The Back Page: A Football-Loving Newcastle Institution
If you love football, you’ll likely feel right at home at The Back Page.
For more than two decades, The Back Page has been part of Newcastle’s football landscape, welcoming supporters, collectors and curious visitors from across the UK and around the world. What started as one small shop in the shadow of St James’ Park has grown into five stores across the North East, alongside a website packed with official football merchandise, exclusive designs, books, gifts and memorabilia.
But The Back Page is about more than simply selling football shirts and souvenirs. It’s about the stories, memories, characters and passion that make football such a special part of people’s lives.
From a Dream to a Newcastle Institution
The story began on 28 November 2003, when The Back Page opened its doors on St Andrews Street in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The shop was the realisation of a lifelong dream for Newcastle lad Mick Edmondson, and it quickly became something rather special. Just a stone’s throw from St James’ Park, the original shop has welcomed generations of football supporters.
Over the years, visitors have travelled from all corners of the globe to experience what has become something of a football pilgrimage.
And many visitors say it’s one of the best football shops they’ve ever seen.
We certainly wouldn’t argue!
The original St Andrews Street store has developed its own personality over the years. Across two floors, you’ll find an enormous selection of football books, shirts, programmes, prints, flags, badges, signed memorabilia, Subbuteo, Soccer Starz and plenty more.
In other words, if it’s connected to football, you’ll probably find it at The Back Page.
Five Shops Across the North East
The Back Page has continued to grow while staying true to its Newcastle roots.
In 2016, we opened our second shop at the Metrocentre in Gateshead. Then, in 2024, we opened Eldon Square in Newcastle, followed shortly afterwards by our Cramlington store at Manor Walks.
In 2025, we completed our current shop portfolio by opening our fifth outlet inside Newcastle Central Station.
Each shop has its own character and focus, but they all share the same enthusiasm for football, Newcastle and the North East.
Newcastle – St Andrews Street
The original and, for many football fans, the essential destination.
Our St Andrews Street shop is a two-floor football treasure trove, with an incredible selection of new football books alongside shirts, retro and classic football tops, match programmes, prints, flags, signed memorabilia, badges, toys, collectables and much more.
We’re particularly proud of our football book collection and are regarded as one of the world’s largest stockists of new football books.
The shop also stocks officially licensed merchandise from a huge range of major British and European clubs, making it a destination for supporters well beyond Newcastle.
And there’s always something new to discover.
Our knowledgeable local team are passionate about football and always happy to help, whether you’re searching for a particular book, looking for a present, or fancy a good old browse.
More is on the way, with our basement reopening planned to bring even more football treasures to the shop, including second-hand and collectable books, old programmes, magazines, trade cards, postcards, match tickets, fanzines, DVDs, and plenty of other football-related memorabilia.
For collectors, it could be dangerous territory!
The Metrocentre
Our Metrocentre shop opened its doors on 1 October 2016, bringing The Back Page experience to one of the region’s busiest shopping destinations.
With more than 2,250 square feet dedicated to football books, souvenirs and memorabilia, the store has become a destination in its own right.
It’s also hosted memorable events, including book signings and appearances by some of football and sport’s biggest names.
Legends such as Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne, Jack Charlton, Lee Clark, Terry McDermott, Glenn McCrory, Steve Harmison and Michael Carrick have all visited for book-signing events.
The store also has an impressive range of North East books and gifts, alongside officially licensed football products and The Back Page’s own exclusive designs.
So whether you’re shopping for a Newcastle United supporter, a football-mad friend, or someone who loves the North East, there’s plenty to browse.
Eldon Square, Newcastle
In June 2024, The Back Page returned to Newcastle city centre with a new shop in Eldon Square.
Located between John Lewis and Marks & Spencer on Earls Way, this store focuses on Newcastle United, with official club merchandise, exclusive Back Page designs, and a great selection of Geordie souvenirs and local gifts.
It’s an ideal place to pick up something special while you’re enjoying a day in the city.
Cramlington
Our fourth shop opened at Manor Walks Shopping Centre in Cramlington on 4 October 2024.
The store has quickly become popular with local shoppers and football supporters from across Northumberland and North Tyneside, including visitors from Ashington, Morpeth, Blyth, Bedlington, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.
It combines official Newcastle United merchandise with our own exclusive designs and a selection of local gifts and souvenirs.
Newcastle Central Station
Our newest outlet opened in May 2025 inside the historic Newcastle Central Railway Station.
The kiosk-style store is smaller than our other outlets but still has plenty of personality — and merchandise!
It’s packed with Newcastle and Tyneside gifts, official Newcastle United products and exclusive Back Page designs.
Its location makes it especially popular with visitors arriving in the city, giving them the perfect chance to pick up a little piece of Newcastle before heading home.
Official Football Merchandise
What sets The Back Page apart is the sheer variety of football merchandise we stock.
We are an official retail outlet for licensed products from numerous major clubs, including Newcastle United, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Celtic, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur and many more.
And that’s only part of the story.
Our physical shops stock considerably more than you’ll find online, including products from major British and European clubs.
So if you’re visiting Newcastle and you’re a football supporter, it’s always worth calling into one of our stores. You never quite know what you might find.
Exclusive Designs You Won’t Find Everywhere
Official merchandise is only half of what we do.
The Back Page has developed its own range of bespoke, exclusive designs, many created specifically for our stores.
These designs celebrate Newcastle, football, and the unique character of the North East, often with a healthy dose of Geordie humour.
Some are available online, while others are exclusive to our physical shops.
That means a visit to The Back Page can sometimes uncover something you won’t find anywhere else.
A Football Shop With Some Famous Visitors
Over the years, The Back Page has welcomed an impressive list of famous visitors.
Football legends, sporting heroes, entertainers and local personalities have all walked through our doors, including Peter Beardsley, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer-era Newcastle favourites, Jack Charlton, Terry McDermott, Shay Given, Rob Lee, Michael Carrick, Tim Krul, Dan Burn and many more.
We’ve also had visits from sporting greats such as Steve Harmison, Glenn McCrory and Greg Rutherford, as well as entertainers including Ant McPartlin, Ben Elton, Captain Sensible and the team behind VIZ.
It’s quite a guestbook!
But while famous visitors are always exciting, some of our favourite customers are ordinary football supporters who return time and time—often bringing their children and grandchildren with them.
That’s what makes the shops special.
More Than a Shop
At its heart, The Back Page is about football culture.
It’s about the excitement of discovering an old programme. Finding a book you’ve been searching for. Spotting a retro shirt that takes you straight back to your childhood. Picking up a Newcastle souvenir before a match. Or finding the perfect gift for someone who lives and breathes football.
It’s also about Newcastle and the North East.
Our shops stock plenty of local books, gifts and souvenirs celebrating Tyneside, Northumberland and the people who call the region home.
And, of course, you can expect a warm Geordie welcome along the way.
Come and See Us
From one shop on St Andrews Street in 2003 to five stores across the North East today, The Back Page has grown considerably — but our passion for football hasn’t changed.
Whether you’re a lifelong Newcastle United supporter, a collector of football memorabilia, a lover of the beautiful game, or simply looking for a unique gift, there’s plenty to discover.
And remember, our physical shops hold much more than we can fit on our website, including exclusive designs and officially licensed merchandise from clubs across Britain and Europe.
So next time you’re in Newcastle, Gateshead or Northumberland, why not call in?
Have a browse. Have a chat. Discover something unexpected, and most importantly, enjoy yourself.
Have a canny day, hinny!