It's been six months since Newcastle United ’s £300 million takeover by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund - and, following the appointment of Eddie Howe as manager and a £90m January transfer window spend, it has had a successful impact on the pitch.
New co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have been achieving plenty of success off the pitch as well, winning fans over with their methods and openness when going about their duties.
But it is also the players who have welcomed them with open arms and club captain Jamaal Lascelles has been full of praise for the constant communication from the new owners, of which he “never experienced” under the former ownership.
Lascelles told ChronicleLive : “That’s been really important. I didn’t think it would be because I’ve never really experienced it but experiencing such a close relationship, knowing you can always ring or message… they have a lot of involvement.
“When we were out in Saudi they were there, when we were in Dubai they were there. They’re often at the training ground, we sit down and have dinner, so … I don’t know. Because they’ve done so much for us and for Newcastle, we want to do so much for them. They’re lovely people as well.”
Newcastle fans have seen their club lift themselves nine points clear of the relegation zone and up to 15th in the league table since the new owners came in, and although safety isn’t guaranteed just yet, it looks increasingly likely that they will retain their top flight status ahead of next season.
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But those same fans have also seen their club make great progress off the football pitch, with the owners making great strides in showing their dedication to the club by renaming the stadium’s Nine Bar back to Shearer’s, moving Alan Shearer’s statue on to club land, and supporting the foodbank, while Stavley, Ghodoussi and co even travelled with supporters on the train for their away tie to Southampton on March 10.
Lascelles said: “I’m not sure how many of the players will know about all the things going on but I just think it’s a fantastic thing for Newcastle. You look at all these other clubs where they have the stadium and all these community centres around - it’s not just a stadium for the players and the fans watching the game but it’s the whole surrounding area.
“Now we’ve got this [The new NU Foundation building], this is Newcastle United thing - it’s just nice, the bigger we build it and grow it, we’re just going in the right direction.”
The 28-year-old has been on Tyneside since signing in 2014 and has only ever known the sourness surrounding the club under Mike Ashley’s tenure, with a lack of funds being supplied for previous managers and a nasty relationship built with fans. But that has all changed.
Lascelles has revealed he noticed a change in atmosphere at St. James’ Park “straight away” since the takeover took place and the efforts from the club’s supporters have not gone unnoticed within the squad, especially with a number of home games reaching a sell out of late.
He added: "It’s everything [the change in mood] that everyone involved in Newcastle has wanted and the fans really do know how to make St James’ Park jumping. That’s the first thing they did, got the flags in and the atmosphere was booming and it gives us that extra edge on the pitch."
