The Athletic interviewed Amanda Staveley after the Saudi led takeover bid fell through.
And it was a tough read as the teary eyed Ms. Staveley talked about that could have been.
It was tough for Newcastle fans about what could have been and even more torture for us.
It was that Sunday, October 1st when we were at home to mighty Liverpool and we took them apart 1-1 in that game.
🙂
Amanda Staveley with husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi on her right, at the Liverpool game
Ms. Staveley and her husband were seen at the game with the trusted Steve Wraith, and it was big news at the game and big news after the game.
We drew 1-1, with Coutinho scoring after 29 minutes and Joselu scoring a rare goal after 36 minutes.
It was a good point for Newcastle – then managed by Rafa Benitez – and a solid and spirited defensive display from our lads.
And M.Staveley tells the Athletic how she fell in love with Newcastle United, the city of Newcastle and the Newcastle fans on that day.
Here’s an extract from the interview:.
“I fell in love with Newcastle,”
“I fell in love with the passion, the fans. It was just this incredible club. And I knew that with investment and nurturing it could become even better.
It needed TLC. It needed a patient owner. It desperately needs investment. “
“That day we first walked into St James’ – it felt like we had come home. We knew what they needed. “
“We wanted it, too. And I know we could have done it.”
And her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi was with her on that day and not to be left out this is what he told The Athletic.
“That day we first walked in, it was a dark, gray evening against Liverpool,”
“You walked in, up the stairs, through the directors’ area and out into the stadium and you just felt this tremendous energy.”
“It was incredible. As a Londoner, I’d go to Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur games and I’d never experienced anything like it.”
“Amanda and I just looked at each other and said, ‘this is it. This is the club we should be buying.”
And if that’s not enough for Newcastle fans to take, here’s what Staveley said was in store for Newcastle – if the takeover was successful.
WARNING – this can be difficult to read for Geordie fans – have your blood pressure pills, a pint of Brown Ale and hankies nearby:
“We had a plan for £250M of investment in the club over the first few years, as much as we could put in,”
“And on top of that, we had massive plans to invest in the city, in housing, everything. We talked with the council.”
“Newcastle are the last great untapped club.”
The last great club with so much potential to grow and improve and with a fan-base who were already there and who wanted it so much.”
So there you have it – everything we ever wanted taken away from us by the Premier League.
And it was after four long months of patiently waiting and praying for their decision, which never did come – the cowards.
And I mean that from my heart – they should have at least shown the courage to make a decision – that was their job.
Shame on them!!
Note – here’s a petition to sign to get an independent review of the EPL Takeover process – please sign it – thanks.
11 comments so far
lesh
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:16 PM
Comment #1Forgive the repost but it is relevant to this thread.
I don’t think for one minute that PIF and KSA’s vision for NUFC and football in general is limited to exploiting the EPL.
If that is the case, the current state of the world economy and the Covid pandemic would encourage any visionary to look at a bigger picture.
Could KSA and PIF share a vision beyond EPL?
Might PIF envision a world-wide network of super leagues, organised by region, extend to forming a super league type competition with the world’s elite teams being part of them?
Covid ain’t going to go away in the next year and thus economies are not going to bounce back to life any time soon. So, revenue derived from fans attending matches is a drop in the ocean when considered against a background of games being screened worldwide. Revenues could eclipse that gained by the likes of the EPL which would become a de-facto feeder to a world-wide league.
If KSA has such vision, then why not NUFC being among the world’s best?
If you haven’t, sign the petition and expose the EPL for what it is – corrupted by vested interests.
hibbit
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:19 PM
Comment #244444 have signed
Moonraker15
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:22 PM
Comment #3I suppose they have their reasons, but I’m surprised the Reuben brothers aren’t interested in takeover.
I would take them even with modest investment; at least it would be progress!
C’mon Amanda get working on them!
Mund
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:24 PM
Comment #4hibbit been a brilliant response so far hope we get 52K today that’s the equivalent or a packed St James and in my eyes should be enough but still won’t be
hibbit
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:25 PM
Comment #5mund we can but try,
Mund
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:34 PM
Comment #6hibbit I’ll keep trying like most until we can’t try no more.
If this doesn’t work I won’t let it lie I hope groups get together and do a march on the headquarters or such I’ll be 100% down for that
DubaiMicky
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:35 PM
Comment #7Mund, of course i am, and i follow you and most others on here, just an ugly camel in the sandlands me.
lesh
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:35 PM
Comment #8Moonraker15
I can’t see Amanda taking this lying down. MBS’ll feel insulted at the snub delivered by the EPL.
KSA are likely to quietly try to exert pressure on the EPL via governments and they do have Phillip Hammond, former UK Chancellor, available to them.
They’re not going to take this snub lightly and it may well be that the consortium needs to be restructured but equally importantly, that EPL must privately indicate precisely what it needs to see to allow each party to achieve a clearer understanding to get this takeover approved.
Whether PIF would welcome a compromise, mutual face-saving moves, is questionable but in any event the EPL will find life difficult in years to come if it doesn’t play ball.
Saudi Arabia has more clout than the EPL would ever have.
Jib
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:36 PM
Comment #9Did somebody say
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.Just sign
Harrogate mag
Aug 2, 2020 at 1:41 PM
Comment #10Oooooooo
Jambot
Aug 2, 2020 at 5:11 PM
Comment #11Get the link for the petition posted and everybody’s face book and tell them to pass it on and sign it. We need the whole football community in this country to tell the epl what a bunch a spineless c@)ts they are.