From the weird to the wonderful, Newcastle United’s kits never fail to get fans talking on social media.
We’ve seen front-of-shirt sponsors make or break the design, with so much love for the iconic Newcastle Brown Ale followed by the bright an garish Wonga, who signed a four-year deal during the miserable Mike Ashley era.
In this piece, I pick out my five favourite Newcastle kits – including a few classics the odd forgotten gem – followed by what I believe to be our worst kit of the Premier League era!
5) Newcastle United home kit – 2000/01
The turn of the millennium and another gems from Adidas. It was simple, but the thin black and white stripes, NTL sponsor, thick black colour and blue lining finished it off so well. It wasn’t worn in the most memorable of seasons, however, as Sir Bobby Robson’s Mags finished the 2000/01 Premier League campaign in 11th.
4) Newcastle United home kit – 1993-1995
Worn in our first year in the Premier League – or should I say the ‘Premiership’ – after four seasons in the second tier, the Brown Ale design and buttoned black collar made by Asics saw us come back with a bang. We finished in third, secured European football for the first time since the 1970s and saw Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley bag a combined 65 goals in all competitions.
3) Newcastle United away kit – 1998/1999
Like the 2000/01 kit mentioned previously, this wasn’t worn during the most memorable of seasons at St James’ Park, but this is one of our most underrated away kits, for me. Another gem from Adidas that combined a bold blue colour, with the iconic Brown Ale sponsor, three gold stripes and a V-neck hybrid collar. If you can find it online and gather some sportsshoes discount codes, it’s a hidden gem worth buying.
2) Newcastle United away kit – 1995/96
A kit so good that Puma attempted to recreate Adidas’ design in 2018/19, although their attempt to replicate the 90s classic was ruined slightly by that FUN88 logo. The kit that saw us get so close to Premier League glory and an iconic hooped design that has been tipped to make a return as Adidas prepare to unveil their new shirts for the 2024/25 season.
1) Newcastle United home kit – 1995-97
The Entertainers era, a Newcastle United classic and the shirt that saw Kevin Keegan’s Toon take the league by storm, finishing second in 1995/96 after Sir John Hall invested in Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Tino Asprilla and the one and only Alan Shearer the following year.
Bonus: Worst Newcastle kit of the Premier League era
1) Newcastle United away kit – 2009/10
We ended up winning just about every time we wore it in the 2009/10 Championship season, but this was a rare car crash of a shirt from Adidas. The two-tone yellow strip was a sight for sore eyes and didn’t go down too well with supporters on its release even with Love Discount Vouchers, yet Chris Hughton’s Mags would go on to break the 100-points barrier while wearing it, sealing promotion back to the Premier League in a season that saw Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll, Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi all reach double figures.
