EddyIn a deeply moving moment on the High Performance Podcast, Amanda Staveley—former co-owner of Newcastle United—was overcome with emotion as she heard a heartfelt message from a devoted fan. The 52-year-old financier, who along with her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, played a pivotal role in the club’s 2021 takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), was visibly moved to tears. The fan’s message read:
“We are grateful for the investment, for the progress on the pitch and finally being able to see our club compete again. But a football club is more than just a business. It is a community, it is a family. And families thrive on communication, warmth and understanding. Upon hearing these words, Staveley broke down: “That’s really hard. God, sorry.” She paused to gather herself before continuing: “That is really hard because that is really lovely and that is why I went into Newcastle because the fans are just so incredible… Leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done and took a long time to understand and do what is right for the club…”
Her remarks reflected the deep conviction that Newcastle United is much more than a football venture—it’s a community, a family bound together by shared identity and emotion. Staveley highlighted the trust she felt in the club’s future, adding: “PIF is going to be an incredible partner for Newcastle, and the Reubens. We left it in very safe hands… For me it was a privilege. Every day I would go to work and think, ‘God, I am so lucky to do this job.’”
This isn’t the first time Staveley has shown her emotional connection to the club and its fans. In 2024, she was moved to tears by a banner that Newcastle supporters unveiled during a match—featuring a simple yet powerful “Thank you” to her and Ghodoussi. She responded publicly: “I am both humbled and grateful… I will always be your Geordie girl… Wor Mandy.”
Although she and her husband sold their stake in Newcastle United in 2024, she remains profoundly connected. Staveley and Ghodoussi were instrumental in securing managerial leadership and overseeing key player acquisitions that transformed the club’s fortunes—bringing them from relegation threats to Champions League qualification and even a Carabao Cup final appearance .
Despite recent speculation linking her to potential involvement in a takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur, sources note that she has no intention to pursue that path.
Amanda Staveley’s emotional reaction underscores the often overlooked role of empathy and human connection in high-stakes sports ownership. Her tears reveal a heartfelt belief that a club is defined not just by its financial and competitive achievements, but by its community, identity, and the intangible bonds between leadership and supporters.
Her statement, “Leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done”, reflects a profound personal sacrifice, one made for what she believed was in the club’s best interest. And yet, her day-to-day passion—“Every day I would go to work and think, ‘God, I am so lucky to do this job.’”—demonstrates that for her, Newcastle was never just a business—it was a privilege.
Through the fan’s message on the podcast and her vulnerability in response, Staveley has reaffirmed that her legacy at Newcastle is anchored not only in tangible successes but also in the warmth and unity she helped foster between the club and its supporters.
admin
Eddy
Wagwanvibes