Sometimes, even the friendliest fan moments can turn into close calls — and that’s exactly what happened this week at Newcastle United’s training base in Benton.
After a near-miss involving a player’s car and a young autograph-seeker, the club has decided to make a firm call: fans are being asked not to gather near the training ground entrance.
According to insiders, a senior player was left shaken when he almost hit a supporter who stepped too close to the road while trying to get a signature.
The issue was quickly raised with club staff, and officials wasted no time tightening safety measures.
The lane leading to Newcastle’s training base has long been a tight squeeze — it’s used not just by players and coaches, but also by pedestrians and heavy construction vehicles working on the facility’s expansion.
Unfortunately, fans have taken to waiting in the road or even at traffic lights to approach cars for selfies or signatures.
While the club loves its passionate fanbase, this week’s incident has forced them to put safety first.
Players have now been instructed not to stop their vehicles near the entrance, and supporters have been asked to avoid congregating there altogether.
William Osula Staying Put Despite Transfer Interest
On the transfer front, striker William Osula won’t be going anywhere in January — despite strong interest from both Premier League and European clubs.
Sources close to the club say everyone at St. James’ Park is in agreement: Osula’s growth has been phenomenal, and even if another team matched the £30 million deal that almost took him to Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, there’s simply no better option on the market for that price.
The 22-year-old has been playing through an ankle injury that’s kept him from training his finishing properly, but his performances have continued to impress.
He was hours away from joining Frankfurt on deadline day before the German side tried to switch the move to a loan — prompting Newcastle’s owners, PIF, to walk away.
Aston Villa also came close to signing him, but UEFA’s financial rules blocked the deal.
In hindsight, keeping him was a blessing, especially after Yoane Wissa’s injury.
Osula will now see out the season on Tyneside, and once his ankle fully heals, the club expects him to improve even further.
One fan even joked online that Osula “runs like Mbappé” — and while that might raise eyebrows, his sprinting style really does have a similar gait.
If Real Madrid ever come calling, that comparison might not sound so far-fetched.
Graeme Jones Staying Focused on Newcastle, Not Sweden
Another key figure staying at Newcastle is coach Graeme Jones, who has played a major role in developing players like Osula and Nick Woltemade.
Jones was recently contacted by his friend Graham Potter about possibly becoming his assistant with the Swedish national team.
However, Newcastle made it clear they want Jones fully focused on the club.
The coach has been vital to the Magpies’ setup, mentoring younger players and helping refine their technical skills.
After Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Spurs, Jones and Osula were even seen deep in conversation on the pitch long after the crowd had gone home — a testament to his commitment.
“Local Hero” Missing at St. James’ Park
Fans at St. James’ Park noticed something odd before last weekend’s win over Fulham — the iconic “Local Hero” walk-out song didn’t play.
It turns out it wasn’t intentional; a technical glitch silenced the Mark Knopfler classic just before kick-off.
While some supporters have suggested removing pre-match music altogether, the missing anthem proved how much it adds to the atmosphere.
The roar of the crowd couldn’t quite fill the void, and many are hoping “Local Hero” returns without fail next time.
A similar hiccup occurred before Wednesday’s match against Spurs, when the planned moment of silence after The Last Post had to be scrapped.
Fans instinctively applauded the bugler’s performance, prompting referee Chris Kavanagh to go straight to kick-off.
Even so, it remained a touching tribute to Remembrance Day.
Mixed Injury Updates Ahead of West Ham
On the injury front, there’s a blend of optimism and caution for Eddie Howe’s side.
Lewis Hall has made a quick recovery from a hamstring issue and could be fit enough for the bench against West Ham this weekend.
However, Yoane Wissa’s return from a knee injury will take a little longer. While some reports had tipped him to make the West Ham game, sources say Brentford on November 9 is a more realistic comeback date — depending on whether the swelling around his knee settles in time.
Late-Night Training Sessions Under the Lights
With such a packed fixture schedule, Newcastle are squeezing every bit of preparation time they can.
After Wednesday’s win over Tottenham, players stayed behind for late-night training drills under the floodlights at St. James’ Park.
Performance director James Bunce and Howe see these post-match windows as crucial.
Wingers Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy were among those still training more than an hour after full-time — finishing so late that some of their teammates had already left the stadium.
Fixture Changes on the Horizon
Newcastle’s fixture list could soon look a little different.
The Premier League is expected to confirm new TV schedule adjustments for December and early January.
Early indications suggest that Newcastle’s trip to Manchester United might move from December 27 to a Boxing Day evening kick-off — potentially making it the only Premier League game on December 26.
Meanwhile, the Magpies’ visit to Burnley could also be pushed back, possibly to New Year’s Day.
Nothing’s official yet, but those are the whispers floating around the fixtures department.
Toon Teaser
Last week’s question asked which Newcastle player with a surname starting with “W” scored for the club in Europe — alongside Nick Woltemade.
The answer? Steve Watson, who found the net in the 5–0 win over Royal Antwerp back in 1994.
This week’s brain teaser is themed “ABC”: Newcastle face Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final — can you name six players who have represented both clubs with a surname starting with A, B, or C?