Newcastle United will send their first team to Gateshead for a friendly game to kick off their pre-season preparations closer to home.
The Magpies - who head to the United States for the Premier League summer series - will warm up for that trip against the Tynesiders. And the fixture is certain to revive memories of Kevin Keegan sending his Entertainers to the International Stadium for a friendly encounter back in 1995 when the likes of David Ginola and Les Ferdinand were on show.
A Newcastle statement read: "United have announced a pre-season friendly against neighbours Gateshead at the International Stadium next month.
"Eddie Howe's side will kick off their preparations for the 2023/24 campaign against the National League side, managed by former Magpies favourite Mike Williamson, on Saturday, 15th July (kick-off 12:30pm)."
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Howe has always spoken of a willingness to work with Gateshead and said last season: "I've always believed in the links locally, they're so important. So we can help them, they can help us in different ways.
"I think it helps everyone in the local community if you can have good strong relationships with the clubs in and around us."
Tickets for the Heed game will be sold exclusively online from 10.30am on Wednesday, 14th June via Gateshead's website, with a limit of four tickets in each category per order. The fixture should sell out with Gateshead's current capacity listed at just over 11,000.
Prices are:
Adults (22 to 64-year-old): £20
Concessions (over-65s, Blue Light, Armed Forces - serving and veteran): £15
Young adults (17 to 21-year-old): £10
Youth (16 and under): £5
Youths aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
