Former Newcastle Director of Football Dennis Wise has become involved in the battle going on – what again – between Newcastle fans and Mike Ashley.
The fans want Ashley out of the club – we’ve had enough of his incompetence – and want him to sell as soon as possible.
And he must sell before he drives out one of the best-qualified managers we’ve had in the history out of the club – Rafa Benitez.
Dennis is saying Mike Ashley is prepared to spend money this January – and if that’s the case then how is it the 18th January and no money has been given to Rafa to spend?
Dennis Wise – former Director of Football at Newcastle
Wise remains close to Ashley and he has tried to defend the incompetent Newcastle owner.
This is what Wise has said in defense of Ashley on the Sky Sports’ – The Debate show.
“You’ve got a TV deal coming soon.”
“He could have done the deal now if the right deal came along and (the people who bought it) could have benefited from it further down the line.”
“Looking at that football club, where it is now, is a decent price to buy at roundabout £250million to £300M.”
“Looking at Mike’s point of view here, someone is telling you they have a buyer and they’re going to put in this or that.”
“I know how he works: ‘Put that in an escrow account, put it there, show me where you are and we can do a deal,’”
“He would do a deal, knowing him, where he would spread the costs if he felt it was a good deal for that football club.”
“He’s a businessman who makes decisions that always come off – well, not always, some have been mistakes and he does make some.”
“But his businesses thrive, they go forward.” “He’s not going to allow this to fall flat.” (it already has)
“He’s not going to sell it to someone who will not allow the football club to go forward.”
“He’s obviously taken it to where he thinks he can take it.”
It’s completely false to say that Ashley is doing the deal only if it would be good for the Newcastle United Football club.
That’s complete nonsense.
Ashley’s done nothing but take this club down ever since he bought Newcastle almost eleven years ago.
He’s selling Newcastle for his own selfish interests and wants the maximum profit he can get – that’s his motivation.
His ownership has been a complete disaster for our club for more than ten years now.
That’s the truth.
Comments welcome.
116 comments so far
hibbit
Jan 18, 2018 at 10:56 AM
Comment #41i have given up on ITK and will definitely not be sharing information i’v receive ever again
i can only apologise for getting carried away and giving guarantees of the deal going through the offer to leave the blog was made because i trusted the people i got my information off
they like so many other well respected and trusted sources have been also been duped
i still trust the people that gave me the information as so much of what they told me in the past has come true
expatmag
Jan 18, 2018 at 10:56 AM
Comment #42JIM
Nope……..only one can do it.
Send for Darth Vader and hus lightsaber
posada
Jan 18, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Comment #43Tusunki
You said -this is the very essence of the blog, to discuss things NUFC, to suppose, theorise, predict, prophesy yeah whatever – it’s given us all sorts.
What about making stuff up and attention seeking.
Do you like having the mick taken out of you.
expatmag
Jan 18, 2018 at 10:58 AM
Comment #44HIBBITT
Dont worry mate. If you have heard something again, reveal it. Part of the fun really. We wont hold it against you
lochinvar
Jan 18, 2018 at 10:59 AM
Comment #45OP@7 & Mactoon@21
Points all valid regarding SJP but I recall that Sir John Hall had the green light in principal to build a new stadium either further up Barrack Road or over at Newburn thus allowing the City Council to move those nasty football crowds out of the way so they could get on with their then redevelopment schemes.
However SJP is now also a top venue for the Rugby League events and before that Rugby Union World Cup as well as occasional concerts. All bring thousands of people spending money into the City, filling hotels and restaurants. It’s regarded as a top events venue in that respect.
Jib tells us that the Reubens or their Companies own 26 acres of Newcastle City Centre only raises my suspicions as to what the end game for this all is. Property deals, new developments conducted all above board but for company profits or owning a football club as a hobby which appears to the Man City model. Land in the UK is the new Klondike and Ashley we know wants part of that action in London at least which is well reported.
Now forgive me for vaguely remembering history and the days of T. Dan Smith and Poulson embarking on ambitious redevelopment plans that destroyed parts of the City of Newcastle but if you look round many UK cities today such as Leeds or Birmingham much of the architecture is bland office blocks and the soul of many areas has long gone so much to the extent that you might not know where you were. A quick look at some of the ugly designs and tower blocks around SJP illustrates the point. At least SJP is a visible and identifiable landmark and while accepting that it is a sports stadium let’s keep it that way for the best interests of Newcastle fans, visiting fans and for the revenues that they generate for local business.
expatmag
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:00 AM
Comment #46Posado
Attention seeking or not, it is up to each poster/reader to decide for his/her self whether it is believable or not and you have no right ro tell people not to post what they have heard.
lochinvar
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:01 AM
Comment #47Rant over.
TheJimBelow
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:01 AM
Comment #48Expat
Excellent idea man, Lord Vader would force choke the s#!t out of him 🙂
hibbit
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:02 AM
Comment #49unfortunately Expat so many do and to be honest rightly so in this case ,
AncientC
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:05 AM
Comment #50This from ‘Jules’ this morning:
“See that Tuff and Ancient C are showing their political colours on a football blog.”
“They would rather we weren’t propped up on money made on the back of slavery & human rights abuses.”
“No doubt we will get more momentum and left propaganda moving forward.”
First of all, I am not sure which way Tuff is affiliated, but if I were to hazard a guess it would be a centrist Tory. If you cannot decipher that, you really don’t know what you are talking about.
Corbyn recently won a peace prize in Geneva and supports workers rights and raising the minimum wage—does that sound like slavery and supporting human rights abuses to you?
The only person I know on this blog that keeps bringing up “momentum” is ‘carl.’
I am not sure why carl always wants to put a target on his back. Why not just start afresh using one of the many accounts you have. A word of advice, carl, soon as you draw fire you give away your position. Considering your only weapon is stealth, you may want to reconsider your methods.
expatmag
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:05 AM
Comment #51Hibbitt
Thats their problem mate. Shouldnt stop you from revealing your info.
JIM
Vader saw the light in the end and rejoined the Force. Maybe he can persuade Ashley to return from the Dark side……..lol
TheJimBelow
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:05 AM
Comment #52Hibbit
IMHO
For what it’s worth I believe that you trusted what you were told, it’s not your fault if the info was incorrect.
Looking back, a LOT of people obviously got carried away and excited over the possibility of Ashley finally actually leaving as well as some serious investment in the club!
Don’t be leaving the blog man, no harm done and continue to enjoy it 🙂
northernirishtoon
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:09 AM
Comment #53If people cant take what they hear on the blog with a pinch of salt they need their heads looked at
Ibizatoon
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:10 AM
Comment #54Hibbit…As I said yesterday, I don’t think sharing the info is wrong. You got excited, that was clear to see. I don’t believe you did it for attention, I think you were excited and as a side effect (probably) enjoyed the attention. Two different things.
Chin up.
Jib…I don’t think there has been any serious talk of protests yet, nor any people crawling out of the woodwork on a recruiting mission. If there is no movement with either the sale or the current owner backing the manager, fans will naturally start talking about options. Perhaps that’s the conversation we should have, rather than just an argument about hidden agendas. Isn’t everyones agenda to have the best club they can have? I know you despise a certain section of our fanbase, but they (we’re) still part of it.
Do you have any other suggestions other than just sit tight, forever? Not a loaded question. Genuine interest.
TyneMouth
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:17 AM
Comment #55When the dust eventually settles, and things get back to normal, (whatever ‘normal’ is in the incompetence of the Ashley regime.) there are a few things I hope not to read again ;
……..Non Disclosure Agreements.
……..Rich Arab Princes.
……..Fist pumps outside curry houses.
……..PCP representing XXX billion £ ME investment fund.
……..’Staverly increases bid to over £300M’ Express/Star ‘excluive’
……..’this has been a total waste of time ‘
……..Fit and Proper Person.
……..Due Dilligence.
……..Every last penny the club earns.
………’ still don’t known the budget ‘
There are many, many more, unfortunately!….
geordiemark
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Comment #56martoon
yeah I posted the link earlier on this morning
geordiemark
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:20 AM
Comment #57do us a favour wise and go back into I am a so called celebrity camp and stay there without any help that would suit you down to the ground 🙂
lesh
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:24 AM
Comment #58Hibbit
I think it’s fair to say that most of us are mature enough not to shoot the messenger. Fret not.
posada
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:27 AM
Comment #59Expat
I have never told folks what they can and can’t post.
I am saying it was a load of nonsense, which is entirely my prerogative.
lochinvar
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:29 AM
Comment #60Well the Ronnie are still on the case as their next headline shows
“Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners refuse to back out of Newcastle United takeover bid”
“Reuben’s might consider consortium”
etc etc etc
Prometheus
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:31 AM
Comment #61They could form a triumvirate for all i care
magic hat
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:32 AM
Comment #62I have a quick point to make, when people add up values of players it seems very few take into consideration that players are not only valuable but a financial liability. They get paid wages and usually bonuses for playing and scoring and winning. The main income of the club will be tv money, no doubt. In the region of £100m the player wage bill comes out of that. A 25 man squad on a average of let’s say £30k a week. 30000 x 52 x 25 is around 40,000,000. Plus bonuses. Let’s say ticket sales and merchandise add up to the running costs and other staff wages. A realistic transfer budget should be around £60m per season for a club such as ours but also has to factor in that players wages and bonuses. This is rough but I can’t help feel people just see the £100m and think why can’t we spend all of that. Realistically running in the black we should be able to spend a bit and bring 2 or three players at the £15m mark and still have enough to be sustainable. If we don’t spend surely then we should be making really good profits. Where does that go?
Jib
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:33 AM
Comment #63It’s life
TheJimBelow
but not as we know it .
Ha ha ha ha ha
catchy in norway
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:34 AM
Comment #64Today, Amanda Stavely is just as much a vilan as MA.
She tried to blag her way into owning the club.
magic hat
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:41 AM
Comment #65Okay it wasn’t that quick. But yeah there has to be money available if the tv money has been paid out. But I think it’s paid in instalments. Half way through the season you’d expect that we have half. Or around £50m so should have £30m to spend roughly.
magic hat
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:43 AM
Comment #66Not including extra wages so mark that down to 25 m so expect at most that should be available for transfers.
magic hat
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:45 AM
Comment #67Now try and buy a striker a lb goalkeeper and mid for that… that’s my rough estimate of everything the club has generated.
Sultan of Broonale
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:47 AM
Comment #68There’s so much that doesn’t make sense about this whole business.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s another twist in the tale somewhere.
Ashley’s disinformation campaign has muddied the waters and resulted in total confusion.
Is the club still for sale? Is anyone still interested? Was anyone interested or was it all an elaborate hoax?
Staveley intrigues me, for someone so well connected how has she let this happen? What of the reputational damage to her business interests? Or is she still representing another party who is still negotiating?
Only at this club!!
Jules
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:50 AM
Comment #69AncientC
Don’t shoot the messenger comrade. It helps if you don’t miss read the text.
It won’t be long before we have momentum outside SJP which will remind many of The National Front outside football grounds in the 1980’s.
“They would rather we WERN’T propped up on money made on the back of slavery & human rights abuses.”
SeanNufc87
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:54 AM
Comment #70Jib
When did Ed say he did it for anything but personal gain? I’m sure we could show you plenty of examples Ashley has lied about his motives.
Mag52
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:56 AM
Comment #71Jib@6#
A ludicrous and offensive comment.
SPRINGY
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:57 AM
Comment #72Hibbitt or any of itk’s
Anyone who knows this club or ashleys history should know fine well things can change,goals posts moved and a fair old pile of shite said about the club,as he’s as slippery as a greased up eel..so i for one never built my hopes up to much with any info,so nee hard feelings from me and from whats been said… from others as well,at the end day its banter…like sitting round a table in pub with ya mates having pint talkin footy…. good info or bad its something to talk about, to take our minds off the lack of movement in transfer market or the shambles ashley has this club in….nee worrys mate.
SuperShearer
Jan 18, 2018 at 11:59 AM
Comment #73@Hibbit – don’t let the haters get you down. I read the BBC football gossip column every day, I know 90% of it will never happen but it’s fun to think of what MIGHT happen. As Newcastle fans all we really have is hope. If your info offers a glimmer of hope I’m all for it. Better than the doom-mongers banging on about how horrible everything is.
Jib
Jan 18, 2018 at 12:06 PM
Comment #74There is still contact between Rafa and
Sparta Prague manager Andrea Stramaccioni
regarding their GK Martin Dubravka
NUFC have offered £6m
https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/europa/esclusiva-tmw-newcastle-contatto-benatez-stramaccioni-obiettivo-dubravka-1066374
Remember the last Czech goalie we had ?
Jib
Jan 18, 2018 at 12:09 PM
Comment #75Mag52
Offensive ?
Only if you are extremely precious
Ludicrous ?
What is so ludicrous about a business
man wanting to make a profit ?
JP...from The Rock
Jan 18, 2018 at 12:11 PM
Comment #76Hibbit- as much as I dreamt about all the possibilities with a takeover and was extremely excited I don’t hold it against youfor supplying us with snippets of info. Deals breakdown, people chamge their minds, things change, shite happens- it’s not your fault mate. I for one appreciate the info you shared.
carl
Jan 18, 2018 at 12:16 PM
Comment #77Ancient
Please the only momentum I’m interested in is that we need to find some of it in our general play.
For heavens sake don’t start something off with the Mr Tuff.
i
Jan 18, 2018 at 12:19 PM
Comment #78With regards to 45.
I don’t think you could be more wrong.
NUFC has one thing going for it, which is its geographical location. Pretty much everybody from Scotland to Sunderland. From the coast to Carlisle support NUFC.
Furthermore, they are willing to attend games or go out of their way to watch the games on tv.
Other teams may have more supporters on paper, but not fans who are willing to invest time and money supporting the team. Sky viewing figures back up this point.
This need to be utilised.
NUFC best hope is to leave the city centre and build a ‘super stadium’ outside of the city.
Firstly it will need to have a larger capacity, about 80k.
But more importantly it will need massively improved facilities.
The concept of arriving at the stadium at 2.45 getting a quick pint, going to your seat and leaving after full time is outdated. Cos it only earns the club about £30/40 per person per game.
Football stadium need to entice people in hours before kick off and keep them their well after. It needs to have comfortable bar facilities (heating in winter) with a good selection of drinks and quality food options.
You also require a lot of space, you need huge toilets and allow people the option of being able to leave to smoke and get back in.
Basically a massive extension to the current Platinum, Sports bar facilities. But available at a standard price, with the attidional revenue being raised by the additional supporter purchases.
There will always be supporters who want to pay more for an enhanced experience, so there still needs to be a platinum club and corporate area, but this need to offer even more enhanced facilities.
The number of families going to football is increasing (NUFC have a huge family enclosure), you need food stalls that will entice children (even a McDonald’s franchise etc). You also need snack options similar to cinemas, with sweets, pop corn, drinks etc.
All customers need to be catered for, safe standing is coming. People who stand will include a lot of young people, facilities such as self service alcohol vending machines such as Tottenham are introducing will massively increase revenue.
If the stadium is located away from the centre. It will need a lot of bars and restaurants owned by the club. People will always want drinks and food outside stadium. It is great for the supporters and local business’being able to go to the Trent, Strawberry, Shark Bar, Soho ……, but it does not help the club.
If it owned the land around the stadia, it could profit by employing the street vendors (burgers etc), currently it is the city council who receive the income. The club could also erect tents and tipis etc, with heaters in the winter. An away supporters pub would be another good idea.
A hotel owned by the club, would also be a good idea, selling match day packages for foreign fans. This could be combined with the stadium tour and a large club museum. Even if we have not won anything since 1967, we have won a lot of trophies in the past.
The corporate events held on non match days could also be hugely expanded upon.
The better and bigger the stadium will lead to more major sporting events being hosted and more music events also.
NUFC match day revenue is about 30m. That needs to be closer to 100m, to pull away again from the likes of Watford, Bournemouth, Brighton etc.
It will also enhance club sponsorship revenue as companies will want to be associated with Newcastle United. Stadium sponsorship is also a very lucrative area that is being missed out on.
The more revenue the club makes, should lead to the club being able to buy better players. This should lead to the club finishing higher up the league and qualify for Europe and then the club can grow its global brand and then start to challenge the top teams.
Prometheus
Jan 18, 2018 at 12:22 PM
Comment #79I
Only to be still owned by a two bit penny pincher
Prometheus
Jan 18, 2018 at 12:23 PM
Comment #8067 escapes me