Louise Taylor is reporting in the Guardian late tonight, there is unlikely to be a Newcastle sale soon, and maybe not even this season.
Mike Ashley – will he still want to sell?
It seems the Barry Moat deal could take months, but apparently is dependent on Mike reducing his £100M asking price. But let’s get real very quickly, there’s no way Mike is going to do that, with Newcastle currently sitting pretty at the head of the Championship table.
The Guardian reports that sources close to Moat say they have the money to meet Ashley’s £100M asking price, but are not prepared to pay it.
Really! That hardly sounds feasible to us – yes I didn’t pass the exam but it’s only because I didn’t want to – comes to mind from our schooldays and always seemed to be untrue – and the above seems similar kind of convoluted thinking.
And it’s hard to think that Mike, who paid £134M for th club and put another £100M in would be willing to reduce his price.
In ahort, it seems the best Moat can do is to try to get a deal done before Christmas.
But keeping the club up for sale is one of the things that killed us last season, the club being up for sale for 4 months – and that doesn’t help the team or the players.
But maybe they are more used to the craziness that Ashley brings to Tyneside these days, and Hughton has gelled the players to forget what’s going on with Ashley and company. and just get the results on the pitch, and they are doing a great job at that so far.
But when did you have to almost fight the owner to make Newcastle successful ?
Player sales of £23M have helped cut the club’s overdraft and the wage bill of £74M has dropped to around £46M (by our detailed spreadsheet calculations), but other quotes say it is lower than that and under £40M.
By the way other Championship clubs are said to have wage bills of around £9M – so we better keep winning our games.
So the financial picture for Newcastle has also definitely improved, and that’s good news.
What Mike should do is keep the club, and do all he can to help the Magpies back to the Premier League next May, and suddenly he’s doubled the asking price, and a sale would be easier since the financial books are in better shape.
£100M in 9 months (Sep 09 -> May 10) would be a fantastic return.
That’s what we would do – so let’s hope Mike’s business decision making continues to be hopeless and he doesn’t do that. :D.
Kevin Keegan’s claim against the club has also not been settled yet, and would be buyers do not want to take on this liability.
Keith Harris, the executive chairman of Seymour Pierce, who has been a player in this soap opera for a year now, cannot give any definitive predictions as to when a sale is likely.
“My gut instinct is that Newcastle will have a new owner by Christmas,”
“It’s a very attractive asset but people are taking their time about things.”
We’re little surprised at this statement from Keith, and we have to assume the American consortium is not what it was cracked up to be.
If Newcastle keep winning, there’s a decent chance Middle East Consortia will move in and buy the club – quickly.
And even offer Mike a premium of say £10M more if Newcastle are 10 points clear by Christmas – but if that’s true we’ll be checking the old piggy bank again.
We think the more wins Newcastle can pile up, the more likely Ashley will not sell, or let’s say the more demanding he’ll become with the sale, because he starts to hold all the cards. .
If Mike stays at the club, it will not be good – we know that.
But the very last thing we want to happen is to have him disrupt things on the pitch at Newcastle, or have fan protests that do this.
Chris and the players have set the right example – and are getting th job done so far, so let’s continue to fully support the lads 100% and not upset the band wagon.
Although some would say it’s already overturned, and could provide a litany of proof. 😀
Howay The Lads!!.
Comments welcome.
54 comments so far
punk skunk...
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Comment #1Oh no!..
Not that smb-sad mackem bint!..
punk skunk...
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Comment #2Doin’ her usual 3 day old news bit…
Toon_Factor
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Comment #3zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
punk skunk...
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Comment #4http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Marlon-Harewood-set-for-Newcastle-loan-article142223.html
Toon_Factor
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Comment #5punk skunk…
imo he’s crap
ObaMartins
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Comment #6Guardian is same as most other tabloids….full of it
NICK C
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Comment #7She is a twisty faced mackem bore. Take everything she says with liberal doses of salt…
OHurley
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Comment #8Ashley out.
Somebody -anybody- with money IN
punk skunk...
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Comment #9Maybe TF,
or maybe he could do a job for us?..
punk skunk...
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Comment #10Nick,
a whole quarry full of salt, more like!..
🙂
stuart no9
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Comment #11sadly Ed your right ,as i said in your article before this one , the only person stopping us from getting promoted is our owner (sounds mad dosent it) but true. what i heard on ssn ,was that the club WILL be sold before xmas and that the owners will be a mix of local and foreign buisnessmen so would i be right in thinking ,that the yanks will buy the club and moat is going to run it , anybody agree?
pearceet
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Comment #12GET OUT OF OUR CLUUUUB
YOU FAT COCKNEY BASTARD
GET OUT OF OUR CLUB
Big Dave
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Comment #13Rod come out come out were ever you are.
stuart no9 i think there is 2 sets of americans one that wants to buy and the others i think are just some of Moats backers imo.
Partizan
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Comment #14Nick C….She can be a scum reporter but that is common sense what she’s saying…..if for example we had 4 loses instead of 4 wins in a row,he would have sold it for sure…..now not only that he has the oportunity to double the asking price,he can triple it by winning the promotion.
Ross
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Comment #15Whether its true or not, its disgusting that Journo’s still have the opportunity to write such articles, down to the fact that 5 weeks or so into the new championship season, we’re no further on regarding our boardroom situation than we were the day we were relegated.
As for people on SSN saying this that or the other, its surely clear now that they know nowt. No one knows a thing, certainly not David Craig or any other journo’s. Christ the way its going im questioning whether Keith Harris has a clue what the crack is at the minute like.
A double edged sword really. Being up for sale for months and months on end, helps nobody. I’m sure the players would love to settle down having a proper manager and coaching staff to work under. However does that spell the return of Kinnear? No disrespect to the man but i dont think there’s a Geordie out there that wants him back in our dug out like. Similarly, it seems like the players are pulling together and racking up the performances whilst staring this whole mess in the face. Refusing to let it get to them, fighting for the cause and its paying off. We can’t however, expect such results and performances to continue throughout the season, its just not possible, one of the main reasons being the fact that our squad is still thread bare-again, down to the fantastically pathetic lot currently in charge.
As for Marlon Harewood-no thank you. not at all. He’s below par in the premiership and would be in the championship. All he’ll do is stunt the development of other promising strikers. If he comes in, he’ll play ahead of both Ranger and Carroll, yet behind Shola, pointless.
BenjiToon
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Comment #16It’s an age since I posted. Been watching and waiting and hoping things would change, and holding on for the great celebratory post I’d deliver when Ash sold up and shipped out…
…oh well, that was a waste of time, eh?
That said, I wouldn’t take a word this lass writes as gospel. She’s not a great journalist, and often rehashes what she picks up elsewhere. Also, remember that she has twice before stuck her Mackem boot into us – over Keegan leaving and to have a dig at Shearer. Sad for the Guardian that she is on their staff, as they’re usually quite good.
Anyway, on the Harewood deal…it’s only for three months so that might be enough to add some depth up front while we wait for Shola back. But I’ve been looking and all these are still available on frees:
STRIKERS
Henri Camara (31)
MIDFIELDERS
Ebi Smolarek (28)
Andy van der Meyde (29)
Julian Gray (29)
Stephen Appiah (28)
DEFENDERS
Michael Ball (29)
Lauren (32)
Georgios Seitaridis (28)
Bobo Balde (33)
Would give some of them a wide berth but at least a couple in there who we could get on reasonable wages to add experience to the squad
Waddles mullet
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Comment #17Mmmmmmm louise I would love to give her one!!!
A gallon of petrol on her face and put it out with a cricket bat that is……..
Hold on someone beat me to it!!!!!!!
Stinking mackam slit should be ginger.
Dragonera
Sep 2, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Comment #18Ross, Benji, Hadj and Nick C all on at one time?!?
Could this blog be taking a sudden upsurge in quality?! 🙂
I think Harewood would be a decent for us as he is a Championship striker with immense strength. However, i do not feel we actually need him.
As for the sale of the club, it wouldn’t surprise me if MA unofficially took it off the market. Think about it, if you were in his position, would you sell the club knowing the next owner is likely to profit largely at your expense? He will hold on to the club until we are promoted and then take the profits. A club with immense status, but no longer the baggage.
Dragonera
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Comment #19…and now even Waddles as turned up. Now we just need The Entertainers and Tom Toon to make a late cameo appearance and it will be just like old times. ha ha 😀
Ross
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Comment #20Dragonera-Harewood is a big lad and i suppose it’d be no harm having someone his size to stick up against Championship back fours, they seem to be quite physical. You only have to watch Ranger’s performance against Leicester though to see he has something special in his hold up play, i was pretty shocked to be honest. His first touch was excellent and he always seemed to know who and what was around him to feed the ball and keep it moving. I dunno, i’d just be worried that if we brought a striker like him in, the likes of Ranger might not get a proper bash. I’m all for Lovenkrands however. We were desperate for a bit of pace upfront. He’s very quick off his toes and i think with good hold up play and service he could be a real menace for us this season. He finds his shooting boots and he’ll toast the majority of defenders for speed.
Ross
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Comment #21Dragonera // Sep 2, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Ross, Benji, Hadj and Nick C all on at one time?!?
Could this blog be taking a sudden upsurge in quality?!
————————————–
I agree likw, its a shame but the blog has went canny pear shaped within the past few months like. You can head on here during the day at times and think you’ve accidently stumbled upon the Eastenders scripts for the next fortnight or somethin. All this “who’s signing in as this name” or just pointless insults. I just want to talk about the toon! lol
Dragonera
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Comment #22Dragonera
Me and you both, mate. Sometimes you can’t get a word in edgeways on here. I’m pretty sure sometimes it is the same person arguing with themselves, lol.
Regarding Ranger, i too was pretty shocked by his maturity. Although, i watched the match again on the old Sky+ and i must say, his performance was a little less impressive without all the hype from the commentators. Honestly, they were praising him for doing some of the most simple things. Like attempting to win a header and making a simple and obvious pass, lol. I don’t think he is quite ready to start games against harder opposition just yet.
Dragonera
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Comment #23I must be tired, posting comments to myself ???
The last post is meant for Ross
Trent Toon
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Comment #24HAHA ED-you wrote an article about the club not updating their website, missing youngsters in the team list.. Well go see now-Club is updating website…. They listen to you….
stuart no9
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Comment #25waddles mullet,
regarding no16
nice one , just had a little giggle before a;h gan ti bed
stuart no9
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Comment #26waddles mullet
sorry not 16, no 17
Paul141726
Sep 3, 2009 at 1:57 AM
Comment #27Next step—telling Keith Harris that his services are no longer needed. They (we) fell for it again. If ANYONE thinks Ashley ever intended to sell I’ve got a news flash: He will not sell until there is profit for him and NOT before. I fear we are saddled with this yo-yo for a long time to come. How’s that for optimism? If true, we can’t say we didn’t see it coming!
As for Harewood?–Ya allright I guess.
Rangerman
Sep 3, 2009 at 7:29 AM
Comment #28We’ve known since the end of last season that the asking price was £100 million, my advice to anyone would be to stop fannying about over the price as in a few months it could be worth a lot more.
Stuart79
Sep 3, 2009 at 7:38 AM
Comment #29Rangerman // Sep 3, 2009 at 7:29 AM
We’ve known since the end of last season that the asking price was £100 million, my advice to anyone would be to stop fannying about over the price as in a few months it could be worth a lot more.
Sports Direct was worth more than it is now but due to underacheivment and lower sales it’s worth a lot less.
Does that mean it should be over priced?
Wealthy people don’t spend this amount of money on potential.
Nick D
Sep 3, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Comment #30Paul 141
It must cost Ashley a lot to keep Harris and Seymour Pierce on wages all that time though, not once but twice?
One question that has been driving me mad and no one seems to know the answer is who brokered the Man city / Abu Dhabi group deal. I remember a woman, I think her name was Caroline something, but I can’t think who her company was. I just wanted to know as they seemed to get a deal done in next to no time.
Harris seems to have dragged on forever and his CV isn’t that great in the cold light of day, ie selling City first time round to Thaksin S..??….ra!
Nick D
Sep 3, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Comment #31Ashley will be quids in in World cup year next June with England shirts flying off the shelvess.
he can afford to ride the storm out.
Bigbadbob
Sep 3, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Comment #32This story is just a re hash of the Keith Harris interview and he never said, i think it will be sold by Christmas.
He was asked if he thought it would be sold before Christmas and he replied that his gut feeling was that it would.
By and before are two very different words but Taylor has managed to spin everything around to read, club will not be sold by 2010, got to give taylor and her cronies credit, they will never ever give up their sustained attack on our club.
Stuart79
Sep 3, 2009 at 7:50 AM
Comment #33The club is massively overpriced IMO.
What Ashley is saying is that the club has lost just £33m in value from being relegated.
I mean they have had their turnover cut by 50%!
lesh
Sep 3, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Comment #34The Grauniad article seems to be reporting and making a realistic assessment of the club’s situation.
As far as its status is concerned, there’s no real reason why it should affect things on the field – doesn’t the palatabilty of any information depend on how it’s presented?
What am I saying? I’m saying that an item doesn’t have to up for sale and actively marketed for it to be available for purchase. There’s more than a subtle difference there and although Manchester United for example is not up for sale, I’m sure it could be bought if the right offer came along! That is the reality check which we, as supporters of NUFC and the players have got to live with.
Just look at West Ham’s situation as shown in last year’s accounts – they were in deep deep doo-doo with salaries representing north of 75% of their turnover with the need to sell Bellamy and others for example, to reduce their wage bill. Isn’t that what Ashley’s trying to do?
As I’ve said before, I’m no advocate of Ashley’s methods and style but there’s a good chance that the club’ll emerge from this in better shape – and with a new owner, a new status and a belief in itself.
We’ve just got to trust the guy as we’ve no choice but to go with the flow – supporting the players on the park and hoping that a little time’ll bring in more players to strenghen the woefully weak squad and with it, Newcastle United back where it belongs – in the Prem!
To echo seemingly nocturnal Ed…. Howay teh lads!!!!!
lesh
Sep 3, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Comment #35Important but unstated point to read into my post @ 34:
The key to a settled club is stability….. geddit Mr A – leave the management/ coaching regime as is – please, NO JFK!
lesh
Sep 3, 2009 at 9:03 AM
Comment #36And if you look at the Journal, you’ll see an article on Danny Guthire who without singing Hughton’s praises, is clearly enjoying life at the moment.
I’ve not attached the link ‘cos Ed’ll probably write it up.
Again, Mr Ashley, take note at what you’ve got at the club and leave things alone – no changes to the current coaching team.
JinkyGenius
Sep 3, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Comment #37Lesh is spot on with this. While the last year of hopeless mismanagement is Ashley’s doing alone, the financial situation at the club, in truth, is a legacy of FFS and his trophy signings / rake-offs (as outlined by Stardust yesterday). It matters not who is the owner at present, as long as the club is NOT in the hands of the Administrator (which looked a real possibility at one point). Moat is out of his depth, and the other consortia are at best time wasters and tyre kickers. We have to accept that the common interest shared between fans and Ashley is promotion – so let’s get on with it, take the club off the market and stop the sideshow distractions.
Of course, like everyone I am disappointed that the squad is still under strength, but we do have a a depth of quality that we perhaps take for granted and is way above standard CCC fare. In Collo, Jonas and Jose we have real class, and there is enough of a buzz overall with the youngsters coming through now to see us back to the Prem (with some sensible loan signings). We might not be top at the end, but as long as we avoid the play-offs!
The Cardiff game is a real tester, and will give a true reflection of our chances. And as long as the midfield wakes up to its responsibilities and starts scoring a few more goals in the absence of strikers we might just come away with something – and promotion is then only 40 more grueling games away….
Here’s to a financially sustainable club that produces its own stars!! If that was truly the aim, I would gladly accept another 5 trophy-less years for a solid year-on-year improvement until we make the breakthrough with the current crop of youngsters going head to head with Arsenal’s.
stevep
Sep 3, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Comment #38I really can’t see Ashley selling for anything less than the 100 million, the club is now in a lot better financial position and the current wage bill is probably sustainable given the 40,000 crowds and extra TV revenue we receive for being on Sky/BBC constantly, add the parachute payment and money from player sales and Ashley will not have to put in any cash of his own this season.
Looks like the longer we stay top of the championship (or close to it) the easier it is for Fat Ash to stay at the club – wage bill will be smaller next season when Geremi is finally out of contract and we look to off load Nicky Butt.
In one sense I’m glad we’ve finally taken steps to put a wage structure in place and realise we can’t compete with the likes of Liverpool, Man U and Chelsea on wages but on the other hand depressed that it prob means fat ash staying
JinkyGenius
Sep 3, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Comment #39To get a big money owner now would be akin to taking an ex-alcoholic and forcing him to to go an a binge the day after he gets out of rehab. We have done the hard work, now let’s see the results.
I sincerely hope we are seeing an outbreak of common sense among fans here, we DO NOT need big money signings any more, only big ambitions for the club and its youngsters.
PS: We don’t want Ashley either, but the less he interferes the more acceptable the current situation becomes… And better a sustainable club with Ashley than a financial time bomb with some speculative sports investment consortium.
Tal_nufc4eva
Sep 3, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Comment #40no lies here … my best mate shaun’s mam is a close freind to one of newcastle’s groundsmen and he says that ashley wouldnt take the club of the market and says that that american consortium had a meeting wit laurel n hardey and it seemed to go pretty well and once they agree to pay off sum deppt or sumthin the yanks wil be our new owners 🙂 most of his soucres are true so beleive this 1. apparentley theres some shit that says that ashley has told everyone, the coaches, the players everythink but has sworn to them not to tell anyone or the fans and for sum reason the yanks got a tour round st james n met wit da players n telt them wot wuz goin on also, dont be tempted that nout wil happen coz itz bn quiet coz in this case thats a good thing, just watch in the next couple of days that there will b an announcement of what is goin on. haway tha lads !!!!!!