'Wonderful' - Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley wears opposition shirt in overseas club visit

With Newcastle United in the middle of a 10-day break from Premier League action, co-owner Amanda Staveley has taken the opportunity to enjoy some downtime in Saudi Arabia.

Staveley was present at St James’ Park for Saturday’s 4-0 victory against Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur, a victory that saw the Magpies claim back-to-back league wins for the first time since December and move up to sixth in the top-flight table.

And just over 24 hours later, Staveley’s busy Newcastle United weekend continued as she headed to Kingston Park to watch the Women lift the National League Northern Premier Division title and earn promotion the Championship.

Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi are regular visitors to the Middle East, where they have built up strong connections. It was Staveley who brokered the Public Investment Fund’s 80% takeover of the Magpies in October 2021, with her Cantervale Limited company and Jamie Reuben’s RB Sports & Media together also taking up a 20% stake.

Riyadh is the headquarters of PIF but in Staveley’s latest trip this week, she travelled to the eastern city of Khobar and visited Saudi First Division leaders Al Qadsiah FC.

Sharing her experience with her Instagram followers, the Ripon-born financer wore the colours of Al Qadsiah with ‘Staveley 1’ on the back of the shirt, as well as enjoying spot of archery among other things. A photo of a camel also made the cut as she joked: “My ride back to Newcastle… it beats transferring through Dubai International 🐫”.

And reflecting on the trip as a whole, Staveley said: “Loved our visit this week with @alqadsiahg. A wonderful and memorable night!”

Staveley is en route back to Tyneside, where Eddie Howe’s side are preparing for the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Wednesday. And the co-owner, of course, will be attendance at Selhurst Park as Newcastle take the battle for European qualification down to the wire.