Just where do we stand Mike?It was supposed to be the perfect summer. On the back of a season that far surpassed the expectations of many a Newcastle fan, we should have been looking forward to a summer of planning ahead whilst avoiding the off field turmoil that has dogged us for a number of years now. A period of calm and stability in the maelstrom that is Newcastle United.
All the signs had suggested that Mike Ashley may have been learning a thing or two about this whole running a football club malarkey. The general feeling was of optimism, fuelled by an unexpected yet seamless transfer window back in January in which the team was strengthened sufficiently to ensure we finished top of the pile, and in some style.
But just a few short weeks after the end of a season that has given us so many memories, earned us so many plaudits, and broken so many records, that feeling of optimism has been dampened somewhat with the release of that sodding statement. Fans that were, for once, starting to sing from the same optimistic hymn-sheet, have now been pulled apart again, which is leading to trouble, confusion and, in some cases, anger. I can understand the frustration, although as many of you know I have a ‘wait and see’ philosphy and will wait until the at least the new season gets underway before making a judgement, others may not be so patient, which of course is their right. (more…)
Could he be ahead of the game?All this talk of plans and statements, all these definitions of what capital outlay actually means, whether we’ll have money, no money or whatever has been done to death now.
But through all that, has Mike Ashley stumbled upon something. Has be bumbled his way onto the right path to a secure a sustainable and, heaven forbid, prosperous future?
The guys and gals at UEFA are meeting today and tomorrow to put the final pieces of their ‘Financial Fair Play’ document together. The aim is to force clubs to be more sustainable and to live within their means, and to put an end to the year-on-year losses incurred by clubs. It also seeks to put an end to mega-rich benefactors pumping money into clubs in the shape of loans. Under the new rules, owners will be allowed to put money in, but only for long-term projects such as new stadiums or training grounds, and that money can’t be in the shape of a loan but must be made up of permanent shares instead. So has Mike Ashley stumbled upon the way forward at a time when other clubs are struggling financially? (more…)
Ashley will back Hughton this summer.Hooray! It now looks like summer speculation time can get into full swing as Chris Hughton has finally confirmed that new players WILL be arriving at St James’ Park this summer.
I wouldn’t get carried away just yet as it is still unlikely that there will be any players bought for a significant sum, but it does at least appear that we can now focus on assembling an actual squad fit for the Premier League rather than just concentrating on the first team, of which aspects of both need work doing to them to ensure we survive. Still, it does mean we can start speculating on potential new signings again which should lift some of gloom that has recently surrounded Newcastle after the release of the now infamous statement, despite it being well intended. Now we can finally put the myriad of differing descriptions of capital outlay away and actually await the arrival of our first signing. (more…)
Needs to clarify some things.In light of the recent bodged up statement that was released a few days ago now, the club have felt compelled to issue another brief statement to clarify things a bit more.
You could argue that there would have been no need for it had the original statement been of the required quality which someone somewhere will have been paid quite a bit to write up. Ashley should ask for a refund as his attempt at PR and clarity backfired spectularly and has created quite the storm around the club. I’m going to have a go at writing my own statement later, just to see if I can do a better job than the PR and, media department, but first let’s deal with this latest release which says;
“In relation to recent media speculation following the statement made by the Club on May 9, Newcastle United would like to make it clear that owner Mike Ashley is not looking for his interest free loan to be repaid, or to take any money out of the club.”(more…)
What are they up to?There is one piece of Newcastle United’s latest statement which has caused much consternation with some fans, it reads:
“The first team squad that won the Championship this year will form the basis of the team for next year in the Premiership, there is no plan for new capital outlay on players”.
This led to a rash of disingenous and sensational stories from the usual mischief makers in the media, led of course by the Guardian’s Louise Taylor declaring that Newcastle United will definitely not be buying any new players for the coming season. Now, this may indeed be the case, or it may not, only time can tell for certain on that one. However, to clear up a misunderstanding, saying that there will be no “capital outlay” on players in the 2010/11 season does NOT necessarily mean that players will not be purchased under any circumstances, or that existing players would have to be sold before any new transfers could be even contemplated. (more…)
