The world of football kits is never just about colors and fabric; it’s a canvas for identity, history, and, increasingly, a statement of ownership. Newcastle United’s newly unveiled third kit for the upcoming season has sent the football community into a frenzy of analysis and debate. Featuring a crisp white base adorned with green accents on the crest, trim, and manufacturer’s badge, the design bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic green and white of the Saudi Arabian national team. This launch, reported by leading sports outlets, has inevitably refocused the spotlight on the club’s ownership and the intricate relationship between sport and state. Here at Crickex, we delve into the details, the context, and what this means for the Magpies moving forward.
A Closer Look at the 2024/25 Third Kit
The kit itself is a departure from last season’s all-blue third strip. It presents a clean, white shirt where the traditional black and white of Newcastle is replaced by a striking green for the club’s crest and the Castore logo. The neckline and sleeve cuffs also feature this same green trim, creating a cohesive and visually distinct look. While the design is modern and sleek, its color palette is what tells a deeper story.
The Inevitable Saudi Connection
The visual link to Saudi Arabia’s national colors is impossible to ignore. This connection gains significant weight when considering the club’s ownership structure. In October 2021, a consortium led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) completed a £300 million takeover of Newcastle United. While the Premier League approved the deal after receiving “legally binding assurances” of separation between the Saudi state and the club, the relationship remains a topic of intense scrutiny.
Football governance experts, like those often cited in analyses from Crickex, point to the challenging reality of drawing a clear line. The PIF is chaired by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and is the central engine funding the nation’s “Vision 2030” project, which explicitly includes investments in global sports. As Felix Jakens, Head of Campaigns at Amnesty International, noted in a recent interview, “The idea that there is a firewall between the two doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.” The kit, whether intentionally symbolic or not, acts as a constant visual reminder of this complex partnership.
Historical Context and Fan Reaction
It’s worth noting that this is not Newcastle‘s first foray into green. The club had an away kit in the 2019/20 season that was predominantly green, and a third kit in 2014/15 also incorporated the color. However, the specific combination of green and white, executed in this particular manner alongside the current ownership, gives this iteration a different resonance.
Fan reaction has been mixed. Some supporters view it purely as a fresh, alternative kit for cup competitions and specific away matches, embracing a new chapter for the club. Others express discomfort, seeing it as an overt branding exercise that aligns the club’s visual identity too closely with its state-backed owners. The debate plays out vividly on social media and fan forums, highlighting the ongoing process of adaptation for the Toon Army.
The Broader 2024/25 Campaign
The kit reveal comes amidst growing excitement for the new season. The Magpies, under manager Eddie Howe, have solidified their position as a top-half contender with ambitions for European football. The fixture list for the 2024/25 season promises thrilling encounters, starting with a home match against a recently promoted side. Key dates include a high-profile clash with the reigning champions in late August and a poignant anniversary match in early October, marking another year since the transformative takeover.
The club has also already launched its classic, beloved black-and-white home jersey, a strip that remains sacrosanct to the Geordie faithful. The away kit is still under wraps, leaving room for further surprise as the summer progresses.
Crickex‘s Final Whistle
Newcastle’s Striking New Third Kit: A Nod to Saudi Ties or Mere Coincidence? The answer likely lies somewhere in between. In the modern football landscape, a kit is rarely just a kit. It is a piece of merchandise, a symbol of allegiance, and sometimes, a geopolitical footnote. Newcastle United’s new green and white attire is a powerful emblem of the club’s new era—an era defined by unprecedented investment, heightened expectations, and an inescapable link to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Whether fans choose to wear it with pride or skepticism, it undeniably marks the latest step in the club’s fascinating journey. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on the pitch, but the story being told by the shirts on the players’ backs will continue to be a compelling subplot.
What do you think about Newcastle’s new third kit? Is it a smart design or a step too far? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow Crickex for more in-depth analysis of the biggest stories in football.
