Howay the Lasses – All Change!
With a big clear-out of players and increased promotion places available, there's plenty for Mark to report on in the Lasses' off-season
Newcastle United Women have released 12 players this summer following the expiry of their contracts, in addition to two loanees who have returned to their parent clubs.
Departing the Magpies will be long-serving trio Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson, and Olivia Watt, who have made a combined 296 appearances.
Lifelong Magpies fan Barker is second in the all-time appearances list on 120 and is the record goal scorer for the club, netting 67 goals in all competitions. Barker on Instagram said:
“I could never of truly imagined how lucky I have been. To be able to represent the club I love, for so many years and doing so wearing the most iconic number on my back. I am forever grateful for being able to live not only my dream but the dream of thousands of other Geordies. NUFC is my greatest love and I’m left with memories to last a life time. So thank you to every single player, staff, fan who’s been a part of my journey I’m forever thankful. You’ve made a little girls dreams come true.”
Gibson closely follows her on both lists, making 102 appearances and scoring 59 goals across her time with Newcastle.
Defender Watt made 74 appearances across her four-year spell, having joined from Middlesbrough, and won Fans' Player of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 season after being a virtual ever-present as Becky Langley's side achieved promotion to the Barclays Women's Championship.
Also departing will be captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs after the club opted to not take up an option in her contract to the amazement of Lasses fans. Stobbs has been an exemplary leader for her childhood club since joining in the summer of 2023. She captained the side to promotion in the 2023/24 season as the Magpies made it to the Women's Championship for the first time. She made 45 appearances, scoring two goals in her time with Newcastle United Women.
But it is not just her work on the pitch that made an impact. She became the first woman to take on the role of Player Ambassador for Newcastle United Foundation and became a role model in the city both on and off the pitch.
Amber Stobbs (also on Instagram) revealed it was a shock for her as well as the fans:
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out after hearing the news, I’ve been blown away by the response and kind words. I have loved the journey and my time at Newcastle United and, although it has come to an end sooner than I expected, it’s a privilege to have played for my childhood club.
I leave knowing that I gave absolutely everything I could both on and off the pitch for the fans and the club. To Wor Fans, (this is by far the hardest part)… you made me and the team feel on top of the world and I will cherish those memories forever. I can’t put into words how grateful I am and how much I loved hearing wor fans, seeing the black and white shirts in their thousands and that unique feeling football has in the Toon. You are truly unmatched. Thank you to all my teammates and the friends I’ve made along the way - you made this experience.
I grew up a Newcastle fan and have now lived a dream that wasn’t a reality in the 90s for young girls like me. I fell more deeply in love with this club, this city and that dream. It’s been an absolute pleasure, and I thank you all so much.”
As previously announced, record appearance maker Grace Donnelly will also depart the club, as well as Hannah Greenwood, Rachel Furness - who retired from playing - Amy Andrews, Sophie Haywood, Daisy Burt, Rebecca Ferguson, and Jodie Bartle. Isabella Sibley and Poppy Pritchard returned to their parent clubs - Crystal Palace and Man City respectively - at the end of their loan periods. A lot of Lasses fans hope Pritchard will return on another loan next season
Newcastle United Women manager, Becky Langley, said: "I wish all of the players the very best for the next step in their careers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything."
Players remaining are –
Keepers: Moan, Hawkins
Defenders: Stokes, Cooper, Potts, Wardlaw, Cataldo
Midfield: Boddy, Kelly, McQuade, Joel
Forwards: Gregory, Lumsden, Hayles, Murphy
At the time of writing, the transfer window for women’s football hadn’t opened and therefore no additions have been made to the squad. As soon as new arrivals start happening, I’ll send in updates.
On Tuesday 17 June WSL Football (the organisation that runs the top two women’s leagues in England – WSL and WSL2) announced that from the 26/27 season the WSL would be expanded to 14 teams, from the current 12. To do this, the 25/26 season will potentially see three teams promoted from the WSL2 and one relegated from the WSL. The bottom team from the WSL will have a play-off against the third placed team in WSL2 to decide the remaining place; whether this is a one-off ‘final’ or, more likely, a home and away round hasn’t been stated.
Going forward after this there will be two up two down between the leagues, with one automatic promotion place and one play-off place. This is really significant for teams in WSL2, as next season could see three teams being promoted and gives clubs the confidence to invest in their women’s team, as it is less of a risk if there’s more opportunity to gain promotion.
For the Lasses, next season will be crucial for the current management team. It has been confirmed that Grace Williams (currently at Crystal Palace) is to be appointed as DoF for the women’s team and the club is aiming to be in one of the promotion spots next season. With the numbers involved in squad turnover, Becky Langley will be under increased scrutiny. Lasses fans hope she does it, but the club’s hierarchy will be as unsentimental in changing management (if required) as they have been in releasing long-standing fan favourite players.
The hope is that the new signings will gel into a close-knit team unit and bring more experience at this (or higher) level. Rumour has it that the European market is being explored more than in the past, so it is likey that the Lasses will have international players representing them as well as the Home Nations and Eire players (Hayes for Jamaica excepted). Will any be playing in this year’s Euros? Time will tell.
Another summer of significant upheaval beckons, although the back-room staff should be in place now to help the new players settle in.
Watch this space for updates and as ever
Howay the Lasses!
Mark Stutt