Newcastle's new home kit design almost does something not seen since Carabao Cup win - Opinion

Newcastle United's fanbase, like every other, is made up of very diverse people with differing expectations and reactions to stories.

It's a big part of why we love what we do. We get to give our two pence worth and read your comments on our take on things.

Social media is always an interesting place to be, watching our fans, who let's remember all share a pretty big thing in common overall, fight with each other over every little thing.

It's very rare that the factions are truly united, but one such day was the 16th March 2025, when Newcastle United ended their 70-year hunt for domestic silverware. Everybody was on the same page once again, euphoric and united. It was magnificent.

We've not seen that for a long time, though, especially this season, where the debate over whether Eddie Howe deserves the chance to right the wrongs of this season has created a massive rift in the fanbase.

Sometimes hate is a great unifier

However, while not fully repairing that rift, the confirmation that the leaked images of next season's kit have definitely brought the factions closer together with the power of negativity.

The new design, which is really not helping us shed this 'barcodes' moniker that the Mackems find so hilarious, has been almost universally panned by fans.

There are those who have criticised the design but admitted they'll still buy it, but people have not held back on their thoughts of the overall design and positivity in that regard is hard to find.

Hot take incoming!

But you know what? I like it. I showed it to my family at the weekend, and they all liked it too. We all said the same thing - It's something a bit different.

Look, I get it, it's a wild design compared to what we're used to and not since the 1980's have we had a kit with different-sized stripes (I liked that one too, for the record). 

It's still black and white, it's still stripes. It's still very identifiable as Newcastle United, and that's what counts for me. There's a lot of opposition to any type of change amongst our fanbase, as we saw with the stadium debates and now the fact that we're upgrading our floodlights, which gives the club the potential to put on light shows before the game - something that may not even happen, but the mere thought has sent shivers down the spines of the entire fanbase.

I'm not opposed to a light show pre-kick off, it just feels like the natural evolution of the pre-match music. I get the argument of it feeling tinpot and reeks of trying to create atmosphere from nothing, but before the game is fine. With music, Wor Flags and flashy lights, it just warms up the crowd. What I will never stand for is goal music. That's when you lose me. 

Change is scary, but change can be good. And when it comes to this kit, love it or hate it, it's only for a year.