How Instagram told the story of Newcastle's season '“ on and off the pitch
Next week, Rafa Benitez's players will report back to Newcastle United's training ground.
And so it begins again.
A year ago, Benitez and his staff were preparing for the club’s return to the Premier League.
This coming season, the aim will be to go higher, though to do that the club will have to invest in the squad, and Benitez and owner Mike Ashley must first come to an agreement over a transfer budget. The only player signed so far is former loanee Martin Dubravka.
Ahead of the first day of pre-season training on Monday, we have taken a last look back at the 2017-18 campaign through the lens of social media site Instagram.
As the Gazette’s Newcastle United writer, I posted photgraphs on Instagram throughout the campaign, which had highs, lows and everything inbetween.
The first was of defender Florian Lejeuene, signed from Eibar, posing after joining the club and the final photograph was of Benitez and his players embarking on their lap of appreciation after the final game of the season.
A 3-0 win over Chelsea had secured a 10th-placed finish for Newcastle. However, that memorable afternoon now seems a distant memory.
* Click on the link above to watch a slideshow of Instagram images from @milesstarforth