Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has refused to discuss the future of the Tyneside football club, despite the resignation of manager Kevin Keegan last week.
Mike Ashley – remains silent on Newcastle situation
But that’s just one of the shabby ways in which the club is being managed right now, because since Derek Llambias replaced Chris Mort as head executive at the club, there has been very little communication coming out of the club, and we mean very little.
Over the summer, nothing was said about players coming or going, and now we know Kevin Keegan, who was the only person ever speaking to the press, was not even allowed to talk about transfers.
Since Kevin resigned lat week, there have been a scant couple of communications from the club on the official web-site, and those have led to even more confusion about who was really in charge of transfers at Newcastle. The club managed to contradict itself, from some of its earlier statements on the matter.
This is no way to run a business, in which you simply ignore your customers, in times when they have a reasonable right to know what’s going on.
It was hoped that Ashley might try to explain his actions at the annual general meeting of his company Sports Direct International yesterday, but when approached by a Sky News reporter he repeatedly said he would only talk about things related to Sports Direct.
Ashley had flown back from New York to be at the meeting, and with journalists far outnumbering shareholders, the billionaire refused to discuss the situation at his Newcastle club.
The lack of communication out of St. James’ Park is completely unacceptable, and is very poor business practice, and leads to fans being wary of just what exactly the club’s plans are for the future.
But that seems to be the way the club has treated its fan base, and tells them nothing of what’s going on.
As far as we are concerned the sooner this lot sells up and ships out the better it will be for the Newcastle United Football Club.
We have no idea at all who the new manager may be, or even if there will be a new manager soon, but there again we are just fans – and we seem to be at the bottom of the totem pole.
Comments welcome.
50 comments so far
Sav
Sep 11, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Comment #41Bobby Robson said a few other things as well, and good on him for saying them. Have you read it?
Keegan!…Ashley Out!
Phil,Gosforth
Sep 11, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Comment #42Cinta wtf sort of reply is that.
You mentioned players playing ” for the club”.
I said they don’t,they play for the money,they don’t really care where they play.I never said I didn’t support them,wtf?
The main thing now is the future of the club,not 3 points @ next game.
Fair weather fan or MA “yes man”?
LOL @ your anti- KK remarks man.
People don’t like the blokes in charge and they wanna do something about it.KK’s treatment was the start and then they decided,after great forethought,to lie to everyone.
My stance is anti MA,more than pro KK.
Keano
Sep 11, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Comment #43Here we go again. “Sack the board, sack the board,sack the board” Why don’t you bunch of saddos buy the club. Then when things go wrong time and time again. You can have who you want as chairman or manager. It’s getting boring now its every year with you lot.
Phil,Gosforth
Sep 11, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Comment #44Clinta
If the Indian bloke bought the club and thought the same way as Ashley,then no I don’t want thim.What good would that be.
Many clubs have been took over by billionaires but only ONE ( NUFC) spends f-all.
If he realises that you have to speculate to accumulate,not penny pinch and lie,then that would be sweet.
There isn’t enough money to be made in football every year for REALLY rich people,like the Indian bloke.Less than his bank interest for damn sure.
The only way to make a worthwhile profit is to make the club great and that takes investment,then sell the whole club.Even then,wouldn’t make any financial difference to him.
He wouldn’t want to lose money every year but would know he isn’t gonna make a great deal either.
So his motives for taking over a club,when you’re the 6th richest man in the world,would probably NOT be financial.
Born Again Geordie
Sep 11, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Comment #45Phil,Gosforth.
Re: your post 34.
It to me, is not a question of ‘getting your moneys worth’ as you put it. It is more a question of getting behind the team on the pitch and supporting them.
After all the players have done nothing wrong and we as supporters profess to be ‘the loyalest football supporters the world has ever had!’ Not very loyal staying outside the ground and calling for Ashley’s head on a silver platter.
Just look at it this way mate. If (and it’s a big if) Ashley does turn up at the match and is in the directors box – is he going to see or indeed hear people protesting outside of the ground? I don’t think so. But 50,000 angry Geordies inside SJP in your face is hard to ignore.
Would you not agree?
Born Again Geordie
Sep 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Comment #46MAG PIE – post 39
LOL 😀
tough call I agree !!!
Phil,Gosforth
Sep 11, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Comment #47BAG #44
I think,to be honest,that NUFC goes beyond the team and the results on the pitch.If it was all we cared about then we wouldn’t be there week after week.I think it’s important for the fans that the club is ran well and owners show ambition.
I think staying outside and calling for Ashleys head on a platter IS extremely loyal.You believe that he is that bad that you’ll give up the match of the team you love and support,for the good of the future of NUFC.Hats off to all who do,tbh.
I would agree that 50,00 peeps shouting @ him in SJP would be hard for him to ignore but he doesn’t care.It would be bad for him but he can take the sh*t as it means nowt.Staying away,making the fact we don’t like and don’t back him obvious to everyone else will send a message to him AND hurt his business interests,that WILL affect him @ SJP and elsewhere.
The only way to hit the fat fu*k is thru his wallet.It’s all he cares about/understands.
Howay the lads
Phil,Gosforth
Sep 11, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Comment #48Tricky decision indeed MAG PIE.
Suppose your gonna think everyone who isn’t @ the game and protests are misguided fools then?
If you wanna protest,I’m with ya.
If you wanna go support the boys,I’m with ya.
As long as you think whatever your’e doing is for the benefit of the club,I’m with ya.
Howay the lads
Born Again Geordie
Sep 11, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Comment #49Phil, I find it hard to disagree with most of what you say – we are on the same side after all lol.
Joking apart I will be going to the match to support the team. i will also be happy to throw my support behind any protest befor and after the game.
I want Ashley out as much as you do and the next man and the next…… etc.
I love Newcastle United and have done since before my Dad took me to my first game on the opening day of the season against Leeds United in 1977 and we won 3 – 2.
Sorry about the digression there – the point I was trying to make was this is a great club and it will be there long after Ashley has gone I go to the match cos I love the team, not the owner, not the manager etc but to go and watch my Newcastle United and I have felt that way for 30 plus years and no matter who is owner , chairman they will not stop me watching the toon !!!!
Ho’way the Lads !
MAG PIE
Sep 11, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Comment #50Phil – 48 – no offence and pleased to see none taken but if the ‘old pro’s’ say go and support the team that’s good enough for me.
I will be protesting outside at 2pm , inside the ground at 1/2 time and outside at full time. See nufc.com for details.
Bring back KK
Ashley out