Newcastle Odds

Newcastle United Odds

Newcastle odds are among the most popular to bet on in Premier League football. With a side that are inconsistent but possess obvious quality, Newcastle relegation odds, particularly in the Yes/No market are popular, as well as odds on the club to qualify for European competition.

Newcastle United manager odds are also common. The Premier League sees a number of managers sacked or leave throughout every season, so Newcastle next manager odds can be good to look out for.

Odds on individual matches are very popular. Odds on Newcastle to win, or Newcastle to score two or more goals odds can offer value, and are often subject of bookmaker offers such as enhanced odds or money back specials.

Odds on Newcastle to win a trophy can also be attractive, or at least odds on Newcastle to reach a certain round in a competition can be bet on with a variety of different bookmakers.

History

Newcastle United are a professional football club currently playing in England’s top tier, the Premier League. Founded 123 years ago, Newcastle have never played outside of the top two English professional leagues since their first season of existence.

Newcastle United history begins in 1892. Before this, football in Newcastle was still played, with Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End playing in the Northern League. Newcastle East End became a professional club, and following serious financial problems for West End, the two teams merged and in 1892, the newly merged club became known as Newcastle United Football Club.

A previous invitation to join the Football League Second Division was turned down by the club, and in 1893 the club applied to join the First Division. This application was turned down, and a second invitation to join the Second Division was offered. This time, the club accepted, and their first game of the 1893/1894 season was against Woolwich Arsenal, later to become simply Arsenal.

Attendance figures were low for Newcastle United’s first two seasons, but from the 1895/1896 season, crowd numbers began to increase. The club spent its first five seasons in the Second Division, before a second place finish in the 1897/1989 season sealed promotion to the First Division for the first time.

The early 1900’s were an incredibly successful time in the Newcastle United history books. The Newcastle trophy history began in 1904, with their first First Division title. Two more First Division championships followed, in 19006/1907 and 1908/1909. During this time, Newcastle reached four FA Cup finals. They lost the first three, being defeated by Aston Villa, Everton and Wolves, but they managed to get their hands on the trophy in 1910, beating Barnsley. They almost retained the FA Cup after reaching the final the following season, only to be beaten by Bradford City.

It would be another nine seasons before Newcastle United won another trophy. The 1923/1924 season saw the club reach another FA Cup Final, and they were successful for a second time, this time beating Aston Villa. Another First Division title soon followed, topping the league in the 1926/1927 campaign.

After the turn of the 1930’s Newcastle United won their third FA Cup in the 1931/1932 season. This would be their last trophy for nearly 20 years.

Two years after that FA Cup success, Newcastle United were relegated. They struggled to adapt to life back in the Second Division and were almost relegated again. From 1939 to 1945, the Football League calendar was suspended due to the ongoing Second World War. When football recommenced, Newcastle launched a promotion campaign and a second place finish in the 1947/1948 saw the club return to the top flight.

The 1950’s were another successful time for Newcastle. In the 1950/1951 season, the club won their fourth FA Cup trophy, successfully retaining it the season after. Three seasons later, the club won their sixth FA Cup, which is to date Newcastle United’s last major trophy. The club, however, couldn’t replicate their cup form in the league and after a series of lower mid-table finishes, the club suffered its second relegation in the 1960/1961 season.

Newcastle United’s stay in the second tier lasted for four seasons, before winning the Second Division title earned the club promotion back to the First Division. Towards the end of the decade, Newcastle featured in European competition for the first time in their history, and won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.

The 1970’s started with Newcastle United breaking their transfer record. Malcolm McDonald joined the club, and became the latest addition to famous Newcastle United number 9 history. However, McDonald and co couldn’t lead Newcastle to a major trophy, although they came close. They reached another FA Cup Final, but lost out to Liverpool, and two seasons later, in 1976, they made their first League Cup Final appearance, but were beaten by Manchester City.

Another relegation hit the club when in the 1978/1979 season a 21st place finish consigned Newcastle to the drop. However, after five Second Division mid-table finishes, Newcastle regained their First Division place in 1984.

Five years later, though, and Newcastle United were relegated again. Serious dwindling crowd numbers didn’t help them during this period, and the club were almost relegated again before Sir John Hall became chairman and appointed Kevin Keegan as manager. Keegan prevented a relegation to the Third Division, and the club began to rise again. They won the newly named Division One title in the 1992/1993 season (the Premier League was formed in 1992, with the Second Division being renamed Division One, the Third Division Division Two and the Fourth Division Division Three) and they started the 1993 campaign in the Premier League.

In the 1995/1996 season, Newcastle came close to winning their fifth top flight title, their first in the Premier League. Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of the table before Manchester United managed to come back to nick it. The club finished in second place the following season, during which Newcastle broke the world record transfer fee when they signed Alan Shearer for £15 million. Shearer would go on to be another historic owner of the famous Newcastle number 9 shirt.

Newcastle reached the FA Cup Final in 1998 and 1999, but again they had to settle for a runners up medal on both occasions. The 1997/1998 season was also the first time Newcastle had played in the Champions League. However, their league form began to drop, and the famous English football legend Bobby Robson took the managerial reins. Robson managed to keep his side in the Premier League, and reached an FA Cup semi-final. 

After the turn of the century, Newcastle finished in 4th, 3rd and 5th place in consecutive Premier League seasons, as well as appearing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. However, following Bobby Robson’s dismissal after disagreements with the Newcastle hierarchy, the club couldn’t build on this, and their league form dropped once again. Amidst ownership and managerial changes, Newcastle were relegated in the 2008/2009 season.

Chris Hughton was appointed manager on a full time basis, and immediately led the club back to the Premier League. To the surprise of Newcastle fans, Hughton was sacked and replaced with Alan Pardew. Newcastle began to be extremely active in the transfer market. They sold Andy Carroll for a club record fee of £35 million, and spent this money on a wide range of players. 

Newcastle, however, struggled in the Premier League. Apart from one 5th placed finish, in which they qualified for the Europa League in the 2011/2012 season, Newcastle United were ending each season in lower mid-table positions. More managerial changes upset the stability of the club, Pardew was sacked and replaced by Jim Carver who took the job on a caretaker basis. Carver led his side to a last day relegation great escape, before Steve McClaren was given the job for the 2015/2016 season.

Despite the optimism before this season began, Newcastle were poor. McClaren went into the transfer market and made a number of signings, but to no avail. He was sacked after just nine months in the role and replaced by Rafael Benitez, who couldn’t save the club from another relegation. Newcastle United started their 2016/2017 campaign back in the Championship.

However, Benitez led his side to the Championship title at the first time of asking, and with it a place back in the top flight.

Crest

In Newcastle United badge history, the Newcastle FC crest has undergone a number of changes. The first Newcastle football badge was used from 1911 onwards in FA Cup Finals, and featured the crest of the city of Newcastle along with the motto of the city ‘fortiter defendit triumphans’ which means ‘triumphing by brave defence’.

In 1969, this Newcastle United FC crest became a permanent addition on kits. In 1976, the crest was changed. This Newcastle United new badge was a circular design, featuring the name of the club around the circumference and an image of a magpie on the River Tyne in front of the Norman castle of Newcastle.

From 1983 to 1988, another badge was designed. This Newcastle football crest featured the initials NUFC in a football design, with a magpie also featured underneath.

In 1988, a new Newcastle United FC badge was created, and is used to this day. Taking inspiration from the Newcastle United old crest, this current badge features the two seahorses found on the Newcastle coat of arms and the Norman castle. It also includes the famous Newcastle United black and white stripes, with Newcastle United printed underneath within a banner.

Colours

Newcastle United kit colours are famously black and white stripes. The first appearance of the famous stripes came in 1894. Before the two clubs merged, Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End wore a variety of different kit colours and styles.

West End started life wearing black and red hooped shirts with white shorts and black and red hooped socks. This shirt alternated with a black and red quartered design, and these two kits were worn until 1886.

In 1886, a new West End kit was introduced. This kit featured the same colours but a different style. The shirt was half red half black, and was worn with black shorts with a red trim and black socks.

In 1899, West End reverted to their first kit, only this time the socks were plain red. The following year, the kit colours changed to claret and blue stripes, worn with white shorts and claret socks.

The East End kits were completely different to their neighbours. East End started wearing dark blue shirts, white shorts and dark blue socks. In 1884, the kit changed to brown and light blue striped shirts, worn with white shorts and dark blue socks.

The dark blue shirt, white shorts and dark blue socks reappeared the following year, with the shirts featuring an orange stripe. The shorts and socks remained the same for the following year, but the shirt colour was changed to sky blue.

In 1891, East End wore red shirts, white shorts and red socks. When the clubs merged and Newcastle United were formed, this kit was worn in their first two seasons before a black and white striped kit was worn.

The standard Newcastle United kit is black and white striped shirts, black shorts and black socks. This kit has been worn since 1919, although for some years white socks instead of black socks have been worn. When the black and white stripes were first introduced, the shirt was worn with grey shorts and black socks, but the short colour changed to blue and were used until 1920.

Newcastle Stadium

The Newcastle stadium is St. James’ Park. St. James’ Park has been the home of Newcastle United for the club’s entire history. 

The earliest documented football match played at St. James’ Park was in 1880, when a team called Newcastle Rangers played there, making St. James’ the oldest football ground in the North East of England. It is also the largest in the North East, and the sixth largest in the United Kingdom.

St. James’ Park has a capacity of 52,354. The ground has undergone a number of changes over the last century. Archibald Leitch was heavily involved in the plans for the first redevelopment of the stadium, but planning disagreements only led to a small roof being constructed above one stand.

During the 1960’s there were plans for a new Newcastle United ground. Amongst the variety of ideas, sharing a stadium with rivals Sunderland was discussed but dismissed.

In the 1970’s, plans were given the go ahead for St James’ Park to be completely redeveloped, and whilst work begun it had to stop due to financial insecurities.

It was during Sir John Hall’s chairmanship that St James’ was finally given the full renovation it needed. The Leazes End was rebuilt along with The Gallowgate End, and changes were made to the Milburn Stand. At the time of the mid 1990’s, the capacity stood at just over 36,000.

During the late 1990’s, a new Newcastle United stadium plan was created. This involved building a brand new stadium in Gateshead. However, two protest groups against the move, Friends of Leazes End and No Business On The Moor managed to get the plans thrown out and so plans to further redevelop St. James’ were designed instead.

Second tiers were added to the Milburn Stand and the Leazes End. This led to an increased capacity of around 52,000.

Further work has been carried out over the last decade, including an extension to the Gallowgate End. 

With Mike Ashley’s takeover of the club came a new Newcastle stadium name. St James’ Park was renamed the Sports Direct Arena, the sports merchandise company owned by Ashley. When Wonga.com became Newcastle United’s sponsor they bought the naming rights of the ground and changed it back to St. James’ Park.

Supporters

Newcastle United are one of the most supported clubs worldwide. They have hundreds of supporters clubs throughout the world, including Australia, USA and Europe, as well as throughout the United Kingdom. The club’s official twitter page is one of the most followed English football teams’ pages, with over a million followers

One of the key Newcastle United supporters clubs is the Newcastle United Supporters Trust. Founded in 2008, this not-for-profit organisation is hoping to raise enough funds to buy stakes in Newcastle United, and eventually take control of the club away from the very much disliked Mike Ashley, as well as representing the Newcastle support.

Newcastle United fan’s biggest rivalry is with near neighbours Sunderland. These two sides contest the Tyne-Wear derby.

Ownership

The current Newcastle United owner is Mike Ashley. In 2007, Ashley bought John and Douglas Hall’s shares in the club, which totalled 41%, and by June of that year he had purchased 93% of Newcastle United shares. The following month, his stake share had increased to 95%, meaning the rest of the shareholders had to sell theirs.

Due to a number of huge fan backlashes, Ashley has tried to sell the club on numerous occasions. The reported asking price is £100 million, but to date no one has attempted any serious offers of buying the club.

In 1991, John Hall had bought over 72% of the club shares. In 1997, Hall floated the club on the stock exchange, with less than 50% of shares belonging to the Hall family and Freddie Shepherd owning the majority. Shepherd then became chairman. Hall and Shepherd continued this joint ownership partnership until Mike Ashley launched his takeover bid and became the Newcastle owner.

Stats

Jimmy Lawrence is the Newcastle United record appearance maker. Lawrence made 496 appearances for the club from 1904 to 1922.

Newcastle United’s all time record goalscorer is Alan Shearer. Shearer scored 206 goals for the club in 404 appearances between 1996 and 2006.

Only one other player has scored 200 goals for Newcastle United. Jackie Milburn scored 200 goals for Newcastle in 395 games from 1943 to 1957. Milburn holds the record for most League goals scored for Newcastle with 178 out of his 200 goals coming in league football. Shearer has the record of most European competition goals scored for the club, with 30 goals in 52 European matches.

The highest attendance a Newcastle United side has played in front of (aside from Wembley) is 68,386, an attendance achieved in 1930 against Chelsea. 

Newcastle United’s record win came in 1946, when they beat Newport County 13-0 in the Second Division. The club’s record defeat came back in 1895, when Burton Wanderers beat them 9-0 in the Second Division.

Newcastle United Players

Newcastle players past and present have included some of the most famous names in English football. Notable ex Newcastle players include Alan Shearer, the club’s all time leading goalscorer, is a name most will be familiar with, and is known as a Newcastle United legend. Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley, Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Mcdonald, David Ginola, Rob Lee and Faustino Asprilla are all cited as some of the best players ever to pull on a Newcastle United shirt.

Newcastle players 2016 currently number 26 members of the first team squad. The current player of the year is Rob Elliott, although Newcastle cancelled their end of season awards following the last campaign.

The number of Newcastle players on loan is currently eleven.

Newcastle players wages are said to be around average compared to the rest of the sides in the Premier League.

Two Newcastle players have won the Premier League Golden Boot award. The first was Andy Cole in 1994 and the second was Alan Shearer who won the award in 1997.

Three former Newcastle players have been inducted into the European Hall of Fame - Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley.

Newcastle Manager

The current Newcastle United manager is Rafael Benitez. Benitez took the Newcastle managerial reins in March 2016 on a temporary basis. He couldn’t save the club from relegation, but following praise and support from the Newcastle fans, Benitez signed a long term contract with the club.

Benitez replaced Steve McClaren as Newcastle boss. McClaren was only in charge for nine months but poor form and results saw him leave the club.

Newcastle have seen 11 different managers in ten years, with Alan Pardew being the longest serving manager during this period with 185 games managed between 2010 and 2015.

In terms of matches, Joe Harvey is Newcastle’s all-time longest serving manager, taking charge of 591 games from 1962 to 1975. Harvey also managed the club for three matches in a caretaker spell in 1980.

The first Newcastle United manager was Andy Cunningham. Cunningham was in charge from 1930 to 1935, and won an FA Cup in 1932.

During Newcastle United’s most successful period, from 1904 to 1929, there was no set manager. Instead, the team was selected by a committee.

In terms of win percentage, Chris Hughton is Newcastle’s most successful manager. Hughton, aside from an earlier short spell as caretaker manager, was in charge from May 2009 to December 2010 and won 38 of his 64 games in charge, giving him a win percentage of 59.38. Second in the list is Kevin Keegan, who has a win percentage of 54.98.

Alan Pardew is the only manager to win the Premier League Manager Of The Season award. This was won in 2012.

Sir Bobby Robson is the only man who has managed Newcastle United and been inducted in the European Hall of Fame. Kevin Keegan was also inducted, but as a player and not a manager.

Honours

The Newcastle United honours list consists of four First Division (top tier) titles (1904/1905, 1906/1907, 1908/1909, 1926/1927); six FA Cups (1910, 1924, 1932, 1951, 1952, 1955); one Intertoto Cup (2006) and one FA Charity Shield (1909). 

Newcastle have also won three second tier titles and an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.