Five years, to the day. We rejoiced, emotions unlocked, cans everywhere, thick heads the morning after, no doubt a sickie or two. The end of purgatory. New beginnings.
But five years is a long time in life, never mind football. And now feels like a good time to ask, has the PIF-led takeover of Newcastle United delivered what was expected? Has the Saudi influx been everything we ever wanted? Were those expectations maybe too high? Or is not that black and white?
Well, I can only speak for myself here, this is my opinion piece after all. I remain conflicted. While I wouldn’t swap some of the on-field achievements and moments for the world, the lack of spades in the ground (I know, we’re nearly there) still disappoints. And given what was promised vs what has so far been ponderously delivered, I think it’s OK to sit here still with a sense of the unfulfilled and unfinished. This takeover, for me, hasn’t, been what it said on the tin - but I very much believe it still can be.
Now, before I get any entitled or over-expectant slurs, I know what we are, what we were and our journey to get here. I lived it with you, I bear those scars. I don’t think every conversation about progress and achievement needs to be caveated with this. I’ll humour it, of course.