Mike Ashley

[HawK]

Whilst I agree with the above - if every honourable manager leaves... where does that leave the club?  Either stuck with an Alan Pardew or no manager at all.

 

And to be honest, I am sure there is a middle ground that could be struck between walking out on the club and being Alan Pardew..

 

There are plenty of managers who would fit the middle ground, but Keegan would never be one of them. Can you imagine him coming to Newcastle with the aim of finishing 10th? Ashley should never have conned him that we wanted to win stuff.

 

Actually, there was every indication when he first arrived that he wanted us to do well. He invested in players, watched the matches with the fans etc. The turning point was the death threats and him believing he couldn't attend matches with his family any more, and ever since then he's done his damndest to spite the people of Newcastle for it.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Yep.

 

My admiration for KK has quadrupled under Pardew's tenure. He saw the fraud that Ashley was in 8 months!

 

This is why I hated the attitude of some when Keegan walked, that "he should have swallowed his pride and stuck with it for the good of the club"

 

What, and become a spineless snivelling little shitbag like Alan Pardew, licking his boss's hoop in public and lying to the supporters at every opportunity?

 

The man has far too much about him to do that and every Newcastle fan should respect 100% his decision to walk. Not just respect it in fact, love it - how many people stand up to Mike Ashley and win? Ah he's fucking great, man.

 

I agree we should respect his decision, but wouldn't you rather have Keegan managing under Ashley's restrictions than Pardew? He wouldn't have his say in buying players, and his budget would be too small, but he could still create a team that was more than the sum of its parts and went out to play attractive football.

 

I think that's what people meant when they wanted him to stick around.

 

To even suggest that Keegan could work for Ashley shows that you have no appreciation of Keegan, the man, at all.

 

Yep.

 

Wow, you've reached new levels of condescension there, well done.

[Ronaldo]

Think it's just a well explored level of common sense, but thanks.

[Paully]

Imagine if we had an ambitous owner with the club at heart, we might even try to go in for him!

 

 

'Spurs have let Ajax know they would eventually talk to me when the season’s finished.

‘After the last league game (against NEC on Saturday) I’ll think about it,’ said De Boer.

‘I’ll talk to them and listen to what they have to say. I would like to add something to a club like Brendan Rodgers did at Liverpool.

‘I see a perspective at Tottenham Hotspur, just as Liverpool and Newcastle United sometimes are, they are sleeping giants.’

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2616324/Frank-Boer-talk-Tottenham-end-Ajaxs-season-sleeping-giants-Spurs-make-approach-club.html#ixzz30LosdRiy

[Guest thenorthumbrian]

Whilst I agree with the above - if every honourable manager leaves... where does that leave the club?  Either stuck with an Alan Pardew or no manager at all.

 

And to be honest, I am sure there is a middle ground that could be struck between walking out on the club and being Alan Pardew..

 

There are plenty of managers who would fit the middle ground, but Keegan would never be one of them. Can you imagine him coming to Newcastle with the aim of finishing 10th? Ashley should never have conned him that we wanted to win stuff.

 

Actually, there was every indication when he first arrived that he wanted us to do well. He invested in players, watched the matches with the fans etc. The turning point was the death threats and him believing he couldn't attend matches with his family any more, and ever since then he's done his damndest to spite the people of Newcastle for it.

 

Northumbria police at the time confirmed that they were never contacted regarding death threats or threats of any kind to Ashles's family. And Ashley has been seen (admitedly rarely) at St James' Park since.

It might surprise you that Ashley may not have been totally honest regarding these threats.

As an independent employment tribunal confirmed Ashley is a proven liar. 

[HawK]

Whilst I agree with the above - if every honourable manager leaves... where does that leave the club?  Either stuck with an Alan Pardew or no manager at all.

 

And to be honest, I am sure there is a middle ground that could be struck between walking out on the club and being Alan Pardew..

 

There are plenty of managers who would fit the middle ground, but Keegan would never be one of them. Can you imagine him coming to Newcastle with the aim of finishing 10th? Ashley should never have conned him that we wanted to win stuff.

 

Actually, there was every indication when he first arrived that he wanted us to do well. He invested in players, watched the matches with the fans etc. The turning point was the death threats and him believing he couldn't attend matches with his family any more, and ever since then he's done his damndest to spite the people of Newcastle for it.

 

Northumbria police at the time confirmed that they were never contacted regarding death threats or threats of any kind to Ashles's family. And Ashley has been seen (admitedly rarely) at St James' Park since.

It might surprise you that Ashley may not have been totally honest regarding these threats.

As an independent employment tribunal confirmed Ashley is a proven liar. 

 

If you've read up on my previous posts you'll know I repeat the tribunal findings more than most on this forum. If he had lied about said threats, so be it. Could have been the Keegan fallout and the tarnishing of his reputation that's done it. I think we can both agree since that period - for whichever reason - he's taking it on the people of Newcastle.

[TRon]

Whilst I agree with the above - if every honourable manager leaves... where does that leave the club?  Either stuck with an Alan Pardew or no manager at all.

 

And to be honest, I am sure there is a middle ground that could be struck between walking out on the club and being Alan Pardew..

 

There are plenty of managers who would fit the middle ground, but Keegan would never be one of them. Can you imagine him coming to Newcastle with the aim of finishing 10th? Ashley should never have conned him that we wanted to win stuff.

 

Actually, there was every indication when he first arrived that he wanted us to do well. He invested in players, watched the matches with the fans etc. The turning point was the death threats and him believing he couldn't attend matches with his family any more, and ever since then he's done his damndest to spite the people of Newcastle for it.

 

The death threats happened because he sold Keegan down the river. I'm not one of those who think Keegan should have been given a blank chequebook, I understand that a club has to be self-funding in the long run. But bringing Keegan in as manager with the dream to become the club we were previously when that was never the intention was dishonest. If Keegan had been told come here as manager to finish 10th, do you think he would have been interested?

 

 

[HawK]

Whilst I agree with the above - if every honourable manager leaves... where does that leave the club?  Either stuck with an Alan Pardew or no manager at all.

 

And to be honest, I am sure there is a middle ground that could be struck between walking out on the club and being Alan Pardew..

 

There are plenty of managers who would fit the middle ground, but Keegan would never be one of them. Can you imagine him coming to Newcastle with the aim of finishing 10th? Ashley should never have conned him that we wanted to win stuff.

 

Actually, there was every indication when he first arrived that he wanted us to do well. He invested in players, watched the matches with the fans etc. The turning point was the death threats and him believing he couldn't attend matches with his family any more, and ever since then he's done his damndest to spite the people of Newcastle for it.

 

The death threats happened because he sold Keegan down the river. I'm not one of those who think Keegan should have been given a blank chequebook, I understand that a club has to be self-funding in the long run. But bringing Keegan in as manager with the dream to become the club we were previously when that was never the intention was dishonest. If Keegan had been told come here as manager to finish 10th, do you think he would have been interested?

 

 

 

Of course not. A liar and a scumbag he may be, but a total idiot Ashley isn't. He said he would be putting in £20m a year into the club from his own funds, in addition to whatever other revenue the club made. It would have gone sour pretty quickly with Keegan if said £20m didn't materialize at the end of that first season before the tribunal. I've made sure to keep myself abreast of pretty much all the Ashley quotes and dealings since he's come to the club, and I can distinctly remember that those first 4-5 months post-Allardyce that we were all firmly behind Ashley, he was investing in players (Coloccini, Smith (ugh) and the rest).

 

How he signed some of the players and the people that he got in were clearly complete mistakes. It speaks volumes that he didn't source the players himself like some other sugar-daddy owners, but employed what he thought were football people to bring in players. He seemed, to me, to want the club to do well. Ever since the beginning of the next season with the Keegan unrest and the threats (real or otherwise), is when there has been a complete u-turn in club policy and direction - not a penny more into the club, invisible to the fans.

 

I am 100% against Ashley now, and have been since the tribunal. But go back to the SJH quotes on the sales of his shares, Ashley's representatives told him that he wanted to advertise SD in Asia, and wanted to use NUFC to do it. Back then, it seemed perhaps through Euro qualification, Champs League etc. But now he's gone the other way, and has turned us into one of his SD stores.

[Wullie]

Any chance we can get him on tape making some racist remarks?

[mrmojorisin75]

Whilst I agree with the above - if every honourable manager leaves... where does that leave the club?  Either stuck with an Alan Pardew or no manager at all.

 

And to be honest, I am sure there is a middle ground that could be struck between walking out on the club and being Alan Pardew..

 

There are plenty of managers who would fit the middle ground, but Keegan would never be one of them. Can you imagine him coming to Newcastle with the aim of finishing 10th? Ashley should never have conned him that we wanted to win stuff.

 

Actually, there was every indication when he first arrived that he wanted us to do well. He invested in players, watched the matches with the fans etc. The turning point was the death threats and him believing he couldn't attend matches with his family any more, and ever since then he's done his damndest to spite the people of Newcastle for it.

 

The death threats happened because he sold Keegan down the river. I'm not one of those who think Keegan should have been given a blank chequebook, I understand that a club has to be self-funding in the long run. But bringing Keegan in as manager with the dream to become the club we were previously when that was never the intention was dishonest. If Keegan had been told come here as manager to finish 10th, do you think he would have been interested?

 

 

 

Of course not. A liar and a scumbag he may be, but a total idiot Ashley isn't. He said he would be putting in £20m a year into the club from his own funds, in addition to whatever other revenue the club made. It would have gone sour pretty quickly with Keegan if said £20m didn't materialize at the end of that first season before the tribunal. I've made sure to keep myself abreast of pretty much all the Ashley quotes and dealings since he's come to the club, and I can distinctly remember that those first 4-5 months post-Allardyce that we were all firmly behind Ashley, he was investing in players (Coloccini, Smith (ugh) and the rest).

 

How he signed some of the players and the people that he got in were clearly complete mistakes. It speaks volumes that he didn't source the players himself like some other sugar-daddy owners, but employed what he thought were football people to bring in players. He seemed, to me, to want the club to do well. Ever since the beginning of the next season with the Keegan unrest and the threats (real or otherwise), is when there has been a complete u-turn in club policy and direction - not a penny more into the club, invisible to the fans.

 

I am 100% against Ashley now, and have been since the tribunal. But go back to the SJH quotes on the sales of his shares, Ashley's representatives told him that he wanted to advertise SD in Asia, and wanted to use NUFC to do it. Back then, it seemed perhaps through Euro qualification, Champs League etc. But now he's gone the other way, and has turned us into one of his SD stores.

 

agree with this tbh

[AyeDubbleYoo]

He definitely seemed like a pretty good owner when he first arrived. Obviously we didn't know he was incompetent and uncaring then. I still don't really believe he does anything to spite the fans per se, but then again he doesn't seem to care about keeping us happy.

[BrettNUFC]

I've never hated a man more in my life. Simple as that. Ruining our football club.

[Guest firetotheworks]

I've never hated a man more in my life. Simple as that. Ruining our football club.

 

I know I'm not a big fan of Ian myself, but that's some heel turn like.

[BrettNUFC]

I've never hated a man more in my life. Simple as that. Ruining our football club.

 

I know I'm not a big fan of Ian myself, but that's some heel turn like.

 

 

I haven't seen many Ian posts lately tbh, not sure what his view has been over this recent run. Whatever his thoughts are though, i'll understand

[SEMTEX]

Ian's putting people over now.

 

He's been doing it since day 1 man. He's jobbed more times than the Brooklyn Brawler.

[Unbelievable]

I've been skeptical/critical about Ashley's intentions for the club from day one, especially as he never communicated what his plan for the club was, which seemed highly suspicious. Back then people just wanted to get rid of Shepherd and assumed anybody else would be an improvement. Unfortunately things are not always that simple. I'm sure there is a lesson in there somewhere.

[Dave]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/brian-reade-column-newcastle-ugly-3480241

Brian Reade on Newcastle: Ugly, cheap and failing.. what does Mike Ashley get out of running that club?

 

        Apr 30, 2014 20:00

        Opinion

        by BrianReade

 

It doesn’t take much to discern the motives of most football club owners, but like the north-east's entire population I'm increasingly baffled by the sportswear tycoon

 

 

I get why the Oyston family has taken £26million out of Blackpool over the past four years.

 

They’re mediocre at making money outside of football, so they treat the club as their prime cash-cow, knowing they can get away with it.

 

I grasped why leverage buyout opportunists, such as the Glazers and Hicks and Gillett, bought Manchester United and ­Liverpool.

 

Because they saw under-exploited global brands and believed they could make a fortune.

 

Vincent Tan swept into Cardiff on an ego trip.

 

Manchester City’s sheikhs want to increase Abu Dhabi’s global profile.

 

Roman ­Abramovich, like his pal Putin, wants European supremacy.

 

Bill Kenwright loves Everton.

 

It doesn’t take much to discern the motives of most football club owners.

 

But, like the entire population of the north-east, I’m increasingly baffled as to why Mike Ashley runs Newcastle United.

 

He’s long refused to talk to anyone about his relationship with the club, so we’ll never know the answer. But, given the chance, the first question I would ask him is whether he is simply satisfying deep-seated sadomasochistic tendencies - whether he’s getting off on all the agony.

 

Why else would a reclusive multi-billionaire, who doesn’t need the hassle or want the profile, inflict so much pain and humiliation in return for such public grief and vilification?

 

Why would you impose Joe Kinnear on a modern football club, not once, but twice?

 

Why buy no new players in the last two transfer windows, despite selling your best one, Yohan Cabaye, for £19m?

 

Why change the ground’s name, and flog the Magpies' famous shirt to a loan company for peanuts?

 

Why, when distraught “customers” demand an explanation for the current freefall that’s seen them lose 14 of their last 19 games, would a successful businessman offer nothing but a contemptuous silence?

 

His defenders say, that despite being worth £3.3 billion, Ashley can’t invest any of it in Newcastle, due to Financial Fair Play.

 

Sure. That’s really stopping ambitious owners elsewhere, isn’t it?

 

But that’s not really what the fans are asking.

 

They want to know why, despite being listed in Forbes Top 20 World’s Richest Clubs, with 50,000 average gates, the current eye-popping TV deal payments coming through, plus huge commercial potential, and having such a relatively low wage bill, Newcastle are failing to compete with smaller Premier League clubs in the transfer market and in youth ­development.

 

They believe Ashley long ago decided he didn’t care what happened to the team so long as it didn’t drain another penny from his pocket, he clawed back as much of his loans as he could and his retail empire obtained maximum publicity.

 

That he’s a Cockney barrow boy, determined to eventually turn a penny and walk off with two fingers in the air. Whose only future plan is to slash costs and stay in the black.

 

Cynically, as the season ticket renewals go out to utterly disillusioned fans, Ashley’s minions are whispering about his willingness to invest some cash this summer.

 

As if that’s a selfless act of charity, not a glaring necessity.

 

But unattributed words, like the stuff in his Sports Direct stores, are cheap. And Newcastle fans are reaching breaking point.

 

If their team loses again, at home to Cardiff on Saturday, the end-of-season lap of honour could be very ugly indeed.

 

Although maybe that’s not so much a dire warning to Ashley as a massive turn-on.

 

[Disco]

Great piece.

 

My main thing is that he's barely even taking his money back. I could understand if he was, at least it would show a direction but no we're just sat in limbo until he keels over not knowing what the fuck is going on bar a generic bullshit statement every April along with the results.

[HawK]

Great piece.

 

My main thing is that he's barely even taking his money back. I could understand if he was, at least it would show a direction but no we're just sat in limbo until he keels over not knowing what the f*** is going on bar a generic bullshit statement every April along with the results.

 

He's made 10s of millions, absolutely tonnes. Through SD. That's the scam.

[Disco]

Great piece.

 

My main thing is that he's barely even taking his money back. I could understand if he was, at least it would show a direction but no we're just sat in limbo until he keels over not knowing what the f*** is going on bar a generic bullshit statement every April along with the results.

 

He's made 10s of millions, absolutely tonnes. Through SD. That's the scam.

 

I know, I know.

[Guest]

Another one of those 'embarrassing stats'.

 

Gateshead have seen fit to loan out a centre-forward for most of the season, who just 4 years ago cost more than any striker we've got on our books bar Cisse.

[Curtained Wasp]

Saw a mate of mine last night whose friend was involved in brokering the SD IPO.  He'd reported something along the lines of 'never met a more contemptible cunt' than Ashley. 

[Yorkie]

Great piece.

 

My main thing is that he's barely even taking his money back. I could understand if he was, at least it would show a direction but no we're just sat in limbo until he keels over not knowing what the f*** is going on bar a generic bullshit statement every April along with the results.

 

He's made 10s of millions, absolutely tonnes. Through SD. That's the scam.

 

Is this actually the case, then? Is Sports Direct doing really well?

[Unbelievable]

Fantastic article that from the Mirror.

[Wullie]

Great piece.

 

My main thing is that he's barely even taking his money back. I could understand if he was, at least it would show a direction but no we're just sat in limbo until he keels over not knowing what the f*** is going on bar a generic bullshit statement every April along with the results.

 

He's made 10s of millions, absolutely tonnes. Through SD. That's the scam.

 

Is this actually the case, then? Is Sports Direct doing really well?

 

The day Ashley bought NUFC, a Sports Direct share would have cost you 36p. It'll currently cost you £7.83 so it's around 22 times more valuable than it was.