1 DANNY SIMPSON (NUFC), @dannysimpson, 212,015
Danny Simpson is a Newcastle United defender and regularly tweets about his life as a footballer in the North East. His Twitter following has had a boost following his recent relationship with X Factor judge Tulisa. @dannysimpson: “Training done, massage done, ice bath done n now off home to chill #happydays”
2 DEMBA BA (NUFC), @demba bafoot, 151,514
Demba Ba was Newcastle’s top goal scorer for the 2011/12 Premier League season with 16 after transferring from West Ham United in 2011. He has been much more active since moving to Newcastle and regularly tweets about his time as a player with the club. @dembabafoot: “All the best @YCabayeofficiel for is surgery tomorrow.. My man...!”
3 SAMMY AMEOBI (NUFC), @Sammy_Ameobi, 84,705
Sammy Ameobi has been at Newcastle United since 2008. The brother of NUFC stalwart Shola, Sammy provides great insight into the life and fun of a footballer in the North East, regularly posting pictures from the training ground or on match days. @Sammy_Ameobi: “Sorry we couldn’t pick up 3 points for the fans who travelled out tonight but the lads showed great character to get the 2 goals back #nufc.”
4 YOHAN CABAYE (NUFC), @YCabayeofficiel, 84,605
Yohan Cabaye is a France international who plays for Newcastle United. Despite being one of the most recognisable faces in the Premier League, he has not tweeted since the 2012 European Championships.
5 TIM KRUL (NUFC), @TimKrul, 83,709
Dutch international goalkeeper Tim Krul is a fan-favourite on Tyneside and always offers up some honest reaction to Newcastle United’s performances. @TimKrul: “Matchday: Big game vs Southampton today we need to get back to winning ways. Safe journey for the Geordies who make the long journey down.”
6 PAPISS CISSE (NUFC), @CissePapiss, 81,892
Papiss Cisse joined Newcastle United from Freiburg in January 2012. He works hard for charities which support aid in his native Senegal and regularly tweets about the projects they are doing. He also retweets large numbers of fans who contact him. @CissePapiss: “let’s get ready to rumble @antanddec can’t wait for kick off haway the lads toon toon.”
7 JONAS GUTIERREZ (NUFC), @elgalgojonas, 73,341
Argentinian midfielder Jonas Gutierrez joined Newcastle United in 2008 and became a fan-favourite after wearing his now famous Spiderman mask following his stoppage-time cup winner against Blackburn Rovers. @elgalgojonas: “Thank you for the support today like always. We want to win but always important to bring at least a point back to newcastle.”
8 RYAN TAYLOR (NUFC), @TaylorR1984, 73,271
Ryan Taylor has become a favourite among the Newcastle United fans since moving from Wigan Athletic in 2009. The “over the wall” chant has become synonymous with him after he scored some great free-kicks – one of which was against Sunderland.