Official Companies House update confirms major Newcastle United change

On Monday, Roger Thornton was announced as a new director of the club. It follows the summer departure of Amanda Staveley as co-owner and director.

But official Companies House documents show Thornton was actually appointed to Newcastle’s board back on July 25, 2024 - just weeks after Staveley’s departure. He is one of five board members alongside chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, co-owner Jamie Reuben and Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund officials, Abdulmajid Al-Hagbani and Asmaa Rezeeq.

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Thornton was born in South Shields and has worked closely with the Reuben family to develop key parts of Newcastle city centre.

A club statement issued by Newcastle on Monday read: “Roger retains a keen interest in his native North East and has played a key role in recent developments in Newcastle city centre, including the transformative Pilgrims Quarter project, as well as supporting property matters for Newcastle Racecourse.

“He also has strong family links to the Magpies. His grandfather, Ben Sullivan, was an administrator who moved from Lincoln City to relaunch the Newcastle United Development Association in the mid-1960s.

“Ben played a key role in supporting ground improvements at St. James’ Park over many years, including securing funding to build the existing East Stand structure which opened in 1973.”

Thornton’s appointments and links to developments as well as St James’ Park come as Newcastle push forward with plans to upgrade their stadium. The club are understood to have spoken to Newcastle City Council about a potential relocation to Leazes Park with a new state-of-the-art stadium not ruled out.

An update on Newcastle’s stadium plans is expected in early 2025.