Tag Archives: #nufc

️ 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 

⚽ Sunday: The Toonverse Chronicles:  001

Week 1

Why I’m Raising a Black-and-White Wizard

The first item of baby clothing I bought? A mini NUFC shirt. Not a bottle, not a onesie. A Toon top. Because for me, football isn’t just about sport—it’s about belonging.

Welcome to The Toonverse Chronicles, where passion meets parenthood, and raising a Newcastle fan becomes an emotional training montage worthy of the empire strikes back—but with more wafer thins.

🪄 The Magic of It All: 
Our bedtime stories alternate between Alan Shearer and Albus Dumbledore. We celebrate goals like spell-casting victories. Somewhere between match replays and wand battles, my little one started to get into it.

⚽ Lessons from the Gallowgate End:
– Loyalty isn’t about never losing—it’s about never walking away.
– Tradition matters—rituals like wearing black and white or doing silly half-time dances are part of family identity.
– Hope, even when we’re 2–0 down in life, makes everything worthwhile.
– Raising the little one like the Carabao Cup whilst she is giggling and I like every other Geordie is on cloud nine – Priceless.


💡 Favourite Moment: 
The day I got to put my youngest in her first proper toon top. there is nothing like it.

🏁 Full-Time Thoughts: 
It’s not just football. It’s not just parenting. It’s shared belief. And that, to me, is a kind of magic. It is going to be a magic we all feel when we start going to the lasses matches next season as the youngest is just about old enough now.

🚀 Saturday: Mission Logs 001

Log 001: First Contact with Sleep Deprivation

Stardate: Week 3 of parenting my 4-week-early little girl. 
Log Entry: Time: 01:13. Status: Half-dressed half-asleep. Tea: Redundant. Partner sleeping, just, waiting for the 3am feed time.

This is the first of my Mission Logs—personal, unfiltered dispatches from the frontlines of dad hood. I’ll be honest: nothing prepared me for the wild silence of a sleeping Mamnaut and baby… except maybe training in sleep deprivation while on guard duty.

💤 The Incident: 
It was approaching midnight, and the bottle was prepped there was a sleepy silence throughout the house. It was now time to awaken the shrieking shack!

🔦 My Survival Tips:
– Embrace the behaviour exhibited by the Mamnaut, speak softly cuddle the little one in and slowly wake up the mamnaut. The goal is to head upstairs!
– Accept imperfect wins. There had been screaming and named football chants sung like lullabies but I was now ready to feed the little one.
– Create a sleep pattern that works: Mamnaut slept from 10-12 am on the sofa, we went to bed at midnight and then the Mamnaut had a broken sleep until 2:30 am to prep the 3 am feed, and I slept from 1 am until 5:30 am ready for the 6 am feed! It isn’t perfect but we are getting used to it!

🚀 Status Report: 
We made it through. Slightly haunted, heavily caffeinated, and—surprisingly—more connected to my little one than ever. It’s funny how the hardest moments teach us the most about love especially when you are looking down at them having a feed at 12:30 am when everything in the world feels calm again.