Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 win at Burnley signalled the end of another eventful season for Newcastle United.
In many ways, it was a season like no other, with relegation from the Premier League feeling inevitable as misery continued under Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley.
But who have thought, a 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers in October would be the last with Ashley as owner.
Since then, the Magpies have had lift-off, with the new owners inspiring new hope and ambition on Tyneside. Bruce was sacked after the first game under the new era.
Pain, in a way, still followed, with Newcastle failing to win any of their opening 14 league games.
But patience was a virtue, and with Eddie Howe at the helm, United, since the turn of the year, surged away from Premier League relegation danger.
A total of 38 points - bettered only by Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur - saw Howe’s side record a 11th placed finish.
Now, the focus turns to next season, where an ambitious Newcastle target bigger and better things.
Here, our writer Jordan Cronin dishes out his Newcastle United player ratings from the 2021/22 season:
17. Joelinton - 9
What do you say about this man? His transformation under Howe has been nothing short of incredible. Joelinton has gone from being written off to the club’s player of the season. Words will never do him justice. Photo: Stu Forster
18. Ryan Fraser - 8
Fraser’s career at Newcastle never got started until former boss Howe arrived. He disappointingly ended the season with a hamstring injury but in the main was excellent, particularly during that nine-game unbeaten run. Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer is still having nightmares… Photo: Stu Forster
19. Bruno Guimaraes - 9
Bruno is levels above any midfielder Newcastle have had in many, many years. It’s still sarcely believable that United managed to tempt a player of his class into a relegation battle. It’s no exaggeration to say the Brazilian is already on his way to becoming a legend here. Photo: Ian MacNicol
20. Isaac Hayden - 6
It’s rotten luck the way Hayden’s campaign turned out, with knee surgery in December forcing Howe to leave him out the 25-man squad for the second-half of the campaign. Has always remain supportive, despite not knowing what the future holds. | Getty Images