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:
25. Joe Willock - 7
Willock admitted himself he struggled to settle following his £20m summer move from Arsenal but there was a stage in the middle of the season where the midfielder looked more of the player who performed superbly on loan last season. Photo: Ian MacNicol
26. Dwight Gayle - 5
You have to feel sorry for Gayle. Despite being fit all season, and topping the training charts, the striker didn’t start a Premier League game, with his eight appearances coming as a substitute in the closing stages. | Getty Images
27. Allan Saint-Maximin - 8
Often the shining light during the Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley days but there’s no denying times got tough during the final few months of the campaign. The Frenchman looked out of form, although still had glimpses of quality. It’d be wrong to write off Saint-Maximin yet. Photo: Ian MacNicol
28. Callum Wilson - 8
If only Wilson played a full season, because he would have scored 15 goals at least. A calf injury restricted him to 18 appearances but against Arsenal and Burnley, he reminded everybody of just how quality he is. | Getty Images