In pictures: Fans go wild celebrating Newcastle United’s takeover

It’s the news Newcastle fans have been hoping for since 2017. Yesterday, it was announced that a takeover deal had been signed between Mike Ashley and new Saudi Arabian investors to make Newcastle United the richest football club in the world.

While many national charity and government figures have expressed concerns over the “sportswashing” of Saudi human rights abuses, the takeover is viewed positively by the majority of Newcastle supporters, who made their feelings known last night, after a mass celebration occurred at the foot of St James’ park.

Image: Matthew Pendleton

The football-loving crowd were on patriotic form, chanting and singing, including a revised version of Beatles hit Hey Jude.

They also chanted “shoes off if ya love the toon” with hundreds raising a sea of trainers and boots in the air.

One fan expressed how much he enjoyed the chaos: “Cans flying everywhere, footballs flying everywhere, jackets flying everywhere, no one cared for anything except one thing, Newcastle United. People could have lost their wedding rings that night and wouldn’t have cared.

Image: Aaron McIntyre

“It was an act of letting loose, pure joy, euphoria would be putting it lightly. The best night myself, and the majority of those there have ever had.”

Image: Aaron McIntyre

Fans weren’t alone though, as music star and proud Geordie Sam Fender joined them for the celebrations, like many others, Fender later took to social media celebrating the news for his beloved club

As the night went on, some set off smoke flares and crowds were supervised and monitored by Northumbria police throughout the night.

Image: Aaron McIntyre

Image: Sam Bunting

Not everyone was shouting for the Toon Army last night though, some locals expressed anger over the mess leftover after the celebrations finished, with one saying: “All for celebrating but wish people would clean up after themselves! Town is a mess tonight it’s going to take a big clean up.”

Image: Katie Irving

The city centre wasn’t the only mess though… As if Sam Fender’s surprise appearance wasn’t funny enough, he then continued his celebrations hungover on BBC Breakfast the next morning.

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