There has been a change to Newcastle United’s pre-match playlist at St James’ Park lately.
The Newcastle United players have traditionally listened to the sound of Local Hero moments before kick-off, with Sam Fender even stealing it for his walk-on song during his concerts.
However, the pre-match sound inside St James’ Park has recently been tweaked.
Rather than being played earlier in the build-up, the Blaydon Races is actually being used as the players prepare to start the game. As for Local Hero, that is now earlier in the pre-match playlist.
It is a change that has not gone down well with supporters, and now the reason for the change has been revealed.
General view of St James' Park before Newcastle United vs Spurs in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Newcastle United players requested Local Hero switch
Ahead of Newcastle United vs Athletic Club in the Champions League, Wor Flags have addressed the song changes on X.
They have stated that the reason the club have made the changes is at the request of the Newcastle United squad and coaches, who want to hear fans singing as the game begins. Because of the nature of the song, that is not possible with Local Hero, but it is with the Blaydon Races.
The intention feels similar to what Liverpool do with You’ll Never Walk Alone before their games at Anfield.
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As well as encouraging supporters to get behind the musical change, Wor Flags have also reminded the Toon Army to bring their black and white scarves to another massive night of Champions League football inside St James’ Park.
Many have noticed a change in the order of songs pre-match at St James’ Park in the last couple of weeks.
The club have told us the decision to swap Local Hero with the Blaydon Races before kick-off was done primarily at the request of the players and coaching staff, who want… pic.twitter.com/2fXpaw91fA
— Wor Flags 🏴🏳 (@worflags) November 4, 2025
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When did Newcastle United start using Local Hero?
Written by legendary musician Mark Knopfler, who was born in Glasgow but raised in Blyth, Local Hero was released in 1983.
The exact date it was first used at St James’ Park is unknown, but it is believed to have been Newcastle United’s regular pre-match song since the early 1990s.
It is an iconic anthem that is loved on Tyneside, while it creates a special roar inside St James’ Park as the final beats blare out through the stadium’s speakers.
The decision to change its place in the running order is curious, and it has understandably not gone down well with a lot of Newcastle United supporters.