Tag Archives: Geek Parenting

️ David Hopkinson – A Global Visionary for NUFC’s CEO Role

Newcastle United’s boardroom evolution continues, and one name rising to the top of the CEO shortlist is David Hopkinson, a seasoned executive with a global pedigree in sports and entertainment. If appointed, Hopkinson would succeed Darren Eales, who is stepping down due to health reasons after a transformative tenure at St. James’ Park.

Hopkinson’s résumé reads like a masterclass in sports business leadership. He’s currently the President and COO of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp, overseeing iconic franchises like the New York Knicks and Rangers. Before that, he served as Global Head of Partnerships at Real Madrid, where he managed commercial strategy for one of the world’s most valuable football clubs. His earlier career includes over two decades at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, where he was Chief Commercial Officer, driving revenue across teams like the Toronto Raptors, Maple Leafs, and Toronto FC.

What makes Hopkinson a compelling fit for Newcastle? First, his expertise in venue management could be pivotal as NUFC explores stadium redevelopment, including the proposed move to Leazes Park. His strategic oversight of venues like Madison Square Garden and the Las Vegas Sphere shows he understands how to turn iconic locations into revenue-generating hubs without compromising heritage.

Second, Hopkinson’s track record in global partnerships aligns with Newcastle’s ambitions to expand its brand internationally. His work with Real Madrid’s billion-strong fanbase and his leadership in securing naming rights deals (like Scotiabank Arena in Toronto) demonstrate his ability to unlock commercial potential while respecting club identity.

Finally, Hopkinson’s Canadian roots and board-level experience—including roles with Canada Basketball and Women’s College Hospital Foundation—highlight his commitment to community engagement and inclusive leadership. That ethos could resonate well with Newcastle’s passionate fanbase and the club’s growing women’s and academy programs.

In short, Hopkinson offers Newcastle a rare blend of global vision, commercial acumen, and venue strategy. If appointed, he could be the architect of NUFC’s next chapter—one that balances ambition with authenticity.

Let us know what you think of this potential appointment 

🚀 Welcome Aboard the Dadnauts Mission💂‍♂️

Hello, I’m Darren—a former Guardsman turned full-time dad, part-time blogger, full-time nerd and full-time worker!

I started Dadnauts to document a mission that never really ends: raising kids while staying true to your passions, personality, and even your inner Jedi.

This isn’t just a parenting blog. It’s a transmission from the edge of chaos and creativity—where matchdays collide with nappy changes, lightsabers turn up in the sock drawer, and bedtime feels more like a boss battle than a routine. If that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.

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🧭 Why “Dadnauts”?

I wanted a word that captured the sense of exploration that comes with fatherhood. Something that said, “you might not know what you’re doing, but you’re giving it everything you’ve got.” Like an astronaut being handed a pram and a banana-streaked toddler and sent to explore Sector 7B (otherwise known as “soft play”).

Dadnauts is about navigating the unpredictable, blending your past with your present, and finding joy in the small victories—like a warm cup of tea or a goal scored during nap time.

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🗓 What You’ll Find Here

To keep this space fun, focused and useful, I’m sharing four different blog series, there will be one post per series a week. Here’s the mission roster:

🛠 Wednesdays — Dadnaut Toolkit
From time management to snack diplomacy, these posts offer field-tested ideas to stay sane, creative, and intentional. It’s the Guardsman in me, still drawing up plans and finding structure—just now there are bottles and lots of routine changes involved.

🪄 Thursdays — Wands, Wookies & Wipeouts
Where fandom meets family life. We’ll dive into Hogwarts house parenting styles, Star Wars snack tactics, and those moments when your kid refers to you as “Darth Dadious.”

🚀 Saturdays — Mission Logs
These are honest weekly reflections from the thick of it. No sugar-coating. Just the real stuff—wins, fails, funny bits, and everything in between.

⚽ Sundays — The Toonverse Chronicles
Football means something different when you’re introducing it to your kids. Expect black-and-white pride, bedtime chants, and reflections on passing down a sense of community, belonging and belief.

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🫡 Who This Is For

If you’ve ever changed a nappy with one hand while holding a toy wand in the other—welcome aboard.

If you’ve tried to sneak in writing time after bedtime but got ambushed by your own exhaustion—you’re not alone.

And if you believe being a dad doesn’t mean giving up your interests but growing into them with your kids—you’re a fellow Dadnaut already.

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📡 What Comes Next

The first Dadnaut Toolkit post drops this Wednesday—followed by fandom chaos on Thursday, reflection on Saturday, and football & fatherhood on Sunday.

Until then, grab a cuppa, scroll through the mission logs, and maybe follow along on X @Dadnauts for sneak peeks, outtakes, and snack-fuelled side quests.

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Thanks for being here, 
Darren 
Former Guardsman, Current coordinator, full-time Dadnaut!

https://twitter.com/dadnauts?s=09