Not since 1996 had Newcastle seen a day like it. Thursday, October 14th, went down as one of the wildest days (and nights) in this glorious city’s history. Why? Well, after four years of toiling, Amanda Staveley and her consortium bought the club from Mike Ashley and ended a 14-year loveless marriage.
Jubilation ran riot around the town centre as ecstatic fans congregated around the stadium to celebrate. The celebrations lasted all night long, and there was an air of change within the town as I walked to the gym on Friday morning.
Fourteen years of decay to the club and the city got washed away in one euphoric moment.
Newcastle United is entering a new era, backed by one of the wealthiest consortiums in world football.
Why is this such a big deal?
Newcastle United Football Club last won a major trophy in 1969. They last won a domestic prize in 1955, and it is nearly 100 years since they last won the league championship.
Contrary to popular belief, Newcastle fans don’t expect trophy after trophy. They don’t expect to challenge Real Madrid and Manchester United.
All Newcastle fans want is hope. Hope fuels sports teams; without it, they are utterly pointless.
I grew up as a small boy filled with hope. I didn’t expect Newcastle to win an FA Cup or finish in the top three. I just hoped it would happen.
Mike Ashley’s tenure abandoned hope for abject apathy; creating a world where abject disregard ruled. The outcome … Newcastle United stopped trying, and the fans stopped hoping.
Survival and collecting Premier League money while advertising Ashley’s company were the only goals. It wasn’t a football club anymore. Add all that to disrespecting club legends and employees, renaming the stadium, and trying to sack a player who had cancer; Newcastle natives were ashamed to support their club.
The takeover restored hope. The communication lines are open between Staveley and the city. It feels like the city’s heart is once again connected to the body.
There Are Concerns
The concerns regarding human rights are extensive. While the consortium has managed to create separation between the PIF and the government of Saudi Arabia, questions will understandably linger.
However, the criticism should not fall at Newcastle fans’ door. They have no say in the process.
Football has opened its doors to regimes from other parts of the world. It is unfair to criticise the fans. Football must ask itself, how has the game developed to the point where sovereign wealth funds are the only people rich enough to buy clubs?
The world has issues, and sports are now crossing over into tricky waters. It is up to the authorities to decide how they wish to move ahead.
A New Era
Nevertheless, for one night, the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne felt joyous, happy, and ecstatic. Not because of $100 million players or the promise of competition; because Newcastle’s pride and joy belongs to the people again.
Geordies love extolling the virtues of their town. The city gets ignored by outsiders despite how hard the locals try to sell it.
Nothing showcases Newcastle to the world like football. We want our town to triumph; for local businesses to thrive on matchdays, charities, and foundations to feel connected and re-establish a fantastic place.
14 years of decay to the club and the city got washed away in one euphoric moment.
From Heaton to Haymarket, Forest Hall to Fenham, and West Denton to Walker, Newcastle Upon Tyne came alive on Thursday night. All because of a football club which hasn’t won anything since 1969.
It felt like a new dawn for our team, but more importantly, our city, our home.
