Last night it was confirmed via a club statement that Mike Ashley had officially put Newcastle United football club up for sale, and the news was met with some priceless reactions from several fans and former NUFC players.
It felt like the club was already ‘up for sale’ to an extent, but this felt like confirmation of Ashley’s intentions.
This time it seems crystal clear that Ashley wants out and this news was met by some brilliant responses from the Toon Army and ex-NUFC players Alan Shearer, Tino Asprilla, Steve Harper and Rob Lee to name a few:
Just heard ….. pic.twitter.com/0RrorVrO07
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) October 16, 2017
The best news for @NUFC ever, it would be hard to find a worse owner than Mike Ashley for a team. pic.twitter.com/KMhvnptWOv
— Faustino Asprilla (@TinoasprillaH) October 16, 2017
£380m over 48months is just under £8m per month if anyone fancies it??? 0% APR, Terms and Conditions apply ?
— Stephen Harper (@steveharper37) October 16, 2017
At last ??? pic.twitter.com/Tgwd534aCp
— Rob Lee (@7RobLee) October 16, 2017
Some brilliant responses!
Here’s last night’s statement in full for anyone who may have missed it:
‘As a result of increasing press speculation regarding the future of Newcastle United, the owner of the club, St. James Holdings Limited, wishes to clarify its intentions.
As one of the Premier League’s oldest and best supported football clubs – and for the benefit of its many fans and supporters in the UK and across the world – Newcastle United requires a clear direction and a path to a bright and successful future.
To give the club the best possible opportunity of securing the positioning and investment necessary to take it to the next level, at what is an important time in its history, its present ownership has determined that it is in the best interests of Newcastle United and its fans for the club to be put up for sale.
To give an incoming owner the maximum possible flexibility to make meaningful investment in the club, including in its playing squad, the sale process will give interested parties the opportunity of deferring substantial payments.
A process will now commence of identifying new ownership for the club that will be capable of delivering the sustained investment in and dedication to the club that is necessary for it to achieve its ambitions.’
Great news. But it’s only a step in the right direction. What Ashley says and what Ashley does are two very different things!
Fingers crossed folks!
