There have been reports saying that Chris Mort may return to Newcastle United as chairman of the club.
Chris Mort – when he first arrived last summer
However, just why Chris would return, when the person he has worked for, Mike Ashley, is about to sell the club, seems strange at best.
We have to remember that Chris is a top class lawyer, and he put that career on hold for almost a year as he did work for Ashley, with a strategic review of the Newcastle club and he was the Chairman until things were put in order.
We thought he did a great job, and the job he did is looking even better now, after Kevin Llambias took over. Llambias has been an utter and complete failure in the job, and brought much discontent to the playing side of the club, not least of all with Kevin Keegan.
Chris Mort answered the rumors that he may come back:
“I’ve seen the reports in the media about me working for Newcastle United again but they aren’t true I’m afraid. I’m heading back to North America later this week which is where I’ve been working over the summer.”
“I haven’t done any work for Newcastle United since I left in June. While the company I work for, Freshfields, may help Mike Ashley with the sale of the club I am not doing so.”
It’s a pity because whether he likes it or not the Newcastle fans like Chris, and if he wanted a job in football it seems he would be welcomed by the Newcastle fans. He has good business judgment and always thought through things from the fans’ perspective, which he regarded as customers of the Tynesdie club.
He also talked often to the fans about what was happening, and those comments were always balanced and thoughtful, and he gave a much needed professional face to the club.
It also seems the story that he was returning to Newcastle this week to help with the sale of the club is not true, unfortunately.
Make no mistake, what we saw of Chris he is a top talent, a top man and will have a fantastic career, wherever he chooses to carry out that work.
He’s one of the bright sparks of the Ashley era, but like all good people, he is also in great demand.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
cause I got the girth
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Comment #1do a get a job, do a get job, do a get a job………………cause i got the girth….YEAH!
lesh
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Comment #2Not surprising really as he’d always be perceived as an Ashley man!!
The Sloper
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Comment #3Decent bloke, top-class lawyer. But decent blokes and top-class lawyers are not what Newcastle need right now. The club needs people with the testicular fortitude to make changes – including some painful ones – in order to stop the rot, turn the situation around and get Newcastle towards the right end of the table, which is the place a club of this size should be.
Temuri K's Shiny Bonce
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Comment #4Shame. Decent bloke who went it to the job with his eyes wide open, wasn’t afraid to give an interview, to reassure fans or to support his manager. I think we knew that a return wasn’t on the cards. Good Luck to him
Keep that Conga going Chris!!!
Richard
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Comment #5Shame, I would have loved this guy as our chairman, fronting a bid from one of the consortiums.
So, the job of Chairman goes to…..?
Ganiyu
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Comment #6Sign him av wat ever price,
Guinea Mag
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Comment #7Chris Mort did a good job and if I was MA would try and include him in any sales package until the new owner has his own team in place.
Would be good for Newcastle if he came back for a short while as Llambias is worthless….
Korj
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Comment #8THINK TWICE BEFORE U SAID HE WAS A GOOD CHAIRMAN.
REMEMBER HE WAS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT DENNIS WISE!
Geordie Jayne
Oct 1, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Comment #9Chris will go down in history at NUFC for his lead role in the Conga in St James’ when we beat Sunderland. Classssssssssss
Charlie
Oct 1, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Comment #10What do you guys think about signing Carr back up on a short term contract? Hate to say it but he could be useful.
Ericles
Oct 1, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Comment #11Charlie may have a point about Carr one has to admit. But he may overwork our physios once again though. I thought Mort was a principled bloke but him coming back as chairman is garbage. Just the press making it up again as usual. Anybody know what happened to Charlie Woods? Where did he go? He was with Sir Bobby for a while. I remember him playing as a clever little inside right for Newcastle some years back.
xfer
Oct 1, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #12He certainly did a good job.