Chris Mort's departure confirmed. Derek Llambias is new Managing Director.

[quayside]

Never saw him as anything other than doing the job on a temporary basis - he continued to be named as a Freshfields partner all through his time with us.

 

He did the job during a pivotal year. He is a very clever and very professional operator and my concern is that some of the important lessons he will have learned from the experience could walk out the door when he does.

 

I have no idea whatsoever about what his replacement will bring to the party (assuming it's Llambias).

[johnnypd]

the only issues i can see are the new chairman coming in and having to learn the ropes and make the same mistakes Mort did. also, the wise/vetere set-up and strategy of going after talented youngsters seems to stem from Mort and this may be sidelined if a new chairman has different ideas. however if we promote from within these may not even be issues.

[James]

Johnnypd, this is why I don't think we have to worry about such issues:

 

Did a good job all things considered and I'd have liked him to have stayed. I'm a bit annoyed that we're most probably back to square one in regards appointing someone who has to learn the ropes from scratch again. Got to respect his wishes though and he's got a family to consider too.

 

Cheers Morty and good luck.  

 

Don't know why people keep saying that.

 

Very convenient to forget that when Mort took over, it was him on his own, the chairman's job had responsibility for everything not assigned to the manager.

 

One year on, everything has been split up into various sub divisions, reducing the job responsibilities of the chairman.

 

Today we have:

 

1) A team of four football experts (Keegan, Veterre, Jimenez and Wise) who will essentially ask for money, and work out the contracts negotiations etc amongst themselves, and have their performance measured by results. The chairman just needs to give them the money.

 

2) A former Newcastle Racecourse Director on the board, and together with Keegan's input, there is a local input on the board.

 

3) Mike Ashley, who ultimately sets the targets, controls the boardroom appointments, and holds the purse strings.

 

Llambias will have been at NUFC at least unofficially for a couple of months, he will have been told about what he is inheriting, what he needs to oversee in the short term while he gets up to speed. The chairman's job is now to liase between the board and the owner, and to ensure that the general operations of the club as a business in the leisure industry are as profitable as possible. As a supposed expert in the leisure industry, Llambias should fit in very quickly.

 

The main thing though is that there is zero effect on the pitch. As there are now several of Ashley's staff at the club with clear direction and responsibilities set out for them, there is no reason why the club can't move forward with or without Mort.

 

Chairman doesn't have the permanancy of the days of Shepherd. If Llambias turns out to be a bumbling idiot, he shall get shown the door very swiftly.

[NE5]

which was the players that "Mort missed out of" then?

 

Sidwell.

 

Modric.

 

Woodgate.

 

You have 2 managers who have expressed dissatisfaction with the support given to them by officials at the club.

 

Allardyce complained of them not moving quick enough etc etc

 

Keegan made the comments he made 2 weeks ago

 

Still, you know best

 

 

 

[Rich]

Llambias lined up to be Newcastle chairman

By Michael Walker

Friday, 23 May 2008

 

A year to the day since Mike Ashley shocked British football by acquiring the Hall family shareholdings in Newcastle United, Ashley's first major appointment, chairman Chris Mort, will effectively begin clearing his desk at St James' Park this afternoon.

 

Mort, 42, was only on secondment from his job at the London law firm Freshfields and had been expected to depart earlier, but the recent recruitment of Derek Llambias as deputy chairman now leaves Newcastle with an obvious replacement and Mort is able to return to London. There has been no official confirmation from the club and Mort will remain there for another few weeks before handing over.

 

Llambias is known to Ashley through the exclusive Fifty London casino – where Ashley won £1.8m recently – and was around the table when Ashley met the manager Kevin Keegan in Mort's Fleet Street office a fortnight ago. Llambias is, therefore, already "in the loop" but like Mort is anticipated to be more low-key than the previous chairman Freddy Shepherd. Major decisions such as transfers will continue to be the remit of Keegan, Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and, ultimately, Ashley.

 

Prior to his appointment earlier this month, Llambias had a box at St James' and his proximity to Ashley could be seen when he accompanied the owner to Sir Bobby Robson's charity dinner at the club after the Keegan meeting in London. "We are very pleased to welcome Derek on to the board of Newcastle United," Mort said at the time. "Derek's experience in the hospitality industry will certainly complement the work already being done by the club to realise its full potential." The opinion that Newcastle are increasingly governed from London will not be easily contradicted by yesterday's developments even though Newcastle also recently appointed David Williamson as operations director. Williamson, a Scot, was brought in from Newcastle racecourse.

 

When Ashley took control from Shepherd last July it signalled the end of a tier of management that had been at St James' but that now appears to have been replenished.

 

Seems like the rags reckon it'll be Dorty Derek as well.

[Mick]

 

Seems like the rags reckon it'll be Dorky Derek as well.

 

Fixed.

[chicago_shearer]

Farewell Mort.  Job well done for the most part.

[fredbob]

which was the players that "Mort missed out of" then?

 

Sidwell.

 

Modric.

 

Woodgate.

 

You have 2 managers who have expressed dissatisfaction with the support given to them by officials at the club.

 

Allardyce complained of them not moving quick enough etc etc

 

Keegan made the comments he made 2 weeks ago

 

Still, you know best

 

 

 

 

So 3 targets - all going to teams in better situations than ours.

 

You have one manager who complained at Morts slowness which is expected and something that is readily being accepted by everyone, no one still knows what the keegan thing is about - apparently you do. Keegan has since come out seemingly happy- does that not mean that he was satisfied with the way tings went and he's satisfied with there plans?

 

Still you know best.

[Raconteur]

the only issues i can see are the new chairman coming in and having to learn the ropes and make the same mistakes Mort did. also, the wise/vetere set-up and strategy of going after talented youngsters seems to stem from Mort and this may be sidelined if a new chairman has different ideas. however if we promote from within these may not even be issues.

 

I can't say I agree with that - I'm of the opinion that this is an Ashley drive.

 

This is no more than speculation, but I believe Denis Wise's "Newcastle Reserves & Development Squad" has two very specific goals.

 

Firstly, nobly, the hope is to find the new Cesc Fabregas - a player that costs next to nothing, spends a year or two developing before establishing himself in the first team.

 

However, some quotes have led me to believe that the second hope is to find the next Nicholas Anelka - a player who costs next to nothing and is shortly afterward sold for a 20m profit. That's a fantastic return in anybody's language but to me, if persued as a policy, smacks of profiteering and even becoming a "selling club"...

 

Am I being alarmist?

 

Personally, I like the new setup, but only if it works properly and it must be said the jury is still out on that one too...

 

[Raconteur]

Mort was never really the chairman anyway, he just took on that overall role and did it very well too in my opinion, all things considered. He was brought in to legalise the club's accounts so to speak and get rid of very very nasty cobwebs left over by the old regime more than anything. He's obviously done that and while I won't go into details, I'm very thankful he has because this club was on the verge of a scandal or two which via Mort's expertise and experience, was avoided. There are very good reasons why FS and Co got barred from SJP and why the polis were sniffing around, not to mention why SJH was itching to get away, it was all going to collapse. When Mort spoke about financial ruin I believe that was a metaphor for something else...

 

Thats quite a substantial claim there. What are you basing this on? I thought Shep was banned because of the warehouse thing and that the police confirmed we got raided becasue we were victims not the perps. Its not like any of the old regime have been linked with the police dealings since.

 

So HTT are you going to expand on what you said or just leave us hanging there ?

 

Come on Coach - don't be wishy-washy. You've made some bold claims there...?

 

[madras]

the only issues i can see are the new chairman coming in and having to learn the ropes and make the same mistakes Mort did. also, the wise/vetere set-up and strategy of going after talented youngsters seems to stem from Mort and this may be sidelined if a new chairman has different ideas. however if we promote from within these may not even be issues.

 

I can't say I agree with that - I'm of the opinion that this is an Ashley drive.

 

This is no more than speculation, but I believe Denis Wise's "Newcastle Reserves & Development Squad" has two very specific goals.

 

Firstly, nobly, the hope is to find the new Cesc Fabregas - a player that costs next to nothing, spends a year or two developing before establishing himself in the first team.

 

However, some quotes have led me to believe that the second hope is to find the next Nicholas Anelka - a player who costs next to nothing and is shortly afterward sold for a 20m profit. That's a fantastic return in anybody's language but to me, if persued as a policy, smacks of profiteering and even becoming a "selling club"...

 

Am I being alarmist?

 

Personally, I like the new setup, but only if it works properly and it must be said the jury is still out on that one too...

 

yes and no. unfortunatly today players can force moves so you sell for what you can...if you can get in the right manager and players you may get a squad  high enough up that players don't want to leave.

[fredbob]

the only issues i can see are the new chairman coming in and having to learn the ropes and make the same mistakes Mort did. also, the wise/vetere set-up and strategy of going after talented youngsters seems to stem from Mort and this may be sidelined if a new chairman has different ideas. however if we promote from within these may not even be issues.

 

I can't say I agree with that - I'm of the opinion that this is an Ashley drive.

 

This is no more than speculation, but I believe Denis Wise's "Newcastle Reserves & Development Squad" has two very specific goals.

 

Firstly, nobly, the hope is to find the new Cesc Fabregas - a player that costs next to nothing, spends a year or two developing before establishing himself in the first team.

 

However, some quotes have led me to believe that the second hope is to find the next Nicholas Anelka - a player who costs next to nothing and is shortly afterward sold for a 20m profit. That's a fantastic return in anybody's language but to me, if persued as a policy, smacks of profiteering and even becoming a "selling club"...

 

Am I being alarmist?

 

Personally, I like the new setup, but only if it works properly and it must be said the jury is still out on that one too...

 

yes and no. unfortunatly today players can force moves so you sell for what you can...if you can get in the right manager and players you may get a squad  high enough up that players don't want to leave.

 

Also- if a player is adding value to himself then it means he's being of value to the team which is the most important thing and shows that it is the est policy in light of player power.

 

As for the next so and so - i think the prices that have been bandied around for some of the players we;ve been linked with sugges that this isnt strictly the case.

[mrmojorisin75]

which was the players that "Mort missed out of" then?

 

Sidwell.

 

Modric.

 

Woodgate.

 

You have 2 managers who have expressed dissatisfaction with the support given to them by officials at the club.

 

Allardyce complained of them not moving quick enough etc etc

 

Keegan made the comments he made 2 weeks ago

 

Still, you know best

 

 

 

 

NE5 didn't sidwell sign for chelski very early last summer, before the club had even changed hands?

 

anyways a wider point here i think you seem to sidestep is, in my opinion, mort was never brought in to be the type of chairman you expect him to be - and that's not a dig, what i mean is the historic english chairman who does all the transfer deals you know?

 

personally i reckon ashley has identified that in the past people brokering the deals in football were lacking expertise in both football and legal/negotiating/financial matters and he's brought in a team he believes will benefit the club to take care of all that

 

i think they've been intentionally cautious in the market as part of this overall strategy - i mean i'm actually glad they didn't come in gung-ho 'cause if they'd let fat sam blow 50m i think we'd all be a lot unhappier now?

 

anyway all that said i can forgive a period of cooling off as they surveyed what was around them, i can forgive it no more; it's time to stop the headlines about boardroom appointments and joey bartons gaol time and start the headlines about players

 

SHOW ME THE MONEY MIKE!!!!!

[Baggio]

which was the players that "Mort missed out of" then?

 

Sidwell.

 

Modric.

 

Woodgate.

 

You have 2 managers who have expressed dissatisfaction with the support given to them by officials at the club.

 

Allardyce complained of them not moving quick enough etc etc

 

Keegan made the comments he made 2 weeks ago

 

Still, you know best

 

 

 

 

It's a bit harsh blaming Mort for Allardyce missing out on Sidwell considering he agreed to join them the day before Mike Ashley bought the Hall's shares...

 

[Baggio]

the only issues i can see are the new chairman coming in and having to learn the ropes and make the same mistakes Mort did. also, the wise/vetere set-up and strategy of going after talented youngsters seems to stem from Mort and this may be sidelined if a new chairman has different ideas. however if we promote from within these may not even be issues.

 

I can't say I agree with that - I'm of the opinion that this is an Ashley drive.

 

This is no more than speculation, but I believe Denis Wise's "Newcastle Reserves & Development Squad" has two very specific goals.

 

Firstly, nobly, the hope is to find the new Cesc Fabregas - a player that costs next to nothing, spends a year or two developing before establishing himself in the first team.

 

However, some quotes have led me to believe that the second hope is to find the next Nicholas Anelka - a player who costs next to nothing and is shortly afterward sold for a 20m profit. That's a fantastic return in anybody's language but to me, if persued as a policy, smacks of profiteering and even becoming a "selling club"...

 

Am I being alarmist?

 

Personally, I like the new setup, but only if it works properly and it must be said the jury is still out on that one too...

 

 

What quotes?

 

Can you post them because I must of missed them.

[Skirge]

No surprise really..

http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/05/23/deputy-is-lined-up-as-chris-mort-s-successor-61634-20964504/

[Guest TPIB]

the only issues i can see are the new chairman coming in and having to learn the ropes and make the same mistakes Mort did. also, the wise/vetere set-up and strategy of going after talented youngsters seems to stem from Mort and this may be sidelined if a new chairman has different ideas. however if we promote from within these may not even be issues.

 

I can't say I agree with that - I'm of the opinion that this is an Ashley drive.

 

This is no more than speculation, but I believe Denis Wise's "Newcastle Reserves & Development Squad" has two very specific goals.

 

Firstly, nobly, the hope is to find the new Cesc Fabregas - a player that costs next to nothing, spends a year or two developing before establishing himself in the first team.

 

However, some quotes have led me to believe that the second hope is to find the next Nicholas Anelka - a player who costs next to nothing and is shortly afterward sold for a 20m profit. That's a fantastic return in anybody's language but to me, if persued as a policy, smacks of profiteering and even becoming a "selling club"...

 

Am I being alarmist?

 

Personally, I like the new setup, but only if it works properly and it must be said the jury is still out on that one too...

 

 

I think to acquire good young players give's you two options, you MAY find the next Fabregas and I'd hope we'd keep him, but from the rest of the kids there'll be plenty who aren't superstars in waiting, and these one's may not be good enough to break into our team (because hopefully it's too good) BUT they may be worth £4-£5 mill to someone else. That's where the selling on for profit is more likely to be, rather than the Anelka analogy (I hope)

 

[Optimistic Nut]

Well Shepherd was sh*t then considering he wasn't good enough to convince Woodgate to turn Boro down for us....

[Tom_NUFC]

Not suprising. I assumed from day one that he'd step down at some point and go back to his 'day job'. I think he did a good job at sorting out the running of the club and unlike FS who thought he knew what the fans wanted by playing up the 'I'm a Geordie, I know what the fans want' bullsh*t, Mort decided to build bridges and repair some of the damage between the club and fans by actually meeting with fans to discuss things early on. I think that was a good move.

 

His time here gets a thumbs up from me.

[thomas]

It's a bit harsh blaming Mort for Allardyce missing out on Sidwell considering he agreed to join them the day before Mike Ashley bought the Hall's shares...

:lol: :lol:

[NE5]

which was the players that "Mort missed out of" then?

 

Sidwell.

 

Modric.

 

Woodgate.

 

You have 2 managers who have expressed dissatisfaction with the support given to them by officials at the club.

 

Allardyce complained of them not moving quick enough etc etc

 

Keegan made the comments he made 2 weeks ago

 

Still, you know best

 

 

 

 

NE5 didn't sidwell sign for chelski very early last summer, before the club had even changed hands?

 

anyways a wider point here i think you seem to sidestep is, in my opinion, mort was never brought in to be the type of chairman you expect him to be - and that's not a dig, what i mean is the historic english chairman who does all the transfer deals you know?

 

personally i reckon ashley has identified that in the past people brokering the deals in football were lacking expertise in both football and legal/negotiating/financial matters and he's brought in a team he believes will benefit the club to take care of all that

 

i think they've been intentionally cautious in the market as part of this overall strategy - i mean i'm actually glad they didn't come in gung-ho 'cause if they'd let fat sam blow 50m i think we'd all be a lot unhappier now?

 

anyway all that said i can forgive a period of cooling off as they surveyed what was around them, i can forgive it no more; it's time to stop the headlines about boardroom appointments and joey bartons gaol time and start the headlines about players

 

SHOW ME THE MONEY MIKE!!!!!

 

Sidwell joined Chelsea on 1 July 2007 following the expiry of his contract with Reading

 

On June 7, 2007 it was confirmed that chairman Freddy Shepherd had agreed to sell his 28% share to Ashley, which left Ashley free to take control of the club.[17]

 

As of June 15, 2007, Ashley owned a 77.06% stake in Newcastle United and was on course to withdraw the club from the stock exchange having surpassed the 75% threshold required.[18]

 

both statements taken from wikipedia

 

whatever the impact or otherwise of these dates [which shows the Ashley - and Mort - had control of the club when Sidwell went to Chelsea] its the comments from Mort which are more alarming to me. Allardyce complained about them not understanding how things work in football, so has Keegan the other week.

 

I've always said that the first thing you want from a chairman is the desire to punch the clubs weight. It doesn't matter how nice a bloke he may be, if they don't do that they are a waste of time.

 

Hope Mort does OK as he seems like a nice bloke but I'm not bothered he's left the club. If his successor is the same, then its Ashley's desire to run the club like a tight ship, and believe me, unless you compete with the big boys you won't get in amongst them. This is obvious, and is so obvious I just don't understand how people keep making excuses.

 

We will find out soon enough.

 

You can make good decisions and bad decisons, but if you have to atttempt it. If you don't buy a ticket you don't win the raffle.

 

 

 

[Dave]

Sidwell agreed to move to Chelsea on 22nd May: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/6681893.stm

 

It was his Reading contract that ran out on 1st July.

[Willow]

Can't wait until we make a big signing, hopefully it'll shut a lot of people up

 

 

[NE5]

Can't wait until we make a big signing, hopefully it'll shut a lot of people up

 

 

Need more than one

 

 

[fredbob]

Where has this "tight ship" phrasing come from incidentally? Do facts escape you when in suits you?

 

(Modric - Woodgate) + (£30m transfers in the sumer) If reports are to be belived thats approximately £55m that would of left the clubs bank accounts in their years ownership had they all come off, which they didnt becasue of circumstances the board could do nothing about.