Amanda Staveley delivered an empowering speech to the Newcastle United Women’s team moments before they embarked on their history-making Women's FA Cup second-round victory over league rivals Barnsley.
The Lady Magpies booked their place in the FA Women's Cup third round with a sensational 2-1 comeback win in front of a record 28,565 fans at St. James’ Park - an FA Cup record crowd outside of a final. Sunday’s attendance also quashes the previous record set at St. James’ last year, when 22,000 fans cheered on Becky Langley’s side during a 4-0 win against Alnwick Town Ladies.
Last year’s takeover has brought Newcastle Women back into the heart of the club, and part-owner Staveley has been integral in its reintegration and backing from the club. Newcastle Women currently sit second in the Women's National League Division One North, separated by just three points from Barnsley.
And the 49-year-old business executive visited the squad before they embarked on their FA Cup tie to deliver a rousing speech in which she admitted to feeling inspired by the players’ zeal to make this team a reality.
“First of all, I want to say how incredibly proud I am of all of you. This has been a journey that we have taken together,” she said. “You have inspired me. Actually, I have goosebumps now because you have inspired me from, well we started from pretty much nothing.
"But it was your passion and drive, Becky and Sue and Katie and all of you girls that actually did this. We came along and made it a little bit easier but ultimately it was your belief in yourselves that you could go and play and deliver such incredible football.
“So I want you all to think about when you’re out there today all the other young girls that you’re inspiring, and women that you’re inspiring for the future because I couldn’t get the chance to play football. And I love now seeing you guys perform.”
Staveley also called on the players to “reflect on the pressure that has been on you all” and admitted that she is determined to ease the financial burden that playing part-time naturally breeds.
“It’s a massive platform that you’ve put yourselves onto and you cope with that really well,” Staveley said. “And I know Sue said upstairs, we were talking about getting there in X amount of years. Forget all of that. Because we will get there when we get there. The most important thing is that you enjoy your football and we learn to play. And as long as every game gets better, I know you will. And that has happened. You are second in the league. That is extraordinary. And you have done this from a part-time basis, we’re trying to make that so you don’t have the financial pressure on you.
“Becky, my heart I’m so proud of you. What you’ve done to inspire these amazing women and today, it’s all about you. And just go out there and enjoy it.”
Barnsley’s Emily Pierrepont fired the visitors in front after only 15 minutes, but long-range stunners from Georgia Gibson and Sharna Wilkison in the second half flipped the narrative in the space of five minutes and secured Newcastle Women a berth in the third round of the FA Cup.
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