Newcastle United co-owners provide ‘gesture of tremendous goodwill’ to prominent fan group

Newcastle United co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi know the importance of fan engagement as they look to build a bright future for the football club.

That’s according to the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust, who met with the pair before the 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday evening.

Staveley and Ghodoussi’s PCP Partners own 10% of the Magpies, as do RB Sports & Media, while the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia hold an 80% stake.

The day-to-day running of the club lies with Staveley & Ghodoussi. Since their arrival in October, they have promised to be transparent with the United fanbase.

And that was further reitriated in their meeting with NUST members Alex Hurst, Thomas Concannon and Greg Tomlinson.

‘We are incredibly excited and motivated’

The NUST statement read: “The meeting was a success as the owners confirmed they shared a passion for fan engagement and reiterated their belief in the importance of fan contribution to Newcastle United.

“It was agreed that the Trust would play a role in helping the club with its formal structured dialogue policy, which the club hopes to evolve after the season ends.

“The Trust understands that keeping the club in the Premier League must be the focus of everyone at the club, including co-owners and fans, and when this important objective and season are finished, the club will work on their relationship with fans and how that will look moving forward.

“Six months into the takeover, current owners have already surpassed the previous owner.

“Amanda and Mehrdad taking time out of their very busy schedule to meet with the Trust face to face is something that failed to happen in 14 years of Mike Ashley’s ownership.

“It is a promising sign for all Newcastle United supporters that current co-owners of the club have made such an effort to be accessible to the Trust and the wider fan base.

“We are incredibly excited and motivated to work with the club and co-owners to build a better future for Newcastle United fans in terms of how the club and supporters can best engage with one another.”

‘Owners we both trust and believe in’

“As a gesture of tremendous goodwill, the club has offered the Trust the opportunity to host its AGM at St James’s Park in 2023.

“Now is the time to make this, England’s largest Supporters Trust, even bigger as Newcastle United becomes bigger and better.

“We are emboldened by the positive words of owners and club from our meeting on Friday, and believe the future is incredibly bright for this football club. A strong Newcastle United Supporters Trust can help a strong Newcastle United.

“In the coming weeks and months, the Trust Board will be seeking the views of Trust members on key aspects of the club and supporting it to help better inform the club when structured dialogue begins.

“We hope to be able to update members in the near future with more positive developments involving the Trust and the football club. The Trust exists to help give fans a voice directly with their football club.

“After many years of division between fans and club, the city, region, and supporters find themselves with owners we both trust and believe in.”