Newcastle United have strengthened their support for players released from their academy system over the last five years through the 'Next Phase of Play' group, which encourages ongoing conversations with youngsters after their departure from the club.
A thriving WhatsApp group buzzes with regularity and several events, such as a darts competition held at St James Park's Platinum Club and featuring world No 16 and lifelong Magpies fan Chris Dobey, have been held in recent months with more to follow.
Although the competitive nature of the former United academy players is all too evident, the overall feeling of the night is more of solidarity, togetherness and shared experiences.
Diverse paths after leaving the academy
Some, such as current Hartlepool United duo Jack Hunter and Luke Charman, are still playing full-time, professional football and are making a career in the game. Others have found professional careers outside of football but are playing for clubs across the North East's highly-competitive non-league scene.
In one instance, Josh Nicholson, football is now a thing of his past and he is pursuing a career as a pilot. Lewis McNall, the eventual winner of the players' tournament and Dobey's final opponent of the night, has been forced to retire from playing due to persistent injuries.
Founder's vision for staying connected
Everyone has their own tale to tell and everyone is willing to listen - and that is the most important factor for Academy Safeguarding Manager and founder of the 'Next Phase of Play' group, Julie Smith.
She told Chronicle Live: "The idea for the group came from wanting to stay connected with the boys who were leaving and then looking back at boys that had left in the past because there was a disconnect."
"The release process was very different back then and we didn't want their memories of the club to be tarnished. It started from three lads in a group that had just been released and now we have over 100 members, with the oldest member being Paddy McLaughlin, who is now 35."
"We started in 2021 and we were one of the first clubs to put something like this together. There is a big push on supporting players with mental health and that has to extend to academy alumni. We offer guidance, we offer career advice and we look to support the players in every way we can."
Club stalwarts on the importance of aftercare
At a time when player aftercare and mental health have become major talking points within the game, the need to remain present throughout a challenging time is essential for academy manager and club stalwart Steve Harper.
He said: "I was a professional footballer for a long time and my mental health journey is on the record as well - so I've lived some highs but football is incredibly tough and the lows probably outnumber the highs."
"There is a romantic picture of football and what you see on television - but it's incredibly tough. The support for players is essential and we have a responsibility to be there for the players."
There are several on-field success stories from Magpies academy alumni with former Under-21s captain Owen Bailey now a firm favourite with League One club Doncaster Rovers and the likes of Kell Watts, Lewis Cass and Adam Campbell forging careers in the professional game.
However, with the demands of breaking into football at the top level of the game increasing with every passing year, Harper, who made over 187 first-team appearances for the Magpies, believes the academy can quantify success in several forms.
"We are very honest at the point of entry just how difficult it is to become a professional footballer," he explained. "We want every player to leave the academy better for the experience and it is incredibly difficult but the friendships, the memories, the life skills are very important."
"One of the big talking points in the academy is a board showing players that aren't in football now - but they are in employment with a skill set that links back to their time in the academy. That is a success."
Former players reflect on the group's impact
Former Under-21s captain Jack Hunter is another that has enjoyed on-field success after remaining in the professional game with Gateshead, Hartlepool United and FC Halifax Town, winning the FA Trophy at Wembley with the latter in 2023.
The versatile midfielder is still a prominent figure with Hartlepool and is captaining the National League club during what has already been a challenging campaign in non-league football's top tier.
For all of the progress made during his time in the professional game, Hunter still reflects positively on his time with the Magpies academy and the bonds forged during that time remain prominent in his mind.
He said: "It's special that everyone can come together and Julie, who put this together, has made a real difference to us all by bringing us back together. We've all shared the same experience, we've all been through the same process and we all get on together because of that."
"There is life after Newcastle United and nights like tonight prove that. We all love the club and it was always about finding something you love after leaving Newcastle and everyone here tonight seems to be doing that."
"But keeping conversations going and being there for each other, and the club still staying connected with us, means so much."
Former Newcastle United academy players wishing to join the 'Next Phase of Play' group are asked to contact Academy safeguarding manager Julie Smith at julie.smith@nufc.co.uk.
