Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley responds to criticism of 'controversial' post-season trip to Australia as she says 'revenue generating trips are crucial to commercial success'

Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley has taken to social media to issue a response to the widespread criticism of her team's short post-season Australia tour.

Eyebrows were raised when the Magpies made the trip Down Under just days after the conclusion of a long season with a summer of international football ahead.

Newcastle beat Tottenham on penalties in a friendly in Melbourne before seeing a second string XI get hammered 8-0 by an A-League All Stars team just two days later.   

Few could see the justification of the two games on the other wise of the world with club legend Alan Shearer labelling it 'madness' and 'crazy'.

And Staveley, who spent the weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix, admits she understands the concerns. 

In a post on Instagram, she wrote: 'I've seen a lot of comments about the NUFC Australia trip which I'd like to address. Besides being a shareholder, I am first and foremost a fan.

'As a fan, I understand that this trip was controversial. However, personal opinions aside, revenue generating trips are crucial to a clubs commercial success.

'The decision to go was taken by management, and ultimately I have to support their decisions.

'Nobody wants a fresh team ready for the season more than me, and we are doing everything we can to support our manager in achieving this. 

'Mehrdad [Ghodoussi] and I had a very productive working trip to Monaco with a potential sponsor,' Staveley added. We are looking ahead to the new season. We Are United.'