Mike Ashley - Newcastle's best ever chairman/owner.

[TRon]

He spent £10m on Coloccini. Where was the fool-proof residual value in that?

 

There is plenty, Spurs signed Berba at 25(1 year younger than Colo) & after 2 seasons  they are getting £30 million. Of course being a Newcaslte defender usually means you leave free or at vastly reduced reduced price from what we paid...I see your point

 

Anyone know the last couple of defenders we have bought & then sold for a profit? I think Faye this year was one, before him?

 

I see you're point...we should buy players who are likely to decrease in value to prove we aren't looking for a profit..clever tactics 

 

[Guest DMan]

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8433/99144770mk4.png

 

Btw voting happy in a poll doesn't necessarily mean they expected Ashley to be 'better than H&S'. The former is leaving after just one year, so it's a bit unfair to compare his admittedly disastrous one year to the best of Shepherd and Hall, spread over a period of ten years plus.

 

We'll never know what the club was capable of under Ashley as he's quitting at the first sign of trouble.

 

I think that speaks volumes about the man, he made a mistake buying the club without due dilligence but cleared the debt so for that we should be grateful, but what followed was the most ridiculous shambles ever witnessed at a football club, I for one will be glad when he is gone.

 

Apart from clearing the debt he has done EVERYTHING the wrong way.

[Thespence]

He spent £10m on Coloccini. Where was the fool-proof residual value in that?

 

There is plenty, Spurs signed Berba at 25(1 year younger than Colo) & after 2 seasons  they are getting £30 million. Of course being a Newcaslte defender usually means you leave free or at vastly reduced reduced price from what we paid...I see your point

 

Anyone know the last couple of defenders we have bought & then sold for a profit? I think Faye this year was one, before him?

 

I see you're point...we should buy players who are likely to decrease in value to prove we aren't looking for a profit..clever tactics 

 

 

Nice to see we are in tune once again .

[Guest marky555]

To be one of the best ever owners, you have to be able to communicate. Which Ashley didnt.

 

Also, as much as I respect and appreciate the plans he had for this club, everyone knows that would NEVER have worked with Keegan as manager.

 

You cant have the best of both worlds, having Keegan in to get bums on seats and play attractive football, but then undermine him with transfer policies involving Dennis Wise.

[Guest elbee909]

 

haha.........as if I was able to hold onto my few shares when Ashley bought over 90% and enforced the sale.  Are you always so dumb ?

 

Why didn't you buy any by the way ? Were you just about to embark on the 100 games you've seen in your life in 27 years 

 

I'm not a liar, but your mate mick is. Proven.

 

I don't know who will take over the club, but its easier to improve on someone doing badly than someone doing well.

 

Have a good time on the Spurs message boards.

 

Bye.

 

Of course you're not a liar, you're not Leazes either are you or that bloke who rated Souness so highly and you didn't get backed up on here by your brother, it was a total stranger, no, you're not a proven liar.

 

no, I didn't make a post saying "how highly I rated Souness", and you won't find it either. I admit I was happy with Allardyce though, and not spinning shit like you do saying you never rated Dalglish [luckily before we all started chatting on message boards], which I'm betting is a lie just like you and this Gordon Lee business.

 

so you're happy you have what you wished for ? Are you going to lie about it or admit it ?

 

You aren't really a long term supporter of the club either are you ?

 

 

 

I think you should start taking this stuff to PMs.

[Syrette]

 

haha.........as if I was able to hold onto my few shares when Ashley bought over 90% and enforced the sale.  Are you always so dumb ?

 

Why didn't you buy any by the way ? Were you just about to embark on the 100 games you've seen in your life in 27 years 

 

I'm not a liar, but your mate mick is. Proven.

 

I don't know who will take over the club, but its easier to improve on someone doing badly than someone doing well.

 

Have a good time on the Spurs message boards.

 

Bye.

 

Of course you're not a liar, you're not Leazes either are you or that bloke who rated Souness so highly and you didn't get backed up on here by your brother, it was a total stranger, no, you're not a proven liar.

 

no, I didn't make a post saying "how highly I rated Souness", and you won't find it either. I admit I was happy with Allardyce though, and not spinning shit like you do saying you never rated Dalglish [luckily before we all started chatting on message boards], which I'm betting is a lie just like you and this Gordon Lee business.

 

so you're happy you have what you wished for ? Are you going to lie about it or admit it ?

 

You aren't really a long term supporter of the club either are you ?

 

 

 

I think you should start taking this stuff to PMs.

 

We can only wish...

[Dave]

I think you should start taking this stuff to PMs.

 

You say that like it hasn't been suggested about a million times before.

[Guest elbee909]

I think you should start taking this stuff to PMs.

 

You say that like it hasn't been suggested about a million times before.

 

I think you could have told me that via PM

[Incognito]

Had he not had the worst line of communication ever seen since the British hearing aid telesales team,and not totally undermined one of the best managers our club has ever had to a guy who had absolutely diddly squat experience or qualifications to justify his position,or appoint a man who was a casino manager to such an important position to control the purse strings of one of the biggest clubs in Europe,then maybe he could be considered for the award of our best chairman/owner.

Ashley's heart was in the right place but certainly not his brains.

[ChezGiven]

Had he not had the worst line of communication ever seen since the British hearing aid telesales team

 

 

 

[Guest Toon Barmy]

The biggest mistake Ashley has made is staking his reputation on the director of football. 

He brought him in and said in print that he feels that the DOF and his men have done a great job. 

 

Any football fan knows that you cannot go into a premiership season with apparent top 10 ambitions with a paper thin squad, the minimum players you should have is 2 per position. 

 

I'm all for bringing through the youth and unearthing the gems, but we have not done any of this and for this reason we are in the worst position we have ever been in the EPL.

 

And the head honcho is to blame.

[TRon]

Had he not had the worst line of communication ever seen since the British hearing aid telesales team

 

 

 

 

Sitting amongst the fans at away grounds..yes I can see how he distanced himself and failed to communicate. Hopefully the next owner will show how it's done.

[NE5]

 

haha.........as if I was able to hold onto my few shares when Ashley bought over 90% and enforced the sale.  Are you always so dumb ?

 

Why didn't you buy any by the way ? Were you just about to embark on the 100 games you've seen in your life in 27 years 

 

I'm not a liar, but your mate mick is. Proven.

 

I don't know who will take over the club, but its easier to improve on someone doing badly than someone doing well.

 

Have a good time on the Spurs message boards.

 

Bye.

 

Of course you're not a liar, you're not Leazes either are you or that bloke who rated Souness so highly and you didn't get backed up on here by your brother, it was a total stranger, no, you're not a proven liar.

 

no, I didn't make a post saying "how highly I rated Souness", and you won't find it either. I admit I was happy with Allardyce though, and not spinning shit like you do saying you never rated Dalglish [luckily before we all started chatting on message boards], which I'm betting is a lie just like you and this Gordon Lee business.

 

so you're happy you have what you wished for ? Are you going to lie about it or admit it ?

 

You aren't really a long term supporter of the club either are you ?

 

 

 

I think you should start taking this stuff to PMs.

 

well, if he stopped lying there wouldn't be any need

 

We all know that mick has wished for this for years ?

 

And anybody who didn't call him nasty names would be less embarrassing than those that did ?

 

If he wants to refute this, then let him say so in front of the whole message board that he said it to initially ?

 

The choice is his.

 

 

[Cronky]

A lot of the statements on here seem to be based on the premise that because he's the owner, everything that's happened must be his fault.

 

There was a lot that he got right. But a Chairman once said that all the decisions that he made paled into significance beside the one concerning the choice of manager. And Ashley got that wrong, at least for the plan that he had in mind.

 

Where he can't be blamed is for the manner and timing of Keegan's departure, which has caused so much damage. Keegan has a lot to answer for there.

[NE5]

He spent £10m on Coloccini. Where was the fool-proof residual value in that?

 

There is plenty, Spurs signed Berba at 25(1 year younger than Colo) & after 2 seasons  they are getting £30 million. Of course being a Newcaslte defender usually means you leave free or at vastly reduced reduced price from what we paid...I see your point

 

Anyone know the last couple of defenders we have bought & then sold for a profit? I think Faye this year was one, before him?

 

I see you're point...we should buy players who are likely to decrease in value to prove we aren't looking for a profit..clever tactics 

 

 

what ?

 

Are you saying that we should be finding players to sell them on for a profit

[NE5]

A lot of the statements on here seem to be based on the premise that because he's the owner, everything that's happened must be his fault.

 

There was a lot that he got right. But a Chairman once said that all the decisions that he made paled into significance beside the one concerning the choice of manager. And Ashley got that wrong, at least for the plan that he had in mind.

 

Where he can't be blamed is for the manner and timing of Keegan's departure, which has caused so much damage. Keegan has a lot to answer for there.

 

what a load of rot.

 

Ref your first paragraph - plenty of people have said in the past, when it suited them, everything stops with the owner [personally I don't necessarily agree] but why move the goalposts ?

 

2nd paragraph - I really don't think he did too much right at all

 

3rd para - of course he's to blame. He even had a chance to reverse the situation but didn't. The manager is his most important employee, so how the hell can you absove him of any blame

 

 

[garth]

Personally, I think with out a doubt he is the best thing to have happened to the club in a long time. It's just a shame he chose the wrong Manager, just to appease the morons wanting the old days back again when we all know that was never going to happen with the "gutless wonder". That was his biggest mistake.

[TRon]

He spent £10m on Coloccini. Where was the fool-proof residual value in that?

 

There is plenty, Spurs signed Berba at 25(1 year younger than Colo) & after 2 seasons  they are getting £30 million. Of course being a Newcaslte defender usually means you leave free or at vastly reduced reduced price from what we paid...I see your point

 

Anyone know the last couple of defenders we have bought & then sold for a profit? I think Faye this year was one, before him?

 

I see you're point...we should buy players who are likely to decrease in value to prove we aren't looking for a profit..clever tactics 

 

 

what ?

 

Are you saying that we should be finding players to sell them on for a profit

 

I'm saying we should foil Ashley's dastardly plan by signing old players so they can't be sold at a profit and in fact will make the club a loss.

[Benwell Lad]

A lot of the statements on here seem to be based on the premise that because he's the owner, everything that's happened must be his fault.

 

There was a lot that he got right. But a Chairman once said that all the decisions that he made paled into significance beside the one concerning the choice of manager. And Ashley got that wrong, at least for the plan that he had in mind.

 

Where he can't be blamed is for the manner and timing of Keegan's departure, which has caused so much damage. Keegan has a lot to answer for there.

 

Once again Bob you've got it spot on.

I loved KK and hoped it would work out, but his appointment was Ashley's big mistake. I will now never forgive Keegan for the way he walked out, sure things didn't suit him but he could have been man enough to stay with the team and fans he allegedly loved while a sensible resolution was worked on. It appears that in the days following his walkout Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise but Keegans only concern was attempting to preserve his pay off. Hence King Kev has said nothing to enlighten those he supposedly loved.

[Guest elbee909]

 

haha.........as if I was able to hold onto my few shares when Ashley bought over 90% and enforced the sale.  Are you always so dumb ?

 

Why didn't you buy any by the way ? Were you just about to embark on the 100 games you've seen in your life in 27 years 

 

I'm not a liar, but your mate mick is. Proven.

 

I don't know who will take over the club, but its easier to improve on someone doing badly than someone doing well.

 

Have a good time on the Spurs message boards.

 

Bye.

 

Of course you're not a liar, you're not Leazes either are you or that bloke who rated Souness so highly and you didn't get backed up on here by your brother, it was a total stranger, no, you're not a proven liar.

 

no, I didn't make a post saying "how highly I rated Souness", and you won't find it either. I admit I was happy with Allardyce though, and not spinning shit like you do saying you never rated Dalglish [luckily before we all started chatting on message boards], which I'm betting is a lie just like you and this Gordon Lee business.

 

so you're happy you have what you wished for ? Are you going to lie about it or admit it ?

 

You aren't really a long term supporter of the club either are you ?

 

 

 

I think you should start taking this stuff to PMs.

 

well, if he stopped lying there wouldn't be any need

 

We all know that mick has wished for this for years ?

 

And anybody who didn't call him nasty names would be less embarrassing than those that did ?

 

If he wants to refute this, then let him say so in front of the whole message board that he said it to initially ?

 

The choice is his.

 

 

Kids these days, honestly.

 

[ChezGiven]

A lot of the statements on here seem to be based on the premise that because he's the owner, everything that's happened must be his fault.

 

There was a lot that he got right. But a Chairman once said that all the decisions that he made paled into significance beside the one concerning the choice of manager. And Ashley got that wrong, at least for the plan that he had in mind.

 

Where he can't be blamed is for the manner and timing of Keegan's departure, which has caused so much damage. Keegan has a lot to answer for there.

 

Once again Bob you've got it spot on.

I loved KK and hoped it would work out, but his appointment was Ashley's big mistake. I will now never forgive Keegan for the way he walked out, sure things didn't suit him but he could have been man enough to stay with the team and fans he allegedly loved while a sensible resolution was worked on. It appears that in the days following his walkout Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise but Keegans only concern was attempting to preserve his pay off. Hence King Kev has said nothing to enlighten those he supposedly loved.

 

Total lack of respect leaving like that without even saying goodbye, its only fucking football.

 

Its not like when Robin Cook walked out on Labour over Iraq. Now THAT was being principled. People who talk about Keegan's principles would do well to remember that.

[Benwell Lad]

From The Telegraph and posted elsewhere but relevant to this discussion. Seems pretty much like he was doing a good job overall and had done what any good management team would try to do first i.e. stabilise the business and provide a strong platform from which to move forward.

I guess the debate is would success on the field have followed. I think it would.

 

 

Yet despite the universal derision being heaped at Newcastle's door, an undeniable fact is emerging from the smoke generated by Mike Ashley's fire sale: the club remain an attractive investment attracting genuine interest.

 

Since Ashley announced his intention to sell the club on Sept 14 several overseas investors have expressed serious interest in becoming the club's third owners in 16 months. (The anonymous Nigerian consortium fronted by Chris Nathaniel, an agent who handles media rights for Rio Ferdinand and John Terry among others, is not among them despite their claim, refuted by sources with knowledge of the negotiations, to have lodged a £300 million bid last week.)

 

Yesterday the seven genuine bidders received a sales prospectus detailing the club's financial position from Seymour Pierce, the investment bankers engaged to handle the sale, having signed confidentiality agreements.

 

Inside Sport understands that the document sets out details of a club who, thanks to Ashley's investment, are far healthier than the debt-laden unprofitable hulk he walked into last summer.

 

The audit reveals Newcastle are debt-free apart from an overdraft that fluctuates in line with the receipt of season-ticket income. They also own their own stadium and training facilities as well as significant commercial property holdings in the city.

 

The prospectus values the squad at about £100 million, and crucially for the medium term, despite the frantic transfer activity of the last two seasons, the club are owed more in transfer fees than they are scheduled to pay out. The new owners will also have access to the £50 million overdraft facility that is not subject to a change-of-control clause.

 

Add the fact that Ashley is, in the apposite euphemism employed by one City analyst, a "distressed seller", and there is every chance that the eventual buyer may consider they have a bargain.

 

Having distributed their assessment of the club's real financial position, Seymour Pierce will now await valuations from potential buyers in what is effectively a sealed-bid auction.

 

Contrary to reports circulating, no target figure has been set.

Having spent £134 million buying the club and another £110 million in clearing debts, he will be hoping for a figure north of £250 million, and his advisers are confident that will be achieved. That said, Ashley is unlikely to achieve anything like the £400 million-plus price-tag mooted when the 'For Sale' signs went up.

 

The club are a proven source of revenue, generating close to £90 million in the year to June 2007 and returning a modest profit of £3.5 million, a figure that is said to have increased marginally in the first full year under Ashley's control.

 

That said, a reduction in the huge wage bill, which accounted for close to 70 per cent of income last year, will be a priority for any new owner.

 

Should Ashley walk away with any sort of profit from his disastrous tenure he will doubtless be pilloried, but he will not be the first millionaire to enrich himself courtesy of Newcastle United.

 

Sir John, Douglas and Cameron Hall, who used the club to drive their vision of the "Geordie Nation", earned more than £36 million from sales of shares, salaries and dividends during their time at the club, and Sir John received £55 million from Ashley for his 41 per cent share last year.

 

Former chairman Freddy Shepherd and the company run by his son, Douglas Shepherd Offshore, meanwhile, were paid more than £10 million in wages, share sales and dividends during their time at the club, and accepted £37 million of Ashley's fortune for their 28 per cent when they handed over the keys to St James' Park.

 

As these figures demonstrate, the problem at Newcastle has never been generating income, but ensuring that it gets ploughed back into the club.

 

    * £100m: The prospectus’ value of the Newcastle squad

      £90m: The amount of revenue generated last year

      £3.5m: Newcastle returned this modest profit in the year to June 2007

[Guest Mucky01]

A lot of the statements on here seem to be based on the premise that because he's the owner, everything that's happened must be his fault.

 

There was a lot that he got right. But a Chairman once said that all the decisions that he made paled into significance beside the one concerning the choice of manager. And Ashley got that wrong, at least for the plan that he had in mind.

 

Where he can't be blamed is for the manner and timing of Keegan's departure, which has caused so much damage. Keegan has a lot to answer for there.

 

Once again Bob you've got it spot on.

I loved KK and hoped it would work out, but his appointment was Ashley's big mistake. I will now never forgive Keegan for the way he walked out, sure things didn't suit him but he could have been man enough to stay with the team and fans he allegedly loved while a sensible resolution was worked on. It appears that in the days following his walkout Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise but Keegans only concern was attempting to preserve his pay off. Hence King Kev has said nothing to enlighten those he supposedly loved.

 

“Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise” in your mind yes, to the vast majority Ashley didn’t compromise rather he refused to limit the mess caused by Derek Llambias (and possibly from Dennis Wise), putting Keegan in a situation most managers would have walked from – if you don’t know the many supporting facts by now that substantiate this, then your are a deluded idiot.

 

Others are keeping an open mind until they hear the facts – which in your case you don’t have any facts to back your argument other than: you support Ashley who is walking out – and you hate Keegan for walking out.

 

Keegan (nor should Ashley but he tried and failed) can’t “enlighten” anyone because of the legal complications, so why chastise him for that until you know the facts? The question that is still to be answered is why did Keegan leave?

 

Until you post your opinions based on any facts you just end up looking like you’re just blindly kissing Ashley’s arse.

[quayside]

From The Telegraph and posted elsewhere but relevant to this discussion. Seems pretty much like he was doing a good job overall and had done what any good management team would try to do first i.e. stabilise the business and provide a strong platform from which to move forward.

I guess the debate is would success on the field have followed. I think it would.

 

 

Yet despite the universal derision being heaped at Newcastle's door, an undeniable fact is emerging from the smoke generated by Mike Ashley's fire sale: the club remain an attractive investment attracting genuine interest.

 

Since Ashley announced his intention to sell the club on Sept 14 several overseas investors have expressed serious interest in becoming the club's third owners in 16 months. (The anonymous Nigerian consortium fronted by Chris Nathaniel, an agent who handles media rights for Rio Ferdinand and John Terry among others, is not among them despite their claim, refuted by sources with knowledge of the negotiations, to have lodged a £300 million bid last week.)

 

Yesterday the seven genuine bidders received a sales prospectus detailing the club's financial position from Seymour Pierce, the investment bankers engaged to handle the sale, having signed confidentiality agreements.

 

Inside Sport understands that the document sets out details of a club who, thanks to Ashley's investment, are far healthier than the debt-laden unprofitable hulk he walked into last summer.

 

The audit reveals Newcastle are debt-free apart from an overdraft that fluctuates in line with the receipt of season-ticket income. They also own their own stadium and training facilities as well as significant commercial property holdings in the city.

 

The prospectus values the squad at about £100 million, and crucially for the medium term, despite the frantic transfer activity of the last two seasons, the club are owed more in transfer fees than they are scheduled to pay out. The new owners will also have access to the £50 million overdraft facility that is not subject to a change-of-control clause.

 

Add the fact that Ashley is, in the apposite euphemism employed by one City analyst, a "distressed seller", and there is every chance that the eventual buyer may consider they have a bargain.

 

Having distributed their assessment of the club's real financial position, Seymour Pierce will now await valuations from potential buyers in what is effectively a sealed-bid auction.

 

Contrary to reports circulating, no target figure has been set.

Having spent £134 million buying the club and another £110 million in clearing debts, he will be hoping for a figure north of £250 million, and his advisers are confident that will be achieved. That said, Ashley is unlikely to achieve anything like the £400 million-plus price-tag mooted when the 'For Sale' signs went up.

 

The club are a proven source of revenue, generating close to £90 million in the year to June 2007 and returning a modest profit of £3.5 million, a figure that is said to have increased marginally in the first full year under Ashley's control.

 

That said, a reduction in the huge wage bill, which accounted for close to 70 per cent of income last year, will be a priority for any new owner.

 

Should Ashley walk away with any sort of profit from his disastrous tenure he will doubtless be pilloried, but he will not be the first millionaire to enrich himself courtesy of Newcastle United.

 

Sir John, Douglas and Cameron Hall, who used the club to drive their vision of the "Geordie Nation", earned more than £36 million from sales of shares, salaries and dividends during their time at the club, and Sir John received £55 million from Ashley for his 41 per cent share last year.

 

Former chairman Freddy Shepherd and the company run by his son, Douglas Shepherd Offshore, meanwhile, were paid more than £10 million in wages, share sales and dividends during their time at the club, and accepted £37 million of Ashley's fortune for their 28 per cent when they handed over the keys to St James' Park.

 

As these figures demonstrate, the problem at Newcastle has never been generating income, but ensuring that it gets ploughed back into the club.

 

    * £100m: The prospectus’ value of the Newcastle squad

      £90m: The amount of revenue generated last year

      £3.5m: Newcastle returned this modest profit in the year to June 2007

 

There's another thread on that article - its positive stuff and isn't sticking the boot in like so much of the press at the moment. Just as a point of detail - as I said on the other thread a profit was not made in 2007, it was a loss of £33 million.

[ChezGiven]

A lot of the statements on here seem to be based on the premise that because he's the owner, everything that's happened must be his fault.

 

There was a lot that he got right. But a Chairman once said that all the decisions that he made paled into significance beside the one concerning the choice of manager. And Ashley got that wrong, at least for the plan that he had in mind.

 

Where he can't be blamed is for the manner and timing of Keegan's departure, which has caused so much damage. Keegan has a lot to answer for there.

 

Once again Bob you've got it spot on.

I loved KK and hoped it would work out, but his appointment was Ashley's big mistake. I will now never forgive Keegan for the way he walked out, sure things didn't suit him but he could have been man enough to stay with the team and fans he allegedly loved while a sensible resolution was worked on. It appears that in the days following his walkout Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise but Keegans only concern was attempting to preserve his pay off. Hence King Kev has said nothing to enlighten those he supposedly loved.

 

“Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise” in your mind yes, to the vast majority Ashley didn’t compromise rather he refused to limit the mess caused by Derek Llambias (and possibly from Dennis Wise), putting Keegan in a situation most managers would have walked from – if you don’t know the many supporting facts by now that substantiate this, then your are a deluded idiot.

 

Others are keeping an open mind until they hear the facts – which in your case you don’t have any facts to back your argument other than: you support Ashley who is walking out – and you hate Keegan for walking out.

 

Keegan (nor should Ashley but he tried and failed) can’t “enlighten” anyone because of the legal complications, so why chastise him for that until you know the facts? The question that is still to be answered is why did Keegan leave?

 

Until you post your opinions based on any facts you just end up looking like you’re just blindly kissing Ashley’s arse.

 

So everyone made their mind up by lunchtime on Tuesday 2nd September who was at fault are "keeping an open mind" then?

 

I'd cry if it wasnt so ridiculous.