Amanda Staveley fears eased as another impressive signing arrives for NUFC Women

When Amanda Staveley left NUFC last week many wondered what effect it might have on The Club. Many more who have seen her involvement with the NUFC Women’s side were very worried that they were losing their greatest supporter.

It may be premature to say that she won’t be missed or will be missed. There’s no doubting that The Lasses loved having her around and every one connected with the Women’s team had nothing but praise for the way she was helping them progress.

So, perhaps worrying times ahead or at least a lot of anxiety about. But, the latest announcements from The Club concerning the Lady Mags have perhaps alleviated some of that anxiety and released the tension.

With the FA Championship fixtures due to be announced on Monday and followers of Wor Lasses looking forward to that, we got not one but two massive announcements that show once again the strides forward our Women’s team are making.

First up there was the release of how would form the opposition for United’s Lasses on Sela Cup Saturday and what a coup and statement this is. No less than Serie A’s AC Milan will take to the St. James Park turf to contest an eagerly anticipated match-up.

There’s no doubting at all this will be a huge moment in the history of NUFC Women to get to face such historic and challenging opposition at home in The Cathedral on the Hill. It’s going to be a blockbuster of an occasion that’s for sure.

It will also go along way to showing what kind of side/squad Women’s Director of Football Su Cumming and United’s Women’s Manager Becky Langley have put together with the five stellar signings they’ve already announced.

That included, as previously exclusively rumoured on NUFCBlog.co.uk, the FA Championship Player of the Season, Sunderland’s goalkeeper Claudia Moan as well as bringing home ex-Lioness Demi Stokes from Manchester City.

Now, the Lasses have gone and done it again with another statement signing. Coming back to Tyneside and returning to Newcastle after leaving The Toon 14 years ago is Northern Ireland’s record international goal scorer Rachel Furness.

Our newest recruit settles into her new home 🏠 @RachelFurness10 // #NUFCWomen pic.twitter.com/in0DNXT2iD

— Newcastle United Women (@NUFCWomen) July 19, 2024

Born and bred on Tyneside, Furness scored twice last season at Bristol City in 12 games for the relegated Super League side. With her contract up and Newcastle in the Championship it just seemed so right for the 36-year-old to come home and help her home town side negotiate their first season in the Championship under Langley.

Furness has played 93 times for Northern Ireland who she qualified for due to her mother being born in Belfast and has scored 38 international goals. The combative attacking midfielder will bring a wealth of experience, a goal scoring attitude and a huge knowledge of what NUFC and football mean to our region.

Another exciting signing indeed and there’s no doubting that the loyal Lasses following are rubbing their hands in anticipation of seeing Furness link up with those remaining from last year’s squad and all the new additions as the new season fast approaches.