Moat takeover imminent. Maybe.

Posted on September 6th, 2009 | 88 Comments |

Thumbs-up for Moat
Thumbs-up for Moat
The Telegraph is claiming that talks between the club and Barry Moat are scheduled and that a deal could be agreed imminently. The key word in that sentence is ‘could‘ though, so let’s wait and see how it actually turns out.

The Telegraph’s claims do seem at odds with Keith Harris’s last statement on matters, which seemed to indicate that no deal was ‘imminent’ and that things would just bubble along until Chrismas or beyond.

Ashley did of course extend the deadline to give Moat more time to put the deal together and it seems to me that this deal is the only one with any chance at all of succeeding. But those chances seemed remote at best as Moat was reported to be struggling to meet Ashley’s £100m price and sort out the overdraft with Barclays.

However, let’s not forget that all this talk of Moat’s financial inadequacy has arisen from press speculation with very few quotes from anyone who might actually be in the know. Having said that, the current article in The Telegraph is the same in that respect.

Moat of course is an advocate of Shearer for the manager’s job but Hughton has staked a good claim for the position after our terrific start to the season. I suppose one could argue that any half-decent manager would succeed with what is a effectively a Premier League team – albeit a poor one – in the Championship, but someone still has to actually make it happen and that someone has been Hughton.

The term ‘imminent’ suggests a week or two at the most so I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

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.

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88 Responses

  1. This marriage of mutual financial convenience will end in tears. Barry can’t afford it, and Mikey is asking way too much (hence why there is no other buyer in the wings) so this is the perfect compromise. The unacceptable ‘opportunity cost’ of this partial purchase is the retention of Ashley & Llambias. It’s a carve up, and a shameful one.

    What is secretly worrying the business fraternity to inspire this love in? This same business fraternity that have treated NUFC as a cash cow and the supporters with contempt for decades. Perhaps the last few weeks have shown they are not needed. All that IS needed, all that was EVER needed, is a sustainable financial plan coupled intelligence, ability and integrity in the dugout and hard work and professionalism on the pitch.

    Wigan can succeed on half our gate and less (with £250 season tickets) in the Premiership. Arsenal’s glory days under Wenger were at a smaller ground than St James’, ditto Liverpool. Look at Cardiff, and how they are punching these days. Compare to these clubs to the NUFC dinosaur which lumbers on from one apalling decision to another – whether the sacking of Sir Bobby, the appointment of Souness or the purchase of an already declining Owen (to please the fans, of course). We don’t win trophies, we buy ’em and give ’em the no 9 shirt and sell the shirt to all the suckers out there.

    Our promising start to the season suddenly flies in the face of this grasping logic; no new players, no trophy signings, no messianic manager, no boardroom involvment… Eureka, a club CAN succeed by just letting professionals get on with the job. No ranting about pride, badge pointing or emotive speeches; just the right tactics, a tight defence, experience and a 100 minute attitude on the pitch. S’easy, eh?

    So the owner nose can no longer bribe a gullible fanbase with that new no 9 or the return of an ex-legend to justify the ludicrous season ticket prices. We don’t need £70m+ on wage, not even half of that, even in the Prem.

    The only people that NUFC of late was a success for was a succession of overpaid and underperforming players, who spent large chunks of their stay injured. It is an utter disgrace and should never be allowed to happen again. However, despite the results the new Nanny-Moat will doubtless install Shearer, a man who luxuriates in the high wage ethos, over the excellent Chris and Colin, and the bad old days of patronising the fans with expensive signings, year on year failure and spiraling ticket prices will begin again.

    Cosa Nostra? Doesn’t get close…

  2. this solves nothing lameass still chairman ashley still the main man,i carnt believe this is moats plan to take us forward,thats if this story is true of course.

  3. Jinky,

    Good response. I’d just pick up on a couple of things though:

    “This marriage of mutual financial convenience …” and “The unacceptable ‘opportunity cost’ of this partial purchase is the retention of Ashley & Llambias. It’s a carve up, and a shameful one.”

    It seems to me you’re speculating about Moat buying into the club and becoming chairman rather than actually taking over the club completely. This is a possibility but as far as I can tell the latest speculation (from The Telegraph) relates to a full takeover.

    “Barry can’t afford it”

    I would suggest we don’t actually know that. It seems like that’s the case from what we’ve read in the press but it is just press speculation.

  4. Barry moat is just a cover for fat Freddy Shepherd & his family to take over again. they are the ones behind Moats bid – FACT!!!!

  5. Sorry Jinky…..lots of huff and puff in your lengthy response but basically, anyone who advocates running United on a shoe string doesn’t understand the club or its fans. Comparing United to Wigan or Cardiff is basically an insult – maybe you should try setting up a t-shirt business?

    Oh and anyone who thinks we are going to find success with the Chuckle Brothers at the helm is delusional – and hasn’t studied or learned from history.

  6. Just a thought but I was wondering if those mooted American buyers who were over here last week were part of the takeover bid with Barry Moat, after all it was said before that Moat would have some US backers come in with him should he manage to buy the club.

  7. Jinky,

    Exactly how do you know he cannot afford it?

    I have said for weeks he has the money. He is haggling over the asking price, and rightly so. The club is over priced.

    It doesn’t matter how rich you are, you will not pay over the odds for a club.

    The people in the middle east are the richest in the world but they wouldn’t pay £400m for the club last year because it was over priced.

    Pride plays a big part with these wealthy guys and they don’t want to be seen getting ripped off.

    He will buy the club, just not for £100m.

  8. and as for the number 9 shirt its always been ledgendary at this club and ashley has even ruined that

  9. its because of shearer nile ranger even made the bench las season jokekiner and hughton never gave him a chance

  10. If your name is not Keith Harris I doubt anything you say about Barry Moat’s attempted takeover is correct. He is the only one who knows and most likely your facts are coming from which paper you read or believe to be true.

  11. batty says:
    September 6, 2009 at 10:11 am

    “and as for the number 9 shirt its always been ledgendary at this club and ashley has even ruined that”

    How’s he done that, batty?

  12. Hope this isn’t true. Can’t we just have a small period of stability, focusing and talking about stuff on the pitch, not what is going on off it. I wouldn’t mind any potential sale rumbling on for several more months if our form continues as it is now. It would allow is to rack up some points before the inevitable turmoil of a new manager occurs. If a takeover happens soon and Shearer is appointed I’m sure it will divide the dressing room.

  13. worky and i know it could put presure on the lad but can you imagine the confidence it would give him

  14. batty says:
    September 6, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    “worky by not giving it to nile ranger thats how”

    He’s a very exciting prospect, batty, and I hope he grows into a great player. But he’s only a bairn and he’s only had a few minutes in the first team so far.

    batty says:
    September 6, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    “worky and i know it could put presure on the lad but can you imagine the confidence it would give him”

    Aye, possibly, but you could also say that he might see it as a burden with the weight of responsibillity and expectation for someone so young etc.

    It’s players and teams who are important anyway, not numbers. Some great Newcastle United players have worn the No9 shirt, but even more great Newcastle United players haven’t.

  15. well i agree with batty the no 9 shirt is sacred though i dont think we have any one at the club worthy, ranger has done well but…….. he has only played one game (in which he was amazing)the no.9 shirt should be for someone who is consistently good in the first team i know martins was our last mo 9 and was hardly consistent but he was a big money buy who had been proven at inter milan that he was a good player even if he wasnt first choice

  16. summerof69 says:
    September 6, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    “well i agree with batty the no 9 shirt is sacred”

    Why? Just because Jackie Milburn and Alan Shearer wore it? What about all the equally great Newcastle United players who didn’t? Are they lesser players because they had another number on their back? All this fetishisation of the number 9 shirt makes for a very narrow, ignorant and one dimensional view of our history.

  17. Worky,

    Don’t you mean in your opinion?

    I like most NUFC supporters see the number 9 shirt as a special shirt as it has gone hand in hand with great goal scorers.

    Goal scoreres have a special place in all our hearts!

  18. worky its just because a lot of the great players we have had has worn the no 9 such h gallagher, super mac, milburn, ferdinand, w davies, shearer, etc

    its not one dimensional at all, most people(probz all) know our history isnt just the no 9 shirt its something we should be proud of though were not the only club to have something like this man u have the revered no 7 in south america the no 10 shirt is seen as special

    there are great players who have played for us and not been seen as less of a player such as solano given moncur and i know for a fact there is more

  19. Oh and worky,

    Why? Just because Jackie Milburn and Alan Shearer wore it? What about all the equally great Newcastle United players who didn’t?

    Shearer and Milburn were the greatest and no other players have come close!

  20. ranger will never become great at newcastle if he isn’t given a chance,everybody has to start somewhere.rooney was younger than ranger I think when he was given his chance.

  21. Jinky:

    “Mikey is asking way too much” It is not for you to establish value with no access to the full financial picture. The valuation is as a result of the current financial standing and want premium. You can say noone has appeared willing to pay 100m so far (even though the interest is apparently there) however – they may have chosen not to invest because of the volatility of the fans for example – not the cost – your argument here holds no water.

    And….”What is secretly worrying the business fraternity to inspire this love in? This same business fraternity that have treated NUFC as a cash cow and the supporters with contempt for decades”

    You simply can not associate the Shepherd years with Ashleys – if you fail to recognise the difference in the treatment of the club from a financial perspective to be fair and blunt you simply are not entitled to comment.

    Well argued post though.

  22. On the Ranger front – personally its one of the most impressive debuts I have seen for some time from a young striker – I appreciate he didnt score a wonder goal but I thought he did everything right and exceptionally well, he linked the play up and made chances for others (something which Martins specialised in breaking down) I thought Ranger in that one performance showed an Henryesque style of play – bloody well done I say.

  23. Henryesque – No pressure there then!

    Oh and –

    ‘however – they may have chosen not to invest because of the volatility of the fans for example – not the cost – your argument here holds no water’.

    I appreciate you putting this statement out there to get a reaction so I will react.

    Your reasoning also holds absolutely no water whatsoever.

    NUFC fans are more of a cash cow for a new owner rather than a hinderance.

    IMO

  24. Stuart79 says:
    September 6, 2009 at 5:37 pm
    Oh and worky,

    “Shearer and Milburn were the greatest and no other players have come close!”

    Stuart, that’s exactly my point about people having a one dimensional view. Thankyou.

    Ever heard of George Robledo? Albert Stubbins? Ronnie Simpson? Hughie Gallacher? I could go on for a long time if you want me to? ;-)

  25. Mikey is asking way too much” It is not for you to establish value with no access to the full financial picture. The valuation is as a result of the current financial standing and want premium. You can say noone has appeared willing to pay 100m so far (even though the interest is apparently there)I AGREE IN FAIRNESS TO HIM I DONT SEE THAT AS A GREAT PRICE TO PAY WHEN YOU CONSIDER EVERYTHING HE HAS PAID AND TH EPOTENTIAL OF THE CLUB however – they may have chosen not to invest because of the volatility of the fans for example I DISAGREE IF THIS WERE TRUE THEY WOULDNT EVEN GET TO THE INTERESTED STAGE – not the cost – your argument here holds no water.

    On the Ranger front – personally its one of the most impressive debuts I have seen for some time from a young striker – I appreciate he didnt score a wonder goal but I thought he did everything right and exceptionally well, he linked the play up and made chances for others (something which Martins specialised in breaking down) I thought Ranger in that one performance showed an Henryesque style of play – bloody well done I say I WOULD DISAGREE (THOUGH ADMITTADLY ONLY SPLITTING HAIRS) I THOUGHT IT WAS MORE ADEBAYORESQUE STILL THOUGH IT WAS A GOOD DEBUT

  26. Stuart “Your reasoning also holds absolutely no water whatsoever.”

    Well I have that view and would not invest in any business with such weakness, many of my friends and associates see things EXACTLY the same way.

    So others can and do hold that opinion – how many do you actually know who invest in companies Stuart? I suggest few from that statement.

    I see what we are going through right now is THE most valuable thing that could have happened to us – a getting back to what we should be – down to earth and earning success without messiahs, demands for trophy mercenaries. Prior to this we had become accustomed this hideous new way of thinking – fans thinking they can just scream and demand success (while they supported every reckless decision over time)

    Expectation for things to be done right is another matter – from a fans perspective – please dont confuse what I am saying there.

  27. workyticket says:
    September 6, 2009 at 6:35 pm

    I is my opinion that Shearer and Milburn were the greatest players ever to play for us.

    Are we not allowed opinions on that without it being one dimensional?

    Supporters up and down the country debate their clubs greatest ever players.

  28. Ok Stardust, so because you know people who agree with you it’s absolutely right?

    One very prominant and wealthy family in the area I know see the supporters as the clubs greatest assets. Their Sunderland fans too!

    I just believe if the fans are treated with respect they are the best in the world. If not they voice their greavances, and why shouldn’t they?

  29. SO69 – ” they may have chosen not to invest because of the volatility of the fans for example I DISAGREE IF THIS WERE TRUE THEY WOULDNT EVEN GET TO THE INTERESTED STAGE”

    Partially agree had it not been for the time of year – Season ticket sales maybe would have given them the real answer if the fans were volatile therefore they prepared themselves by commencing due diligence – unfortuantely from the sales the fans showed themselves to be volatile – therefore no sale was concluded -(no knowledge there I am just painting variables that show you some of the thinking that takes place)

  30. Really sad this – but the greatest player I have ever seen at SJP – even in the times when others said he went off the boil – was a player who was here for far too short a space of time – David Ginola.

    I think Shearer was a clinical genius – give him a chance – he scored – but for the love of watching – Ginola for me – I know I know a very sad choice lol.

  31. I know I know a very sad choice lol.

    NOT AT ALL MY ONLY REGRET WITH HIM WAS I WASNT OLD ENOUGH TO REALY UNDERSTAND HOW GOOD HE WAS UNTIL YEARS AFTER HE LEFT

  32. “Ok Stardust, so because you know people who agree with you it’s absolutely right?”

    All I am saying if I and my associates see it that way – others will too – you simply can not say that everyone sees our fans as intelligent or worthy or realistically manageable when combined with the realities of cash flow of running a business.

    I have stated for a decade that our fans are our greatest strength but sadly also our greatest weakness.

  33. Stuart79 says:
    September 6, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    “Are we not allowed opinions on that without it being one dimensional?”

    Stuart, you have every right to an opinion, just the same as everyone else. However, that doesn’t mean that it is not uninformed or one dimensional. It is ridiculous to state that players like Robledo and Gallacher didn’t even come close to Shearer or Milburn.

    Robledo played alongside Milburn for several years and they were both equally highly regarded. Stubbins was the same. Read some history, watch some old black and white footage of them, speak to people who actually saw them play like I have, then you will have a more informed opinion.

  34. Partially agree with that.

    Some have been shown in a bad light since last Sept, but some of the decisions by our current owner would test the patience of Mother Teresa!

  35. SO69 – yes attendances have been good but the only stat the investors would have to predict attendances and revenue throughout an entire season not just this year but future years (if we dont get promotion) was the uptake in season tickets.

    Fans who chose to “object” may have cost themselves the chance of several new investors.

    I am happy with that as I like our current position – I am very hopeful of our future.

  36. workyticket says:
    September 6, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    People think George Best was the greatest ever Man Utd player. Some think it was Charlton and others think it was Duncan Edwards.

    I know what Gallacher ect did for us but in my opinion Shearer and Milburn were the best! I don’t have to watch old black and white videos to come to that opinion.

  37. ” I don’t have to watch old black and white videos to come to that opinion.”

    Do you not HAVE to watch them before you have an opinion?

    Just playing devils advocate.

  38. Stardust says:
    September 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    “the investors would have to predict attendances and revenue throughout an entire season”

    Even more than that, Stardust. There’ll be projections over several years. But of course, you’ll know that already. :-)

  39. Stardust says:
    September 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    I rememeber arguing with you on the subect of investors and you were adamant that buyers of footbal clubs did it for fun ie lifestyle purchase.

    If that’s the case they wouldn’t be looking at attendances ect…

    My opinion is and always will be, these UHNWI buy football clubs as a long term investment and remain committed to getting a return on the purchase.

    So I agree with you but need to make the point that your stance has change slightly.

  40. stardust but surely if this seasons are goo why would they predict worse attendances i see what your saying about being happy with ashley staying but if he wants out then we need him out owners are the most important people (other than the fans)and he needs to be 100% determined i dont thin kwise should have gone he should have just been more truthful with his position i mean he done great for the academy here are some players to have emerged since he came

    ranger
    vuckic
    inman
    kadar
    ferguson

    i also think that nzozi or what ever his name is seems to be doing well though hes only playeda couple of games

  41. ashley has made this club unsellable!! im not privy to the finances of newcastle…who is though…..but i worry that there are plenty of stumbling blocks that we do not about and that we are not in as good financial health as some think. There has been a number of hints at that from many sources over the course of the sale. My feeling is that mike obviously wants his loan back…..and if thats true then he had ultimately done very little good for this club!! As for selling players to make it more attractive….then why sell our better players eg martins,beye,bassong and keep r.taylor,geremi,butt,nolan(i no he has started well but he is stil on crazy wages)…i realise transfer fees were probably the main reason but id prefer to keep one or two of the better players and get rid of 3 or 4 over paid ones!!

  42. Worky – following that line you copied I had put “not just this year but future years”

    no flies lol

  43. Stuart “I rememeber arguing with you on the subect of investors and you were adamant that buyers of footbal clubs did it for fun ie lifestyle purchase”

    Incorrect I advocate Ashley did – every investor is different with different motives.

  44. buddy says:
    September 6, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    “ashley has made this club unsellable!!”

    Some would say that the fans have made it unsellable too, buddy.

  45. Buddy Beye and Bassong aside I was quite happy to see them all go for various reasons – we look leaner and hungrier.

    I have always said that Ashleys interests are 100% aligned with ours – I would settle for Ashley staying with a decent Chair – Llambias has been atrocious.

  46. Stardust says:
    September 6, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    “Incorrect I advocate Ashley did – every investor is different with different motives.”

    Publicity vehicle in the world’s most watched league (not the Championship BTW) is another good one.

  47. You did generalise stardust but we’ll agree to disagree on that one.

    Ashley’s actions have made it quite clear he was in it for a return on his investment.

  48. workyticket says:
    September 6, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    “Publicity vehicle in the world’s most watched league (not the Championship BTW) is another good one.”

    Having a significant financial investment in a reltively stable country as a kind of insurance policy, in case the you know what hits the fan in their own country is another reason. Though that didn’t seem to help Shinawatra very much.

  49. well i have to agree with you too….but keeping butt/geremi on their current wages is crazy…especially when we let better players go on similar wages!!

    i have thought for a long time that ashely only wanted whats best for this club but he has made too many horrendous decisions and did nothing the rest of the time for me to agree!! had he bothered to invest a bit of money in january for example, we would not have been relegated!! he has been as bad for giving out pathetic wages to has beens as freddy was even as recently as jan(nolan)…..he has also done nothin this summer to strengthen the squad and help us get back into prem…. he has gotten rid of most of the scouts and our coaching staff is rediculously low…as well as spending most of the last year without a perm manager!! hughton in my mind is similar to roeder and will nli lead to delayin getting in a long term manager. he has done an outstanding job in no thanks to ashley. ashley has not comunicated with anyone including hughton….he has once again left us with an inadequate squad(how many times in a row is that now) as well as trying to tie up deals in the final day of transfer window ONCE AGAIN(4 out of his 5 windows)….keeping llambias for so long just shows either his total stupidity or misguided loyalty. he is destroying the club… we need rid to move on!!

    not arguing just airing views after such a long time away

  50. Back on the map after a hard weekend of team building. Mainly drinking and eating like but w bonded! My brain is misfiring all over the shop after a lack of sleep so just a short comment to say it looks like there has been some decent craic on here. See I got slated for my article off some quarters but seemed like a lot of them missed my disclaimers. Some good articles Hugh, sterling work. Catch up with you lot tomorrow, I’m having a ridiculously early night.

  51. and i disagree aboot the club being unsaleible because i think we will be sold and i think they will still get a bargin as ashley did when he brought it

  52. Ginola scored my favourite Toon goal against Ferencvaros (that’s probably not the right spelling). Awesome volley. He was a tremendous player. My favourite player wore the number nine shirt at one point – David Kelly. My dad’s favourite player was Tony Green, it’s testament to his genius that he played so few games and yet was so highly regarded by that generation. He loved SuperMac too. Definitely off to bed now.

  53. batty says:
    September 6, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    “i think they will still get a bargin as ashley did when he brought it”

    I don’t think podgy Mike will agree with you on that one somehow, batty! :-)

  54. batty says:
    September 6, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    “aye david kelly i liked him as i did micky quinn”

    One of my most enduring memories as a Newcastle supporter is seeing Micky Quinn’s bellies bouncing up and down as he charged at the goal. It was like he was defying the laws of physics somehow.

  55. worky i remember seeing quinny scoring a hat trick agianst stoke at sjp think it was 89 like made me day as i know a lot of stoke fans and he turned around and stuck his thumb doon lol and they did on record points

  56. I’m bemused by anyone liking our current situation under Ashley.

    He doesn’t want to be there and will sell as soon as he gets the right offer.

    What chance is there of stability while Ashley remains at the helm?

  57. Worky – Yes saw my pic with wor Donna – I have put a bit more weight on since that artistic impression and wor Donna isnt that pretty.

  58. Hugh

    Probably because for once in a year people are seeing some good as a result of whats happened.

    As I have commented previously – whether by accident or design – this period may have just been the pivotal point in a new progression.

    If Ashley goes so be it – but I do want my club back – I dont want trophy signing mercenaries ever to cross our door again. The answer is al la Arsene Wenger – getting the balance right of youth, experience, low contracts high contracts..They are the club I most admire from a development point of view.

  59. Hugh de Payen says:
    September 6, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    “What chance is there of stability if Ashley remains at the helm?”

    You never know Hugh, maybe he’ll stay, get promoted, stay for longer, charge up the Premier League with a team of superbairns. Then there’ll be a Geordie – Ashley love-in and he’ll stay forever.

    After all, if something seems completely improbable and quite possibly insane, there’s a pretty good chance it will happen at SJP. :-)

  60. well done neil that was brill!!..just like the saltwell club without the bingo!..actually his relatives live just along the road from me on bewick road..needless to say they all wear raincoats & plastic shoes.but hey that dont make the 4×2’s any less than me..infact probably better.

    amy.

  61. totally agree re arsenal model but you need a top class manager and a patient owner willing to invest and communicate imho…..unfortunately 2 things we havent had together since i started supported the club!!

    sayin that…richard money could be the man to take the academy forward,great work so far!!

  62. While what Ashley has done is mistake after mistake I would rather keep him then anyone who is seemingly struggling to get the money in Barry Moat (I don’t know enough about this to say he doesn’t). The sales were always going to happen with 15 players earning over 50k a week. I don’t like him and I want him to go as much as the next Newcastle fan but if it was him or someone with not enough money to even do a deal I want Mike to stay.