THERE'S a new face on the Newcastle United board with the club confirming the appointment of Roger Thornton.

South Shields born Thornton is head of property at Motcomb Estates Limited, who manage assets for the family of Newcastle United co-owner Jamie Reuben.

Newcastle said in a club statement: "Roger retains a keen interest in his native North East and has played a key role in recent developments in Newcastle city centre, including the transformative Pilgrims Quarter project, as well as supporting property matters for Newcastle Racecourse.

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"He also has strong family links to the Magpies. His grandfather, Ben Sullivan, was an administrator who moved from Lincoln City to relaunch the Newcastle United Development Association in the mid-1960s.

"Ben played a key role in supporting ground improvements at St. James' Park over many years, including securing funding to build the existing East Stand structure which opened in 1973."

There's been a reshuffle on the board in recent months, with Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi stepping away from the club during the summer.

Darren Eales is also set to step down as chief executive after he was diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer.

Eales is currently helping club bosses find a replacement, with a "carefully considered search process" underway.