Women. Twelve players to depart Newcastle United Women

Howay the Lasses
Published
a few seconds ago
Team
Women

Newcastle United Women will release 12 players this summer following the expiry of their contracts.

Departing the Magpies will be long-serving trio Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson and Olivia Watt, who have made a combined 296 appearances.

Barker and Gibson both joined the club back in the summer of 2020 from Sunderland's development team and played key roles in Newcastle United Women's back-to-back promotions from the FA Women's National League Division One North and the FAWNL Northern Premier Division.

Lifelong Magpies fan Barker is second in the all-time appearances list on 120 and is the record goalscorer for the club, netting 67 goals in all competitions.

Gibson closely follows the forward on both lists, making 102 appearances and scoring 59 goals across her time with Newcastle.

Defender Watt made 74 appearances across her four-year spell, having joined from Middlesbrough, and won Fans' Player of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 season after being a virtual ever-present as Becky Langley's side achieved promotion to the Barclays Women's Championship.

Also departing will be captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs after the club opted to not take up an option in her contract.

Stobbs has been an exemplary leader for her childhood club since joining in the summer of 2023. She captained the side to promotion in the 2023/24 season as the Magpies made it to the Women's Championship for the first time.

She made 45 appearances, scoring two goals, in her time with Newcastle United Women.

But it is not just her work on the pitch that made an impact. She became the first woman to take on the role of Player Ambassador for Newcastle United Foundation and became a role model in the city both on and off the pitch.

As previously announced, record appearance maker Grace Donnelly will also depart the club, as well as Hannah Greenwood, Rachel Furness, Amy Andrews, Sophie Haywood, Daisy Burt, Rebecca Ferguson, and Jodie Bartle.

Greenwood joined in the summer of 2023 from Durham and went on to make 48 appearances for the Magpies, scoring five goals.

She was also part of the side that earned promotion to the Women's Championship in the 2023/24 season, winning Manager's Player of the Season.

Furness, a lifelong Magpies fan, returned to the club last summer going on to make 18 appearances, scoring two goals.

Andrews made the move to Newcastle United Women from Durham in the summer of 2024. She made 22 appearances for the club, scoring four times, as well as winning Sela Player of the Month in February.

Forward Haywood made 11 appearances after arriving from Sheffield United last summer. She spent the second half of the season on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Burt made a total of 37 appearances, spending spells on loan with Middlesbrough and Derby County in recent campaigns.

Ferguson made 47 appearances, scoring 21 goals since the start of the 2021/22 season and spent last season on loan at Boro.

Bartle made 7 appearances during her time with the club.

Newcastle United Women manager, Becky Langley, said: "I would like to start by saying a huge thank you to all of the players that are leaving the club this summer. They have all contributed to this fantastic journey that we are on, and it would not have been possible without them.

"Georgia, Katie and Liv's impact over the years has had a huge influence on our progress as a team, and they each created memories and moments that will forever be remembered by the club and the supporters.

"All three players have made a huge impression on me personally and professionally.

"Amber has been a passionate, dedicated, loyal and committed captain. She led the team to new heights and I'm so proud of sharing this journey with her.

"I wish all of the players the very best for the next step in their careers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything."

Related Content