Key Newcastle United figure Amanda Staveley has hinted at the Premier League club’s unhappiness at a “one way” contract with Rangers kit partners Castore.
Speaking amid much conjecture regarding the deal, with plenty suggesting a return to Adidas could be in the offing, Staveley claims that the Newcastle United hierarchy have inherited several difficulties at the club.
This comes after the British business executive spearheaded the Saudi-led PIF takeover of Newcastle United last year, with Mike Ashley finally relinquishing control of the St James’ Park club.
With fortunes upturning on the park, Amanda Staveley was full of praise for the playing and non-playing staff and directors who’ve made it possible.
But the shrewd businessman woman was also critical of contracts signed before the Saudis came into Newcastle United, with Colombo not required to deduce that Castore are in the firing line.
The comments also suggest a level of corporate negligence employed during the reign of High St billionaire Ashley.
Amanda Staveley hints at Newcastle United Castore discontent
“We had some incredible people with us day one, but we’ve had to build that team out well,” said Staveley, speaking at the Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit [quoted by the Times].
“We’ve had to bring in the marvellous Eddie Howe, but, when we first took over, it was extraordinary, because we didn’t have a director of football, a chief executive or a commercial director.
“We inherited very difficult contracts, FUN88, or contracts that were six or seven years in length, which were very much one way. So we were limited by the way in which we could drive our commercial revenues.
“It was a really difficult time, and the priority was not to be relegated.
“We were very proud we finished 11th. We did everything. Mehrdad (Ghodoussi) and I worked together. I think the most extraordinary thing is I’m sitting here still married after a year working alongside my husband!
“We did every role. We were CEO, commercial director, director of football – and we did the transfer policy.
“We brought in some brilliant players, and we are where we are today with the marvellous and brilliant Eddie.”
The comments suggest all is not harmonious between Castore and Newcastle United and we suspect this won’t be the end of the discussion around Rangers’ retail partners.
Not that it’s stopping them pressing on with their aims; the now-Manchester based retailers Castore have world domination in their sights.