Struggles on the pitch, revival on the terraces at Newcastle United!

It only seems like it was two minutes ago since the evening of7^th October when the news was being announced by Sky Sports Reporter Keith Downie that the takeover of Newcastle United has been completed and brings to an end the torrid reign of previous owner Mike Ashley. What followed was scenes of relief and joy from the Geordie Faithful as they celebrated late into the early hours of the following day. Who could blame them? What Newcastle have had to endure under the 14years of Mike Ashley is a reign of no passion, no communication, and no investment in not just the stadium but for the training establishment too.

Within hours of the completion of the takeover being announced, Amanda Staveley stated how it was ‘imperative and part of the new owners’ plans to provide “heavy investment” into the club from all angles, citing “medical staff” and “training facilities” as two key areas for improvement. Also getting the likes of Shearer and Keegan back involved with Newcastle after Mike Ashley’s much-lamented tenure in charge is pivotal to the new ownership getting re-engaged with the fans’.

Since that glorious day of the takeover being completed, Amanda & Co have been gradually restoring Newcastle United to the club that it once was and always should have been. Tickets for the first game of the new ownership which was at home to Tottenham Hotspur sold out within days after the takeover. When they took their seats at St James Park, they received a rapturous ovation by the sold-out crowd as they all looked to start their new journey together. The game didn’t go in the favour of Newcastle United as they were well beaten by Tottenham Hotspur which proved to be last game of then manager Steve Bruce who was sacked just 13 days after the takeover. This went down a treat with the fans as they all felt that he should have never been appointed in the first place. The sacking of Steve Bruce was dubbed ‘Stage 1’ of the club rebuild.

What followed was an extensive search of the market for the next manager of our great club, after a thorough selection process it was Eddie Howe who the board felt was the right candidate. Its safe to say that so far and I know its early days, they have made the right appointment. From his first interview as manager of the magpies, you could tell he was passionate about the job, he was proud to be given the opportunity to manage this great club and wanted to give his all to the team, this was backed up by him saying ‘what an incredible moment it is in my life’ and the smile on his face when talking about the club’s stature. Stage 2 of the club rebuild complete.

Speaking a short while ago whilst at a charity event at St James Park, she revealed that the new owners had fell ‘madly in love with Newcastle United’. Back in August 2020 when the first takeover bid fell through, Amanda Staveley recalled the first time she attended a game with promoter Steve Wraith. In an extract from her interview, she says ‘I fell in love with Newcastle, I fell in love with the passion, the fans, it was just this incredible club’. The atmosphere of a full St James Park is something that must be witnessed in person to truly understand. Amanda’s husband, Mehrad Ghodoussi was with her for that game and he backed up her statements by saying ‘You walked in, up the stairs, through the director’s area and out into the stadium where you just feel this tremendous energy, Amanda & I just looked at each other and said this is it, this is the club we should be buying’.

Stage 3 of the club rebuild was when on the 19^{th of} November 2021, it was announced that Lee Charnley had left the club from his Managing Director role. Lee Charnley was labelled as Mike Ashley’s right hand man and often took his fare share of criticism. The owners announced they would be starting the recruitment process for a CEO but as of time of writing (11/12/21), no announcement has been made. Former Chelsea Technical Director Michael Emenalo was reportedly tipped to be favourite for the role but after months of speculation, this was shut down by Newcastle co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi who stated that he was not offered any role at the club.

As of the 11^{th of} December 2021, it is reported that their next 6 fixtures are all sold out, that is including both home and away fixtures. It doesn’t look like it is going to be stopping their either. This is all thanks to the new owners and Eddie Howe for creating a real sense of belief around the place. The fans finally have a team which is showing potential and this gives the fans reasons to buy the tickets and get behind their beloved club. Despite defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea, Eddie Howe’s boys have looked like a rejuvenated team compared to when Steve Bruce was in the dugout. They look like they have got the pride and dedication back when they put on the famous Black and White shirt which seemed to be non-existent for such a long time.

The return of the famous Wor Flags has been a joy to see, the popular display was scrapped by the organisers in 2019 when it was announced that Rafa Benitez wouldn’t be staying on as Newcastle manager.A spokesperson for the organisation said, ‘until a new owner is in place, there will be no flags flown on the Gallowgate’.Wor Flags returned to the Gallowgate end for the new owners first game against Tottenham with a banner that contained the lyrics to local actor Jimmy Nail’s famous Big River song and have since been a figure at more home games. I would pay the entrance fee just to see their displays’brilliant!

The scrapping of the hideous Sports Direct signs that have been plastered all over the stadium for the last 14years are the final steps in the restoration of this great club, the signage for the sports shop company has never been taken to by the fans as the club was solely bought to use it as a promotion for his business.

The Geordie faithful don’t ask for much’ they only ask for owners that care,a team that gives their all and players who understand how much football means to this great city. it really feels like the fans are right when they chant ‘we’ve got our club back’.

@jsuttonwrites