Magpies fans back speedy takeover call

Newcastle fans have backed chairman Freddy Shepherd’s challenge to potential investors to “put up or shut up”.

Frank Gilmour of the Independent Newcastle United Supporters’ Association admits to being one of Shepherd’s biggest critics.

However, he believes the continuing rumours could be damaging to the club.

Gilmour said: “If they are going to make a bid, make it now or just leave it alone. All the speculation just affects the club.

“A lot of supporters would be happy to see the Halls disappear, but all the uncertainty is bound to affect the manager and the playing staff.

“The supporters will just go on exactly as they have done for years and years, just wanting somebody decent to come in a make the club successful.”

Gilmour’s comments came after Shepherd once again issued a challenge to the Jersey-based Belgravia Group and US hedge fund Polygon, who have been repeatedly linked with moves for the club.

Shepherd used yesterday’s brief annual general meeting in London to confirm talks with Belgravia are ongoing and reveal that Polygon, who were last week reported to have launched a successful takeover in conjunction with the United Bank of Switzerland, have requested access to the company's books.

However, not for the first time since it emerged that discussions were underway, he insisted no offer had been made and asked the interested parties to make their move.

As one of the major shareholders, along with predecessor John Hall and his son Douglas, Shepherd’s future at St James’ Park is inextricably linked with any takeover.

He faced calls for his departure after the 1-0 Barclays Premiership defeat by Sheffield United on November 4, a focal point for the critics who believe he has appointed the wrong managers and allowed them to spend unwisely.

But Shepherd’s supporters have since seen Glenn Roeder’s men lose just one of the 10 games they have played since – away to champions Chelsea – to stage a creditable recovery.

But Gilmour’s disquiet with the regime stems from the infamous Toongate scandal in which he and Hall Junior found themselves caught up in a tabloid sting in which they made insulting comments about, among others, the club’s fans.

He said: “I am one of his (Shepherd’s) sternest critics. I have never forgiven him and Douglas Hall for the comments they made about the club’s supporters.”

Asked if he feels the fans would welcome a swift takeover, Gilmour said: “Definitely. Then Glenn can get on with the job of trying to make the club successful.

“I have been a season ticket holder since 1976 and I have seen massive changes here. The Halls came in and were ambitious, but they have made a lot of money out of the club.

“In the Kevin Keegan days, the days of beautiful football, you could not get into St James’ Park. But the crowds recently have slipped below 50,000, which would never have happened (then).

“The manager is doing a fantastic job – which other manager would have coped with the number of injuries his squad has had this season?

“Roeder has just got on with it and got the players playing together and got them motivated, which some of the other managers have not been able to do.

“His position would probably be under question if a new owner came in, but hopefully he could help take the club back to where it belongs.”