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:
21. Sean Longstaff - 7
Started the season as a regular under Bruce but that changed when Howe arrived. Howe has always spoken of his admiration for Longstaff, and to be fair to the player, he finished the campaign strongly to justify his impending new contract. | Getty Images
22. Jeff Hendrick - 4
Barely kicked a ball for Newcastle this season, with his goal at Wolves probably his only touch! Loaned out to Queens Park Rangers in January after being left out the 25-man squad. Photo: Naomi Baker
23. Jacob Murphy - 7
Proved to be a fantastic squad player this season, starting the campaign as a right-wing back before having an impact on either wings, mostly as a substitute, during Howe’s time as head coach. | Getty Images
24. Jonjo Shelvey - 8
Up until Norwich away in April, Newcastle hadn’t actually won a game without Shelvey in the starting XI. Howe hailed the midfielder in one of his first press conferences as an “unbelievable technician”, and he certainly repaid the faith. | Getty Images