Mike Ashley (former owner) (still alive)

[LV]

Is it true the prospective new owners have started contacting fan groups ?

 

That was a bad April Fools joke

[Carlito]

Keegan's 2nd spell as manager was my favourite as an NUFC fan. We had a new billionaire owner and Kev was as optimistic as ever. It took a few games for us to get out of the Allarswamp but once we did it was brilliant. I could hardly believe how fast he was able to turn Fat Sam's anti-football turd into something beautiful. It was the most hope I've ever felt.

 

Clearly a crazy opinion of you're old enough to remember the first spell, but I'm not so I get what you mean. Loads of optimism at that time.

 

When it was Ashley in with the fans, Mort as chairman and Keegan as manager, it really did feel like we'd get back up there again. I genuinely believe had Keegan been allowed to build the team he wanted to, and had set out to, we could have been where Tottenham are right now.

[johnny36]

If the Reuben brothers are worth 18.6 bn why dont they buy the club outright themselves..Why do they need the Saudis

Obviously the richer the owners the better for us

[geordie_b]

we could have been where Tottenham are right now.

 

Brucey has us within 6 points of them, way closer than Rafa ever did

[Guest chopey]

If the Reuben brothers are worth 18.6 bn why dont they buy the club outright themselves..Why do they need the Saudis

Obviously the richer the owners the better for us

 

The Reubens already own an insane amount of Newcastle real estate, I think it's just a case of putting a finger in another pie.

[FloydianMag]

we could have been where Tottenham are right now.

 

Brucey has us within 6 points of them, way closer than Rafa ever did

 

Only because Tottenham are having a shite season and not down to Brucey improving the team.

[D. Yimentov]

Keegan's 2nd spell as manager was my favourite as an NUFC fan. We had a new billionaire owner and Kev was as optimistic as ever. It took a few games for us to get out of the Allarswamp but once we did it was brilliant. I could hardly believe how fast he was able to turn Fat Sam's anti-football turd into something beautiful. It was the most hope I've ever felt.

 

Clearly a crazy opinion of you're old enough to remember the first spell, but I'm not so I get what you mean. Loads of optimism at that time.

 

Haha I was there for the first first spell too, but I just loved the hope that his second spell brought. It was happening again and we had a billionaire owner who wore a Newcastle shirt. And things on the pitch were changing dead fast. I was strapped in for the ride.

[Robster]

Keegan's 2nd spell as manager was my favourite as an NUFC fan. We had a new billionaire owner and Kev was as optimistic as ever. It took a few games for us to get out of the Allarswamp but once we did it was brilliant. I could hardly believe how fast he was able to turn Fat Sam's anti-football turd into something beautiful. It was the most hope I've ever felt.

Clearly a crazy opinion of you're old enough to remember the first spell, but I'm not so I get what you mean. Loads of optimism at that time.

Haha I was there for the first first spell too, but I just loved the hope that his second spell brought. It was happening again and we had a billionaire owner who wore a Newcastle shirt. And things on the pitch were changing dead fast. I was strapped in for the ride.

 

Nah, no way. I am not having that there is anyone who would choose Keegan's 2nd time over the first.

[Carlito]

we could have been where Tottenham are right now.

 

Brucey has us within 6 points of them, way closer than Rafa ever did

 

Not sure if serious.

 

fucks sake

[madras]

we could have been where Tottenham are right now.

 

Brucey has us within 6 points of them, way closer than Rafa ever did

 

Not sure if serious.

 

fucks sake

To be fair it's probably true, says more about Spurs than us.

[Carlito]

we could have been where Tottenham are right now.

 

Brucey has us within 6 points of them, way closer than Rafa ever did

 

Not sure if serious.

 

fucks sake

To be fair it's probably true, says more about Spurs than us.

 

Clearly not the narrative he's pushing though.

 

The quality of the league in general has dipped massively this season so it definitely says more about Spurs than "how good of a job" Bruce is doing.

[Pandamninator]

we could have been where Tottenham are right now.

 

Brucey has us within 6 points of them, way closer than Rafa ever did

 

Using that flawless logic, Bruce has us 8 points behind Sheffield United - when was Rafa ever 8 points behind them?

 

Checkmate.

[geordie_b]

Has lockdown really pushed people to the point where they are debating whether that comment was serious? 

[bowlingcrofty]

we could have been where Tottenham are right now.

 

Brucey has us within 6 points of them, way closer than Rafa ever did

 

Using that flawless logic, Bruce has us 8 points behind Sheffield United - when was Rafa ever 8 points behind them?

 

Checkmate.

 

Dear me

[Paully]

1. If you're suggesting that George Caulkin is being pressured by the Athletic to make up a story or falsify information to get some clicks and reads, then you're really insulting a man who's very much shown the most integrity and respect to us as fans of this club - who has always told it as it is. If you haven't read the article or listened to the podcast where he gives context to all of this, then please do before coming up with that.

 

2. If you still believe that Kieth Bishop, the warlord mastermind of PR has conjured up a smoke and mirror amidst Covid-19 involving Amanda Staveley, the Reubens, and PIF then you really need your head checked.

 

3. The NEW information over the past few days is that the PL has been notified a deal is near between PIF and Mike Ashley. This was allegedly submitted LAST week. So between that time and today, we very much could have a signed agreement of sale, a deposit, and the test could very much have started. It has been said many times that once that test begins, it becomes a black box until the outcome. In a situation where "no comment" is the norm for MA and NUFC, there is no promise we will hear anything else until its done or failed.

 

100%.

 

I've met him a several times and he's a cracking fella and loves NUFC and would never have penned that article for clicks or without being given big assurances about it presumably from Staveley!

 

 

[Sean]

1. If you're suggesting that George Caulkin is being pressured by the Athletic to make up a story or falsify information to get some clicks and reads, then you're really insulting a man who's very much shown the most integrity and respect to us as fans of this club - who has always told it as it is. If you haven't read the article or listened to the podcast where he gives context to all of this, then please do before coming up with that.

 

2. If you still believe that Kieth Bishop, the warlord mastermind of PR has conjured up a smoke and mirror amidst Covid-19 involving Amanda Staveley, the Reubens, and PIF then you really need your head checked.

 

3. The NEW information over the past few days is that the PL has been notified a deal is near between PIF and Mike Ashley. This was allegedly submitted LAST week. So between that time and today, we very much could have a signed agreement of sale, a deposit, and the test could very much have started. It has been said many times that once that test begins, it becomes a black box until the outcome. In a situation where "no comment" is the norm for MA and NUFC, there is no promise we will hear anything else until its done or failed.

 

100%.

 

I've met him a several times and he's a cracking fella and loves NUFC and would never have penned that article for clicks or without being given big assurances about it presumably from Staveley!

 

Playing devils advocate here, but he's said he was holding the story back as it could damage the prospects of a sale. It is perfectly reasonable to assume his bosses have told him he can't hold it back any longer. It's not as if they have much else to print football-wise.

 

Also, why the fuck would the PL need notifying that a deal is "close"? 

[Robster]

Playing devils advocate here, but he's said he was holding the story back as it could damage the prospects of a sale. It is perfectly reasonable to assume his bosses have told him he can't hold it back any longer. It's not as if they have much else to print football-wise.

Also, why the fuck would the PL need notifying that a deal is "close"? 

 

100% Sean.

I'm not doubting the credibility of Caulkin, he's clearly different to nigh on every other journalist out there.

There's something about this though, and the timing of it, that's really narking me.

[Hughesy]

1. If you're suggesting that George Caulkin is being pressured by the Athletic to make up a story or falsify information to get some clicks and reads, then you're really insulting a man who's very much shown the most integrity and respect to us as fans of this club - who has always told it as it is. If you haven't read the article or listened to the podcast where he gives context to all of this, then please do before coming up with that.

 

2. If you still believe that Kieth Bishop, the warlord mastermind of PR has conjured up a smoke and mirror amidst Covid-19 involving Amanda Staveley, the Reubens, and PIF then you really need your head checked.

 

3. The NEW information over the past few days is that the PL has been notified a deal is near between PIF and Mike Ashley. This was allegedly submitted LAST week. So between that time and today, we very much could have a signed agreement of sale, a deposit, and the test could very much have started. It has been said many times that once that test begins, it becomes a black box until the outcome. In a situation where "no comment" is the norm for MA and NUFC, there is no promise we will hear anything else until its done or failed.

 

This -

[Dr Jinx]

So did the buying side leak the story to the WSJ back in January while at the same time stepping back from negotiations?

 

Sounds like they knew they’d be in a position to put the squeeze on Ashley.

[HawK]

Maybe a new opportunity here lads :

 

Step 1. Write a lovely piece of fan mail to dear old Mike, saying how much you love him and hand-write everything to increase chances of it getting read by someone close to him

Step 2. Cough on it a lot accidentally

Step 3. Post it to his home address

[Guest]

1. If you're suggesting that George Caulkin is being pressured by the Athletic to make up a story or falsify information to get some clicks and reads, then you're really insulting a man who's very much shown the most integrity and respect to us as fans of this club - who has always told it as it is. If you haven't read the article or listened to the podcast where he gives context to all of this, then please do before coming up with that.

 

2. If you still believe that Kieth Bishop, the warlord mastermind of PR has conjured up a smoke and mirror amidst Covid-19 involving Amanda Staveley, the Reubens, and PIF then you really need your head checked.

 

3. The NEW information over the past few days is that the PL has been notified a deal is near between PIF and Mike Ashley. This was allegedly submitted LAST week. So between that time and today, we very much could have a signed agreement of sale, a deposit, and the test could very much have started. It has been said many times that once that test begins, it becomes a black box until the outcome. In a situation where "no comment" is the norm for MA and NUFC, there is no promise we will hear anything else until its done or failed.

 

This -

 

Not really. Think it’s a fair point. If his employer are asking him to put out what he knows because they’re struggling for content, he might not have much say in it.

[Stal]

1. If you're suggesting that George Caulkin is being pressured by the Athletic to make up a story or falsify information to get some clicks and reads, then you're really insulting a man who's very much shown the most integrity and respect to us as fans of this club - who has always told it as it is. If you haven't read the article or listened to the podcast where he gives context to all of this, then please do before coming up with that.

 

2. If you still believe that Kieth Bishop, the warlord mastermind of PR has conjured up a smoke and mirror amidst Covid-19 involving Amanda Staveley, the Reubens, and PIF then you really need your head checked.

 

3. The NEW information over the past few days is that the PL has been notified a deal is near between PIF and Mike Ashley. This was allegedly submitted LAST week. So between that time and today, we very much could have a signed agreement of sale, a deposit, and the test could very much have started. It has been said many times that once that test begins, it becomes a black box until the outcome. In a situation where "no comment" is the norm for MA and NUFC, there is no promise we will hear anything else until its done or failed.

 

This -

 

Not really. Think it’s a fair point. If his employer are asking him to put out what he knows because they’re struggling for content, he might not have much say in it.

 

Respectfully disagree. The reason for this is that it is known that Caulkin has the respect of our fans like no other journalist. It would be reckless to throw that away for a puff piece as that respect is such a valuable, rare, and nigh on impossible to replace commodity. If they wanted to do that, use a different writer.

[jdckelly]

1. If you're suggesting that George Caulkin is being pressured by the Athletic to make up a story or falsify information to get some clicks and reads, then you're really insulting a man who's very much shown the most integrity and respect to us as fans of this club - who has always told it as it is. If you haven't read the article or listened to the podcast where he gives context to all of this, then please do before coming up with that.

 

2. If you still believe that Kieth Bishop, the warlord mastermind of PR has conjured up a smoke and mirror amidst Covid-19 involving Amanda Staveley, the Reubens, and PIF then you really need your head checked.

 

3. The NEW information over the past few days is that the PL has been notified a deal is near between PIF and Mike Ashley. This was allegedly submitted LAST week. So between that time and today, we very much could have a signed agreement of sale, a deposit, and the test could very much have started. It has been said many times that once that test begins, it becomes a black box until the outcome. In a situation where "no comment" is the norm for MA and NUFC, there is no promise we will hear anything else until its done or failed.

 

This -

 

Not really. Think it’s a fair point. If his employer are asking him to put out what he knows because they’re struggling for content, he might not have much say in it.

would it not be more likely if he's being pressed for content he'd go like every other football news related thing atm and go down the nostalgia route like favourite nufc or sunderland match manager whatever instead of a fairly major news piece that he isn't reasonably sure on?

[Guest]

Not sure it’d be as believable coming from Waugh. Caulkin gives it credibility.

[Stal]

Indeed. Which is why you wouldn't have Caulkin do it. Use him for when it is believable. A puff piece for filler, use someone that doesn't have the attributes I mentioned.