Keegan to reveal ‘damning emails’.
Posted on September 20th, 2009 | 49 Comments |
‘Sources close to Keegan’ (hmm) claim that the emails will blow Ashley’s case out of the water. One such source said:
“There are emails people have never seen. If the truth comes out about what went on, then Ashley and Wise will be decimated. The last thing Kevin wanted to do was walk out but his position was impossible.”
The article then goes on to claim that all parties in the tribunal have signed a declaration stating that they will not leak information, although that doesn’t seem to have prevented the leaked information that somehow seems to have found its way to the News of the World.
Apparently the no-leak agreement came about as a result of Ashley’s attempts to defend his position via the media after Keegan left. I can only presume they mean the ‘It is a fact’ statement Ashley made on 6th September 2008, which went as follows:
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan, on appointment on 16th January 2008, agreed to report to a Director of Football and to the Board.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan worked within that structure from 16th January 2008 until his resignation.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan, as manager, had specific duties in that he was responsible for the training, coaching, selection and motivation of the Team.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan was allowed to manage his specific duties without any interference from any Board member.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan agreed only to deal with the media in relation to Club matters relating to the Team and not to communicate with the media in relation to the acquisition or disposal of players.
It is a fact that NUFC is a business and operates, like all businesses, with financial constraints.
It is a fact that NUFC’s financial constraints inform its transfer dealings.
The Board of NUFC have responsibility to ensure that the club is able to meet its commitments which include the wages and the transfer fees for players.
The structure at NUFC is clear, and has been clear from 16th January 2008.
Personally I can’t see what’s wrong with that as long as it’s true.
I wonder just how much we’ll find out about the goings-on at this tribunal. I would hope for full disclosure but wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t get that.
Apparently Ashley is determined to win this case and has employed top lawyer Graham Shear who has represented the likes of Ashley Cole, Kieran Dyer and Robbie Williams. This determination to win – the NotW claims – is an indication that Ashley intends to remain in charge of Newcastle United despite having now received a £100m offer for the club.
Make of that what you will but let’s not descend into another round of tit-for-tat insults eh? I’m quite happy to let the tribunal – which will be party to many more facts than the sparse few we have – decide who was right and wrong in the whole Keegangate affair.
NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen
I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10).
Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.
Ashley’s “It’s a fact…” statement seems watertight, Hugh, as you say if it’s true.
Anything reported in TNOTW is subject to a pinch of salt (including the date) so how damning these “damning e-mails” are will remain to be seen.
I, too, hope for full disclosure….. too much like wishful thinking I fear. It’ll be tight-lips, payoff’s and “Not a word to the wife”…if Ashley stays true to his business model.
As with all things, time will solve this little mystery.