Newcastle owner Mike Ashley today confirmed the club are no
longer for sale after failing to find a buyer.
The billionaire sportswear magnate has decided to push ahead with
his own plans for the club following a three-month campaign to find
a purchaser.
Ashley engaged the services of investment bank Seymour Pierce after
deciding to call it a day at St James' Park in September following
mass protests against his regime in the wake of Kevin Keegan's
departure as manager.
Ashley launched a £134.4 million takeover of the club in May last
year and has since invested around a further £100 millon in
servicing the debt burden and attempting to strengthen the playing
squad.
Ashley said in a statement on the club's official website: ''I am
happy to end the uncertainty the fans may have had about the future
direction of Newcastle United.
''I know just how important that is to you. 'I have withdrawn
Newcastle United from the market, and for me 2009 will be the year
in which we drive the club forward together.
''Even when I haven't been at games I have remained a keen
supporter, kicking and heading every ball and cheering the team on
TV and being first to congratulate (manager) Joe (Kinnear) whenever
there's a good result.''
Ashley revealed the club had failed to find a suitable buyer.
He added: ''When I took the decision to put the club up for sale in
September I made a point of saying two things were very
important.
''Firstly any potential buyer would have to show they had the best
interests of Newcastle United at heart and had both the commitment
and finance to be worthy custodians of such a fine football club
before I would even consider doing a deal.
''And secondly, I gave you my word that as long as I remain owner,
this club would continue to be run responsibly at all levels. I
hope you will accept that I have stood by that pledge.''
Michael Ord, a spokesman for the Newcastle United Supporters' Club,
insists the news will be unwelcome to many on Tyneside.
Today's game against Liverpool had been earmarked as a chance to
pay tribute to former manager Sir Bobby Robson, who turns 76 next
month, but Ord believes the occasion may now be overshadowed.
''It's the most unwelcome late Christmas present Newcastle United
supporters could have,'' he told Sky Sports News.
''The timing of this stinks. Today Newcastle fans are celebrating
the life of a great, great football man and a great man of the
north-east, Sir Bobby Robson.
''For Mike Ashley to try to rain on that parade by putting out this
news today, I think tells you all you need to know about what he
views the custodianship of Newcastle United to be.
''I am unhappy about it. This man said 'I will not subsidise
Newcastle United any further'. There is nothing in that statement
that tells us that he is going to provide funds. I am at a stage
where I do not believe a word this man says.
''He needs to start thinking long and hard about what he is saying,
because I don't think Mike Ashley will take Newcastle forward at
all.''
I hope that he's learnt not to play real-life FM 08/09 using
his lackey after this saga.