Newcastle Among Top 20 “Most Valuable Football Brands” for 2012

After surprising many with their fifth place finish in the 2011-12 Premier League—just two seasons removed from their ignominious sojourn in the Championship division—Newcastle United have been assessed as the 20th most valuable football brand in the world, according to a list compiled by Brand Finance.

The organization has been assessed at £55 million, a 22-percent increase from the last fiscal year. That means Newcastle join Corinthians as the newest organizations to infiltrate the top 25 clubs after not making an appearance in 2011.

There are nine English Premiership sides in the top 25, including five in the top 10. Manchester United reassumed their No. 1 ranking from 2011.

Newcastle had been ranked as high as 19th in the world in the 2009 rankings, also compiled by Brand Finance.

That coincided with their drop to the Championship for the 2009-10 season, helping explain why they dropped to 23rd in the 2010 edition before dropping out of the top 25 altogether in 2011. (Cutting costs and whatnot.)

The £55 million valuation is the highest since 2009, when Newcastle boasted a £54.2 million brand value. That number dropped precipitously in 2010 and 2011, to £40.7 million (’10) and £25.8 million (’11).

But things appear to be on the up and up once more. It is a thoroughly encouraging sign to see Newcastle back among the most powerful clubs in world football.

With a strong side compiled for next season and quality recruits on the way, fans should have every reason to expect that Toon will keep climbing that table. Another drop as was seen in 2010 and 2011 should be avoided this time around.