Newcastle women are no vanity project with a 25,000 crowd set to see Becky Langley’s side in action

It has been just over a year since Newcastle United became the richest club in the world. On day one, there was talk of the trophies, the Champions League and big-money transfers. 

But also on the agenda, was a commitment to supporting the women’s team. Chief executive Amanda Staveley outlined how the new owners were ‘wholeheartedly committed to women’s and girls football.’ 

Amid the controversy of the Saudi-backed takeover, it was perhaps an easy win. A PR stunt, some may say. But as Sportsmail speaks to women’s head coach Becky Langley at the club’s Academy training centre, it is clear this is no vanity project.

Newcastle United’s Saudi-backed takeover has led to new investment in the side’s women’s team, with Amanda Staveley particularly interested in their success

‘When the owners first came in, everyone was really excited but also a bit nervous of what that meant for everybody here,’ Langley says. ‘With being the richest club in the world, there was that element of doubt of are they just going to bring in a whole new staff team, a whole new player team? They can probably afford to buy Lucy Bronze!’

Staveley has taken an active role in supporting the women’s team. Last season she turned up unannounced at a game at Northumbria University’s Coach Lane Campus and was spotted peering through a fence trying to watch the action unfold. She has also attended every home game at Kingston Park this season.

‘Amanda talks to myself and the players about how, when she was a young girl, she’d have loved to have played football but there wasn’t that opportunity for her,’ Langley says. 

‘She’s really passionate about making sure that every girl in the area has the opportunity to play football and doesn’t have to pay to do so. There is a real genuine care about the women’s team, it isn’t a PR stunt, there’s no two ways about it. They show that in that they want to come and watch our fixtures.

Staveley has taken an active role at the club and attended every one of their home games this season

‘They really want us to do well and I think Amanda is excited that we could be the first Newcastle team to win silverware if we go on to win this league, unless Eddie and the boys have a good experience in the Cup!’

It is not just Langley who is feeling the support of the ownership. Forward Katie Barker, age, is a life-long Newcastle fan. She was forced to play for Sunderland in her youth and went on to make her WSL debut for the Blackcats, but now there is a chance to progress at the club she loves.

‘To finally be part of Newcastle United is amazing. It makes us feel cared for, recognised,’ Barker tells Sportsmail. ‘One day there will be a kid like me, a die-hard Newcastle fan growing up, and they won’t have to go and play for Sunderland. It’s amazing to know we’re impacting the young girls that come to watch us play.’

Previously players had to get a sponsor or pay a fee of £400 a year to fund kit, buses and equipment. While some players had the support of businesses and family, others had to pay by direct debit. 

The club’s women’s team drew a crowd of over 20,000 fans to St James’ Park when they played Alnwick Town Ladies in May

Money provided by the new ownership has relieved that burden and the team now train once a week at the men’s site in addition to their other two sessions a week. But there is an understanding that they must build in a sustainable way.

‘What people need to remember is that the players are still part-time players,’ Langley says.

‘Yes, they’ve got additional support services and they’ve got a little bit of financial support from the club, but we’ve still got players who are full-time students, we’ve still got players who are full-time police officers, players that are assistant head-teachers, we’ve got players that are still working a 50-60 hour week. The reality is they’re not full-time footballers which wouldn’t be right at this level currently.

‘We’ve got the ambition and a long-term plan but our feet are on the ground in that we’re playing tier four football. Some of the teams we will play in our league will have really limited resources.’

Becky Langley’s side normally play their home fixtures at Kingston Park, home of the Newcastle Falcons

As it stands, Newcastle require three promotions to reach the Women’s Super League. They are second in the National League Division One North, one point behind Durham Cestria. But the club would be in a strong position to apply for a top flight licence should the FA decide to expand the league.

‘I’m sure if that opportunity arises we’ll be pushing to see if we can in any way leapfrog the leagues,’ Langley says. ‘Of course we want to play at the highest level we can. But I think there’s also something quite special about starting in tier four and actually seeing it as a project to build.’

Langley’s side will play their second game at St James’ Park on Sunday, with over 25,000 tickets already sold. Their first fixtures at the men’s stadium on May 1 attracted a crowd of 22,134 but following England’s success at the Euros, there is hope that they can surpass the 47,367 attendance of north London derby.

‘I think we’re all ambitious and really excited that if we push the game and advertise it in the right way and if we’ve got a good momentum of winning football games then people will want to see the product that is on offer,’ Langley says. 

But over 25,000 tickets have been sold at St James’ for their clash with Bradford City W.F.C

‘We’d obviously love to beat that record and we’re all very aware of the great crowd that Arsenal and Tottenham got and we just want to surpass that hopefully.’

There is an accusation, on the men’s side, that Newcastle fans feel ‘entitled’ to success. That is not true. They just want to be able to dream, to have hope. Now, after years in the wilderness, the women’s team can dream too.

‘We’re hungry for success,’ says Langley. ‘Without the support of our owners, we wouldn’t have the ambition to be in the WSL. It’s not just about the financial support, it’s about feeling cared for.’