Newcastle United are going to have a new longest serving player next season following a major announcement from the club.
Fans have been expecting a summer of change at St James’ Park, and that is exactly what is going to happen. Newcastle United have now released their retained list, with some experienced figures due to leave the club when their contracts expire.
The two biggest names that will be departing are Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett, with the latter having spent his entire career on Tyneside. But he will need to find a new home, with the Magpies taking the decision not to extend his or Ritchie’s contract.
Eddie Howe did want to keep both players, but the lack of European football means that they are no longer required. Therefore, the decision has been made to call time on their Newcastle United careers.
It is an emotional moment, as two Toon mainstays wave goodbye to the club they have called home for so long.
Paul Dummett’s Newcastle United career comes to an end
For Dummett, Newcastle United has always been his home. He grew up a Toon fan, supporting the club and having a season ticket at St James’ Park.
Then he went from the stands to the pitch, becoming a Newcastle United player and going on to make his senior debut in August 2013. In total, he would make 213 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring four goals along the way.
He has experienced relegation in black and white, as well as promotion. He experienced the highs and lows, and was fortunate to still be at the club when Eddie Howe guided Newcastle back into the Champions League.
Howe is building something special at St James’ Park, and has relied heavily on players like Dummett. While he has not featured a lot under Howe, he has been a major standard setter behind the scenes. Howe has always praised the impact that Dummett has had, but now the time has come to say goodbye.
Paul Dummett showered with support from past and present Newcastle United players
As his Newcastle United career comes to an end, Dummett has taken to his official Instagram account to reflect on more than 20 years as a Magpie.
He has looked back on his 12 years in the first-team, thanking his family and friends for their support, as well as the Toon Army. Dummett has also paid tribute to the work of Eddie Howe, describing him as an ‘amazing leader’.
The 32-year-old ended his message my reminding supporters that he will always be ‘one of your own’, with his post leading to a plethora of replies from Newcastle United players, legends and fans.
So many current Toon players replied to Dummett, paying tribute to him as he prepares to leave St James’ Park.
Tino Livramento wrote: “Thank you bro.”
Fabian Schar added: “What a guy. What a miss.”
“What a guy! All the best brother,” wrote Sven Botman on his Instagram story.
There were also messages from Lewis Hall, Harrison Ashby, Joe White and Isaac Hayden, as well as former teammates Ryan Taylor, Chris Wood, Tim Krul and Dwight Gayle.
“Different class mate. Top player better lad, all the best mate,” commented Ryan Taylor.
Dummett also received support from Toon legend Shay Given and darts superstar Chris Dobey, as everyone associated with Newcastle United takes the chance to thank one of their own.
You will struggle to find anyone say a bad word about Dummett. He has been an incredible professional for Newcastle United during his career, and has always been reliable and committed. He will be a great asset to whoever signs him next, and it will be interesting to see where Dummett ends up.
With Dummett leaving, Jamaal Lascelles becomes Newcastle United’s longest serving senior player.
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