Amanda Staveley's message to Newcastle United fans

Newcastle United’s co-owner, in Saudi Arabia with the squad for the club’s winter training camp and friendly against Al Hilal, was speaking to a group of expatriates, travelling fans and Saudis in a meeting room decked out in black and white.

Staveley, above all else, wanted to say “thank you” to the club’s supporters for their patience during her long takeover battle.

After recounting how she “fell in love” with the club after attending a game against Liverpool during Rafa Benitez’s time as manager, Staveley spoke about the “incredible journey”. She said the owners owed the fanbase a “debt of gratitude”.

Ultimately, Staveley, like the fanbase, wants to see the club win trophies, but more patience will be needed, despite a phenomenal start to the season which saw the club reach third place before the Premier League paused for the World Cup.