Newcastle off market as Ashley fails to find buyer

NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley was pressing ahead with his plans for the club last night after taking it off the market due to a lack of interest from potential investors.

The billionaire sportswear magnate has confirmed the Magpies are no longer for sale, three months after announcing he had decided to sell in the wake of furious protests against his regime.

In a statement to fans, he said: “I am happy to end the uncertainty fans may have had about the future direction of Newcastle United. I know just how important that is to you.

“I have withdrawn Newcastle United from the market, and for me 2009 will be the year in which we drive the club forward together.

“Even when I haven’t been at games, I have remained a keen supporter — kicking and heading every ball and cheering the team on TV and being the first to congratulate (manager) Joe (Kinnear) whenever there’s a good result.”

Ashley went on to explain the reasoning behind his announcement.

“When I took the decision to put the club up for sale in September, I made a point of saying two things were very important,” he recalled.

“Firstly, any potential buyer would have to show they had the best interests of Newcastle United at heart and had both the commitment and finance to be worthy custodians of such a fine football club before I would even consider doing a deal.

“Secondly, I gave you my word that as long as I remain owner this club would continue to be run responsibly at all levels.

“I hope you will accept that I have stood by that pledge.”

Ashley is still loathed by many fans after Kevin Keegan quit as manager in August, angry at the lack of transfer funds available and the influence on recruitment of executive director (football) Dennis Wise.

Ashley engaged the services of investment bank Seymour Pierce but despite speculation linking consortia from Nigeria, South Africa, America and the Far East, among others, with the Magpies, no one has been prepared to match his asking price.

Michael Ord, a spokesman for the Newcastle United Supporters’ Club, insists Ashley’s decision will be unwelcome to many on Tyneside and criticised its timing, just hours before the game against Liverpool, which had been earmarked as a chance to pay tribute to former manager Bobby Robson.

“It’s the most unwelcome late Christmas present Newcastle United supporters could have,” he said. “The timing of this stinks. Yesterday Newcastle fans were celebrating the life of a great, great football man and a great man of the north-east, Bobby Robson.

“For Mike Ashley to try to rain on that parade by putting out this news today, I think tells you all you need to know about what he views the custodianship of Newcastle to be.”