Newcastle United are making it clear that their supporters will get the ultimate say on the design of the club’s new crest.
However, the journey to that final design has already sparked some debate, especially after an image of a potential new badge leaked online.
On Wednesday night at St James’ Park, fans were invited to a workshop event where they saw presentations about the crest redesign and were encouraged to share their thoughts.
This meeting came after concerns were raised by the Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST), who questioned whether the club’s earlier fan survey met the FA’s rules for consulting on changes to a “heritage asset” — like the club badge.
What’s interesting is that club staff confirmed the leaked image is a real design prototype they’ve been working on.
While a brand executive reassured fans that the leaked version isn’t necessarily the final badge, it’s clear the club has started from a place where they believe a new crest is needed — especially one that works better in today’s digital world.
But some fans have voiced worries about the design’s style.
I have to admit, when I saw it, I thought it looked like someone ran the current badge through an anime filter.
My kids watch the show Ninjago, which features ninja-themed cartoons, and that’s exactly the kind of vibe it gave off.
If the leak does anything positive, it’s making sure the club thinks twice before settling on a badge that feels too far from the North East’s identity.
During the workshop, the design team explained the challenges of the current crest.
It’s intricate and doesn’t scale well for digital uses — from tiny social media icons to huge stadium banners.
Plus, embroidery on jerseys has become a headache due to the badge’s complexity, so the new design needs to work better in that regard.
The mood lightened a bit when fan-created concepts were shown, including some humorous ones like Eddie Howe smoking a cigar on the Castle Keep or replacing the traditional seahorses with the Geordie Dancer.
While the change itself isn’t a problem for me, I strongly feel that “consultation” must mean genuine consultation — especially to avoid designs that look more Asian anime than Geordie pride.
What Dan Ashworth’s FA Role Means for Eddie Howe’s Future
Eddie Howe’s name is already cropping up in FA circles as the search for the next England manager begins.
Dan Ashworth, recently appointed as the FA’s first chief football officer, will play a key role in that process.
His remit covers both the men’s and women’s teams, and one of his first jobs will be to work on who will replace Thomas Tuchel when his contract runs out after the 2026 World Cup.
Ashworth is known to hold Howe in high regard — reportedly suggesting him as a successor to Erik ten Hag when he was briefly at Manchester United.
Despite rumors of a falling out between Howe and Ashworth when Ashworth left Newcastle last year, sources say the relationship was always respectful.
Howe appreciated Ashworth’s approach, especially how he didn’t try to fix what wasn’t broken and brought a balanced perspective.
With Ashworth now at the FA, Newcastle should expect interest in Howe if and when England starts considering replacements for Tuchel.
While Tuchel could extend his stay depending on World Cup performance, Howe, at 47, has made it clear he prefers the daily work with club players rather than international management.
Still, Ashworth’s role makes it almost certain Howe will be on the radar.
Eddie Howe Wants to Keep Harvey Barnes as Transfer Talk Swirls
Last week, reports emerged that Aston Villa are interested in Harvey Barnes, while Newcastle have been linked with Villa’s Jacob Ramsey — raising talk of a swap deal that could help both clubs meet Premier League squad registration (PSR) rules.
This idea first came up in January when Barnes was out of Newcastle’s team, and Villa were keen to sort their books ahead of the June PSR deadline.
That deal didn’t happen, especially after Barnes suffered a thigh injury, but chatter about a possible swap is resurfacing.
Newcastle’s message to insiders is clear: Howe doesn’t want to lose Barnes.
The 27-year-old winger has started Newcastle’s last nine matches, scoring four goals and assisting four more, proving his worth in a consistent run since joining the club in 2023.
Barnes is settled in Tyneside, and with Newcastle competing in both the Premier League and Champions League next season, it looks more likely he’ll stay put.
Meanwhile, Ramsey is still admired by Newcastle’s coaches and scouts.
The 23-year-old has two years left on his contract, and Villa might decide this summer is the right time to sell, especially with PSR pressures.
Sven Botman Injury Update Leaves Newcastle Fans Anxious
There’s cautious optimism around Sven Botman’s knee injury after a recent scan showed the problem isn’t serious.
But Newcastle fans have been here before — Botman has had a tricky time with injuries this season.
The 25-year-old defender returned early from a nine-match absence but needed ice treatment during the 2-0 win over Chelsea and was substituted in the 55th minute.
He hasn’t trained in recent days, putting his availability for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal in serious doubt.
Botman suffered a setback after a cruciate ligament injury in January, leading to fears his season might be over.
While there’s still hope he could play again, it seems the sensible move would be to rest him until summer, just like teammate Joelinton’s knee issue.
Newcastle Scouts Eye Borussia Dortmund Duo and Africa’s Rising Stars
Newcastle’s scouting team has been busy. Recently, they’ve been keeping a close eye on Borussia Dortmund players, particularly goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and winger Jamie Gittens.
The club’s need for a goalkeeper is well known. While Burnley’s James Trafford remains their top target, with an asking price of around £30 million, Kobel is also highly rated.
The Swiss international has Champions League experience and was part of the team that kept two clean sheets against Newcastle last season.
Gittens, just 20, is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal.
The England Under-21 star has scored 12 goals this season and offers versatility — he can play on either wing or behind the striker.
His release clause drops significantly if Dortmund fail to qualify for the Champions League, making a move to the Premier League more likely.
Scouts haven’t just been watching Europe. They were also present at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, a tournament known for showcasing future stars like Mohamed Salah and Andre Ayew.
This is all part of Newcastle’s wider strategy to cast a broad net for emerging talent, including the upcoming Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia.
Toon Quiz: Can You Name the Dutch Players Who Have Played for Newcastle?
Here’s a fun one for Newcastle fans. Last week, we asked you to name the eleven players from Spain and Portugal who have played for the club.
The answers included names like Mikel Merino, Ayoze Perez, and Hugo Viana.
This week, the challenge is to name the eleven Dutch players who have pulled on the black-and-white shirt. Think you know your Toon history? Give it a go!