There are many words that can and could describe the announcement of those departing the Newcastle United Women’s squad at the end of a good consolidating season in the Barclay’s Woman Championship.
A season that saw Wor Lasses eventually finish 5th in the table with more wins than losses but perhaps too many draws. A third successive promotion was never a realistic aspiration but in the cold light of day United were probably closer than some think.
It all means that now after establishing themselves in the Division they are hell-bent on launching an all-out attack on the League next season when promotion is without doubt the goal.
It means therefore that players have to come in and as we discovered yesterday players have to go. Is it ruthless? Is it business? Is it surprising? Is it inevitable? Is it progression?
To me all of those words resonate and can be used as we say goodbye to at least 14 players from this year’s squad. Yes, 14! Some will be sadly missed and represent that ambition The Club undoubtedly has. Ambition. Another word thrown in there!
Departing the Magpies will be long-serving trio Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson and Olivia Watt, who have made a combined 296 appearances.
Barker and Gibson both joined the club back in the summer of 2020 from Sunderland’s development team and played key roles in Newcastle United Women’s back-to-back promotions from the FA Women’s National League Division One North and the FAWNL Northern Premier Division.
Lifelong Magpies fan Barker is second in the all-time appearances list on 120 and is the record goalscorer for the club, netting 67 goals in all competitions.
Gibson closely follows the forward on both lists, making 102 appearances and scoring 59 goals across her time with Newcastle.
Defender Watt made 74 appearances across her four-year spell, having joined from Middlesbrough, and won Fans’ Player of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 season after being a virtual ever-present as Becky Langley’s side achieved promotion to the Barclays Women’s Championship.
I think many expected Georgia and Katie to move on. They have been magnificent servants for the Club and played a huge part in getting United to where they are today. But the reality is that the Club has perhaps reached a level they are not quite at.
Liv Watt was more of a surprise to me. Always a more than capable defender I would have retained her for squad purposes. That said she wouldn’t have been a starter and with those that might be coming in would have perhaps dropped further down the pecking order.
We’ll never know the full ins and outs of why anyone leaves, well hardly ever anyway, but perhaps Liv wants to play and not sit on the bench or not make the squad. Whatever I sincerely hope that all three mentioned stay in the game and get something they want.
The biggest shock on the list and the one that has caused most discussion since her name was announced is the departing captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs after the club opted to not take up an option in her contract.
Stobbs has been an exemplary leader for her childhood club since joining in the summer of 2023. She captained the side to promotion in the 2023/24 season as the Magpies made it to the Women’s Championship for the first time.
But it is not just her work on the pitch that made an impact. She became the first woman to take on the role of Player Ambassador for Newcastle United Foundation and became a role model in the city both on and off the pitch. She will IMHO be a massive miss.
As previously announced, record appearance maker Grace Donnelly will also depart the club, as well as Hannah Greenwood, Rachel Furness, Amy Andrews, Sophie Haywood, Daisy Burt, Rebecca Ferguson, and Jodie Bartle.
Plus, you can add in Isobel Sibley and Poppy Pritchard who have returned to their parent clubs Crystal Palace and Manchester City respectively after loans ended. There is hope and rumours that Pritchard might return on loan and that would be a welcome development.
But to be fair I don’t think any of those are a major shock. It never quite happened for Andrews and Haywood at United whist Furness always looked like a short-term signing. Perhaps Greenwood is a little bit of a surprise but the times they are a-changing.
Newcastle United Women manager, Becky Langley, said: “I would like to start by saying a huge thank you to all of the players that are leaving the club this summer. They have all contributed to this fantastic journey that we are on, and it would not have been possible without them.
“Georgia, Katie and Liv’s impact over the years has had a huge influence on our progress as a team, and they each created memories and moments that will forever be remembered by the club and the supporters.
“All three players have made a huge impression on me personally and professionally.
“Amber has been a passionate, dedicated, loyal and committed captain. She led the team to new heights and I’m so proud of sharing this journey with her.
“I wish all of the players the very best for the next step in their careers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.”
So, virtually every player that were involved with Wor Lasses when I first started covering and following them closely has now gone. I guess that’s modern-day football in a nutshell and shows things never stand still.
But now the excitement can start and anticipation can begin to build. 14 players out means there are lots to come in and we await those developments with bated breath and then some!