Amanda Staveley with these two favourite Newcastle United moments | OneFootball

I woke up early this morning (in Australia) to watch the England v Netherlands match.

However, this paled into total insignificance when I read that Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi were to relinquish their financial interest in our beloved club.

I have been a business admirer of Amanda Staveley, ever since the late 90s when I visited her most enjoyable restaurant near Newmarket.

Moving forwards and back to the present day, the words “thank you” are the two most inadequate words in our language to describe my feelings towards both Amanda Staveley and her husband.

Their achievements, both on and off the field, including the relationship with the Newcastle United fans, have been beyond any of my expectations, and their subsequent successes too extensive to list.

Although my two favourites are:

Bringing in Eddie Howe as our manager, a choice that I strongly questioned at the time, but was very happy to be proved wrong.

Also, Amanda Staveley’s verbal disagreement with Simon Jordan.

The last time that I had been so excited was when in my 74 years as a supporter, the day when King Kev joined us in 1982.

Out of respect and admiration for you both, I will continue to play as part of my pre-match build up the Wor Mandy song.

I would also like to suggest the operatic aria The Land of Smiles sung by the German Baritone Jonas Kaufmann.

Simply because you have made St James’ Park “THE LAND OF SMILES”, the words of the aria say it all.

May I finish by personally, wishing both Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, and those important to them, every possible happiness in all aspects of their lives, now and in the future.