Shola Ameobi knows how the good times roll on Tyneside and admits he is now getting the same feeling about Newcastle United as the club find themselves 14 months into a whole new era.
The former striker famously scored at the Nou Camp against Barcelona as United took their fans on a Champions League tour back in the early Noughties. But after some barren years, the club are now aiming high again and Ameobi witnessed the ambition of Newcastle at first-hand as supporters were briefed by co-owners Amanda Staveley and Jamie Reuben and CEO Darren Eales at an international fan event in Riyadh.
Ameobi too spoke to fans at length and inevitably was asked about his remarkable goalscoring record against Sunderland back in the day. But as he met with fans from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain he needed no reminding of the massive potential at St James' Park these days.
READ MORE: Chris Wood shoots down transfer talk and says he is 'committed' to Newcastle
Ameobi told Chronicle Live: "I think the fact that the club are now thinking about things like this bodes well for the future. It's not just about something they are looking to build at the club, but it's the connection they want to make with the fans, not just in Newcastle but also across the world.
"We went over to Saudi Arabia and met fans and they are as passionate as those we have at home. It is great that we get to do this and connect. The manager and the players spent the time together with the fans"
Ameobi's passion on the field is now channeled off it as he helps mentor and coach younger players in his role as Academy co-ordinator alongside sporting director Dan Ashworth. But he also loves his ambassadorial role, something which led him to Riyadh earlier this month.
Over the years the big clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool have included former stars like Bryan Robson and Ian Rush on board their flights to far-flung destinations. The role not only helps the squad but also eases the pressure on management at commercial event on club excursions.
It's a role that Ameobi has bags of enthusiasm for. Ameobi said: "It comes naturally to me anyway. I am a Newcastle fans and I want to promote the club in the best light.
"Newcastle United has given me so much and I want to share that passion wherever we go. It is really important that not only myself, but all club employees do that.
"We do, generally and obviously the management and the owners want to promote the club more as a global entity. It is important that we take up that mantle."
With the club in a great position as we end 2022, the city is jumping and the fans are excited at what might be in 2023. For Ameobi, he hopes that history can repeat itself. The long-serving striker said: "It is full circle for me now. I came in at a wonderful time and period for the club.
"I can now see a lot of things that mirror that era. The team bonding, the belief is one thing that has risen since Eddie came in. He has instilled the belief in the players that they can do it.
"Obviously, they are being coached as well at a very high level. That brings confidence. Once you get the fans back on board this place is like a tinder box waiting to explode.
"You can feel it now. It is palpable. The boys are actually ahead of where we thought we would be. But that is down to the fact that the whole thing is tied and everybody is singing from the same hymn sheet.
"Players, management and staff. It is a great moment in Newcastle's history and I can see this only going one way. So it is really exciting for me on the back end of it, outside looking in, and I am excited like any fan looking at what we can do, looking forward."
READ NEXT
- Newcastle to use cryotherapy as training ground upgrades take shape
- Alexander Isak touch and go to take part in Newcastle United's festive programme
- Bruno Guimaraes beats Salah and Haaland to win Fans' Footballer of the Year
- Jurgen Klopp benefits from Newcastle United's last mistake under Mike Ashley
- How PIF are reaching for the skies in Riyadh
