Luke Tugby is the deputy editor of Retail Week and he made some shocking claims on Twitter this evening. Mike Ashley has taken questions from journalists after a tumultuous day for Sports Direct. Below is a series of tweets from Tugby – the last of which is something that all Newcastle fan do not want to hear.
For my #nufc followers…
Ashley emphasising that the club and SD completely separate. Not looking to sell club in order to fund SD, even after Belgian tax bombshell. Says they have strong enough balance sheet and support from banks already— Luke Tugby (@LukeTugby) July 26, 2019
"The football club think we haven't signed a striker because we lost our stake in Debenhams. Its not true. They are completely separate." #nufc
— Luke Tugby (@LukeTugby) July 26, 2019
Asked if he was close to selling. He skirted it slightly, but essentially said 'no' to all intents and purposes
— Luke Tugby (@LukeTugby) July 26, 2019
It seems like the end of the Ashley era is nowhere in sight. For those who thought the events of today were a positive sign for the club, it turns out that it may have no effect at all.
171 comments so far
IrishRob
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Comment #1First!!
IrishRob
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Comment #2Second!!
IrishRob
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Comment #3Third!!
IrishRob
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Comment #4Fourth!!
IrishRob
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Comment #5Fifth lochinvar. Lol
Jib
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Comment #6It seems like Neil and the journos have the same problem
understanding English
Ashley says
“Not looking to sell club in order to fund SD”
That doesn’t mean he’s not selling the club
duh
lesh
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Comment #7All the more reason for NUFC fans to show their contempt for Ashley and all he stands for.
Someone suggested boycotting all televised home games so’s the broadcasting companies to put pressure on the greedy git.
stu mel
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Comment #8Mike was never going to sell ever he played with a company slag them off by say they had no money pulled the plug on the deal got rid of rafa brought a expensive player to appease use ye I called it but so did everyone ye I’d boycott st james if I hadn’t for the last 4 5 years. Fingers slug that cashly is
IrishRob
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Comment #9On a serious note, I don’t have a single clue why everyone is celebrating, because its bound to eventually have a knock on affect and conversely effect Newcastle united. There goes any more players in. Who arent free of course!!
ChicoUSA
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:38 PM
Comment #10Take a bow froggy!
stu mel
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:38 PM
Comment #11Fing that ment to be
Genjikai
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:39 PM
Comment #12Now is the time to strike. Lets keep the pressure up on mike.
More and more join our cause. We will get rid of ashley.
Corkypants
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:40 PM
Comment #13I was just about to comment and say why is everyone happy we will end up paying to keep sports direct afloat I said during all the take over stuff we are just his cash cow basically free money to him!!!!
lesh
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:40 PM
Comment #14Jib
Being a smartarse, you should also have recognised that the ‘quoted’ words are no more than the reporter’s words.
lochinvar
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:41 PM
Comment #15IrishRob
How about trying for 324 – that’ll keep you occupied for a few hours !
Do you follow cricket ?
Don’t worry I don’t either , being a Jock
stu mel
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:41 PM
Comment #16But yeah I’ll boycott the tv match for newcastle to show support. Iv got sky just for the footy might not even watch it next season I had a hard summer to keep up support for mike ashley @st james park
Corkypants
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:42 PM
Comment #17Genji he doesn’t give a shit about you or anyone else you can do what you like he won’t sell unless forced by the powers that be
RobLeenio
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:43 PM
Comment #18Ashley is the majority shareholder in sports direct. He’s also the sole owner of mash Holdings. Mash Holdings is the sole shareholder of Newcastle United.
Simples, until you start looking into all the different companies nufc itself is spilt into.
If sports direct does fall and even if Ashley himself goes under, the club is insulated and is actually in decent nick financially, with the only significant debt being to Ashley himself.
If he called that in all at once it might threaten the club, but the person most hurt by that would be Ashley himself, so why would he?
lochinvar
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:43 PM
Comment #19Wonder what the interest is on £600million outstanding on your tax bill ?
Neil Harrison
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:43 PM
Comment #20Fair play Jib,
I’ve updated the title to not close to sale.
IrishRob
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:43 PM
Comment #21No that would be annoying I justcwabtedvyk beat you mate lol.
And yes I follow the cricket but not nearly enough to care if they loose. Soz mate lol lol lol
IrishRob
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:44 PM
Comment #22I just wanted to*
RobLeenio
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:49 PM
Comment #23Funny I never even thought the article implied anything about the sale
Then I skipped the tweets below it.
Funny how two people can read exactly the same words and interpret them completely differently.
Surely he’s just saying the club sale won’t be used to bale out sports direct? Add and when it happens obviously.
Sad Frog II
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:49 PM
Comment #24Ashley please go away….all pray now!
JP...from The Rock
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:49 PM
Comment #25FCUK YOU ASHLIE!!! I FCKING HATE YOU!!!!
ChicoUSA
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:49 PM
Comment #26Jib @6
Still think the club might be for sale?
Have you seen CaptainAmerimag anywhere up there on planet “delusional optimism?”
RobLeenio
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:51 PM
Comment #27Neil pleased to hear your dad’s ok and I’ve enjoyed the occasional post from The Wife also recently.
Do you have a financial services background? Sounded like you knew what you were talking about on the last couple posts when it comes to company finance
Sad Frog II
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:52 PM
Comment #28We may need a rocketman to make final solution. Every little thing counts, St James need all the help.
Sports Direct FC
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:52 PM
Comment #29Neil@20
Worst thing you could have done.
oldarse
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:53 PM
Comment #30Well, he would say that wouldn’t he watch the sh*t storm Monday no sleep for him over the weekend tw@t
Sports Direct FC
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:54 PM
Comment #31Neil
Let you Dad know a few of us feel the same as him about Rafa leaving….though you probably couldn’t tell reading the drivel on here.
Neil Harrison
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:55 PM
Comment #32Rob,
Thanks a lot. Yes my dad is doing great. Taking a break for the moment due to his fury with Mike Ashley. He is supposed to remain calm due to his condition.
I worked for the City of Raleigh in some financial capacity but really just doing my best to keep up with it. Not an expert by no means. And my wife actually loves your posts. She is a fan of yours. Has mentioned you a few times as a voice of reason.
Neil Harrison
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:57 PM
Comment #33Sports Direct FC,
Thanks. I’m trying to not be misleading so I switched the title a bit. I still think Ashley does not want to sell. However if he gets into tax fraud problems, he could no longer be considered a fit owner. So there is hope.
RobLeenio
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:57 PM
Comment #34Ha ha that’s hilarious. Don’t tell Optimistic Prime he already thinks I’m a proper goody two shoes.
😛
Muz
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Comment #35Nice bit of ‘insight’ into Ashley and his thoughts on the club. He definitely is in damage control at the minute, especially with the tax stuff they’re going through in Belgium. Funny how this guy comes out just in time to assure people everything is OK. When you think this is a man who operates on a policy of being silent.
If he says he’s not selling the club, I’m even more inclined to believe he is.
Genjikai
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Comment #36Corkypants
Ill do what i thinks right.
Clearly what we are doing isnt having an affect on him and his business. You keep doing what your doing ill keep doing what im doing.
Sports Direct FC
Jul 26, 2019 at 8:59 PM
Comment #37Neil
I don’t think it was misleading in any way. Any help we can get to see the back of him is welcome.
jazzyp
Jul 26, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Comment #38https://twitter.com/itvnews/status/1154839794406629378
Sports Direct FC
Jul 26, 2019 at 9:01 PM
Comment #39Rob
Perhaps a name change to Optimistic Rob?
Genjikai
Jul 26, 2019 at 9:01 PM
Comment #40Neil could you email my account please ive got a few things to ask if you wouldnt mind answering.