The ‘honest conversation’ that led to Newcastle United summer transfer exit decision

For almost a decade Dan Langley has lived the dream.

A boyhood Newcastle United fan, brought into the Magpies academy after impressing in junior football before going on to work alongside the club’s senior goalkeepers on a regular basis and even a brief experience of life in a first-team environment.

But when a dream dies, many an emotion can be conjured up. There will be disappointment, anger, frustration and a large dose of sadness. But for Langley, discovering he was to be released brought a determination to forge a career away from his boyhood club and make the most of the grounding he has been given by them on Tyneside and during loan spells with local non-league clubs Gateshead and Spennymoor Town.

He told NewcastleWorld: “I sat down with Adam Bartlett (Magpies goalkeeper coach) in April and we had an honest conversation about the whole situation.

“I think we both knew I wasn’t going to progress to play in the first-team in the timeframe they wanted or needed to, and being honest I didn’t make the most of the loan spells I had last season. We said it was better for me to kickstart my career elsewhere and I think that is absolutely the right thing for us both.

“You have to separate being a fan and a player, as hard as that can be. I love Newcastle, but it’s my job and I have to think about being in the best position I can be for my career. In my head, training or playing under-23s football isn’t going to progress me. I have to be playing senior football and testing myself because I know I can do it and I can progress.

“It’s the best decision for everyone.”

The final year of Langley’s time as a Magpie has coincided with multiple changes at the club.

The PIF-led takeover of October 2021 signalled the start of a journey that has taken Newcastle into the Champions League and to their first major cup final since 1999. Further progress is expected and more investment will be pumped into the Magpies academy as they look to produce more talent to supplement an ever-improving first-team squad.

The announcement of the takeover brought joyous scenes and that excitement was matched within United’s youth ranks - but it also brought a realisation that standards would be raised and the challenge of breaking into the senior setup would be even more significant.

Langley said: “When we found out the takeover was happening I think we knew there would be changes. The team wasn’t doing well in the league or the Papa John’s Trophy so you knew the new owners would want things to improve to help improve the first-team in the future.

“You try to block it out, but it was uneasy and it was hard to get a settled group but things seem to be settling down under Ben (Dawson) and that will help at all levels. The academy is the future and it can help them save money in the future if they invest early. It’s only the start really, there’ll be more changes to come and there’ll be further improvements.

“I am sure Newcastle will be more attractive to young players and there are players that have already come through like Sean (Longstaff), Elliot (Anderson) and a few others. It’s just about getting that happening on a more consistent basis.”

Thoughts of the future of United’s academy remain in the hands of those in charge as they look to progress more players into the Magpies senior setup - but Langley’s departure has enabled him to look back on his own brush with the Magpies first-team with great pride.

This week will mark the two-year anniversary of two appearances in pre-season friendlies against York City and Doncaster Rovers as the boyhood Magpies fan lived out something of a dream in the most unexpected circumstances. With Steve Bruce in charge, and Covid-19 still dominating events on and off the pitch, Langley was pressed into emergency action in the absence of fellow keepers Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow, Freddie Woodman and Mark Gillespie.

It may have been brief but to Langley and his United-supporting family, it meant everything.

“I found out I’d be playing quite early on at the training camp in York because we had players missing with injury and Covid. Karl Darlow, Mark Gillespie and Freddie Woodman were isolated so Simon Smith (former goalkeeper coach) just told me it looked like I was playing.

“I had a few days to prepare for it but it was so low-key but I rang my Mam and Dad and they just couldn’t believe it. Nobody made a fuss of it, it meant I wasn’t nervy, it was a chance to play for my boyhood club and it was special. At the time you don’t realise how special it is because you’re just so focused on doing your job and doing what you’re told. I was proud of those two appearances, they’ll live with me forever and they’ll always mean the world to me.”

What comes next remains uncertain.

A trial with Carlisle United is ongoing in a move that saw Langley reunited with former Magpies goalkeeper coach Simon Smith, who is working on the coaching staff of Cumbrians manager Paul Simpson on a temporary basis. After keeping clean sheets in 45-minute displays against Annan Athletic and Gretna, Langley remained unbeaten in the hour he played in Carlisle’s 3-0 win at Workington on Saturday.

Whether a deal with the League One newcomers is to be offered remains to be seen - but the experience gained with Gateshead and Spennymoor Town and his short stint in Cumbria has left Langley in no doubt what he wants as prepares for his future in the game he loves.

“It’s going fairly well (at Carlisle) and I’ve really enjoyed it there,” he explained.

“You don’t know what they’re looking for so there is that uncertainty. I’m just focused on doing my best and showing what I can do. Hopefully it’ll be enough to make things happen because I think the last 12 months have shown me the way forwards.

“Under-23s is completely different to senior football and I’ve said that to academy lads. Getting that experience under my belt has made me realise what I need to do and hopefully it’s put me in a better position going forwards. I just want to be at the highest level I can and enjoying my football.

“It’s the best job in the world, so if I am happy and playing football, then I can’t complain.”