Stunning start for striker sold by Newcastle United a week earlier

What a week for former Newcastle United striker Ben Parkinson who was sold to Falkirk.

Last weekend an official NUFC announcement revealing the news on Saturday morning.

Falkirk currently sixth top of the table in the Scottish top tier and Newcastle United stating: ‘Ben Parkinson has completed a permanent move to Scottish Premiership Falkirk for an undisclosed fee.’

Now aged 20, the young striker had joined the Newcastle United Academy 13 years ago at the age of seven, progressed through the club’s youth system and signed his first professional contract in 2023.

Ben Parkinson then made his as a second-half substitute away at Bournemouth in 2023 but the young striker knowing that regular first team football was always going to be very difficult to achieve with United.

Immediately after his signing was announced, Ben Parkinson came on as a late sub to help Falkirk win 2-0 away at St Mirren in the league.

The now former Newcastle United striker then quickly got another first team appearance, this time in midweek as a second half sub, Falkirk losing narrowly 1-0 to Celtic in the league.

On Saturday, Falkirk had the most difficult match of all, away at league leaders Hearts in the cup. The Edinburgh club five places and 20 points ahead of them in the league.

After an uninspiring first half and the game still goalless with Hearts well on top, for the second half the Falkirk manager John McGlynn made three changes, including sending Ben Parkinson on.

Only 14 minutes later and the former Newcastle United striker had put Falkirk into a shock lead.

“@FalkirkFC lead in the #ScottishCup against the league leaders!” 😱

Ben Parkinson gets the all-important goal for the Bairns 🔵 pic.twitter.com/K9KHOiLr0z

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 17, 2026

It looked like Falkirk hearts would be broken as the home side were awarded a late penalty which was converted.

Extra-time was played and still no winner, so penalties it was.

Hearts going first in the shootout and they scored four and failed with one, Falkirk scoring their opening four penalties.

Up stepped Ben Parkinson and…he smashed it home in front of thousands of travelling Falkirk fans. What a moment for the young Geordie striker, as he/they knocked Hearts out of the cup.

Falkirk knock out Hearts! 🔵

Ben Parkinson scored the goal in regulation and he adds the winning penalty to secure his status as a cup hero 🔥#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/4m60ZpRvmQ

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 17, 2026

BBC Sport commenting after the match: ‘Ben Parkinson and Kyrell Wilson’s introductions for the second half gave the Bairns a different look and fresh impetus and led to the opener…joining from Newcastle this month his emphatic penalty in front of the travelling supporters ensured his hero status.’

Great to see young former Newcastle United players make it elsewhere, especially homegrown Geordie players.

Best of luck to Ben Parkinson and Falkirk, hopefully they can go all the way in the cup this season.