15 hours Ago By [email protected] (Aaron Stokes)
Newcastle United's pre-season plans are slowly starting to come together as the Magpies prepare for a busy summer ahead of their return to European football. Eddie Howe's side end their Premier League campaign - at home to Everton - on May 24 before a period of rest and recuperation for players and staff. This time around there will be no post-season friendlies just days after the culmination of the top flight season, after last year facing Tottenham Hotspur and the A-League All-Stars in Australia shortly after rounding off their domestic fixtures with a win at Brentford.
“I don’t think it’s something that, being honest, in my position you’re saying, ‘I want to go’,” Howe said when asked about his view on the Australia trip last year, after watching his side endure a physically gruelling season. “But I understand the club’s position and we will back it if the club say we’re going.” While there is no plans to return to Australia this summer, United have received a wealth of ticket interest for the Singapore Festival of Football in late July.
Tickets for the clash between Arsenal and Newcastle went on sale at two stages last week, with a seat in the 'away' NUFC end costing $208 [£116.89]. The 'festival' will also see Arsenal hold an open training session in the country, while the Gunners will also play AC Milan four days before the Newcastle meeting.
Mikel Arteta's side are also scheduled to face rivals Tottenham Hotspur on July 31 in Hong Kong, with unconfirmed reports suggesting United will take on Ange Postecoglou's men in South Korea at the beginning of August. "Having Singapore as part of our pre-season will provide a special experience for supporters in Asia, and we’re looking forward to seeing them and playing in front of them in July," Howe said earlier this year. Last summer saw United jet to Japan for fixtures against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F.
Marinos in Tokyo. Fan events were also held, allowing Japanese supporters, and those who had flown in from other parts of the world, the chance to meet some of the club's senior stars. "As we grow and build, we have to make a great effort to engage with all of our fans in different regions and build those fan bases," Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Silverstone, said during the Japan visit.
“I think this trip to Japan has been justified by seeing what it has meant to the fan base here. “In order to grow as a club, we have to grow internationally. That international growth impacts sponsorship, merchandise, retail, Adidas etcetera so engaging and growing in foreign markets is vital - that is what we are committed to doing.
” Closer to home Newcastle are expected to shortly announce a friendly with Celtic, at Parkhead, for July with the two clubs meeting for the first time since 2004. United travelled to Glasgow two years ago for a showdown with Rangers at Ibrox. Plans are also in the works for a third consecutive edition of the Sela Cup at St James' Park, set to be held before the Premier League opener in mid-August.
In previous years, the likes of Girona, Stade Brest, Fiorentina and Villarreal have arrived on Tyneside for the two-day spectacle..
