Statement from the Profitable Group. Who is telling the truth?
Posted on June 10th, 2009 | 23 Comments |
“The Profitable Group can confirm that it has expressed an initial interest in acquiring Newcastle United. A preliminary discussion with the representatives appointed to handle the sale of the club has been held but contrary to some reports no direct talks have been held with either the Owner, Mike Ashley, or the Chairman, Derek Llambias.
The Group consider the leaking of The Group’s interest in this matter unfortunate, and as supporters of Newcastle United seek only to serve in the best interests of the club, the fans and the local community.
The Group will not be making any further comment at the present time.”
Is it just me, or is there something a little odd about this and the mysterious “unnamed spokesman”? It is strangely reminiscent of the Nigerian bid for the club, fronted by agent, Chris Nathaniel several months ago. One thing’s for sure, either the Evening Chronicle have been spinning us a line, or the Profitable group are. The Chronic’s Lee Ryder reported the anonymous spokesman as saying
“Yes we are interested in buying Newcastle United – and we’re putting together a plan,”
“We have spoken with Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias and we are hoping that we can reveal a lot more in the next few days.”
“We have people within the company who have strong Geordie roots that stretch more than 40 years. And there are people here who have a love for the club – we think that is vital for Newcastle at the moment.”
“The plan we have in mind is to get the club on a sound financial footing first and foremost. Then we aim to turn the club into a trust. It will be very similar to the Barcelona model where fans have a major say on what happens at the club.”
“Without any question we see Alan Shearer as the man to manage the team. Yes, we have Steve McMahon on board but he is not looking into management. He is though a football man and understands the game inside out.”
“There is also scope to look at increasing the capacity [of St James’ Park] to 60,000 which is being explored.”
If Lee Ryder (the writer of the original piece) and the Chronicle have deceived us about the “unnamed spokesman” I have quoted above, that would be despicable for a Newcastle paper. The Profitable Group have distanced themselves from it, and, as the statement says, think it is “unfortunate” that news of their interest in the club has been leaked. So who is telling the truth? The Chronicle or the Profitable Group? If the the Chronicle are right, then this surely doesn’t show the profitable group in a good light.
This farce will no doubt continue for a few days yet.
NUFCBlog Author: workyticket
workyticket has written 1091 articles on this blog.
These lot won’t end up buying us.
We’ll end up in Middle Eastern hands!