It’s coming up to a year since Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi left their prominent roles at Newcastle United, and for many of us on Tyneside, a question lingers: are we missing “Wor Mandy”?
Her departure marked a shift in the club’s ownership structure, with PIF and RB Sports & Media taking on a larger share, and while the ambition remains, there’s a distinct feeling that something vital has been lost – a direct, warm, and constant line of communication between the club and its most important asset: the fans.
Remember those early days of the takeover? Amanda was everywhere. She was the face, the voice, the accessible human element of the new ownership.
She spoke with passion, she understood what Newcastle United meant to its supporters, and she wasn’t afraid to be seen as one of us. “Wor Mandy” became more than just a moniker; it was a testament to the connection she fostered.
She also seemed to get deals done, as the Amazon documentary showed in her relentless pursuit of Anthony Gordon. For balance, it seems naivety and her fierce determination to back Eddie Howe actually contributed to overspending, leaving us in a worrying PSR position 12 months ago, but those who’ve stepped into negotiating roles every since have hardly got things done.
She was the necessary link, a conduit between the grand visions of the PIF, the meticulous work of Eddie Howe, and the hopes and dreams of the Geordie faithful. We got regular updates, not just on the pitch, but on the direction of the club, the plans for the future. It felt like a genuine partnership.
Now? It’s gone quiet. Too quiet, some might say. The club feels increasingly corporate, a polished entity that communicates through official channels and carefully curated statements. The warmth, the understanding, the directness that Amanda brought to the table has largely evaporated.
Take the ongoing stadium situation as a prime example of where the club is getting it spectacularly wrong. Rumours swirl about potential new sites, expansion plans, and the future of St James’ Park, but official communication has been woefully inadequate. We hear snippets from various reports, see petitions gaining traction, but the club itself offers little in the way of clear, consistent updates.
It leaves a vacuum, a space for speculation and anxiety to fester amongst a fanbase that simply craves transparency and involvement in such a monumental decision. When Amanda was here, we felt like we were part of the conversation. Now, we’re simply waiting for an announcement.
And what about the supposed channels for fan engagement? The Fans forums remain, a nod to inclusivity, but let’s be honest, they feel tokenistic at best. They’re too small, too limited in their reach, and often lack the genuine feel of dialogue that the vast majority of the fanbase craves. It’s not enough to tick a box; true engagement requires a sustained effort to connect with the wider supporter base, to listen to their concerns, and to offer meaningful responses.
When Amanda was front and centre, we felt a constant pulse from the ownership. Whether it was her social media presence, interviews, or simply her visible enthusiasm at games, there was a sense that the owners were invested, not just financially, but emotionally. That constant update, that sense of being in the loop, is sorely missed. The ownership, while undoubtedly working hard behind the scenes, feels more distant now. The personal touch has vanished, replaced by a more detached, business-like approach.
Make no mistake, we are grateful for the investment, for the progress on the pitch, and for finally seeing our club compete again. But a football club is more than just a business; it’s a community, a family. And families thrive on communication, warmth, and understanding.
Without “Wor Mandy” leading the charge in that regard, Newcastle United risks losing a vital connection with its soul – the loyal, passionate, and ever-present black and white army. It’s time for the club to rediscover its voice, to reconnect with the fans, and to bring back some of that much-needed warmth that Amanda Staveley so brilliantly provided.