He was chasing the Hollywood dream
not so long ago and if Mike Ashley still has movies on his mind,
Newcastle fans will be hoping Exit Strategy figures more prominently
than most.
The larger-than-life billionaire tycoon is evidently looking for a cool £267million to relinquish control and bid farewell to St James’ Park, and for once, the overwhelming majority of Newcastle followers will be wishing him well.
They have never really taken to him on Tyneside, so much so that when he became bitten by the movie bug barely 12 months into a turbulent tenure as Newcastle owner, most fervently hoped his vision of opening his own Paramount Pictures would become reality.
It didn’t, despite weeks of
wining and dining film executives in America. Instead, he stayed put and
set about turning one of English football’s most revered institutions
into an unseemly soap opera.
The latest storyline – restoring Joe Kinnear to the pay roll after he caused uproar last time out – may well be the most far-fetched to date and does little to alter the general perception that the Sports Direct owner has lost the plot.
That Ashley wants out and would be receptive to approaches from prospective buyers has been known for some time but if recruiting Kinnear as director of football is part of his exit strategy, the logic is not immediately apparent.
Kinnear’s brief spell as manager is memorable mainly for the tirade of abuse he aimed at local and national journalists in a foul-mouthed outburst that, after being passed fit for broadcast, contained more bleeps than words.
Newspaper reporters’
sensitivities, of course, are of little consequence, but antipathy
towards Kinnear spread far beyond the bounds of the press room. To the
extent, in fact, that when his new role was confirmed, the local Newcastle Chronicle gave over its entire front page to messages of despair and disbelief from its readers.
Hardly a strong selling point, then, except there has seldom been anything predictable or orthodox about Ashley’s preferred method of running Newcastle’s affairs.
Draining a pint pot in a couple of gulps for the Match of the Day cameras may have impressed some, but if it was meant to somehow convey the impression he was on the same wavelength as those in the Gallowgate, it didn’t last long.
They are a breed apart on Tyneside, so much so that when Sir John Hall was chairman, he frequently referred to ‘the Geordie Nation’ and admitted his greatest ambition was to have a home dressing room filled with that distinctive local dialect.
Ashley
launched his takeover by paying £55m for the Hall family’s shareholding
in May, 2007, but it soon became apparent there was little awareness to
go with the acquisition.
While Sir John upheld Geordie values and traditions as a matter of course, Ashley has, at times, trampled all over them. Bad enough that he presided over the departure of legends Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer, relegation from the Barclays Premier League and a contentious four-year sponsorship deal with pay-day loan firm Wonga.
Worse still, as an example of his disregard for what the club means to most Newcastle residents, that he casually announced it would no longer be known as St James’ Park and would be the Sports Direct Arena, instead.
Oh no, it wouldn’t. A flat refusal to call it anything other than the historic name that evokes grainy images of Jackie Milburn in his pomp forced an eventual rethink and acknowledgement that he may have acted in haste.
It was a rare climbdown, and with
many a long-suffering fan wondering how the new alliance of Kinnear and
manager Alan Pardew can possibly work in harmony, the pressure is
building for the deeply unpopular Ashley to follow his long-time friend
and former associate Derek Llambias out of the door.
Various supporters' groups convened as one earlier this week to voice their disapproval of Ashley’s stewardship and underline their wish that a buyer can be found.
In a statement, they said: ‘This house declares that Mike Ashley is not a fit and proper custodian of a footballing institution that has a proud history and tradition and enjoys one of the biggest and most fervent followings in European football.
'We call for him to consider
his position as owner of Newcastle United and to begin a process of
exiting before he does any more damage to either the club or his own
reputation.’
Ashley’s asking price of £267m is said to be based on the amount he has ploughed into the club in his six years in charge, on top of the original amount he paid to take control. It would appear to be on the steep side, and he may struggle to recoup all his outgoings.
He can expect little sympathy from Newcastle’s footballing public, though. They feel they have already paid a high price.
The larger-than-life billionaire tycoon is evidently looking for a cool £267million to relinquish control and bid farewell to St James’ Park, and for once, the overwhelming majority of Newcastle followers will be wishing him well.
They have never really taken to him on Tyneside, so much so that when he became bitten by the movie bug barely 12 months into a turbulent tenure as Newcastle owner, most fervently hoped his vision of opening his own Paramount Pictures would become reality.
Not going cheap: Mike Ashley has valued his stake in the club at £267million
The latest storyline – restoring Joe Kinnear to the pay roll after he caused uproar last time out – may well be the most far-fetched to date and does little to alter the general perception that the Sports Direct owner has lost the plot.
That Ashley wants out and would be receptive to approaches from prospective buyers has been known for some time but if recruiting Kinnear as director of football is part of his exit strategy, the logic is not immediately apparent.
Kinnear’s brief spell as manager is memorable mainly for the tirade of abuse he aimed at local and national journalists in a foul-mouthed outburst that, after being passed fit for broadcast, contained more bleeps than words.
Problems arising: The arrival of Joe Kinnear again has caused much indignation in the North East
Hardly a strong selling point, then, except there has seldom been anything predictable or orthodox about Ashley’s preferred method of running Newcastle’s affairs.
Draining a pint pot in a couple of gulps for the Match of the Day cameras may have impressed some, but if it was meant to somehow convey the impression he was on the same wavelength as those in the Gallowgate, it didn’t last long.
They are a breed apart on Tyneside, so much so that when Sir John Hall was chairman, he frequently referred to ‘the Geordie Nation’ and admitted his greatest ambition was to have a home dressing room filled with that distinctive local dialect.
Sponsor: Ashley has also received hefty criticism for bringing in loan company Wonga next season
While Sir John upheld Geordie values and traditions as a matter of course, Ashley has, at times, trampled all over them. Bad enough that he presided over the departure of legends Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer, relegation from the Barclays Premier League and a contentious four-year sponsorship deal with pay-day loan firm Wonga.
Worse still, as an example of his disregard for what the club means to most Newcastle residents, that he casually announced it would no longer be known as St James’ Park and would be the Sports Direct Arena, instead.
Oh no, it wouldn’t. A flat refusal to call it anything other than the historic name that evokes grainy images of Jackie Milburn in his pomp forced an eventual rethink and acknowledgement that he may have acted in haste.
Been and gone: Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan are notable casualties from Ashley's reign in charge
Various supporters' groups convened as one earlier this week to voice their disapproval of Ashley’s stewardship and underline their wish that a buyer can be found.
In a statement, they said: ‘This house declares that Mike Ashley is not a fit and proper custodian of a footballing institution that has a proud history and tradition and enjoys one of the biggest and most fervent followings in European football.
Down the table: It may be some time before Newcastle get back into the Europa League
Ashley’s asking price of £267m is said to be based on the amount he has ploughed into the club in his six years in charge, on top of the original amount he paid to take control. It would appear to be on the steep side, and he may struggle to recoup all his outgoings.
He can expect little sympathy from Newcastle’s footballing public, though. They feel they have already paid a high price.
Cuts: Ashley with former chief executive Derek Llambias
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