Newcastle United FC

Visiting Portman Road on Saturday will be one of the most iconic teams in English football. Both teams have enjoyed incredible success in the past, owing much of it to the same man, Bobby Robson. Statues of Sir Bobby stand outside both stadiums. Before the game, let’s head up the East Coast and #GetTheBadgeIn for Newcastle United FC @NUFC.

Starting in 1882 as two rival cricket teams (East End vs West End), they began kicking a ball around in winter to stay fit. A common enough origin story, but that's about all that is "common" about this team and its city.

Let's start with the name: Newcastle City's coat of arms features three castles, not just the one on the football badge. So, what are they?

Castle 1: The city sits at one end of Hadrian's Wall (hence "Wallsend"). On high ground near the River Tyne, it was an ideal site for a Roman fort, allowing easy shipment of men and materials to defend the border.

Castle 2: The "New" Castle, built in 1080 by William the Conqueror's son Robert Curthose, followed the Norman motte-and-bailey design. These castles were quick to build, used local materials, and acted as bases for Norman troops. Northumbrians resisted fiercely, and during the "Harrowing of the North," thousands were killed, and crops burned to starve survivors.

Castle 3: In 1172, Henry II rebuilt the wooden castle in stone. The Black Gate, added later, still stands with the Keep today. Visitors should take a short walk from St James' Park to see these incredible structures. The castle saw action during the Barons' Wars and the Civil War, when Parliamentarian forces surrendered to the Scots.

So that’s Newcastle—a tale of three towers. The second gave the city its name, and you can still see the Keep on Newcastle's badge.

The city’s coat of arms features a lion carrying the St George Cross, symbolising its role defending against the Scots. On the team badge, the white has turned blue—though the reason remains unclear to me. Did Iceland invade? If anyone knows, shout.

What about the seahorses? They represent the city’s seafaring heritage. Newcastle’s dockyards built much of the British Merchant and Royal Navy. "Tyne Built" became a respected mark worldwide. Iconic images of the town's working classes (who nonetheless could get well paid ship building jobs) playing footie in the streets as the hulking great ships on the horizon were being welded together come to mind.

Local man William Armstrong, of Armstrong Whitworth, pioneered innovations like ironclad ships, rotating bridges, hydro-powered homes, and breech-loading artillery. Advocating renewables for efficiency, he funded schools, museums, and hospitals. His last project was restoring Bamburgh Castle, which remains in his family.

Lastly, coal. Before the Industrial Revolution, Newcastle coal powered trains, ships, and homes. Colliers—ships carrying coal—delivered it nationwide. Ipswich’s River Orwell saw its share, supplying its coal-fired power station, which ran until 1985.

That’s Newcastle: military bastions, seafaring power, industrial hub—and home to a storied football team.

I have a soft spot for Newcastle United. I just hope they have a horrible day on Saturday. 😉