Newcastle United owners react as club makes historic announcement

Newcastle United Football Club - for the first time in its 130-year history - has officially brought the Women’s team into its ownership model.

Previously, Newcastle United Women had operated independently and received support from elsewhere, most recently the Newcastle United Foundation.

However, in time for the start of the 2022-23 season, the Lady Magpies will be financially supported in-house as part of a formal restructure.

Similar to the men’s team, the new owners, led by Amanda Staveley, plan to invest in the playing squad and build a set-up capable of reaching the Women’s Super League.

Although NUFC Women currently sit in the fourth-tier of Women’s football having narrowly missed out on promotion last season, the process of reaching the WSL is very much underway.

A historic day Newcastle United

The club’s shareholders said: “From the outset, we have stated and demonstrated our wholehearted commitment to the growth of Newcastle United Women.

“The recent success of the Lionesses has added tremendous momentum behind women’s participation in football everywhere, and we want to create a pathway for all women and girls to be able to enjoy playing the game.

“We are delighted that Newcastle United Women is now formally a part of the Newcastle United family and we look forward to supporting the team as it goes from strength to strength.”

The Geordie-faithful showed its support for the Lady Magpies in May when 22,134 packed inside St James’ Park to set an attendance record for a women’s league game in the UK last season.

Becky Langley, Newcastle United Women’s full-time manager added: “We are so proud to be part of the Newcastle United family. It gives everyone even more determination to make the club proud and to represent our fans and our city the best we can.

“We’ll also have an emerging talent system that will create a legacy in the North East, giving girls in the region a well-defined pathway, with the chance to enjoy playing first and foremost, as well as an opportunity to develop within the club.”

New shirt sponsor announced

Meanwhile, Newcastle United Women have agreed a new front-of-shirt partnership with North East construction firm Straightline NE Ltd.

Su Cumming, director of NUFC Women, said: “Newcastle United Women has ambitions to grow both on and off the pitch and welcoming Straightline NE Ltd to the club is another historic step forward.

“Straightline NE Ltd are passionate about the region. They want to see Newcastle United Women going from strength to strength, and having them on board will support this important phase of our journey at a very exciting time for women’s football.”

Langley’s side begin their FA Women’s National League Division One season against Merseyrail on Sunday before hosting Stockport County at Kingston Park next weekend.