![]() ![]() "I thought we were done for last season, I thought we were absolutely down. "It was the same old feeling of 'are we going to scrape survival?' and that was all you had to look forward to. "It's night and day from last summer when nothing was happening and Joe Willock on a permanent was about all fans had to get excited about," Newcastle United supporter and BT Sport's lead Premier League presenter Lynsey Hipgrave told Chronicle Live. Subsequently, the media have certainly taken notice. (Image: PA Wire)įast forward 12 months and nine new faces have helped propel Newcastle away from certain danger this term, to aspirations of potentially upsetting the Premier League apple cart with a European push. A £25m move for Joe Willock was the only incoming dealing, with the club releasing a nameless, faceless statement explaining the lack of business after the window closed.Īmanda Staveley is interviewed at Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle, following the takeover. The poor start to the campaign had followed an excruciating summer in which Newcastle had struggled in the transfer market. There was a sense the club not sink any lower under Ashley's tenure, with the 2-1 defeat at Molineux last October leaving supporters convinced the north east outfit was heading for relegation, with Steve Bruce unable to turn fortunes around and Ashley simply not caring to. TAKE OUR TAKEOVER QUIZ: Test your knowledge of Newcastle United's first year under new ownership How they inspire the supporters is incredible." This Wor Flags idea has been phenomenal really. When there is a setback on the pitch, the fans are there to try and encourage them. "Everyone is together - the ownership, players and the manager, the supporters, they all stick by each other. You get in the stadium and now it's electric. "Fans went out of loyalty before that and there was always the idea that they were weren't going to be entertained. ![]() "I'm experiencing it now as a fan so I can understand the buzz around the city before the game kicks off, everyone is really positive, seeming happy compared to what it was like previously. "The last few months have been back to the days of the 90's," Lee Clark told Chronicle Live. ![]() For former Newcastle United stars who experienced the heyday of the 1990s, the last 12 months have brought memories of the glory days flooding back. Much has been made of the change in atmosphere, with Wor Flags playing an integral part in improving a matchday experience at St James' Park. While there is the sadness of goodbyes, there is also huge excitement at the next chapter in the club's history. "When I joined, we were in the Championship and I'm leaving and we've had five years in the Premier League and we're established. So if that means we contribute in a six-year manner or a two-year manner, and I'm speaking for myself here, I'm just happy to contribute in any way I can to move the club forward. "The most important thing is the club and its progression. That's all the players want you want to get better players in that can help you and help to progress the club. "They're going to be spending money and obviously bringing in high quality players. "As I and some of the lads discussed before the season ended, the club is going in a new direction," Hayden told Chronicle Live. A loan move to Norwich City emerged and Hayden wasted no time accepting, admitting he felt it was the right time to wish the Magpies on their way. A heroic figure on Tyneside, the midfielder's exit was felt deeply despite not coming as too much of a surprise. Isaac Hayden was one of those squad members who made way in the summer as Newcastle trimmed their bloated first-team to make way for new arrivals. READ MORE: Eddie Howe's brilliant response on Newcastle future after making 'resigned' Unai Emery admission A raft of senior and junior staff have been moved on, with Eddie Howe also saying painful farewells to players who soldiered on during the worst moments of the Mike Ashley era. Of course, the ushering in of a new era meant saying goodbye to much-loved veterans of the football club. The whirlwind 12 months that followed doesn't need to be explained in too much detail given the plethora of coverage but to sum it up there has been managerial changes, shrewd boardroom appointments, a tidal wave of problems solved, major investment in almost every single area of the club and subsequent success on the pitch. When that eagerly-awaited Premier League statement dropped one year ago today all that angst and uncertainty turned to sheer jubilation as fans flocked to St James' Park to celebrate an unprecedented moment in their football club's history. After years of false dawns and empty promises, there was a blend of apprehension and excitement lingering in the air when Newcastle United fans were informed the £305m takeover was back on the table last October. ![]()
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