Former Newcastle United Co-Owner Amanda Staveley
Former Newcastle United Co-Owner Amanda Staveley
Former Newcastle United director Amanda Staveley will stage a reunion with Toon chiefs next weekend for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
The Ripon financier will be back in the stands for a big United game for the first time since resigning from her position in the boardroom last summer at the Wembley showpiece against Liverpool. Staveley spearheaded the club's Saudi-backed takeover by getting the consortium together five years ago and is determined to ensure she is present when the club finally make their first domestic trophy lift in 70 years.
But she insists her role with the Magpies is very much as a fan these days. Staveley told ITV News: "I’ll be there with Alexander and Mehrdad, all our family. We’re just so proud of everybody and we’re so excited for the fans to have this because it will be the most incredible day.
“I’ll be like a proud mum, so I’ll be very nervous. I don’t want to embarrass myself, (in 2023), I cried a lot. It’s the most remarkable privilege to be there with the fans. So I’m looking forward to celebrating as a fan.
“We're very excited, it was really emotional when we got to the cup final before it was a tough match, a really tough match. I’m really excited about the men being in the final.
Staveley paid tribute to PIF and the club's management team along with Eddie Howe and the staff after reaching a second Carabao Cup final in three years.
She added: "Whatever the result it will be an incredible achievement because getting to two finals in such a short period of time is just a testament to all the hard work the shareholders, PIF, the Rueben family have put into the club and the support of the fans, it couldn’t happen without the amazing Newcastle community.
"I’m really confident that we’ll get the win. I know Eddie and the whole team and city are focused on this match. It means the whole world to everybody. I don’t want to give any predictions because I don’t want to jinx anything but I know how much this trophy means to everybody."
Newcastle's hot prospect makes goalscoring return from injury
Toon teenager Ben Parkinson got his season back up and running on Friday night in Newcastle Under-21s' 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in Premier League 2.
Fans will remember Parkinson from last season when Eddie Howe included him in a handful of squads and handed him his Premier League debut away to AFC Bournemouth in a 2-0 defeat. He joined the Magpies on first-team duty last pre-season too but was then hit by an ankle injury in senior training at Benton.
That caused him to miss six matches in total but he was back on the scoresheet on Friday along with Sean Neave as Newcastle's second string climbed to 11th in the table and closed in on a play-off place.
Kevin Keegan's return to Tyneside sees £20,000 raised
Football past and present came together in support of a vital cause as Newcastle United icon Kevin Keegan and current Newcastle United Women’s star Shania Hayles headlined a charity event at The Grand Hotel in Gosforth.
The sold-out evening - sponsored by Baltic Mortgage Solutions and organised by local fundraisers Les Hancock and Terry Sweeney - raised an estimated £20,000 in aid of the NSPCC and Tiny Lives Trust. Guests enjoyed a two-course meal, an auction, and an evening of football memories, with Keegan sharing stories from his illustrious playing and managerial career.
Keegan, one of the most celebrated figures in Newcastle United’s history, spoke about his enduring love for the city and its passionate football supporters.
"Newcastle has always been a special place for me, and nights like this remind me why," Keegan said. "The generosity shown tonight is remarkable, and it’s fantastic to see the football community coming together to support children and families who need it most."
Shania Hayles, a rising star for Newcastle United Women and Jamaica international, was also in attendance at the event. Hayles, who has been instrumental in her team’s success this season with nine goals in 12 games, has already made a name for herself with key performances, including Newcastle’s first-ever Championship win and a professional hat-trick.
"It’s inspiring to see how football can bring people together for such an important cause." Hayles said. “Hearing Kevin’s stories and seeing the passion in the room tonight just reinforces how special this city is. I’m honoured to be part of an event that’s making a real difference.”
With the funds raised on the night supporting the NSPCC’s vital work in protecting vulnerable children and Tiny Lives’ support for premature and sick newborns, NSPCC representative
Hayley Lynn added: “The generosity of everyone here tonight has been incredible. Kevin and Shania embody the spirit of Newcastle – past, present, and future – and their presence made this a truly memorable evening. On behalf of the NSPCC, I want to thank everyone who made this possible.”
The NSPCC relies on public donations to continue its essential work preventing child abuse and supporting families, while Tiny Lives provides vital assistance to families with premature babies at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI).