While Newcastle United’s success in other competitions makes it difficult to get too animated about it, there is little doubt their FA Cup campaign ended in rather disappointing fashion.
Indeed, Newcastle United were beaten 2-1 by Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round back in March, with the Seagulls also up next in the Premier League.
Anthony Gordon was sent off for Newcastle against Brighton and that red card ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final later that month, albeit Eddie Howe’s side managed to overcome that by beating Liverpool at Wembley.
The FA Cup has not been kind to Newcastle over the years. Even under the current Newcastle United manager and all of his success in cup competitions, the world’s oldest tournament of such format has proven something of an issue, with the quarter-finals the limit of their progress thus far.
The Football Association (FA) have, however, created a new mini-competition in which Newcastle will be represented by Shola Ameobi amongst others.
Shola Ameobi to captain Newcastle United in new FA Cup-themed tournament
On the FA’s official website, the governing body have confirmed the launch of a five-a-side tournament called the ‘Emirates 5’.
Teams will be made up of influencers and non-league players who represented their club in the FA Cup, as well as individuals making a “positive change” in their communities.
The teams competing represent the “Emirates Flight Hubs” in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle.
Ameobi is set to lead the Newcastle side, while Ben Foster is captaining the Birmingham outfit. Shaun Wright-Phillips takes the armband for the Manchester side and Jermain Defoe does so for the London team.
It all begins at 6pm GMT on Wednesday 30 April, 2025.
What does former Newcastle United star Shola Ameobi do now?
The Newcastle United academy graduate retired from football in 2018, having played for Gaziantep BB, Crystal Palace, Bolton, Fleetwood and Notts County upon his departure from St James’ Park in 2014.
Since, the ex-Nigeria international has taken up a behind-the-scenes role at his boyhood club.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 398 | 79 | 43 |
Ameobi is now Newcastle’s loan coordinator, a role which sees him involved in the development of the club’s young players sent to other clubs to cut their teeth.
In 2019, a statement on Newcastle United’s official website read: “The newly-created role is a number of changes made at the club’s Academy with the former Newcastle striker, who has worked with the club’s youth teams, aiming to provide the strongest pathway possible for upcoming young talent at the club.”
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