Who is Mark Gillespie? The Geordie who returned to Newcastle United after 12 years

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Mark Gillespie is a professional footballer who plays for Newcastle United as a goalkeeper.

Modern football has seen a strange development where clubs tend to sign far more goalkeepers than they ever need and that’s the case with Newcastle United.

Eddie Howe has four senior shot-stoppers in his squad, not including Odysseas Vlachodimos, who is spending the season on loan at Sevilla.

Mark Gillespie is the man at the bottom of the pecking order but remains an important presence in the squad.

Here’s what you need to know about the local hero.

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Mark Gillespie age and height

Gillespie is a Geordie born and raised, being born in Newcastle upon Tyne on March 27, 1992. As of September 2025, he is 33 years old.

He’s reaching the end of his career and spending his remaining years as the fourth-choice goalkeeper at his boyhood club.

Gillespie stands at 6’3″ tall, allowing him to claim crosses and control his penalty area.

When did Newcastle United sign Mark Gillespie?

A local lad, Gillespie first joined Newcastle’s academy in 2000, aged just eight years old. He would spend his developmental years at the club he grew up supporting before leaving at the age of 16.

He travelled west after being snapped up by Carlisle United and, after spending a couple of years in their youth set-up and returning home to play on loan with Blyth Spartans, became their No.1

After going on to play for Walsall and Motherwell, Gillespie returned to Newcastle after 12 years away.

Gillespie was signed on a free transfer in 2020, penning a three-year deal, and has since gone on to sign two one-year extensions.

Gillespie’s appearances have been limited to just cup games but he was on the bench for the 2023 Carabao Cup final.

Mark Gillespie salary

Gillespie earns £5,900 a week at Newcastle, according to reports, which works out at £306,800 a year.

Only young defender Alex Murphy is on less at St. James’ Park, which isn’t surprising given Gillespie’s minor role in the squad.

Mark Gillespie career stats

Gillespie has enjoyed a senior career that has lasted over 15 years, playing for five teams and making well over 250 appearances.

Here are his career stats in full.

Mark Gillespie social media

Fans can follow Gillespie on Instagram on his account @markjgillespie, which has 36.8k followers.

He also has an X, formerly Twitter, account @markjgillespie.

Praise for Mark Gillespie

Speaking in 2024, Howe explained why he was keeping Gillespie in his squad.

He said:

“Mark’s attitude to his work and his consistency are of the highest order.

“He continues to set an example in how he trains, plays and supports his team-mates, and that’s a hugely important component in any squad. I’m delighted to have him with us.”

Dan Burn has praised Gillespie as well, he said: “Mark Gillespie has been here a long time and he’s a big, big part of our team. People don’t get to see that at weekends. So it was just to show appreciation to him.

“I think we have a group that are together here and this shows it. This is probably the best squad I have ever played with because of that togetherness.”