Mike Ashley, in all his wisdom, has decided that he is just too good for the club t0 sell Newcastle United after all.
Incompetent owner refuses to sell
Newcastle issued this statement:
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Newcastle United are delighted to announce that Chris Hughton has been named the permanent manager of the Club, his contract will run until the end of the 2010/11 season.
At the same time the Club has confirmed that it has been withdrawn from sale and is no longer on the market.
The Club had been trying to broker a deal with a number of prospective buyers in recent months however none of those deals came to fruition.
With regard to the possible sale of the Club to Barry Moat, that particular bid has now fallen through due to the cash price of £80M not being met.
In confirming the news, Mike Ashley stated that he is totally committed to the future success of Newcastle United (oh give me a break – please) and will be focusing on gaining promotion back to the Premier League. Mike will put a further £20M into the Club this week. Is that apology money to the fans?
Derek Llambias, Managing Director of Newcastle United, said:
We are delighted that Chris has accepted the post of full time manager. He has done a terrific job this season and we wish him every success for the rest of this season and beyond. He will continue to receive our full backing and support.”
Chris Hughton added:
“t is a very proud day for me to be named as the manager of this magnificent football club. I thank Mike and Derek for their support and will be doing everything in my power to get the Club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
“Having the unequivocal backing of the players has helped me enormously and I would also like to thank Colin Calderwood, Paul Barron and the rest of the backroom staff who have never been anything but tremendously supportive to me this season.”
Whilst confirming these two matters, Newcastle United now aims to move forward on and off the pitch.
The Club aims to maximise its commercial revenues; this includes renegotiating its Club sponsor and kit deal, which expire at the end of this season, as well as welcoming offers for the stadium naming rights for next season.
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It’s really hard to know how you move forward when you have an owner like this still at the club. It is public rec0rd that he lies to the Newcastle fans – that’s when he decides to even speak to them.
He should be forcibly removed from the club he has brought into such disrepute and he is the worst owner ever to own a football club in England – fact!
This is a sad sad day for the famous Newcastle United club and notice there is nothing in this statement about putting the club up for resale in the summer.
Sorry – but I’m just not doing cartwheels over this incompetent and completely clueless owner staying on Tyneside. He’s an insult to Newcastle.
We’d be better off if Mickey Mouse was running the club.
89 comments so far
sirjasontoon
Oct 28, 2009 at 2:12 AM
Comment #41I was just looking on the other NUFC blog:
Stardust says:
October 27, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Put on this thread – its more appropriate here than the last.
“Clint – A beacon of sensibility in a mad world – The renaming of St James Park – it will always be St James Park to us – that can never be taken away.
Ashleys 20m investment PLUS the naming rights (say 12m over) is 32m swing in our favour. I would have expected some to be a little more pragmatic and happy. I certainly am – do any of you think Mort had as much as 50 pence to put into us when he couldnt even afford to buy us?
I see this as the bottom of the trough now and (controversially) I do like some aspects of the name change – it disassociates the old ways for a new way – a change in the tide and a change in mentality of the fans and owners whilst letting go of the past. The past is the past. Time to get on with the future.”
My suggestion is Stardust we Call it the “Red Bus Arena”.
sirjasontoon
Oct 28, 2009 at 2:20 AM
Comment #42It’s a tuff one TM
There is so much fragmentation,Deceit and Hatred that I think the stadium thing will just start the real revolution to get these people out of the club.
I mean how can the Club try and paint a rosy picture when the players look out of their depth playing really poor teams,delivering consistently poor ugly football that is flat,slow and tedious to watch.
Promotion this season has “Another failed Ashley Gamble”stamped all over it already.
marcusedesade
Oct 28, 2009 at 2:49 AM
Comment #43absolute joke!! I’m finished with this club until that fat fcuk gets out of our club and stops taking the pss. The only thing to do is boycott the games as he has no intention of selling the club when we have 40K showing up on average (3rd largest in England last weekend)
You are all fuelling his ego and he has nothing but contempt for the N.East and the people that follow this club through thick and thin!
Bao Zheng
Oct 28, 2009 at 3:15 AM
Comment #44I doubt CH contract will run much beyond June if we fail to get promoted or say late October if we do. This lot in the EPL would be a fair bet for the Scums all time points total.
marcusedesade
Oct 28, 2009 at 3:28 AM
Comment #45also…Stardust is Ashley! or as close as they come anyways.
ginkoh
Oct 28, 2009 at 4:23 AM
Comment #46Everything gone back to the start again ! I don’t know what’s happening next but no bright future for us, that’s fact !
Welcome to Mcdonald stadium next season – ” –
Trent Toon
Oct 28, 2009 at 5:07 AM
Comment #47Noooo!
There is not much point now, the only way is to support Ashley with what we have got left.
We do not support the stadium renaming…
That is a horror of a choice!!
dbsweeney
Oct 28, 2009 at 5:42 AM
Comment #48A quick off-the-top-of-my-head suggestion:
* Try to organise a boycott of Direct Sports (soon to involve, I’m sure, Direct Sports’ Stadium) stores:
* Simply implore people to shop elsewhere.
* A quiet protest in the front of shops telling people to please shop elsewhere. Do not in anyway actually hinder people’s entry into the stores.
* Contacting the newspapers to tell them what NUFC supporters are doing (the above). So many of the papers love to report and go on about us Toon supporters, so they’d probably take up the cause. Get those that really care (e.g. Caulkin etc.) to take up the cause.
* Contact other media outlets (esp. things like podcasts and radio programs—those that full-on supporters are likely to be listening to) to simply mention the fact that SJP is going to be renamed. The more that are aware of it, the larger the potential supporter base.
* Now don’t laugh at this bit: trying to get other clubs’ supporters involved. e.g. Going to a MUFC supporters’ board and telling them what we’re doing. Tell them not to shop at Direct Sports. Tell them to imagine renaming Old Trafford. Yeah, sure .. many will give us stick, but some may pay attention.
* Contact the companies that currently advertise and/or own corporate boxes at St James’ (Direct Sports’ Stadium) Park and, very formally, ask them to please contact NUFC’s marketing and sales department and suggest that they do not change the name. If any companies that you contact tell you to f**k off, say that’ll you’ll organise boycotting their shops/company etc too.
All just a suggestion and one that would require A LOT of organisation … but spread the word around through NUSC, NUFC.com, True Faith, popular message boards and then try to focus everyone’s attention to one particular website/spot that co-ordinates all of this.
What I have in mind is something that Liverpool supporters’ did recently … and achieved:
http://thenyckopites.blogspot.com/2009/05/…n-condemns.html
Yes, it’s something completely different to whats happening to us … but it does show that boycotting can work.
Do not:
– promote anything to do with violence or direct abuse at the vile man (the reasons why are obvious)
– draw the players’ attention from what they have to do on the pitch—they do not need the distraction. As such, I would not boycott match day games.
Make it a co-ordinated and sustained boycott of things that effect him financially.
In anything to do with writing emails to media and companies, I’m more than prepared to help.
Trent Toon
Oct 28, 2009 at 5:56 AM
Comment #49Newcastle United face Leyton Orient this saturday at BP stadium (formerly St James Park), in a highly anticipated relegation battle to stay in the coca cola league 1, and not face the drop into league 2.
This stadium name chage is a disgrace and the club is no longer a proud one but one focused on money, money, money….
I can’t believe our glorious football club has become the joke of the country…
This news really hurts…
What happened to our club, it is his club now, not even a geordie,
lastly,
I would like to thank Barry Moat for trying his hardest to reignite the club with passion, pride and give it back to us. In the end the cockney basterd wanted to much money…..
p doff
Oct 28, 2009 at 6:01 AM
Comment #50If they are staying shouldn’t we be leaving?
Ashley Hole
Oct 28, 2009 at 6:44 AM
Comment #51This must be joke, Ashley is joking?
p doff
Oct 28, 2009 at 6:55 AM
Comment #52The name change is easy target, let it be known that any sponsor will be boycotted. Liverpool people still do not purchase the Sun.
Much Cashley? the fans should put up or shut up.
Boycott all Cashley merchandise and home games. The answer is in your hands.
Mikey25
Oct 28, 2009 at 7:19 AM
Comment #53All the stadium name change is a massive stab at the fans! “Try get rid of me? Well I’ll show you”
Let’s hope the 20mil is to sack Llamearse and hire somebody who knows about football, again I highly doubt it!
I’m furious but suppose the show must go on! Let’s carry on supporting the lads and fingers crossed we finish top! I’m just curious where the 20mil is going…probably to re-hire everybody he sacked, or have a 10million “welcome back Ashley” party and another 10million “Fans 0, me 1, KFC stadium here we come” party! Twart!!!
magpieranger
Oct 28, 2009 at 7:45 AM
Comment #54We need to make it clear that any potential taker on the naming rights will face a boycott of their stores/goods.
Or even if we were to boycott home games until he changes his mind about the naming of SJP. I’m sure the lost revenue would be greater than any sponsorship.
Stuart79
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Comment #55I’m really too bothered about the name change to be honest.
If the money that gets generated by it and the money he pupms in goes on buying players.
That’s a really big if though.
We need to wait and see what happens in January. If we bring in some good players then fair enough but history suggests under Ashley we won’t bring many players in at al.
Geordiedoonsooth
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Comment #56This has to be the worst day in the long history of NUFC. He really doesn’t understand or care about the fans what an insult to rename St James’ Park. The only way to stop this man is for no one to turn up at the next home game & to stay away until he goes. I live doon sooth now but try to go to SJP when I get back up home, but I will not be going now. We might be top of the Championship but we might as well be bottom because that’s how I feel at this news.
Marty-Toon
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Comment #57What a load of cack!!!!
We kinda knew that he wasn`t going to sell and was having problems finding a buyer.
If he actually started to run the club properly then he might win us over but this same crap every transfer window of not gettin enough players in and leavin the team short just doesn`t do it.
The players will not stay if the team don`t get the strengthening they need.
He said it himself that he has come up very short on how to own a football club.
I agree he should get in new sponsors as he needs to generate cash so it wont be Sports Direct.
I really don`t wanna see SJP name changed.
Arsenal,Wigan,Man City have all had stadium changes and lost their long standing names and Liverpool are the next club.
It`s possibly the only way to have better investment as we have had very little from Northern Rock.
Bigbadbob
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Comment #58Talk about burying bad news, announcing it via SSN at 10pm is the act of cowards.
Triple whammy, him staying, the Hughton puppet appointed and the name change, also 20m for Hughton to spend?
I wouldnt give him 20p on the evidence of the players he has brought in.
I always said Ashley would be happy to go along with the perception that he is a bungling fool whilst behind the smokescreen he is beavering away to achieve his goal, a tuppence happenny cash cow of a club.
Stuart79
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Comment #59Bigbadbob // Oct 28, 2009 at 8:41 AM
The £20m will be for the running costs of the club.
I will be amazed if we spend anything at all in January.
That will be Ashley’s big test – We’ll find out how committed he is to getting us back up.
Although if we do go up what then? Probably come straight back down.
The appointment of Hughton is the biggest mistake he has made.
Paul141726
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:48 AM
Comment #60As has been said in a few of the posts, none of us are really surprised (and if you were, welcome back to real life). Let’s face facts—Ashley wants all the money UP FRONT. I’m also not sure if he wants his “loan” repaid, too. Loan?? More like blood money to me. Not even sure he ever wanted to sell.
And naming rights to SJP??? If this doesn’t get fans screaming for his head, nothing will. However, this seems like the blueprint for several clubs at the moment, notably those turds from London, Tottenham!! I’m almost sure that someone, maybe even “Cashley” saw the glossies of the new Spurts (not a typo) stadium with the words “naming rights” clearly visible on the roof. He certainly couldn’t have figured that out all by himself.
Let’s face it. Next to the words Idiot, Incompetence, and Vengeful in the dictionary, there is a picture of one Mike Ashley.
I realize I have, and probably never will, meet the man, but so help me I don’t know of anyone that I could despise more. Dark days ahead–quickly falling down the league, selling our better players in the next window and being at best mid-table in the CCC. Fat MA has the nerve to say he will invest 20 million in the club??? Lies, lies and more lies!!!!
One last thing–just my opinion and I’m sure I’ll be slated for it by some. I’d be willing to bet that all, yes ALL of the so-called bids were just lies too, including Moat’s. The only way I will not believe that he was Ashley’s accomplice in this “sale” fiasco, would be if he explained in detail why he could not or was not able to purchase the club. Or will he just lie to us, too?
Ashley-you are a LIAR as has been shown by your own statements at the Keegan tribunal. GET OUT OF OUR CLUB!!!
will die for the toon army
Oct 28, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Comment #61This is all so confusing we really need that money for the club to move forward. At least for the first time they have told us what they have in plan let me hope the communication is changing.
All I have is patience we have waited for more than 50 years for a trophy and we are still here supporting our club in the championship. NUFC is going no where all I need to see is change so I will wait and see what MA does.
Boycotting, Boycotting, am tied of this stuff. We all love the toon we have supported it since we were kid now we are men some of us have never seen glory but we still love it. But Violence isnt the answer. All we need is stand behind the team and who the owner or manager is because we are the heart beat of the club. Dont you learn from last season.
Lets wait and see, MA came here with a plan lets trust him for one. We have given Barton so many chances why not MA.
Patience is what am asking from you Geordies this time.Please not again.
toonsy
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Comment #62The renaming of the stadium is a massive dig at the fans. 117 years of our clubs history – soon to be gone!
I hope all you that still “go and support the lads” whilst lining Fatboys pockets, are happy having the piss taken out of you!
Quite frankly, i hope he dies!
ganiyu
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:03 AM
Comment #63leave mike alone he has done the best.i would respect moat but i dont agree with the half payment and ancompetence to buy a club that you cant afford.up ashley!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ganiyu
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Comment #64stability is what we need.united we stand divided we fall to league one.
will die for the toon army
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Comment #65Am sorry to say this but lets stop leaving in the past. If naming rights is the right way to go by getting money then let it be it. The stadium stays ours and its going no where.
Arsenal is still there making money.
toonsy
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Comment #66WDFTTA – Arsenal also moved stadium, ie a new start, new stadium, new name!
If your happy for the name to go, then fine. But i, for one, am not happy about the name of something that has been standing in the middle of my home-town for 117 years changing! What fantastic, blue chip sponseer would we attract in the championship? Come on, tell me.
Surely the council wont let Ashley do this?
will die for the toon army
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Comment #67Toonsy, I think it is beginning next season thinking we have gone back in the EPL.
I also dont like i love the name St. James Park I grew up knowing that but I have learnt that things change in life and thats why we are humans to get used and move.
lesh
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Comment #68First heard of Ashley’s decision this morning and like many, felt sad at the news that MA is staying and SJP may be renamed.
However and having thought about it, it’s fact and there’s not a thing fans can do about it. That said, I welcome his words of commitment (yes, we’ll just have to wait to see if there’s any tructh or soncerity in them) and the proposed injection of £20m. Maybe the penny’s finally dropped and he realises he’s actually running a massive business and its revenues are derived from football?
With 50k paying customers and of course, the benefits of playing at a higher level and in Europe, maybe he’s realised that he’s got to speculate to accumulate!
However, there has to be a worry about the stewardship of the club….. giving CH £20m to play with (maybe) is absolut folly as is sticking with Llambias. This announcement cries out for a football person to run the show and a manager experienced in the marketplace.
The stadium? Whatever it’s called, it’ll still be regarded as Saint James Park for a long long time to come.
It’s surely time for Ashley to sit down with people who know football at a high level and design a strategy to take Newcastle United back to where it belongs – to the highest level possible.
We’ve no choice but to live with what’s happened and trust in the gods, if there are any, that Ashley’s words are backed by sincerity and action.
Have faith guys.
SBR4EVA
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Comment #69Nee bliddy chance.
How can anybody have faith in ashley?????
Shot Bru
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Comment #70Is this April the 1st, sorry i forget it’s April fools day everyday with these MUPPETS IN CHARGE!!!!
lesh
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Comment #71But, SBR, we’ve no choice!
will die for the toon army
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Comment #72lesh, I stopped speculating the club’s move but I would like to get a football chairman to run the show with CH but I dont care abt Llambias, he has always said is an MD. His job is to care about match day the income that comes in, is the stadium full that stuff to do with income coming into the club.
So I need a chairman or it is MA who wants the post.
Mikey25
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Comment #73The more I think about it the less annoyed I feel! The major sticking point with me was his statement the other day regarding not knowing how to run a club yet will be his choice who’s in/out along with conflicting statement from Hughton saying he will have the say………stinks of JFK again!!
Think the youth system needs to get back pumping and you never know, there may be a small glimmer of light at the end of this long dark tunnell! He could do with releasing a statement on the NUFC site detailling his decisions! Might stop the fans wanting blood! The way I’m looking at it this could be the best thing to happen to us, I highly doubt it though and I can see summer coming and yet more farce with “its up for sale…now 200mil! No signings, plenty leaving and loanees again!
I have my reservations about Hughton, he does deserve a shot after what he’s done however I get the impression he is a yes man for Ashley and nothing more!
I am truely hoping both MA and CH prove us all wrong on this en!
kimbo
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Comment #74Can`t understand why you don`t accept that Ashley is in charge and there is nothing you can do about this unless you can stump up £100million .I was totally disgusted on saturday with 15 minutes to go in the game and then sent in to heaven with nolan`s goal how can you want to miss those feelings both good and bad by not going to the game.Instead of wanting Ashley out why not want/force him to buy fast skillful midfield players to stop us from being outplayed in midfield.Howay the Toon…….
magpie6699
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Comment #75Like the woman who backed into the meat slicer – DISASTER!
I agree that the wording is “£20 million into the club” – not the team. Hasn’t he already said it costs £20 million a season to run the club – so actually he’s promising nothing new?
When I think back to the discussions about whether we should buy Arshavin, Turan, Richard Dunne blah blah – not that long ago – and now we’re trying to get buy with the unwanted or unproved or “fell of the back of a lorry” brigade.
So for the new name – how about “The Field of Broken Dreams?” He’ll probably sell the name on the cheap – what’s Llambias’s casino called? Unless we’re going to be called “Llambias Lane”. If he has learnt ANYTHING he must get a proper footballing exec in and get rid of Lamearse – but he won’t.
I could go on and on…..but the nice nurses have come to give me my pills and bring me my basket-weaving.
Nick D
Oct 28, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Comment #76I know traditionalists will be upset but the name St James Park hasn’t exactly brought us any luck in the 40 years I’ve been going. Gullit said the ground was cursed – hard to disagree !
The name is the least of my worries. Nice to see that at elast we still have some scouts about too with some more youngsters being linked.
dave 1961
Oct 28, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Comment #77our club is terminal sick just waiting for Ashley to announce hes to Finnish us off, i never had a problem with the money john hall took out the club, but bringing in this incompetent pile of elephants dung i will never forget.
Mag 48
Oct 28, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Comment #78Sorry to say I have no regrets on withdrawing my support last year There is is still a long way down for this man to take you,and you did’nt like Freddie Shepherd.
will die for the toon army
Oct 28, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Comment #79Lets jst wait and see.
sahota
Oct 28, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Comment #80On top of this sad news I might get a sack today. My manager asking me for status of some work which i was supposed to finish. But I am gutted can’t think about work now. If we still let this Mike run the club like he wants then I am sorry he will do so forever. Its time for everyone around the world who supports Newcastle to wake up and raise a campaign in whatever way we can. If still NUST sleeps like FAT mike then its shame on us. We can not tolerate this every few months.
We should not fill the stadium anymore. Only that will force Mike to leave.