August 23rd 2003, St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne~

''And it's Bellamy on the ball, Shearer...over to Jones. The 18 year old breaks forward...one two with Dyer. Jones is in!''

''Crunching tackle by Keane, Jones isn't happy he feels he's been taken out.''

''You fuckin took me out!''

''Quit your crying Jones, it was a fine tackle!''

''A flair up between Keane and Jones, Alan Shearer is going over to defuse Jones anger.''




''It's Bellamy with a through pass...Jones gives chase. And out of nowhere Roy Keane has slammed Jones! The Newcastle striker is down on the floor, Sir Bobby Robson is outraged!''

''It's red...Keane is off and Jones is on the stretcher. That is a potentially serious injury to the Newcastle striker.''



12 years later...


''Dad, where are we going. I thought we were going to the new house?''

''Got something to do first. Won't take long.''


End of Introduction...

August 23rd 2003, and the career of Newcastle United's young striker Omar Jones is ended after a reckless challenge by Manchester United's Irish captain Roy Keane.

12 years later he's back in Newcastle, but this time he's the manager.

Last season was a tumultuous campaign for the Toon Army, after Pardew's 'back from the dead' antics ultimately ending in him returning to Crystal Palace, his assistant John Carver took over and did worse. With Newcastle scraping survival on the final day of the season after a 2-0 victory over West Ham.

A final day win over West Ham scraped survival for the Toon last season.

This summer has seen the Magpies faithful finally answered, with Mike Ashley spending big on Serbian hitman Aleksandar Mitrovic and PSV captain Georginio Wijnaldum. There is a growing, yet quiet sense of optimism on Tyneside.

The arrival of Mitrovic among others has lifted the mood in Newcastle.

The long term plan is clear, by appointing the 30 year old Jones who is now the youngest manager in Premier League history. But who is Omar Jones? Name ring a bell? Here's why.



Born in Audenshaw, Manchester on December 21st 1984. Omar Jones came through the ranks at boyhood club Manchester City and made his debut in 2001 and scored 7 league goals in 18 Championship as the Citizens gained promotion back to the Premier League.

He solidified his status as one of City's star players in the 2002/03 campaign with 12 Premier League goals in 28 appearances. As City placed 9th in the table.

Jones now a had a growing reputation in English football and had interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle. It was the latter of those three that won his signature, Sir Bobby Robson's charm winning him over to sign for Newcastle for a figure of £6,300,000. And it proved money well spent as he formed a potent trio with Geordie legend Alan Shearer and Welsh terrier Craig Bellamy (pictured) and scored 14 league goals in 35 league games.


Much was expected of Jones going into the 2004/05 season but his season, and career, was cut short after an argument with Manchester United hardman Roy Keane lead to him being pole axed by the Irishman, giving him a torn anterior cruciate ligament and forcing him to retire.




Jones has quickly affirmed himself as a wheeler dealer in the transfer market, securing two signings already as he has surprisingly brought in former Chelsea and Arsenal left back, Ashley Cole as well as Real Sociedad playmaker Ruben Pardo.

Out of favour at Roma, Cole has returned to England after just one season in Italy and should add experience and quality to the Toon backline. And given their defensive frailties in recent seasons, they're going to need it.

Fee: £250,000

Wages: £50,000 per week


Cole is back in England, but is he welcome?


Soon after it was announced Ruben Pardo would also be joining up with the squad in a £8,000,000 move from David Moyes' Real Sociedad. He should add plenty of creativity to the midfield as well as providing more than enough chances for Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez.

Fee: £8,000,000

Wages: £20,000 per week


Pardo has been bought to add creativity to the midfield.




However Newcastle have also let some deadwood go, having so far sold two players.

The first was Yoan Gouffran, having arrived in January 2013 with a reputation as a fairly prolific goalscorer in French football. Gouffran flopped in the Premier League scoring just 11 goals in 81 league appearances, he's now gone back to Ligue 1 in a £3,500,000 move to LOSC Lille.

Fee: £3,500,000

Wages: £28,000 per week (Newcastle pay £3,500 until 30/6/2017)


Gouffran has struggled to adapt in England and has returned home to France.


Then Steven Taylor was sold to Leicester City, after 12 years service in the Newcastle first team. Left to accommodate Chancel Mbemba's arrival and Jamaal Lascelles returning from his loan at Nottingham Forest to form the new centre back partnership at St James' Park.

Fee £2,500,000

Wages: £31,000 per week


Taylor has finally bid goodbye after more than a decade's service.


The transfer business looks far from over for Newcastle United with PSV Eindhoven captain Luuk de Jong and Leeds full back Sam Byram both heavily linked. The future is starting to look brighter for Newcastle.