03/06 - Reserve team coach Alan Thompson leaves to take up a coaching role with Celtic.
08/06 - Following press speculation linking Chelsea with a move for Andy Carroll, Chris Hughton states he has: “not heard anything from Chelsea” and that “we’ve got no intention of seeing Andy Carroll leave Newcastle United”.
05/07 - The signing of Nottingham Forest defender James Perch (24) on a four-year deal is completed for an undisclosed fee. He has made 220 appearances for Forest since making his debut in August 2004.
08/07 - United are reported to be one of a number of clubs interested in Dan Gosling (20) who is a free agent after allegedly reneging on a gentleman’s agreement to sign a new contract with his former employer Everton.
17/07 - Fr: Carlisle 0 Newcastle 3 - Hughton plays entirely different teams in each half with the second-half eleven getting all the goals.
22/07 - Midfielder Dan Gosling’s signing is confirmed with the deadline for Everton to appeal against the FA's decision over his contractual status having passed. The Merseysiders failed to offer him a written contract and are therefore not due any compensation.
24/07 - Fr: Norwich 2 Newcastle 1 - Two goals from Chris Martin sees United beaten in their first outing in the new blue change kit. Faroe Islands international Jóan Símun Edmundsson makes an appearance as a second half substitute.
28/07 - Veteran centre-back Sol Campbell (35) signs on a one-year contract. The free agent admits that “at this stage of my career I couldn't have wished for a better move”. Hughton says that having known him since he was a young lad he is "fully aware of what he has to offer. That is experience, quality, calm assurance and leadership. He's a dedicated professional, a terrific addition to the squad, and I look forward to working with him again." Campbell, has played 496 Premier League games and has 73 England caps. It is rumoured he will receive a hefty £35,000 a week.
30/07 - Krul signs a new four-year contract.
31/07 - Fr: Newcastle 2 PSV Eindhoven 2 - The Dutch side score twice early on, Taylor and Best pull United level after the break.
03/08 - Fr: Deportivo la Coruna 0 Newcastle 0 (3-5 pens) - Newcastle win the annual Teresa Herrera Trophy match after a penalty shootout victory. The Magpies previously appeared in the match in 1960.
07/08 - Fr: Rangers 2 Newcastle 1 - The 4,000 away fans witness a disappointing display, Lovenkrands scores against his former employers for United’s only goal.
07/08 - It is reported that Newcastle have beaten off competition to secure Marseilles midfielder, Hatem Ben Arfa, on a year's loan.
11/08 - An open training session is held at the ground with about 5,000 turning up.
16/08 - Ben Arfa is furious that Marseilles seem to be backtracking on his proposed move to Newcastle. “I am prepared not to play all season. I am just a sack of dirty washing or a piece of s***. I was undesirable three weeks ago and now I’m indispensable?”
16/08 - Pr: Man. United 3 Newcastle 0 - The Magpies battle hard, but the game demonstrates the clear gulf in class between the top of the Championship and the top of the Premiership. It is a comfortable, routine win for the Red Devils.
20/08 - More fallout from the Ben Arfa move as their president complains: “I asked Newcastle to add an automatic buyout clause if they stay in the Premier League. They refused. The English should not take us for idiots”.
22/08 - United agree a deal with FC Twente for combative midfielder Cheick Tioté (24). The Ivory Coast international has agreed terms and passed his medical, but the move is subject to a work permit being granted.
22/08 - Pr: Newcastle 6 Aston Villa 0 - United thrash Villa in a gung-ho performance, although it could have been a totally different game if Villa forward Carew hadn't blazed an early penalty over the bar. Andy Carroll becomes the first United player to score a hat-trick since Michael Owen at West Ham five years ago.
23/08 - Keeper Fraser Foster joins Celtic on loan.
25/08 - Central defender Steven Taylor is transfer listed after failing to agree to a contract extension, it is rumoured he wanted £60,000 a week. He is currently sidelined with a shoulder problem.
25/08 - CCR2: Accrington Stanley 2 Newcastle 3 - Chris Hughton makes 11 changes to the starting line-up as United take on Stanley for the first time. United should have won by more, but the home side put in a dogged performance and a 90th-minute goal from them led to a nervy period of injury time. Home fans earn plaudits for unfurling a banner in honour of Bobby Robson before the kick-off.
27/08 - Following receipt of his work permit Newcastle confirm the signing of Cheick Tioté from Twente Enschede for a fee reported to be in the region of £3.5m. He moved to Holland from Anderlecht in 2008.
28/08 - Newcastle confirm that midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has signed on a season-long loan from Marseille with a view to a permanent transfer. A product of the Clairefontaine Academy he made his debut for France in August. He says “All I am waiting for is to show what I can do in front of the public in Newcastle. The stadium has an ambience that is unique and I feel very lucky to have this opportunity." Newcastle are allegedly also looking at bringing in striker Robbie Keane on loan from Spurs.
28/08 - Pr: Wolves 1 Newcastle 1 - A very niggly encounter in which there are 35 fouls and 12 bookings. The home players are the early aggressors, with Barton singled out, but Newcastle are no angels either. Ebanks-Blake scores for Wolves in the first-half, with a towering header from Carroll deservedly giving United a share of the points.
11/09 - Pr: Newcastle 0 Blackpool 2 - Newcastle's 26-game unbeaten run at St. James' is ended in what Blackpool manager lan Holloway describes as a "phantasmagorical" victory for the Tangerines. Hughton calls it a “reality check”. The Magpies have plenty of possession, but lack conviction in front of goal and concede at the end of each half. Ben Arfa makes his first appearance when he replaces Gutierrez.
17/09 - Alan Shearer reveals that having had an initial meeting with “the appropriate guys” after relegation he believed that he was going to be given the manager’s job. However, he was never contacted by the club again.
18/09 - Pr: Everton 0 Newcastle 1 - Hughton brings in Ben Arfa and Tiote in place of Gutierrez and Smith. The Magpies outwork their hosts in the key areas and a wonder-strike from Ben Arfa secures all three points. On the negative side, Steve Harper suffers an injury after a clumsy challenge from Jermaine Beckford. It is United’s first win at Goodison Park in nine years and takes them up to fifth.
20/09 - Steve Harper is likely to be out for about two months.
22/09 - CCR3: Chelsea 3 Newcastle 4 - Both sides put out largely "reserve" sides, but there is nothing second-class about this exciting encounter in which United are victorious at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 24-years. Premiership leaders Chelsea take an early lead, but United hit back to lead 3-1 only for Anelka to score twice in the last 20 minutes. Then, in the penultimate minute, Ameobi puts United through.
26/09 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Stoke 2 - Although the Magpies dominate in the first-half and Kevin Nolan converts a penalty just before the break, United give the game away in the second-period against the physical Potters. United lack creativity and a cutting edge and the Stoke winner comes when Perch bullets a header into his own net six minutes from time.
28/09 - French midfielder Yven Moho (18) signs on a four-year deal after leaving Sochaux.
02/10 - former player Keith Gillespie has been declared bankrupt.
03/10 - Pr: Man City 2 Newcastle 1 - A disastrous performance from referee Martin Atkinson costs United. After only three minutes, he fails to act on a horrific challenge on Ben Arfa by Nigel De-Jong, not even awarding a free-kick. Then, thirteen minutes later, he awards a penalty when Williamson's challenge appears to be fair and is definitely outside the box. The Magpies battle back to equalise only for Adam Johnson to seal the points for City.
04/10 - X-rays reveal that Hatem Ben Arfa has suffered a broken tibia and fibula of his left leg and will undergo surgery tomorrow. He will be out until March at the earliest.
05/10 - The club issue the following statement: "Newcastle United have today written a strongly worded letter to the Football Association in relation to the tackle by Manchester City's Nigel de Jong on Hatem Ben Arfa in Sunday's Premier League fixture, which resulted in Ben Arfa sustaining a broken tibia and fibula of his left leg. Newcastle United will also be writing to the appropriate body regarding the performance of the match officials, specifically the referee, in relation to a number of incidents during the game, including the tackle on Ben Arfa."
08/10 - The Magpies confirm that Andy Carroll has signed a new five-year contract. In an interview with the club’s website he states: “All I have ever wanted to do is play for Newcastle United." Chairman Llambias states that the club is "dedicated to bringing exciting young players through our youth academy to play for the club."
10/10 - Andy Carroll appears at Tynedale Magistrates' Court in Hexham, charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend Laurie Henderson. Carroll is granted conditional bail on condition that he lives with captain Kevin Nolan. Carroll claims self-defence and the case is adjourned until 10th January.
16/10 - Pr: Newcastle 2 Wigan 2 - James Perch suffers something of a nightmare as he is given the run-around by former United player Charles N'Zogbia, who scores twice in two minutes half-way through the first period. United gradually battle back in what is a scrappy encounter and Coloccini heads in a last-minute equaliser.
19/10 - Assistant Manager Colin Calderwood leaves to become manager of Hibernians.
21/10 - Andy Carroll’s car has been torched whilst parked outside Nolan’s house, with insulting graffiti also being daubed on the garage door.
23/10 - West Ham 1 Newcastle 2 - It is a scrappy game played at a frenetic pace. West Ham start well and Carlton Cole scores after twelve minutes. But they seem to switch off and Newcastle gain the ascendancy and score through Nolan. Newcastle dominate after the break and Carroll heads a winner. The Magpies had eight attempts on target compared to one from the Hammers.
25/10 - At Newcastle Crown Court, Andy Carroll pleads guilty to assaulting a man in a nightclub. He is charged with the lesser charge of common assault, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,500 compensation. Carroll claims that when he threw a drink over Michael Cook in The Blu Bambu nightclub in December the glass accidentally slipped out of his hand, causing the injury to Mr Cook's eyebrow.
27/10 - CCR4: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 4 - United hold their own for the first half and arguably have the better chances, but a comedy Krul own-goal on the stroke of half-time allows the visitors to take the lead. More mistakes, by United and the referee, seal the Magpies fate. Post-match, manager Chris Hughton reveals that the club are standing by him and have promised to open negotiation talks for a new contract at the end of this year.
28/10 - With strong rumours still circulating that Chris Hughton faces the sack the club issue a short statement. “Chris is our manager and will remain our manager and it is our intention to renegotiate his contract at the end of the year.”
31/10 - Pr: Newcastle 5 Sunderland 1 - A dynamic performance in which Nolan scores a hat-trick and Ameobi nets two in a game that Newcastle could have easily scored more. Titus Bramble is sent-off for the visitors just after the break.
07/11 - Pr: Arsenal 0 Newcastle 1 - Newcastle gain their first win at Arsenal since 2001 with Andy Carroll scoring with a header in the last minute of the first half. Arsenal struggle to create chances against the well drilled and disciplined Magpies. However they also ride their luck at times with both Fabregas and Walcott hitting the bar. Koscielny is sent off in the last minute.
07/11 - A story in the News of the World alleges misdoings involving Nolan and Carroll.
10/11 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Blackburn 2 - Sam Allardyce makes his first return to Tyneside following his sacking. Pederson puts Rovers ahead after three minutes and although Carroll heads in an equaliser in the second-half, Roberts grabs a winner eight minutes from time after poor defensive work.
11/11 - Joey Barton accepts the FA's charge of violent conduct for punching Blackburn Rovers winger Pedersen in Wednesday night's match. Barton says: "I fully accept that I was in the wrong on this occasion”. He gets a three-match ban.
13/11- Pr: Newcastle 0 Fulham 0 - An entertaining stalemate, but more dropped home points. The Magpies play well enough, but lack creativity and find Aussie 'keeper Mark Schwarzer in fine form. Fulham come closest to scoring when Dembele hits the bar with a close-range volley.
17/11 - Andy Carroll makes his England debut in the 2–1 defeat by France.
19/11 - With rumours of Tottenham being interested, “Club sources” claim that Andy Carroll is not for sale at any price.
20/11 - Pr: Bolton 5 Newcastle 1 - The Wanderers score from 5 of their 9 shots on target (including 2 penalties) whilst Carroll scores from United's only one. It is a committed and rampant performance by the home side with United's panicky defence having a nightmare. Coloccini is sent-off in the 76th minute for elbowing Elmander and will face a three-match ban.
21/11 - Mike Williamson is charged with violent conduct with regards to a clash with Elmander on Saturday.
23/11 - Williamson is handed a three-match ban meaning that both central-defenders are now suspended.
28/11 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 1 - Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor are drafted in to replace Coloccini and Williamson. The Magpies restore some pride with a battling performance against the title challengers, the returning Tiote providing his usual combative contribution. Carroll scores after only six minutes and leads the line brilliantly; Kalou equalises on the stroke of half-time.
05/12 - Pr: West Brom 3 Newcastle 1 - United lack passion, fight and creativity in a disjointed, dispirited and nervy performance.
02/12 - Mike Williamson and Nile Ranger sign new five-year contracts and Steven Taylor has also been offered a new deal.
06/12 - The club announce that manager Chris Hughton has been sacked. A short statement reads: "The board would like to place on record their thanks to Chris for his considerable efforts during the club's transition from Championship to Premier League club. Chris has shown exceptional character and commitment since being appointed manager in October 2009. The club wishes him well in the future." Reserve team manager Peter Beardsley will temporarily be in charge of first team affairs whilst the club looks for someone "with more managerial experience". Alan Pardew, Martin Jol (who quit as manager of Ajax on Monday), Martin O'Neill and Alan Curbishley are the bookmakers' favourites.
Hughton releases a statement through the League Managers' Association (LMA). "I am immensely proud of my achievements with Newcastle and I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the players, my staff and the supporters during my time as manager. We have built on last season’s momentum following promotion back up to the Barclays Premier League and have produced some excellent results to see us sitting midway in the table at this stage of the season. I now wish them and the club all the very best for the future."
Hibernian manager and former Hughton assistant, Colin Calderwood, admits that although he is shocked at Hughton’s sacking, it is not entirely unexpected. He explains that: “the sort of regime that he was working under. It makes it difficult. You want to know the parameters of the job and they keep changing, and you're not allowed to do what you think's feasible or logical then it becomes very difficult to do your job as well as you can. I think you want to be able to make decisions that affect the whole of the football club at the end it became more and more difficult to do that."
Captain Kevin Nolan reveals that the players are shocked and upset about his departure.
07/12 - The rumour mill throws up a host of uninspiring names: Martin Jol, Alan Pardew, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill.
08/12 - Jol and O’Neill rule themselves out.
09/12 - Alan Pardew (49) is appointed as the new manager of Newcastle and handed a five-and-a-half-year deal. He was sacked by League One side Southampton in August and previously managed Reading, West Ham and Charlton. Although he has managed over 500 games, most of them have been outside the Premier League. “I am honoured and privileged to have been given this opportunity at one of the truly great clubs in English football. Chris Hughton did a great job. It is my aim to build on that now and take this club forward”. He also says he has been assured that Carroll does not have to be sold.
11/12 - Pr: Newcastle 3 Liverpool 1 - Prior to the match protests are staged at St James' Park against the sacking of Chris Hughton. Although police and stewards monitor the situation the demonstrations are largely peaceful. Banners are also unfurled in the Gallowgate End in support of Pardew. Pardew has only had time to hold a single training session, but victory is secured with two goals in the last ten minutes. He dedicates the victory to the players who, in turn, dedicate the victory to Hughton. Pardew says: "I thought the reception was OK. It was negative but I understood that. I need to earn their trust."
14/12 - Barton reveals that “We had a meeting with the chairman on Thursday, before the new manager was appointed and we all said our piece. A lot of the senior players said exactly what they thought and the reason we did is because we care greatly about this football club. We care about pulling on the shirt and going out and performing”.
15/12 - Steve Stone is promoted to first-team coach. Andy Woodman comes in as goalkeeping coach.
17/12 - Leicester coach Chris Powell turns down the opportunity to join Pardew’ s team.
18/12 - Former Newcastle United director Dennis Wise claims that when an offer was made for Andy Carroll during his time at the club he argued for the bid to be rejected whereas "certain people" wanted to sell. He also denies signing Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez, who Kevin Keegan has claimed was "forced" on him.
21/12 - With rumours about Tottenham not going away, Pardew insists again that Andy Carroll will not be sold. "Andy's career path is here. He just has to keep working hard. We have to have a big-club mentality and hold on to our best players."
26/12 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Man. City 3 - Two defensive howlers in the first five minutes put City in command. United fight back well in a furiously contested game and have the visitors rocking at times. But although Carroll scores with another header, Tevez’s shot goes in off Coloccini to restore the two-goal margin.
28/12 - Steve Taylor signs new five-and-a-half-year contract.
28/12 - Pr: Tottenham 2 Newcastle 0 - Although United show no fear and match their hosts for passion and commitment there is a substantial gap in class in what is a feisty affair. And even though Spurs are reduced to ten men for the last twenty minutes, following Kabul's sending off, it is they who double their lead. The Magpies finish the year in 13th.
02/01 - Pr: Wigan 0 Newcastle 1 - United have lost on their last five visits to Wigan, but are well worth the points against the toothless Lancastrians. The Magpies play with commitment, enthusiasm and pace and should really have scored more.
02/01 - Pardew does not rule out a loan move for David Beckham who is allegedly looking for a short-term move during the American close-season. And Tottenham’s Robbie Keane is also thought to be on his wish list.
04/01 - Following Chris Powell and Malky Mackay, Peter Taylor (Bradford) also turns down the choice to come to Newcastle as assistant manager.
05/01 Newcastle confirm the permanent signing of Hatem Ben Arfa from Marseille on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
05/01 - Pr: Newcastle 5 West Ham 0 - Leon Best has only made six previous appearances (as a sub and without scoring) since signing and looked likely to depart. But having been handed his first start he becomes the third United player to grab a hat-trick this season in a very comfortable victory over the struggling Hammers.
07/01 - Tavernier and Edmunsson go on loan to Gateshead and Matthew Grieve goes on a month’s loan to Stockport.
nn/01 - FA R3: Stevenage 3 Newcastle 1 - An embarrassing and humiliating defeat against a side who are 15th in League 2 and were playing non-League football last season. United simply do not deal with Stevenage's strength and power and are disjointed, disorganised and lacking in energy. With United alarmingly off the pace the home players are first to everything. Pardew says "We were running on empty. It's been such a tough sequence of games. Our energy level just couldn't match theirs. In both boxes we got dominated”. Tiote is sent-off for a wild tackle.
10/01 - Birmingham manager Alex McLeish confirms that United have been given permission to speak to midfielder Sebastian Larsson. Tamas Kadar goes on loan to Huddersfield.
16/01 - Pr: Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1 - Steve Bruce talked confidently of revenge in the lead-up to the Wear-Tyne derby, but United are composed and assured and create the better chances. In a scrappy encounter, Nolan back-heels the Magpies into the lead and Gyan equalises in injury-time. A youngster tries to barge into Steve Harper and Malcolm Macdonald is spat on.
17/01 - John Carver returns as coach until the end of the season when his position will be reviewed.
21/01 - Wayne Routledge moves to former club QPR on loan for the rest of the season. Alan Smith is ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
22/01 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Tottenham 1 - For the second game in a row United concede an equaliser in injury-time. Coloccini gives United the lead with a great goal and the Magpies have chances to add to their tally before Lennon punishes their profligacy. Tino Asprilla is a special guest.
24/01 - Ryan Donaldson joins Hartlepool on a month’s loan. The England-U19 international has made six first-team appearances.
31/01- It is transfer deadline day and Andy Carroll moves to Liverpool for a club record fee of £35m. The club state that they rejected Liverpool’s advances until Carroll handed in a transfer request.
31/01 - Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland (24) arrives on loan until the end of the season. Villa signed him from Manchester City for £8m last summer, but he has struggled for form and has not played since early December. The deal nearly fell due to complications with his medical. Pardew states: "He can create chances for others and score goals himself. We think he can be a big factor for us in the second part of this season." Xisco returns to Deportivo on loan for the rest of the season.
01/02 - Pardew admits that “he could not turn down” Liverpool's huge offer, but assures angry United fans that : "I told Mike Ashley that the money has to be reinvested in the team and he agreed that all the money will be used”. Pardew concedes that he asked Carroll to put in a transfer request but denies that he was forced out. "He mentioned he wanted a new deal, otherwise he wanted out and to talk to Liverpool. I told him he had to put that in writing and he did." Carroll claims that he did not want to leave and that "Derek (Llambias) asked me to hand in a transfer request, so I was pushed into a corner and had no choice. I wasn't wanted by them and they made it clear they wanted the money."
02/02 - Pr: Fulham 1 Newcastle 0 - Former player Damian Duff scores the only goal as United limp to defeat at Craven Cottage. United have plenty of possession, but lack accuracy and composure in the final third. They are not helped by the loss of Ameobi after only thirteen minutes.
03/02 - Shola Ameobi is likely to be out for two months after suffering a broken jaw in yesterday’s game.
05/02 The Express claim Newcastle failed in an attempt to lure Thierry Henry from the MLS with a £100,000 per week wage offer.
05/02 - Pr: Newcastle 4 Arsenal 4 - In an incredible match the Magpies recover from being 4-0 down at the interval to draw and very nearly win. In a disastrous first-period United simply cannot live with the Gunners, it is 3-0 after only ten minutes and 4-0 with just over a quarter of the game gone. Williamson and Colocinni in particular given Arsenal far too much space. Some fans decided to leave at half-time. Diaby is sent-off five minutes after the break and Barton scores from the spot in the 68th minute. With United getting into the faces of the Arsenal players and helped by some charitable refereeing, United claw their way back, roared on by the home crowd.
08/02 - Tavernier’s loan to Gateshead is extended for another month.
09/02 - Shola Ameobi undergoes surgery and the club hope he could return quicker than the original estimate of six weeks.
09/02 - The Magpies confirm the signing of striker Shefki Kuqi (34) until the end of the season. The Finnish international was a free agent having left Swansea by mutual consent in January. Pardew explains that: “Shefki will provide us with something different. He's match fit and knows the English game well having been in the country for the best part of 10 years."
12/02 - Pr: Blackburn 0 Newcastle 0 - The defensive resilience of Williamson and Coloccini subdues Rovers’ long-ball tactics and United take the game to their hosts with some slick passing. Unfortunately, they lack the finishing required to make a breakthrough. The home side do not manage a shot on target although Santa Cruz hits an upright early on.
15/02 - Pr: Birmingham 0 Newcastle 2 - United once again take a positive approach on their travels and play with grit and determination. They are resilient at the back and clinical upfront and the victory is fully deserved. Lovenkrands opens the scoring after only two minutes with Best grabbing the second just after the break.
19/02 - The Sun had revealed quotes made by Enrique to a Spanish journalist. "It is flattering that Liverpool are interested. I've also heard that Manchester United and Aston Villa have asked about me. They are both big teams and I'm not closing the door on anyone. I'm ambitious and want to play in the Champions League. I want to win things. I'm OK at Newcastle but I aspire to more. I love the fans here and suffered with them when we were relegated. But we have to be realistic. Newcastle aren't performing well." The player claims that what he actually said has been taken out of context and grossly misrepresented.
23/02 - Pardew talks about the club's transfer policy going forward. "The agenda has been set and I have to work to that. They want players here with value. In defence of Mike Ashley, there are times when players have come to this club with no future value, even though they have been successful. That is an area he does not want to be involved in again. Without naming names, that is something I have to understand. I have to bring players here of a good age who can add value."
24/02 - Chieke Tiote signs an improved six-year contract. Ryan Donaldson’s loan to Hartlepool is extended for a further month.
26/02 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Bolton 1 - United are the better side in the first-half and should have scored more than the Nolan goal they led by. But some over-playing in defence gifts Sturridge an equaliser. Ryan Taylor is sent-off after 54 minutes and United's defence need to battle hard against some concerted pressure.
28/02 - In an interview in the Daily Mail, Tiote reveals that Chelsea made an approach for him on deadline day, but he preferred to live on Tyneside rather than “too busy” London.
04/03 - On Talksport Pardew says: "Mike couldn't get his head round what the football world is about in terms of some of the finances needed - it just doesn't make sense at times. The finances of the football club are so complicated and Mike and Derek are starting to understand and learn from experiences - having made errors."
04/03 Everton’s Victor Anchebe wins an out-of-course case against the club in which he claimed compensation for a challenge by Kevin Nolan (for which he was sent off) in the match in February 2009.
05/03 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Everton 2 - With a rather makeshift side Pardew replaces his normal 4-4-2 formation with a 5-3-2. After a sluggish start Best heads home after 23 minutes, only for Everton to score twice in six minutes to take the lead.
13/03 The Sunday Mirror claims that “one of Asia’s richest men”, Anil Amban, head of the Indian Reliance ADA Group, is interested in purchasing the club and has already been involved in preliminary discussions. They also state that Subrata Roy of the Sahara Group is also interested.
13/03 - A United source tells the Chronicle: "There are no truth in these reports. It's all news to anybody here."
17/03 - David Conn alleges in the Guardian that Andy Carrol may have bypassed FA regulations by getting Liverpool to engage someone on his behalf to see his transfer through.
19/03 - Pr: Stoke 4 Newcastle 0 - Pardew adopts a 3-5-2 formation, but although United deal well with Rory Delap’s long throws, they cannot cope with the Potters' superb wing play. The Magpies have only won one of their last ten games. Enrique, having just returned from injury, limps off with what looks like a recurrence of his hamstring injury.
20/03 - Injured Stephen Ireland is pictured clubbing with Leon Best.
22/03 - Ireland and Best make an apology via the club website.
24/03 - Tavernier is recalled from Gateshead following James Perch receiving a three-match ban for being sent off for the reserves.
29/03 - Donaldson is recalled from Hartlepool.
30/03 - The club accounts for 2009/10 are released. Turnover fell by 39% from season 2008-09, down to £52.4 million, due to the significant drop off in TV and media revenue, corporate hospitality, season ticket sales and commercial, catering and sponsorship revenue. However, gate receipts increased with United having the fourth highest average annual attendance in England, despite being in the second tier. Although the wage bill was cut by 24% , wages as a percentage of turnover rose 8% to 90.6%.
02/04 - Pr: Newcastle 4 Wolves 1 - A comfortable victory which leaves Mick McCarthy’s men in the relegation mire. The fourth, in injury time, is a splendid solo effort from Gutierrez who celebrates wildly on the touchline.
10/04 - Pr: Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 0 - Villa ease their relegation worries with Collins grabbing the only goal halfway through the first period. Although United start well it is a tame performance overall in which United only manage six attempts in total.
11/04 - Following Phil Thompson’s claim that Enrique to Liverpool in the summer is a done deal Pardew claims “there is definitely no deal between the clubs - 100%”.
19/04 - Pr: Newcastle 0 Man. United 0 - The runaway leaders are guilty of sloppy play and although they gradually increase the pressure the Magpies stand firm. Both sides have passable penalty appeals waved away. The forty-point “safety mark” has been reached.
22/04 - Harper may need an operation on his knee.
23/04 - Pr: Blackpool 1 Newcastle 1 - Relegation-threatened Blackpool gain a valuable point and probably should have got two more as they dominate the second period. It is an uninspiring, but resilient performance.
27/04 - Ireland has suffered an ankle injury.
01/05 - Pr: Liverpool 3 Newcastle 0 - Maxi gives the home side the lead after only ten minutes and it is a comfortable victory for the Merseysiders. Carroll, returning from a knee injury, is on the bench and comes on for the last twenty minutes. He makes little impact.
The new home kit is released.
Williamson breaks his arm in training.
19/04 - Pr: Newcastle 2 Birmingham 1 - Although the Blues are just above the relegation zone United make a slow start and the crowd demand “attack, attack, attack!”. Ridgewell is sent off for blocking a Colocinni effort with his hand and Ameobi scores from the spot. Steve Taylor adds a second and Lee Bowyer pulls one back on the stroke of half-time.
15/05 - Chelsea 2 Newcastle 2 - Although second-placed Chelsea dominate possession it is a tigerish performance from United who have more shots on target. Behind after only two minutes they are soon on level terms after Ryan Taylor’s free-kick takes a huge deflection off Gutierrez. Alex seems to have won the game just before the end only for Steve Taylor so equalise in injury-time.
16/05 - Ranger is pictured on the front of The Sun with a replica gun.
22/05 - Newcastle 3 West Brom 3 - Steve Taylor scores for the third match in a row and with half-an-hour to go Newcastle lead 3-0. However the defensive frailties that had dogged them all season resurface and Cameroon midfielder Sam Tchoyi scores a hat-trick, with the third coming in the final minute. The Magpies finish twelfth; a win would have secured ninth-place.
25/5 - The club confirm that Shefki Kuqi and Sol Campbell have both left.
31/05 - Lille Coach Rudi Garcia reveals that midfielder Yohan Cabye has chosen to join Newcastle. The fee is believed to be £4.3m, which is the cost of the release clause in his contract.