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Newcastle United might be short on trophies, but they are regarded as one of England's biggest clubs and boast arguably the most fervent following in the Premier League.
Rafael Benitez's men have enjoyed a decent start to the season and already find themselves in the top half of the standings - exactly where their fans believe they deserve to be.
Back in the big time after a one-year stint in the Championship, here are the players who have stuck with them through thick and thin.
#5 Ayoze Perez (1/7/2014)
Attacker Ayoze Perez swapped the sunny Spanish island of Tenerife for Newcastle in 2014 and has since amassed over 120 appearances for the St. James’ Park side. Indeed, he has started all of their seven Premier League fixtures so far this season and has contributed one assist to the cause – against West Ham.
He scored a couple of key goals last term as Rafa Benitez’s side won the Championship, netting notably against Brighton in a vital promotion match then scoring again when they tackled Barnsley on the final day of the season as they sealed the title.
The former Spain Under-21 international is contracted to the club for another four years so is unlikely to move from this list anytime soon.
#4 Jack Colback (1/7/2014)
Made a controversial move from Sunderland back to hometown club Newcastle of a free transfer on July 1, 2014, but has been unable to shine as he would have wished at St. James’ Park. Indeed, the 27-year-old finds himself outside of the club’s Premier League squad for the current season, with his future very much in doubt.
Roy Hodgson might have once likened his abilities to Andrea Pirlo, but few others have seen that side of the central midfielder in recent times. Indeed, he has failed to convince Benitez of his merits, despite being used regularly by the former Real Madrid boss last term.
#3 Massadio Haidara (24/1/2013)
The Frenchman may be Newcastle’s third-longest serving player, but he has turned out only 37 times for them in league action. He arrived as a highly promising youngster midway through the 2012-13 season, one of the Magpies’ additions from a spell they were regularly raiding France, though was the victim of a horror challenge from Wigan’s Callum McManaman that saw him miss a month injured.
Thereafter, the former France Under-21 international has never been able to reassert himself regularly in the club’s plans, though he has been used in every Premier League match so far this season.
#2 Rob Elliot (30/8/2011)
Second-string goalkeepers are the great unsung heroes of their squads, having to work hard to stay focused for every match while knowing there is little prospect of action. Rob Elliot is one of that breed, having arrived at Newcastle from Charlton on a five-year deal in 2011.
Although he stated his intention to become the first choice for the club, he has received only sporadic opportunities in the first XI due to injuries and suspensions. Rafa Benitez has, however, given him the opportunity to impress ahead of Karl Darlow in the opening weeks of this season and he has not let the Spaniard down.
In seven Premier League outings, Elliot has kept a couple of clean sheets and conceded more than one only once this season. Perhaps the gloves are finally his.
#1 Paul Dummett (1/7/2010)
Aged 26, Paul Dummett has been a one-club man, having joined Newcastle’s youth system when he was as young as nine. He signed professional terms with the club in 2010, although spent his formative years with the reserves then out on loan at Gateshead and then St Mirren, in Scotland.
It would be 2013 before he made his Premier League debut against Manchester City, netting his first goal for the club against Liverpool a matter of weeks later. He played regularly without ever nailing himself down as a regular until the Magpies won the Championship last season, during which he played 45 times.
Back in the Premier League, he has found game time harder to come by once again.
