Black and White Branding: Newcastle United Shirt Sponsors

Football remains one of the number one betting sports in the UK, ranging from punters Betting on non-league football to those making their picks for the latest Premier League action. 

For much of the past 20 years, Newcastle United have been a team most bettors would look to back against rather than entrust with their hard-earned cash, but following the 2021 takeover of the club, things are beginning to change, with the Magpies once again in the ascendancy.

In addition to qualifying for the Champion’s League, the North East Club has made the sports sponsorship news this year, with top lifestyle company Sela stepping in to become the main shirt sponsor. Sela are the latest in a long list of firms to have sponsored Newcastle United, and here we look back at the history of companies to have emblazoned the famous black and white shirt.

1980 – 1986: Newcastle Breweries – Newcastle Breweries, often referred to as Newcastle Brewery, is a historic brewery in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Founded in 1890, it’s known for producing iconic British beers, including Newcastle Brown Ale. While the brewery has a rich history, the brand has seen various ownership changes, and its beer is still enjoyed globally.

1986 – 1990: Greenall’s Beers – Greenall’s was a historic brewery founded in St. Helens, Merseyside in 1787. Later expanding to consume the Groves & Whitnall, Davenport, and Shipstone Breweries, the company began to trade as Greenall Whitley & Co Limited before moving away from the beer industry to focus on pubs and hotels in 1991.

1990 – 2000: McEwan’s Lager & Newcastle Brown Ale – McEwan’s Lager is a popular Scottish beer known for its smooth flavour. It’s produced by the Caledonian Brewery and enjoyed for its traditional taste and quality. Newcastle Brown Ale is a famous British beer known for its rich, malty flavour. It originated in Newcastle upon Tyne and is cherished for its distinctive taste and iconic branding.

2000 – 2003: NTL – National Television Limited (NTL) was a prominent British cable television and telecommunications company. Founded in the 1990s, it offered cable television, broadband internet, and telephone services. NTL played a significant role in the development of the UK’s digital and cable TV infrastructure. It later merged with Telewest and Virgin Mobile to become Virgin Media.

2003 – 2012: Northern Rock – Northern Rock was a British building society turned bank that suffered a severe financial crisis during the global banking crisis of 2007-2008. It faced a run on deposits and was nationalized by the UK government in 2008. Subsequently, its assets were sold to Virgin Money in 2012. The crisis had a significant impact on the UK banking sector.

2012 – 2013: Virgin Money – Virgin Money is a British financial services brand. It operates as a retail bank, offering a range of financial products, including savings accounts, mortgages, credit cards, and personal loans. Founded by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, it’s known for its unique branding and customer-focused approach to banking, serving customers in the UK.

2013 – 2017: Wonga.com – Wonga.com was a British online payday loan company. It offered short-term, high-interest loans to consumers. However, its lending practices faced criticism for their high rates and aggressive collection methods. Wonga became synonymous with controversy and was the subject of regulatory scrutiny. The company ceased operations in 2018, following numerous legal and financial issues.

2017 -2023: Fun88 – Fun88 is an online gambling and sports betting company. It operates internationally, offering a variety of betting options, including sports betting, casino games, and live dealer games. Fun88 is known for its sponsorship deals with sports teams and events, particularly in the world of football, and provides a platform for online gaming enthusiasts.

2023 – Present: Sela – Sela is a company that specializes in curating experiences, organizing events, and promoting destinations in Saudi Arabia. Back in 1997, Sela pioneered the sports industry in Saudi Arabia, and since then, it has expanded its influence into the realms of entertainment and culture. Today, Sela is a prominent figure in the region’s leisure and recreational sectors.