant bears his name at Stamford Bridge. Two days before his 87th birthday, Roy was a special guest on the pitch at Stamford Bridge during the half time break, receiving warm applause from both Chelsea and Newcastle fans. 1970 John Karelse born, Kapelle, Netherlands. (1999-2003) Ahead of the 1999/00 season, Newcastle boss Ruud Gullit was looking to boost his goalkeeping options. And after using Lionel Perez and Steve Harper in pre-season (along with on-trial duo Erwin Lemmens & Marc Ziegler), Harper started the season between the posts. After just two games - and two defeats - though, Gullit acted to bring in Dutch stopper Karelse from NAC Breda for £750K. With barely time to introduce himself to his new colleagues, big John made his debut at the Dell against Southampton - and let in four goals in 20 minutes after half time.  After keeping his place for the following week's 3-3 home draw with Wimbledon, Karelse made way for loan signing Tommy Wright in the mackem monsoon loss. That was enough to see Gullit depart and following the installation of Bobby Robson as his successor, Karelse made just one more competitive appearance, in a 0-0 draw at Arsenal that October. A trial spell with Turkish side Denizlispor in August 2000 failed to lead to a move and John returned to Tyneside to make periodic reserve appearances. The following season saw Karelse sidelined by both illness and injury and although moves to both Feyenoord and Pompey were claimed in the media, neither came to pass. Finally exiting SJP in 2003, John moved back to the Netherlands, joining lower league side AGOVV Apeldoorn. Following his retirement, he then made a return to his first club Breda (where he'd made his debut in 1987) in 2004 as coach. In September 2010 Karelse was appointed joint interim manager of NAC, along with Gert Aandewiel and Arno van Zwam. The trio remained in post for the duration of the season, steering the club to the safety of 13th spot in the Eredivisie. Big Jon does his famous Al  Murray Landlord impression    1905 Bohemia Spartans (a) 3-2  1921 Barcelona (Spain) (a) 2-3  1922 Christiana (Norway) (a) 1-0 Smailes  1924 Madrid XI (a) 2-3  Friendly Unknown Scorers  1947 Bury (a) 2-2 (1-2) Division Two 47pts 5thBentley, Wayman Carter, Halton(pen) 17,298  A goal for Roy Bentley on his 23rd birthday; by his 24th he was a Chelsea player. 1952 Southern Transvaal (a) 3-2 (2-0) Friendly G.Robledo(56,57),  Hannah(66) Paton(9), Montgomery(38) 25,000 The first match of United's marathon post-season trek around Southern Africa saw them play in Johannesburg. 1960 Dinamo Zagreb (a) 3-1 (2-1)McGuigan, Allchurch, Hughes 1963 The Newcastle Supporters Club held their End of Season Dance at The Mayfair. Members were enticed by the prospect of "dancing to Jimmy Bence and his Orchestra." 1965 Aalborg (Denmark) (a) (2-0) Friendly Cummings, Robson Flou (70)  3,000 1967 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic (a) 4-1 (3-0) Friendly Bennett 2, Davies, Robson  4,039 Testimonial Match for  Dick Keith. 1969 Liverpool (h) (1-0)44pts 9thDavies  Hunt 34,927 Last league game of the season but the second leg of the Fairs Cup semi-final was just four days away. 1975 Frustration for Newcastle striker Malcolm Macdonald again as Pat Jennings defied England in a 0-0 draw in Belfast. 1976 North Shields (a) 2-4  Friendly Burns 2  Gibb 2, Porterfield, Carney 2,000An end of season kickabout at Appleby Park saw some familiar faces appear in the Robins side, with ex-Mag Tommy Gibb netting twice. Fellow SJP old boys Frank Clark, John Cowan and Dave Hilley also appeared, as did mackem old boy Ian Porterfield. NUFC: Mahoney, Nattrass, McCaffrey, Blackhall, Kennedy, Green, Maclean, Hudson, Burns, Gowling, Guy.1984 Liverpool (h) 2-2 (1-2)Keegan(25pen) McDermott(61) Robinson(11), Souness(38) 36,722 Billed as "Keegan's Farewell", this was actually a benefit match for the club, not him. He equalised from the penalty spot following a Craig Johnson handball, while United's second leveller came from his pal Terry McDermott, who volleyed past Bruce Grobelaar at the Gallowgate End. Following the final whistle, KK was whisked away by a helicopter that landed briefly on the centre circle. Among those who cheered his departure was a young NUFC ballboy named Alan Shearer.Youtube match action may be online here. 1986 Peter Beardsley scored his first goal for England as they overcame Mexico 3-0 in a friendly staged in the Los Angeles Coliseum. It was a fourth cap for the Newcastle player, who was joined on the field by former and future Magpies Chris Waddle, Kenny Sansom and John Barnes. He netted on 37 minutes. 1988 Trinidad & Tobago (a) 0-1  Friendly  Skeene 8,000 United lost the first game in a brief two match tour of the West Indies before moving on to Jamaica for another kickabout. 1997 A 23,325 sell-out crowd were at Coventry's Highfield Road for the David Busst benefit game.Guesting for a City XI were United's Les Ferdinand and former Magpie Paul Gascoigne - the latter who scored in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United. The game was a fund-raiser for Busst, who had been forced into retirement following a serious leg injury at Old Trafford in 1996.1997 Newcastle boss Kenny Dalglish returned to his old club Blackburn Rovers to recruit goalkeeping coach Terry Gennoe for United. Gennoe replaced the outgoing Peter Bonetti.2004 In the wake of Newcastle's fifth place finish in the Premiership, Chairman Freddy Shepherd commented:"We are all in this together and the players are disappointed at what has happened this season, and so am I and the manager - and I am sure the supporters are very, very disappointed. "We have had a good season in the UEFA Cup, but as far as the Premiership is concerned, three points out of 18 at the start of the season and three out of the last nine is just not good enough. "I'm not happy that we're not in the Champions League qualifiers and I don't suppose the supporters are. But at least being in Europe next season gets us back on track." "We will leave it a couple of days until the dust settles on last season. We know what we have to do, but we won't panic and what we have to do first is to make sure we have a steady ship. "There is absolutely no chance of us doing a Leeds United, I can assure our fans of that."2005 Graham Souness did his best Perry Mason impression when speaking to the Chronicle: "Craig Bellamy can never play for me again. "I still believe I couldn't have handled the situation with him any differently from the way I did. "Craig Bellamy had scored seven goals up to the start of the new year and he was probably on schedule to score more goals for this club than he had before in any one season. "But since he left, our dressing room is a healthier place. At the end of the day, the club is not here for the benefit of any one individual. "The only player I have fallen out with here is Craig Bellamy. Yes, Laurent Robert isn't happy because he's not in the team every week but I don't expect any player not in the team to be happy. "I pick players on how they train and how they play in matches. I cannot fall out with people because our personalities are not matched. I have to be far bigger than that. That's not what management is about. "Who are these players I'm supposed to have fallen out with? Andy Cole? I rest my case. David Dunn? I rest my case. Craig Bellamy? I rest my case. Andy Todd? I rest my case. Dwight Yorke? We only fell out once at one training session. "Don't forget I've managed hundreds of players in my 19 years as a manager. So I've fallen out with five of them? I rest my case."2006 England's preparations for the World Cup Finals in Germany received a boost when Michael Owen came through a training session unscathed at their Portugal base. 2010 The club confirmed that Academy coach Kenny Wharton had left "by mutual consent". The former Magpies player had held various off-field roles at junior and academy level since returning to the club in 1999.

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• 16 May ' 23:16

  23:59 BST

  Former Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish was jettisoned from Anfield by Liverpool's American owners on Wednesday after he paid the price for a troubled first full season in charge of the Reds. T his Argentina shirt, signed by was up for auction on Ebay to raise funds for the and went for a whopping £410 All four players made their mark after the Newcastle v Manchester City game earlier this month.

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