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.
21. 2017/18 - 19th
Boosted by the return of Premier League wealth, Newcastle move into 19th place in the Money League top 20 as Benitez steers the side to a mid-table finish. Photo: Ian MacNicol
22. 2018/19 - Outside of the top 20
Ambitions in the manager’s office are not met by the owners as United labour to a 13th place finish under Benitez. They also fail to preserve their place in the Money League. | Getty Images Photo: Catherine Ivill
23. 2019/20 - Outside of the Top 20
Benitez leaves and is replaced by Steve Bruce, who leads the Magpies to a 13th placed finish in the Premier League as Covid-19 disrupts his first season in charge. United, unsurprisingly, remain outside of the Money League. Photo: Stu Forster
24. 2020/21 - Outside of the top 20
Mike Ashley’s last full season as United owner as the protracted takeover by a PIF-led consortium rumbles on. The Magpies finish in12th place and Ashley signs off by leaving the club outside of the Money League top 20. Photo: Stu Forster