At a time when football fans are mourning the death of the gentleman giant Bobby Robson, it is sad to see the state of Newcastle United. Of 30 clubs relegated since the Premiership was founded in 1992-3, only 13 have rebounded straight back and some like Leeds United have fallen even lower. With their ownership unresolved, the Magpies are not well set up to face the season. Despite the fanaticism of many of their supporters, disillusionment has hit season ticket sales. Now restructuring firms are said to be hovering round the club.
At a time when football fans are mourning the death of the gentleman giant Bobby Robson, it is sad to see the state of Newcastle United. Of 30 clubs relegated since the Premiership was founded in 1992-3, only 13 have rebounded straight back and some like Leeds United have fallen even lower. With their ownership unresolved, the Magpies are not well set up to face the season. Despite the fanaticism of many of their supporters, disillusionment has hit season ticket sales. Now restructuring firms are said to be hovering round the club. Sources close to owner Mike Ashley have emphatically denied that he will put the club into administration and incur a ten point penalty, even though it would bring tax advantages for his businesses. Ashley is believed to be offering loans of up to £40m for a buyer to take the club off his hands before the start of the season. It is understood that talks are being held with a Middle East consortium, but any deal is expected to fall short of Ashley’s £100m asking price. Payments may be made in stages depending on how the team performs. As Ashley himself has admitted, his takeover has been catastrophic for everyone involved, not least the fans.