A flag designed by a young Newcastle United supporter will be proudly displayed in the Gallowgate End of St. James’ Park following a contest held by Newcastle United Foundation and Wor Flags.

Pupils at 31 primary schools across the North East engaged with the Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars programme were asked to create a new flag design inspired by what Newcastle United or the city of Newcastle means to them.

Entries were judged by representatives from Newcastle United supporters’ group, Wor Flags, alongside the primary education team from Newcastle United Foundation. After serious deliberation in the Magpies’ Suite at St. James’ Park, a winner was agreed with their design now being prepped and scaled up to a display-size flag.

The winning design by Ava – a pupil at Saint Columba’s Catholic Primary School in Wallsend – features the Magpies’ classic circular 1983 to 1988 crest in the centre of the flag, with four black and white sections depicting the Tyne Bridge, a United No. 10 shirt, the initials of St. James’ Park and “I love the Toon”.

Ava’s flag will proudly by displayed in the Gallowgate End at Newcastle United’s home game against Liverpool or Arsenal before the end of the season.

Alex Curran, Acting Primary Stars Manager at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “Our work in schools across the region takes Newcastle United into the community and it has been fantastic to introduce Wor Flags to a new generation of young supporters.

“It’s been a very exciting project for the schoolchildren taking part in our competition to design a new flag inspired by the Club and our city that will be displayed for 52,000 to see with millions more watching on television across the world.

“We have had difficult choice picking one entry to create a new flag as we’ve seen countless designs created by very talented young people in the North East.”

He added: “I’m sure it’ll be a moment Ava never forgets when her very own flag is being waved by Wor Flags in the Gallowgate End. We’re all very much looking forward to seeing the display and can’t thank Wor Flags enough for sharing this opportunity with primary schools.”

Ava will receive a pair of tickets for the Newcastle United game where her flag is displayed to share the special moment with her family.

Thomas Concannon, of Wor Flags, said: “We were absolutely delighted to have taken part in this initiative led by Newcastle United Foundation.

“The support Wor Flags receives from the entire fan base means the world to us, with many people dedicating their spare time to the cause.

“To see the next generation of Newcastle fans being so passionately involved is inspiring, and the flag designs submitted were great pieces of work which we hope to use in some form in the very near future.

“On Ava’s design, we loved the references to our city, our club, our history and our stadium, and we can’t wait to display it in the Gallowgate End before the end of the season – it’ll blend in very well amongst our displays.”

He added: “It was such a difficult decision, and we can’t express our thanks enough to Newcastle United Foundation and all the schools and their pupils who took part.”

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