It has been a momentous year for supporters of Newcastle United as the departure of former owner Mike Ashley has heralded a return of ambition and drive to St James Park.
For the first time since the days of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson, the St James Park faithful are dreaming of what could lie ahead under new ownership.
They were made to wait for it too!
For over two years, the PIF-led consortium were left frustrated by red tape and legal challenges before the deal was unexpectedly passed by the Premier League in October last year.
Now backed by one of the world’s most wealthy investment funds, and with the leadership of Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben, Newcastle look set for a return to the days when anything seemed possible and European football was a regular fixture on Tyneside.
Despite the lucrative takeover, the Magpies are still looking from the outside when it comes to the Deloitte Football Money League, with their £170.1m income leaving them in 28th place in the rankings.
That income is dwarfed by Premier League rivals Leeds United, Everton, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool - and will show the new owners just how far they have to go behind the scenes.
Newcastle World takes a look at how the Magpies have performed over the last 25 years of the Deloitte Football Money League.
13. 2009/10 - Outside of the top 20
Chris Hughton guides the Magpies back to the Premier League at the first attempt - but their one-year stay in the Championship hits income severely and they remain outside of the top 20. Photo: Stu Forster
14. 2010/11 - Outside of the top 20
Hughton would depart Newcastle midway through their first season back in the elite - and he’d be followed by Andy Carroll as the Geordie striker landed a £35m move to Liverpool. Even that large financial boost could not help Newcastle return to the top 20 of the Money League. Photo: Clive Brunskill
15. 2011/12 - Outside of the top 20
Expectations were low at the start of Pardew’s first season - but a new look Magpies finished in fifth place in the Premier League and returned to European football. Again, it was not enough to return to the Money League Top 20. Photo: Stu Forster
16. 2012/13 - Outside of the top 20
A poor performance in the league was somewhat nullified by an impressive run to the last eight of the Europa League - but United were still left outside of the top 20. Photo: Stu Forster