United are to recognise and pay homage to forgotten men who were such a significant part of their illustrious history.
This year sees the conclusion of the four-year centenary anniversary of the Great War.
At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the terrible conflict that had ripped the heart out of humanity came to a thankful end.
The 100th anniversary of the Armistice will be marked not just throughout the country, but here on Tyneside at St James’ Park.
Club historian Paul Joannou is currently working on a book which will tell the story of United’s involvement in World War One which will feature more than 150 Magpie players and officials traced who served in the terrible conflict.
There are 23 footballers (either current players at the time including reserves or ex-players) who lost their lives in the war.
In addition many more engaged in essential work on munition, engineering, ship building, or coal production.
‘To The Glory of God: Newcastle United & The Great War’ takes its title from the club’s war memorial in the Milburn Stand walkway.
Author Paul Joannou is currently appealing for any relatives of United’s men who served in the conflict to get in touch.
“There are a few I would particularly like to meet and gain further information on, especially those who were killed in the fighting,” Paul tells me.
The book will also relate how Newcastle United coped with the difficult years, initially playing through a whole season as war raged on the Continent and elsewhere then just about shutting up shop completely.
It will be published in the autumn.