Jamaal Lascelles has revealed the phone call he received from Amanda Staveley just minutes before a £300m takeover was announced on Tyneside last Thursday.
The NUFC skipper says he initially didn’t know who it was – not recognising the number and wondering who “Amanda” was as he sat at home with his partner and kids – but soon realised it was the new co-owner of Newcastle United!
He then revealed that she called to say the Saudi-backed takeover was due to be announced in ’30 minutes time’, saying how much she was looking forward to getting started.
Lascelles then explains how nice it was to not only receive that call, which gave him ‘goosebumps’, but to see her and Mehrdad Ghodoussi come into the training ground on Monday.
Here’s what he told Sky Sports News, saying they are “nice genuine people” who want to build a relationship with the players and communicate – something Mike Ashley rarely did during his 14 years on Tyneside!
Lascelles went on to explain how the players are “so excited” to be part of this new era at Newcastle, but know they must grab their opportunity with both hands – especially now we’re the “one of the richest clubs in the world!”
Here’s what he had to say in full, believing Sunday’s atmosphere will be “something else” and a special occasion:
“The phone rang last Thursday – I didn’t recognise the number.
“The voice said ‘it’s Amanda’, and I said ‘Amanda who?’ I realised it was Amanda Staveley and ran to the other room.
“She said ‘as captain I want you to know we’re taking over the club in 30 mins’.”
“It gave me goosebumps getting the call. I really appreciated it – they want to build communication with us which is important.
“This is a once-in-lifetime opportunity and we as players need to do our best to grab it with both hands.
“We’re so excited to be part of it.
“Out of nowhere we’re one of the richest clubs in the world!
“I’ve thought about it (walking out the tunnel on Sunday) already.
“St James’ Park makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up anyway, but Sunday is going to be something else.”
no it is not going to be something else, we will still be beaten. 😛
john+marshall(Quote)