Mike Ashley (former owner) (still alive)

[mosstef]

Genuinely wouldn't go for free. Totally lost interest and won't consider returning until the parasite has gone. There must be others who think the same.

 

This, you'd have to pay me to go.

 

I wouldn’t even go if they payed me.

 

 

I would. Could really use the money for weed.

[cambb]

Same here. Season ticket for over 30 years and this year i cancelled. Loads of mates still go but ive got no interest in returning whilst Ashley is in charge. Been offered a half season ticket today from one of my mates but no way am i returning.

[Happinesstan]

Genuinely wouldn't go for free. Totally lost interest and won't consider returning until the parasite has gone. There must be others who think the same.

 

This, you'd have to pay me to go.

 

I wouldn’t even go if they payed me.

 

 

I would. Could really use the money for weed.

 

I'd need the money up front, but yeah.

[Paully]

https://www.themag.co.uk/2019/12/this-mike-ashley-statement-from-2014-now-exposes-the-real-truth-at-newcastle-united/

[Guest]

Genuinely wouldn't go for free. Totally lost interest and won't consider returning until the parasite has gone. There must be others who think the same.

 

This, you'd have to pay me to go.

 

I wouldn’t even go if they payed me.

 

Fulham away(Rafa’s last game) was my last game I’ll only go back when Ashley is gone nothing will change that.

 

I’m getting to the point where I’m wondering if I’d bother even after that. They’ll bleat on about sticking by the club ‘through thick and thin’ and all that bollocks. When you think what the club did to fight for the club when Hall was trying to buy the club, and our lot getting over 40k crowds still and sending 2-3k around the country, I give up I think.

[Tribesman]

I know I'm generalising here, but Newcastle fans or at least the ones that are still going are a reflection of how British people vote in your polities.

 

Fans/voters are easily manipulated by conmen Ashley/Johnson despite the mountain of shit they have done to the club/country, but somehow get away with it because these same fans/voters feel its a betrayal of being a proper supporter/patriot for resisting the shite they are offering.

 

You have Ashley Out groups/Corbyn who are at least trying to offer change though they are not perfect in how they go about things yet the amount of hate from proper supporters/patriots is not saved for those who are ruining the club/country for years, but for Ashley Out groups/Corbyn and remainers for daring to correctly calling out how things have gone downhill under the ownership/power of Ashley/Johnson. Then there is the feeble front page/back page journalists who are too afraid to point the finger at who the real problem is and instead blame fans for being deluded/voters wanting free stuff for poor results/shite economy.

 

Unfortunately even when the next relegation/Brexit turns to shit the ownership/leadership won't be questioned by the proper fans/patriots it will be because Ashley Out groups/remainers did not support the team/believe in Brexit enough which completes the cycle.

[Stal]

I know I'm generalising here, but Newcastle fans or at least the ones that are still going are a reflection of how British people vote in your polities.

 

Fans/voters are easily manipulated by conmen Ashley/Johnson despite the mountain of shit they have done to the club/country, but somehow get away with it because these same fans/voters feel its a betrayal of being a proper supporter/patriot for resisting the shite they are offering.

 

You have Ashley Out groups/Corbyn who are at least trying to offer change though they are not perfect in how they go about things yet the amount of hate from proper supporters/patriots is not saved for those who are ruining the club/country for years, but for Ashley Out groups/Corbyn and remainers for daring to correctly calling out how things have gone downhill under the ownership/power of Ashley/Johnson. Then there is the feeble front page/back page journalists who are too afraid to point the finger at who the real problem is and instead blame fans for being deluded/voters wanting free stuff for poor results/shite economy.

 

Unfortunately even when the next relegation/Brexit turns to shit the ownership/leadership won't be questioned by the proper fans/patriots it will be because Ashley Out groups/remainers did not support the team/believe in Brexit enough which completes the cycle.

 

I can relate to this.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I don’t think it’s much to do with manipulation TBH. George Orwell wrote that distractions like fish and chips and the football pools weren’t a conspiracy, they’re just a natural result of market capitalism interacting with people’s need for something to distract them from life.

 

Football fans are very vulnerable to being exploited, their natural instinct is to keep supporting their club through thick and thin. As we’ve said before, that’s predicted on an assumption than everyone is competing... an assumption which has sadly been warped by people like Ashley.

[bigfella]

I know I'm generalising here, but Newcastle fans or at least the ones that are still going are a reflection of how British people vote in your polities.

 

Fans/voters are easily manipulated by conmen Ashley/Johnson despite the mountain of shit they have done to the club/country, but somehow get away with it because these same fans/voters feel its a betrayal of being a proper supporter/patriot for resisting the shite they are offering.

 

You have Ashley Out groups/Corbyn who are at least trying to offer change though they are not perfect in how they go about things yet the amount of hate from proper supporters/patriots is not saved for those who are ruining the club/country for years, but for Ashley Out groups/Corbyn and remainers for daring to correctly calling out how things have gone downhill under the ownership/power of Ashley/Johnson. Then there is the feeble front page/back page journalists who are too afraid to point the finger at who the real problem is and instead blame fans for being deluded/voters wanting free stuff for poor results/shite economy.

 

Unfortunately even when the next relegation/Brexit turns to shit the ownership/leadership won't be questioned by the proper fans/patriots it will be because Ashley Out groups/remainers did not support the team/believe in Brexit enough which completes the cycle.

 

Good post, couldn't agree more.

[Gallowgate End]

I know I'm generalising here, but Newcastle fans or at least the ones that are still going are a reflection of how British people vote in your polities.

 

Fans/voters are easily manipulated by conmen Ashley/Johnson despite the mountain of shit they have done to the club/country, but somehow get away with it because these same fans/voters feel its a betrayal of being a proper supporter/patriot for resisting the shite they are offering.

 

You have Ashley Out groups/Corbyn who are at least trying to offer change though they are not perfect in how they go about things yet the amount of hate from proper supporters/patriots is not saved for those who are ruining the club/country for years, but for Ashley Out groups/Corbyn and remainers for daring to correctly calling out how things have gone downhill under the ownership/power of Ashley/Johnson. Then there is the feeble front page/back page journalists who are too afraid to point the finger at who the real problem is and instead blame fans for being deluded/voters wanting free stuff for poor results/shite economy.

 

Unfortunately even when the next relegation/Brexit turns to shit the ownership/leadership won't be questioned by the proper fans/patriots it will be because Ashley Out groups/remainers did not support the team/believe in Brexit enough which completes the cycle.

 

Good post, couldn't agree more.

[Rod]

I know I'm generalising here, but Newcastle fans or at least the ones that are still going are a reflection of how British people vote in your polities.

 

Fans/voters are easily manipulated by conmen Ashley/Johnson despite the mountain of shit they have done to the club/country, but somehow get away with it because these same fans/voters feel its a betrayal of being a proper supporter/patriot for resisting the shite they are offering.

 

You have Ashley Out groups/Corbyn who are at least trying to offer change though they are not perfect in how they go about things yet the amount of hate from proper supporters/patriots is not saved for those who are ruining the club/country for years, but for Ashley Out groups/Corbyn and remainers for daring to correctly calling out how things have gone downhill under the ownership/power of Ashley/Johnson. Then there is the feeble front page/back page journalists who are too afraid to point the finger at who the real problem is and instead blame fans for being deluded/voters wanting free stuff for poor results/shite economy.

 

Unfortunately even when the next relegation/Brexit turns to shit the ownership/leadership won't be questioned by the proper fans/patriots it will be because Ashley Out groups/remainers did not support the team/believe in Brexit enough which completes the cycle.

This is unbelievable.  That's exactly how I feel.  Maybe we are more intelligent than Ashley/Tories think we are.

[Guest chopey]

Feeble fans and feeble journalists are absolutely to blame for the current version of Newcastle United

[Guest]

Feeble fans and feeble journalists are absolutely to blame for the current version of Newcastle United

 

No, no, you have to respect people’s right to want to go without question.

[Guest]

I still think the away following gets the easiest ride though. Travelling everywhere filling away ends singing, ‘We’ll support you ever more’ for 10 minutes on end...seriously?

[TRon]

Feeble fans and feeble journalists are absolutely to blame for the current version of Newcastle United

 

I think journalists are more culpable. Fans aren't usually political creatures, they are fairly simple minded for the most parts. You would expect local journalists to be asking the deeper questions, but that hasn't happened in Newcastle since the days of McKeag's ownership. The Chronicle used to be quite a voice back then, and they had a massive impact on the campaign to rid us of the parasite.

[Mattoon]

Feeble fans and feeble journalists are absolutely to blame for the current version of Newcastle United

 

I think journalists are more culpable. Fans aren't usually political creatures, they are fairly simple minded for the most parts. You would expect local journalists to be asking the deeper questions, but that hasn't happened in Newcastle since the days of McKeag's ownership. The Chronicle used to be quite a voice back then, and they had a massive impact on the campaign to rid us of the parasite.

 

Absolutely this, the Chronicle have the power to turn the fan base.

[Kanj]

I wonder what would have happened if NTL took over the club in the late 90s and eventually sold it on to someone else.

[jackyboy]

Sports Direct is now Frasers and generous Mike is going to give out £100 mill  in bonuses.  What a guy

[Guest neesy111]

Sports Direct is now Frasers and generous Mike is going to give out £100 mill  in bonuses.  What a guy

 

The group is known as Frasers.  Shops are staying the same.

[Newintoon]

Worst click bait title I recall.  https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/takeover-agreement-signed-and-it-could-spell-end-mike-ashleys-newcastle-united-reign-1335194

 

 

Definitely sold their share of Bordeaux.

 

https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-united-takeover-step-closer-gacp-sports-joe-dagrosa-latest-1342873

[Strawberry]

Means nothing regarding the takeover. Jan is upon us we should take any sort of takeover talk with a bit of salt.

[Guest chopey]

I have no confidence in Kenyon after that amaturish brochure

[Paully]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/12/16/mike-ashley-faces-press-sports-direct-investor-summit/

[Odear]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/12/16/mike-ashley-faces-press-sports-direct-investor-summit/

 

? can anyone who has access to it copy in the article

[robm]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/12/16/mike-ashley-faces-press-sports-direct-investor-summit/

 

? can anyone who has access to it copy in the article

The sixth floor of Academy House, Sports Direct’s latest headquarters in London’s Oxford Circus, is packed with City folk, and a respectable number of journalists - perhaps too many for Mike Ashley’s liking. The gathering is an update on how the business is doing.

 

Of late, Ashley appears to have been making a concerted effort to say as little as possible during such meetings, a sign perhaps that the efforts of his new-ish PR to moderate his outbursts are working.

 

Known for his colourful diatribes against a range of people who doesn’t align to his world view, the retail magnate visibly tries to rein it in when his top team are answering probing questions.

 

When he does, his answers are tentative, conciliatory even.

 

“I’ve got to be very careful here before I answer.”

 

“I’m not trying to be difficult but…”

 

When he can’t get away with evasive answers, he resorts to repetition, like a broken record, hoping the message will sink in. 

 

“I don’t think we should get tied down to specific numbers.”

 

And again.

 

“I don’t think we want to get stuck on specifics numbers, it’s very dangerous, it’s the sort of thing I did in the past.”

 

When he goes rogue, this time about share price predictions, a discreet glance from his minders keeps him in check.

 

“I’m getting nodded at not to say the share price. But an enormous share price…"

 

He looks again.

 

“I’m not allowed to use the word ‘enormous’. No. A lot higher than it is now, how about that?”

 

Another glance.

 

“OK, so we’re clear. A lot higher than it is now.”

 

The Sports Direct tycoon’s relationship with the media has always been fraught, emotional even. He fears being vilified in the press, so keeps everyone at arm’s length. At one point, he bemoans being made “a panto villain”, then tells everyone they are clueless about business rates.

 

Ashley is no stranger to unorthodox behaviour, which has earned him the 'Mad Mike' moniker. In September, he banned journalists from the annual general meeting with shareholders without giving a reason for it. Listed companies do not have to allow journalists into their annual general meetings, but most generally do. Two years ago, he cancelled an open day for media and investors after “conflicting demands” for time.

 

After an animated meeting with shareholders in 2016, he invited the press over to the company's Shirebrook warehouse in Derbyshire, to show them around, during which he unloaded a wad of £50 notes as part of a security check. Back in 2013, his executives banned some local papers from attending Newcastle United matches if they continued to write negative coverage of the team and the club, which he also owns.

 

Half way through the conference, the masks slips, he loses his cool and goes off-script as soon as a hack asks a follow-up question.

 

His main gripe is that “due diligence” related to his recent buying spree has come up.

 

The mood shifts. He doesn’t smile anymore.

 

“No, enough now. You are going to ruin it for the media. Why do you want to ruin it for the media?”

 

They talk over each other.

 

“Why are you going to ruin it for the media? It’s an investment day, it’s not a media day. Okay? Get the balance and be fair.” 

 

He becomes a bizarre version of Lord of the Rings’ Gandalf, confronting Balrog, the demon, and threatens to ban journalists from Sports Direct towers if they don’t behave - ‘you shall not pass’ style.

 

“Press are dominating the results a little bit too much, maybe it wasn’t the greatest idea to invite the press to the half year results. We’ll probably limit it to full year results.

 

“As I say, this isn’t a panto and I’m not a panto villain. If from the investors we can have some more serious business questions.”

 

Journalists appear to be a nuisance to him. He does not cope well with criticism and anyone questioning his business decisions.

 

He answers a few more. Then, looking like someone who has just remembered how to solve an algebra equation in a maths exam, he reverts to being jovial, and invites journalists to ask “positive” questions. As if his little outburst never happened and all is forgotten.

 

With a bit more finessing from his minders, he might get it right next time.