There was some exciting news yesterday that former, and long-term, Magpie Matt Ritchie has landed at a new club. It’s familiar terrain for Ritchie as he returns to where is all began with Portsmouth.
Here is the announcement of Ritchie’s return to Fratton Park.
It's official. He's home. ??#Pompey pic.twitter.com/narRiQJKQa
— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) August 6, 2024
The Gosport-born winger began his career with Pompey joining their academy at age 13 in 2002. He made 10 appearances before departing for Swindon Town in 2011, after a loan spell.
Ritchie’s rise then gained steam with long-term stays at Bournemouth and of course, Newcastle United. Ritchie was released this summer after 8 seasons at St. James’ Park. He now has a new challenge back at Portsmouth on a two-year deal.
Interestingly, Matt isn’t the only former-Magpie who’ll grace the Fratton Park this season. Former-youth striker Elias Sorensen returned to England earlier this summer and he’ll link up with his elder ex-teammate.
The 24-year-old Dane had a breakout campaign for Esbjerg FC in the Danish second-division with 26 goals and 15 assists. He started this season strong with a goal and 4 assists in just two matches before Portsmouth swooped in to land him late last week.
We wish both Matt and Elias the best as Portsmouth begin their return to the Championship against Leeds this Saturday.
***I’m not decided on the future of the blog at the moment. With the season kicking off soon, I will try to put out a few posts a week with a focus on matches and transfers***
149 comments so far
Davas
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:20 PM
Comment #41Missed this yesterday
https://x.com/NUFC/status/1820886053340807333
JaveaToon
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:23 PM
Comment #42Davas…Were you supposed to be at training like? ๐
hkgeordie
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:24 PM
Comment #43Neil,
Great to see the blog still rolling. Best wishes to you and all the family.
Very pleased for Matt Ritchie a good lad who always gave everything for the Toon and will always be welcomed. Letโs hope in years to come we are saying the same about our current and new team. HWTL.
Davas
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:25 PM
Comment #44Javea
๐
Mund
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:28 PM
Comment #45Mike McGrath
@mcgrathmike
Transfer notebook: West Ham look at Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier as they assess right-back options
#NUFC #WHUFC
Legolas
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:37 PM
Comment #46Neil, great to hear from you. Thatโs all thatโs needed a post a week, would do. Some bloggers have offered to help, why not give someone access to police the blog for you. It would be great to still have this blog to view. Thank you.
WLtoon
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:39 PM
Comment #47The bookies seem to have it in for us anarl now,
EH 6-1 fav for the sack
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:53 PM
Comment #48that means he is 1-6 to stay. money for nothing and your cheques for free.
lesh
Aug 7, 2024 at 11:05 PM
Comment #49Legolas
There’s no need to give someone access to police the blog – Jail’s there, doing it and without owner endorsement too.
๐
Fat Basta*d
Aug 7, 2024 at 11:10 PM
Comment #50I’m not a saddo who craves fookin hearts ffs
That’s your besty Fatty fenners and his motley crews
Macas
Aug 7, 2024 at 11:25 PM
Comment #51Lesh
To be fair Ed did say that he wouldn’t be able to police the blog anymore and that we should do it amongst ourselves.
Mund
Aug 7, 2024 at 11:45 PM
Comment #52In the words of Elsa let it go
Fat Basta*d
Aug 7, 2024 at 11:46 PM
Comment #53Stfu crusty eyes
lochinvar
Aug 7, 2024 at 11:51 PM
Comment #54Neil is back in Toon,
So good to see,
It goes without saying that your Dad will not be forgotten as he is ingrained in Geordie folklore. Best wishes to ‘Jessie’ in our thoughts and all family.
There really is a strong sense of belonging provided through the blog and its global so wonder if any of the Japanese fans will appear now as NUFC spreads the word.
HWTL
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 8, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Comment #55No pressure, no drama, but I think it’d be splendid if the blog continued. Splendid. I’d be very happy.
The overrated Frenchman
Aug 8, 2024 at 12:53 AM
Comment #56I wonder if it would help keep the blog running if there was a voluntary subscription?
carltoon
Aug 8, 2024 at 2:16 AM
Comment #57OMG thank you Neil, let’s try keep this blog going,
Good luck Matt Richie.
lesh
Aug 8, 2024 at 2:20 AM
Comment #58Macas
Yes, Neil made it clear that he and Jess wouldn’t have the time to police the Blog.
And as I said, Jail’s taken it on himself to act as Blog polis, moderator cum censor. And it appeared he’s got the support of at least a couple from Fenham’s lackies!
Well done Jail.
lesh
Aug 8, 2024 at 2:21 AM
Comment #59Lochinvar
There really is a strong sense of belonging? Really?
carltoon
Aug 8, 2024 at 2:24 AM
Comment #60And !!!!!!
Just a shout out to all the brilliant people in this fantastic Island, WE ARE GREAT BRITAIN. and don’t ever forget it.
Especially the gorgeous spectacular Geordie Nation.
I did start to doubt, but we came out to protect our beautiful City and send a very powerful message.
HWTL
BLACK AND WHITE ARMY. let’s win this Premier League.
carltoon
Aug 8, 2024 at 2:25 AM
Comment #61Love the new Tonali and Ginola advert.
Not another deJong
Aug 8, 2024 at 6:01 AM
Comment #62Excellent, I now have a free run at the 20,000th comment.
Hibbit
Aug 8, 2024 at 6:28 AM
Comment #63Thank you Neil ๐
Wor B
Aug 8, 2024 at 6:29 AM
Comment #64Only for Regan to stick his leg out on 19.999. ๐
Not another deJong
Aug 8, 2024 at 6:35 AM
Comment #65Regan
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Comment #27
Anyways..
Moving house shortly so wonโt be around for a while..
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Has he flipped and gone over to Discord
Not another deJong
Aug 8, 2024 at 6:36 AM
Comment #66๐
Regan
Aug 8, 2024 at 6:52 AM
Comment #67No chance mate.. ๐
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 8, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Comment #68I feel like that marathon runner at the Greek Olympics ๐
JaveaToon
Aug 8, 2024 at 7:25 AM
Comment #69Regan’s been posting on Discord from the start, he’s known as TDS over there tho ๐
Wor B
Aug 8, 2024 at 7:26 AM
Comment #70I recommend you keep away from the javelin event.
Regan
Aug 8, 2024 at 7:38 AM
Comment #71TDS..
another one with a sense of humour bypass..
Definitely not me.. ๐
JaveaToon
Aug 8, 2024 at 7:42 AM
Comment #72๐ ๐
Hibbit
Aug 8, 2024 at 7:55 AM
Comment #73reading through Discord is like watching paint dry,
Here has it’s faults but at least it has a soul. to many folk on here jumped ship to quick.
the king is dead long live the king,
JaveaToon
Aug 8, 2024 at 8:03 AM
Comment #74Hibbit…They “jumped ship” though cos they got sick of trawling through the pathetic childish crap on here. They aren’t the ones to blame for the demise of this place.
JaveaToon
Aug 8, 2024 at 8:09 AM
Comment #75Demise, not really the right word but you get my drift. Just mean less posters and most of the ones who’ve stayed post much less.
Hopefully though, now Neil is back…long live the blog.
Hibbit
Aug 8, 2024 at 8:10 AM
Comment #76Javea
good to see you back,
i know the reasons and i’m not blaming them but they are part of the problem.
carltoon
Aug 8, 2024 at 8:13 AM
Comment #77Javea, how’s your lovely town doing, we’ve sold the camper, so probably never get back.
Hope you’ve not being going for an early morning dip in the sea, I’ve never quite got over seeing that bloke coming out nacked. Put me right off me coffee.
๐ฎ
JaveaToon
Aug 8, 2024 at 8:19 AM
Comment #78Hibbit…Thanks. I was still reading but had just really popped back to give CH my condolences them obviously seen Neil’s article too.
I guess technically you could say part of the problem but I can’t blame anyone for not wanting to trawl thru all the drivel to read the odd good post amongst it. It’s a shame but it ain’t gonna change sadly and I doubt we’ll see most return even with Neil back. ๐
JaveaToon
Aug 8, 2024 at 8:23 AM
Comment #79Carltoon… I hope you’re well. Its lovely but horrific at the moment with the heat and humidity at the moment…and the population trebling for the summer.
We usually escape to Madrid for the summer but my son and family coming next week, doubt they’ll do August again as he hates the heat. We had a “real feel” of 47c lSt week.
Haha, no I haven’t been in the sea, to wash my tackle or otherwise ๐ฏ
The Ledge
Aug 8, 2024 at 8:35 AM
Comment #80F..k ……Jail you are Lesh ‘s next obsession…..scary