There was an article in the Independent yesterday, that we thought was quite complimentary to Mike Ashley, and it does mentions some personal things about the owner, such as he has recently reconciled with his former wife Linda.
Mike Ashley – Newcastle not happy with Independent article on owner
It also says Mike Ashley is entirely ruthless in the business world, but that doesn’t surprise us, because to be successful in big business you have to be motivated, and although it’s not always pretty, you don’t let emotions get in the way of some of the hard business decisions.
In fact Mike showed that ruthless streak at Newcastle, when he fired Chris Hughton right out of the blue in December, 2010, after Chris had done so well in getting the club immediately promoted back to the Premier League the season before.
Here is the article – if you want to read it – but again it’s fairly complimentary to the Newcastle owner – unless we are missing something.
So we were surprised yesterday when the Newcastle United’s official Twitter account issued this tweet:
“The club is aware of the article in today’s Independent and has referred the matter to its lawyers. Thanks to fans who have raised concerns”
Not sure exactly what’s upsetting the club, although the writer Jim Armitage does mention Mike’s not all that popular with Newcastle fans, and that he has a beer gut, but both of those points are fairly accurate.
It will be interesting what Newcastle’s lawyers do about this – if anything – but we thought it was good that Mike had recently reunited with his former wife Linda.
But Mike also guards his privacy, and there are a lot of personal details about the Billionaire in the article, and maybe that’s what’s being objected to.
But that comes with the territory of being the owner of a rather big and famous football club in north-east England.
What do you think?
Update and clarification: The original article accused our supporters of being antisemitic and chanting antisemitic chants to Ashley and it was quickly removed – that’s why Newcastle are bringing in the lawyers because it simply is not true.
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252 comments so far
viv
Jul 21, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Comment #41And your a little woman@35 oh its bob and ted get a life you big tit!
WWYCD
Jul 21, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Comment #42Always look on the bright side of life! Vuckic is still fit!
GeordieDan
Jul 21, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Comment #43Right, that’s it lads I’m not coming back to post any comment at all until there is finally something good to talk about!
Talk of signing Mick Harford when we should be bringing in 2/3 strikers has just pushed me over the edge.
Mike Ashley I hope you boil in motor oil for an eternity in hell-A fitting end to someone who has caused so much misery to so many, with so little regard for anyone’s feeling but his own.
Later people see you in (probably a long while). Can’t handle this shit anymore!
plana
Jul 21, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Comment #44Jail ashley, writes some rubbish maybe he is a mackem!
sparky55
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Comment #45I never said Pardew was responsible for the lack of transfer activity…I said (or meant to say but may not have put my point across well enough) was that ashley will not spend any money til the deals that see cabs and Cisse leave have been done and the new manager (whoever that is) is in place before the season starts (IMO)
ramboreilly
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Comment #46So we are getting in one of newcastles worst ever strikers and a makem as jfks bouncer.no one in and down to only one striker,managed by a clueless manager.Lifes just great under Ashley,we need to bring in two strikers next week.
plana
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Comment #47Sparky, you say what you like pal. This is not North Korea, free speech is ok here unless you are jail ashley!
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Comment #48Sparky,
Yes you never put that accross very well at all.
plana
I am not a mackem.
JackButler
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Comment #49I’m expecting Harford to come in as a coach and not as Joe’s tea boy but it’ll be a cold day in hell before Pardew walks away from us without a massive pay off
Ginger
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:07 PM
Comment #50Mick Harford and Joe to play up front next season. Pardew tucked firmly in CM with Gutierrez along side him.
WWYCD
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:07 PM
Comment #51JfA
But u are a woman?
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #52WW…,
Apparently a mackem woman who advocates censorship of the blog.
plana
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #53@46 well stop behaving like one! We all have an opinion some good some bad .
plana
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:10 PM
Comment #54Your just the person to wear the dress Jail!
WWYCD
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Comment #55JfA
Well keep up the good fight mate haha
Hatem's better than Messi
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Comment #56Surely he should use his personal lawyers for this?
The club wasn’t libeled?
Belfast
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Comment #57Said it when Kinnear was appointed.
It’s an underhand way of getting rid of Pardew.
Slap it up Ashley for handing out a 8 year contract to a football manager. It’s his own fault.
viv
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Comment #58Your knickers are on show Jfa!
scout
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Comment #59He’s without doubt just taking the pi.. now. International players mentored by circus clowns.
Shrewd business man haha, yeah right. As far as running a club you could not do a worse job. Affordable football, accounts in good order. What about a bit of entertainment on the pitch last 3 home games 0 goals sweet Jesus. Get a look at it someone
sparky55
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Comment #60JFA..sorry bout that…not always easy to put in concise words what I’m thinking when wound up by Pardew and his pathetic excuses…guess that’s why my school reports always said “could do better’! 🙂
IMO opinion pardew doesn’t deserve to be there after last year and already this pre-season is not showing any sign of changing his style of playing which after last years pathetic showing is strange to say the least.
I also strongly believe one of the reasons some players may not come is because they’ve seen the way newcastle play under Pardew and don’t want to be part of a team that plays that way…so yes…pardew will also put players off coming to nufc IMO
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Comment #61Can I categorically state that I am not a woman from wearside I believe in free speech and have never even worn a kilt.however I do write some rubbish.
JackButler
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Comment #62Belfast
Ashley drops a bo**ock with the 8 year contract and we pay for it with even more stupid appointments. If h wants Pardew gone then simply pay up
viv
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:15 PM
Comment #63Ha ha!@59
Novocastrian66
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Comment #64AP: Joe we need a center forward. Can you sort one while I’m in Portugal please?
On his return from Portugal JK says to AP: Good news I got a center forward.
AP: Excellent, who; Gomis, Cignac, Cordozo
sparky55
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Comment #65jack…I think that’s about to happen and Ashleys waiting for an opportunity to apply an agreed term of breach so it doesn’t cost him the full 8 years to get shot.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Comment #66Plana,
And if I don’t agree with your opinion I will question it which actually encourages free speech rather than censor it.
toonking
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:18 PM
Comment #67sparky
we shall see who is talking sense then this season because if a good manager comes in then I hold my hands up and accept defeat but if joker is in then it will prove I was right all along.
Novocastrian66
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:18 PM
Comment #68JK; no better than all those Johnny foreigners. An England international. Mick Harford!
DS_NUFC
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Comment #69who is this guy mick harford. so joe kinnear says he is the best director of football around but needs an assistant to help to his job.what is going on it is so unfair for the fans
toon kk
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Comment #70Imo, I can’t see Pardew going anywhere. He must get p off in some ways he knows we need strengthening but its all out of his hands. MA has the say, JK will be probably like DL in a way of the best way of saving money for the club. (Lack of ambition).
Trouble is Pardews tactics and lack of know how is ruining the club.
numba9
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Comment #71We are going down this season Ashley doesn’t care because Muppets still buy season tickets and swallow everything he dishes out as his pockets get fatter selling players and not replacing them
Belfast
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Comment #72So we’ve now got two mediocre football managers working in a director roles lol
You couldn’t make it up.
It’s one big fat massive circus
JackButler
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Comment #73sparky55
Well if he wants Pardew out then he’s gonna have to sack him as there’s no way in hell that he’ll walk away with a massive pay off, but then the really worry will be just who Ashley put in his place as Harford would be the level that he’ll employ. Any dreams of a top coach or an up and coming coach are wasted with this fool at the helm
sparky55
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Comment #74agreed…a new manager is needed for sure but JFK would indeed have a negative impact on the squad and the club but then again no worse than Pardew.
And just for clarity…I really don’t want JFK managing this club…anyone but Pardew or JFK…give me someone like Poyet and I’ll be happy
toonking
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Comment #75I have a one for you then sparky tony pulis lol
Novocastrian66
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Comment #76Numba
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Comment #77Ashley brought KK in because he thought we would get relegated he had no intention of keeping him so he brought inDW to make him walk it worked but cost a fortune, he has done the same again but this time he will remain onside of the law.
sparky55
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Comment #78tooking…hahahahaha…now that would be funny!!!!
Novocastrian66
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:27 PM
Comment #79numba9; don’t slag people off for supporting the club. You’re the muppet boy. Perhaps you should shorten your tag to numb.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Comment #80Sparky
Is it not obvious that Mick Harford will be the next manager, are you sure you’re as clever as me 😉