Football, without a doubt, is one of the most beloved sports in the world. With millions of fans across the globe, Football is a sport that brings people from all walks of life together. There are so many ways for fans to get in on the action. Fans can watch live matches or keep up with the latest English Premier League predictions to bet on the winning team.
With an impressive track record, it’s no surprise that football club Newcastle United has one of the biggest fanbases in English football. If you’re a longtime magpie or a newbie, learning about your favorite club is always fun!
Take a trip down memory lane and learn new NUFC facts you didn’t know before. Here are some fun facts about the football club that you should know.
- Newcastle United’s First-Ever Recorded Match
The football club’s first-ever recorded game was on the 3rd of March 1877. It took place at the Elswick Rugby club. The two teams in the match were formed on the spot—eight against nine players. What were the results? The nine-piece team ended up winning the match. This match birthed Newcastle’s first-ever club, Tyne Association.
- Founded 128 Years Ago
Despite the football association being formed in 1877, Newcastle United was formally formed on December 9th, 1892.
- League Titles
Newcastle has won four League Titles in the years 1904-1905, 1906-1907, 1908-1909, and 1926-1927. They were definitely on a winning streak!
- Newcastle United’s Badge
The football club’s badge originates from the fourteenth century. Newcastle Upon Tyne’s Coast of Arms is a depiction of the city’s heritage. The badge has a Norman-era castle in the middle with two seahorses on each side–signifying the city’s seafaring past.
- The Badge’s First Appearance
Ever wonder when Newcastle United’s players first wore the team club’s infamous badge? The first time the team wore their club badge was during the 1910 FA Cup final.
- Wore Their Rival’s Colors First
Believe it or not, back in 1892, the newly-formed Newcastle United wore red and white. It was changed two years later to the now infamous black and white stripes. The colors red and white are the team colors of NUFC’s rival team, Sunderland.
- Magpie Shirt Badge
The club first introduced the Magpie shirt badge in 1976. In 1988, the badge incorporating a coat of arms with a black and white shield was introduced. It is still worn by the club’s supporters today.
- The Player with the Most Goals
So, who is the player who has scored the most goals? Football legend, Alan Shearer holds the most goals by a Newcastle player. He has scored a whopping 206 goals from 1996-2006.
- Players with the Most Goals in a Game
Andy Shearer along with Jermain Defoe, Andy Cole, and Dimitar Berbatov all hold the most goals scored in a single game by an individual. Each football star scored 5 goals.
- The Invention of Windscreen Wipers
Here’s an unexpected one. Newcastle United’s official club photographer, Gladstone Adam, came up with the idea of windscreen wipers. He had his lightbulb moment while driving home in the snow. Finding it difficult to see through his car windows, he thought of a device that could automatically clean your windscreen as you drove.
- The Highest Transfer Fee
Players from team to team in the football league. The highest fee received for a Newcastle player is £35m. This was for England’s Under 21’s star Andy Carroll in January 2011.
- Players with the Most Goals in a Season
Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer hold the record for the most goals in a 42-game Premier League season. They both scored 34 goals.
- The Player with Most Appearances
So, who’s the most active player in NUFC history? Playing around 496 matches in his career between 1904-1922, Jimmy Lawrence holds the record for the most appearances for Newcastle United.
- Dominated the FA Cup during the 1950s
Newcastle United won the FA Cup trophy three times in just five years. The team beat Blackpool (1951), Arsenal (1952), and Manchester City (1955).
- Active Since the Beginning
Newcastle United has had a long and victorious run since its inauguration back in 1892. Aside from the teams who have been active in the top flight every EPL season, Newcastle United has played the most games since the very beginning.
- First Sponsorship Logo
If you watch any football match today, you’ll see every player on the field sporting jerseys with sponsorship logos. Ever wonder who was NUFC’s first public sponsor? Newcastle United’s players’ first wore sponsored shirts were with the Blue Star. The infamous blue star logo first appeared during the 1980-1981 season.
- The First Time They Wore Numbers
Back in 1928, Arsenal was the very first football club to wear numbers on their shirts. A few years later, at the start of the 1939-40 season, Newcastle players sported numbers for the first time.
- The First #12 Player
Wonder who first worse the #12? Back in 1965, the very first Newcastle United player to wear the number 12 jersey during a match was Ollie Burton, the club’s first substitute.
- Fan-Made Jerseys
According to a football historian at Sheffield University, it was Newcastle United fans who first wore replica shirts at football matches. The first sighting was during the 1973-74 season.
- The St James Park is One of the Oldest Stadiums
Every Newcastle United fan has either stepped foot or is familiar with St. James Park. But, did you know? The football club’s home ground since 1892, is one of the oldest and largest football stadiums in the UK. The stadium has hosted some of the most legendary sports events in history.
After taking a look at these interesting facts, Newcastle United has had a long and rich history. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new one, there’s definitely more to learn about this victorious football club. While keeping up with the latest Newcastle United updates is important, taking a trip down memory lane is a definite must for every magpie out there.
