They may have won promotion to the Premiership in emphatic fashion, but Newcastle United fans will have been disappointed to learn that the club is going to have to rely on loans and free transfers to strengthen the squad next season. Admittedly, there is a great spirit at the club, but this may not be enough to secure the level of success Toon fans were hoping for back where they feel they rightfully belong.
They may have won promotion to the Premiership in emphatic fashion, but Newcastle United fans will have been disappointed to learn that the club is going to have to rely on loans and free transfers to strengthen the squad next season. Admittedly, there is a great spirit at the club, but this may not be enough to secure the level of success Toon fans were hoping for back where they feel they rightfully belong.
However, the financial position is driving decisions. The club is seeking to break even over the next five years. In most sectors of business, that would be regarded as a confession of failure, but the financial pressures in football make it a challenging target to achieve alongside success on the pitch.
Newcastle incurred a £37.7m loss in 2008-9 and an estimated loss of £32.5m for the season just ended. They have also fully used an overdraft of £20m. Having twice failed to sell Newcastle and spent v£300m on either buying it, reducing debts or keeping it afloat, owner Mike Ashley is not inclined to splash the cash.