Mike Ashley: From Newcastle hero to hate figure in 14 eventful years

The owner and Sports Direct supremo was initially embraced, sometimes literally, but manager clashes, relegations and transfer policy changed the picture at St James' Park

Mike Ashley, Newcastle United owner and Lee Charnley look on prior to the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur in February 2019. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Rewind to the first day of March seven years ago. Newcastle were 3-1 up at Hull when a switch deep inside Alan Pardew’s head finally tripped and the Football Association faced one of football’s darkest disciplinary hours.

As David Meyler accelerated towards the away technical area in the hope of taking a swift throw-in, his path was blocked by Pardew. To wholesale amazement, Newcastle’s manager promptly head-butted the Hull midfielder.