🎶 My interview with former #NUFC midfielder Vurnon Anita - on making music under the name JR, the process of writing lyrics, why it’s not easy to be expressive as a footballer, Curaçao reaching the World Cup, retirement and his time at St. James’ Park.

Thanks to Paul Dummett for this interview about what it feels like to become a former footballer. We spoke about retirement, #NUFC, the goal that changed his life, the medical procedure he had in the summer, being 7/10, property and becoming a fan again (he’s heading to Bayer Leverkusen next week).

Enjoyed being part of this behind-the-scenes piece about Bruno Guimarães, brilliantly shot and produced by our video team. #NUFC

Ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby, an interview with Georgia Gibson - on her new role at Newcastle United Women, reaching “a point when I knew my journey was kind of done” before leaving as a player, writing a children’s book and her letter to #NUFC teammates.

Thank you to #NUFC’s Hannah Hawkins for speaking so openly and movingly about her twin sister, Ellen, who died by suicide four years ago. We also spoke about her time in the police and becoming a mum to twins in February. A long read:

My interview with David Hopkinson, #NUFC’s new CEO. “We will execute strategies - I assure you. We will grow - I have absolute confidence in that. But the first job is to listen, and to really understand.”

Some pre-match reading - an interview with Eddie Howe, on the importance of “having something to escape to”, controlling emotions in a deeply emotional place, culture, his pride, the here and now at #NUFC and thinking of his late mum after lifting the Carabao Cup.

It was a real pleasure to work alongside our video team on this feature-length, behind-the-scenes piece with Sandro Tonali and his partner Giulia. #NUFC

Some #NUFC pre-match reading - freeman of Northumberland Dan Burn on his lifechanging fortnight, the baby goat, BDB Walk, the Carabao Cup final, England, dreams being realised, history, the World Cup, lots of emotion and some welcome normality.

So happy for Dan Burn. A brilliant story but he deserves this call-up (and it probably should have come sooner). This, from last season, veered into ‘love letter’ territory at the end, but it’s my favourite of many interviews I’ve done with him over the last few years. #NUFC

It was great to see Newcastle United Women captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs again at @nufoundation.bsky.social as she became an ambassador for the charity this week. Here’s an interview about that role, the impact of sharing her story back in July - and March’s Tyne-Wear derby at St. James’ Park. #NUFC

My first post on Bluesky. Thanks for following!

Here’s an interview with Georgia Gibson - on reaching 100 appearances for Newcastle United Women, growing up in Dubai, leaving teaching to become a professional footballer and her encounter with a legendary figure... #NUFC