Moat makes substantial offer for Toon … blah, blah.

Posted on October 6th, 2009 | 155 Comments |

Should I stay or should I go now
Should I stay or should I go now
The press are reporting that Barry Moat has made a ‘substantial’ offer for Newcastle United.

If I had a pound for every time I’ve quoted the press about someone being just about to take over Newcastle United I’d probably be able to buy the club myself. And then there’d be changes I can tell you. If however I had to pay a pound every time such a story turned out to be untrue I’d have to sell my wife and eat the dog to hold off starvation.

Still, if George Caulkin of The Times is to be believed, Barry Moat has successfully negotiated the continuation of the club’s overdraft with Barclays and has tabled a bid of ‘slightly less than £100m’. The Mail and The Mirror are reporting similar things, although all these stories probably have their origin in the same rumour. None of the stories even quote ‘insiders’ or ‘sources’ let alone anyone who might actually be in a position to reliably know anything, so the usual caution is advised.

Nevertheless it makes a certain amount of sense in terms of timing. It was generally surmised that Keegangate was an ‘obstacle’ to the take over and with that now out of the way we could perhaps expect things to start moving again.

The question being asked though is: will Mike Ashley actually sell?

I would be surprised if Ashley has much love left for the Toon after what he’s been through. He’s had a pretty dreadful time of things and the revelations of Keegangate did nothing to improve matters. He will, however, want to strike a balance between maximising his return and freeing himself from the hassle of Newcastle United.

Ashley spent £134m on the club and loaned it a further £110m to consolidate the debts. Rumour sometimes has it that he’s asking £100m ‘all-in’, which implies he’s writing off the £110m loan and stands to lose £144m even if he gets his full £100m asking price. Personally I’m not convinced he’s writing that debt off but I have no evidence to the contrary.

Certainly if he hangs on until we get promoted (assuming we do) he could probably at least double his asking price. Given our current form you’d have to say promotion is looking likely, particularly if Ashley is prepared to invest a few million in the squad in January to make sure of things. I know that there’s a long way to go yet and plenty things could still go wrong but, as it stands, we’re looking like a good bet. This could tempt Ashley to hold on to the club.

But he also has to deal with the Serious Fraud Office and I’d guess he’s going to need his wits about him to get out of that mess – the Toon could be a distraction he’d prefer to do without.

So it’s up in the air and we’ll only really know when things are confirmed officially one way or the other. Your guess is as good as mine.

NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10). Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.

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155 Responses

  1. Your right Hugh complete guess work. I have a feeling he will hold on and not bring players in on the january window then we dont make promotion because we only have half a squad through injuries. Maybe miss out by a couple of points.
    A bit doom and gloom from me. Sorry

  2. First time post on this site, this was reported late yesterday afternoon on the BBC and i just hope you are right in your assessment of the situation Hugh.
    If he hasnt had enough by now and keeps the club despite a decent bid being received then i think he will subject to a full blown revolt, he should draw a line under the whole saga and go now, i have everything crossed.

  3. Hugh, as you probably know I agree about him calling in the debt. It seems a distinct possibility.

    What worries me more is that whenever I’ve posted about it Stardust has never once contradicted me. Which means he’s ignoring me becuase it’s nonsense or he has his own doubts.

    I have a feeling these rumours are well-founded but what becomes of the bid is definitely uncertain. We can only, as usual, just wait and see.

    Kudos to Stu79 for calling it.

  4. “The question being asked though is: will Mike Ashley actually sell?”

    There is another question which arises…..

    Given that Ashley & Cronies admitted to the Tribunal that they lied to us, the fans on a number of occasions – will the fans continue to line Ashley’s pockets if he decides not to sell??

  5. Stu79’s tactics have worked!? Keep spouting stuff off in a know-it-all fashion and eventually at some point you will appear to know what you’re talking about.

  6. dont be ridickheadulous says:
    October 6, 2009 at 8:52 am
    Stu79’s tactics have worked!? Keep spouting stuff off in a know-it-all fashion and eventually at some point you will appear to know what you’re talking about.
    ———————————————–

    Didn’t know Stardust was also called Stu79 LOL

  7. bowburnmag says:
    October 6, 2009 at 8:21 am

    BBM,

    I was told this would get get out last night.

    Moat has always had the money. His problems have always been the Bank and haggling over a price.

    Although I cannot get too excited as not everyone seems to think he’ll accept the bid.

    Suppose we’ll see in time.

  8. All this “put the club up for sale” rubbish is a load of bollox!!
    Other teams don’t get “put up for sale”, they get taken over or bought out without being “put up for sale”.

    I wonder if he remembered to stick it in the yellow paper?

  9. BBM – I dont expect the debt is an additional cost. Nothing has been indicated that suggests it is.

    For example – Moat has held off until after the verdict (no doubt as all the other potential buyers) as KK went for 25m.

    Thereon you have the overdraft (reported now to be around 20) and the cost of the club 100m. The cost if they had bought the club at market rate could have been anywhere from 118 to 145m – thats too big of a variance for anyone to handle – there lies the reason for the non-sale in the summer.

    Ironically all of the buyers played a game – and they now find themselves in a far worse position than they could have anticipated. Ashley has reduced the operational outgoings and the verdict has only cost 2.0m and we are at the top of the league.

    Financially we are rock solid once more – Ashley may hang around – I certainly would be tempted to – the rewards in relation to the risk (i.e. say 10m loss for 100m gain) may be too much for him to ingore.

    It will take a strong offer to buy the club.

  10. Pons – yep – it tells you the effect Keegan had asking for 25million.

    I ask the question – was Keegan to blame for the non sale of the club and the lack of summer transfers?

  11. Stardust says:
    October 6, 2009 at 12:10 pm
    Pons – yep – it tells you the effect Keegan had asking for 25million.

    I ask the question – was Keegan to blame for the non sale of the club and the lack of summer transfers?

    Keegan ws obviously to blame for the non sale of the club but the lack of summer transfers?

    History has shown us that Ashley doesn’t spend on incoming transfers until we have recieved money from outgoing transfers. Add to that the need to reduce all the over heads this summer we wouldn’t have been spending regardless of KK IMO.

  12. UTD 111 – I thought I would bring the crushing defeat to your own argument that the club lied to the fans – you posted:

    “The Club’s explanation for these statements, which, on their case, were simply untrue, was that they were nothing more than an exercise in public relations carried out so as not to undermine Mr Keegan’s position and made necessary, in the first place, by statements made by Mr Keegan himself to the press.
    We found this explanation to be profoundly unsatisfactory”

    What part of “We found this explanation to be profoundly unsatisfactory” didnt you understand – it means they didnt believe they had lied to the fans – and that the club had overplayed a hand to the tribunal to win.

    My god – its like being in junior school sometimes.

  13. Stardust, so you think Ashley will write off the £110m he loaned interest free to consolidate the club’s debt?

    That is implied by the ‘all-in’ but it’s an awful lot of money to simply write off. He would have had to have been really, really desperate to offload the club when he put it up for sale at the start of the summer to be prepared to do that.

  14. Stardust – nothing that has happened over the last 24 months at Newcastle that leads me to think I can put my faith in the ‘all-in’ price. Particularly after the revelations of the tribunal.

    I think that quote you’ve included is great. Except I interpret as them, more or less, saying – “Just stop with the bullsh*t boys”. What they’re also saying is that despite the fact the board were lying to us (as this magical PR stunt), what was really happening was that Keegan was still getting stiffed. So it’s profoundly unsatisfactory.

    So not only did Keegan get undermined, but they lied about it to curry favour and continued to undermine him and then came out with the god awful explanation that it was a PR stunt to keep everyone happy.

    Which smacks of desperation. Everything about this club has seemed desperate over the last two years. And the question now is, just how desperate is he to sell?

  15. Stardust, you try to lay the blame at Keegan’s door, yet in a court of law he was found to be in the right. So, wouldn’t logic dictate that it was Ashley to blame for all of what’s happened in the summer?
    If Ashley hadn’t treated Keegan like he did, Keegan would not have left NUFC and would not have taken the club to tribunal. You are allowing your dislike of Keegan to cloud your judgement. Or you are just playing the emotional card to get people to respond to you?

    I agree with BBM, it’s the fact that the owner and the board lied to the fans that they find “profoundly unsatisfactory”.

  16. The problem with Ashley is that he will think that we will be guarenteed forpromotion this season after the start we’ve had.

    He’s already shown he know’s has much about football as Saddam Hussein knew about international peace keeping iniatives.

    He won’t invest in the team in January and imo we will be desperate for that investment come then.

    It would absolutely some Ashley and NUFC up if he jept hold of it and we ddn’t get promoted. He would look a complete prick – But then again he’s use to that.

  17. 15 – Hugh “Stardust, so you think Ashley will write off the £110m he loaned interest free to consolidate the club’s debt” – yes I do – you see the timing of the repayment may suit his needs – for example he could use it to reduce or write off a potential tax liability. Or he simply may think its a price worth paying to get out – that being said – our current position will make him think twice about selling. (not just in the league – we are in fighting shape again financially)

    16 – BBM – Yes – Exactly as I see it. And please dont mistake tribunal or courtroom tactics as the truth or lies – its a very grey area indeed. Barristers lead – and make the defence from what they have – present it in a way they think will wash. Though I have to say NUFCs in this case seems to have missed the major points completely.

  18. Stardust says:
    October 6, 2009 at 12:16 pm
    UTD 111 – I thought I would bring the crushing defeat to your own argument that the club lied to the fans – you posted:

    “The Club’s explanation for these statements, which, on their case, were simply untrue, was that they were nothing more than an exercise in public relations carried out so as not to undermine Mr Keegan’s position and made necessary, in the first place, by statements made by Mr Keegan himself to the press.
    We found this explanation to be profoundly unsatisfactory”

    What part of “We found this explanation to be profoundly unsatisfactory” didnt you understand – it means they didnt believe they had lied to the fans – and that the club had overplayed a hand to the tribunal to win.
    ————————————————
    Stardust
    No it means they didn’t believe the reason they were given ie that the lies were OK because they were a “public relations exercise” as in “we found this EXPLANATION to be profoundly unsatisfactory” – note: the explanation, not the admission……their word, not mine.

    Ashley and his cronies admitted lying. I think you’re the only one in your junior school who can’t see that – so back to classes for you, boy! And wear this pointy hat with a capital D on it!

    Sorry your crush on me failed miserably

  19. Micky Toon – it was the “Explanation” to the tribunal that was unsatisfactory for gods sake!

    NOT the explanation to the fans. Its another way of saying they didnt believe them.

  20. UTD 111- BBM and Worky know my email address – I suggest I am entirely more qualified in this area as to what a panel means in legalese than yourself.

    They will ratify that without giving you my address. ( I hope lol)

    The panel did NOT believe their expanation TO THE PANEL – AND THAT THE EXCUSE WAS TOSH.

    In other words – they panel believe the club has NOT misled the fans – that the club had released statements which were TURE – which backed up Keegans case!

    my god – how may times have I to tell you.

  21. I seem to remember one of the potential buyers (I forget which now), who had completed the due diligence, said that the club has more debts than is immediately obvious. They refused to go into detail but I speculated in an article that it might be money owed on transfers from way back.

    The potential buyer could be talking through their bottom of course but I wouldn’t have expected them to risk stating something like that publicly unless it was true.

  22. Stardust says:
    October 6, 2009 at 1:00 pm
    Micky Toon – it was the “Explanation” to the tribunal that was unsatisfactory for gods sake!

    NOT the explanation to the fans. Its another way of saying they didnt believe them.
    ————————————————–
    Stardust
    Exactly – they thought the “its OK to lie if it’s a public relations exercise” explanation was rubbish.

    That’s NOT saying they didn’t believe their admission that they lied…….

  23. Stardust – is this really just one big elaborate wind-up because if it is, you should step forward and take a bow before you lose the spotlight because I have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

    If not and it’s genuine, I think your explanation is profoundly unsatisfactory.

  24. Stardust
    I really don’t care what your email address is….

    But there are 2 facts here:

    The club admitted they lied

    The club said it was OK to lie because it was just a public relations exercise

    The latter was the explanation referred to by the tribunal and does not clear the club of lying.

    They lied.
    They admitted it.

    You can try to put a spin on that as many times as you care to – it’s there for everyone to see….

  25. I think Stardust is really Kevin Keegan. His posts on here whip up such a lot of pro-Keegan activity it has to be negative psychology by Wor Kev himself.

    In which case Stardust, sorry I laughed at you when you fell off your bike in Superstars.

  26. “But it’s clearly white”

    “Your honour, my defendant would like to state that he only swore black was white, so as not to cause unrest”

    “Well, that’s a perfectly good reason. Black it is then. And don’t worry about a few white lies”.

  27. Spin LOL my god UTD 111 – there really is no saving you.

    Hugh – BBM – Worky – Anyone?

    Have I explained the above to UTD 111 so anyone can follow it? Utd 111 is having difficulty – it may be that I am not reducing it down simply enough.

  28. They don’t need your “explanation” Stardust

    It’s there in the Tribunal findings in english

    They can all read english…….

  29. Stardust in “I’m right and everyone else is deluded” shocker! Who’d a thunk!

    Maybe he just “Awoke this morning and NEEDED to write!!”……rubbish it seems.

    The committee’s findings said, in black and white, that the clubs explanation of events was without credibility.

    Game’s over, sunshine. The Fat Man’s finished….adios!

    LOL

  30. Wow after reading some of these discussions Im glad Im not qualified to comment.
    My knowledge of football could be written on the back of a postage stamp and still leave room for The Magna Carta

  31. stardust has a great ability in defending liars – anyone would think it’s his occupation.

    maybe he’s just a two-bob court clerk picking the craic up from the side lines and acting the part on here.

  32. Well Stardust, you can look at it two ways –

    Way 1: The club didn’t believe that Keegan had the final say on transfers (which is what they said at the tribunal) and thus they lied to the fans when they said he did.

    Way 2: The club did believe that Keegan had the final say on transfers and thus they lied to the tribunal when they said he didn’t.

  33. Fella’s – you know I like you – but I can not believe you have difficulty in seeing the duplicity of your position. You accept the verdict yet choose to believe the clubs position it misled fans – even though that was a point the panel said they didnt believe.

    Hence your verdict!

    Kinda feel like I jumped on Mikes bus but it was reserved for special school that day.

  34. To even consider that kk has not been implicit in the delay of the selling of the club, or, for that matter, implicit in the downfall of said club, is preposterous in the extreme. He’s had a massive effect on all concerned, NUFC, ashley, the fans, the Toon, in fact, anyone with any interest whatsoever. And, until recently, any decision with regard to the club.
    Suck on that.
    HE IS IN PART TO BLAME.
    Messiah or Judas, a bit of both, probably.

  35. batty says:
    October 6, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    “bowburn stardust is the biggest bum a meen wum going have you forgot billy bunter”

    Eeeee batty! The cheek of it! I know what you’ve been up to! :-)

    Stardust, I’m going to have another forensic read of that judgement after I’ve had my lunch meeting. I’ve been reading all about Paco Casal (Nacho’s agent) today, though I really should be working!

  36. CLiNT FLiCK – I think we’re past that stage.

    Stardust just keeps throwing it in as a sidewinder.

    We’re all now just basically trying to work out how many people he’s got with his wind-up.

  37. I’m just off to the garden to pick the dog sh1t up – That has to be better than reading Ziggy’s version of reality…

  38. No Hugh the truth is in the middle. BUT I FULLY ACCEPT THE TECHNICAL KO AT COURT.

    CLUB POSITION AS I SEE IT.

    KEEGAN knew a DOF was to be appointed most likely DW.

    ASHLEY STATED WHEN YOURE A SUBORDINATE ITS “blindingly obvious” you are reporting to someone PLUS the fact he was implementing a CONTINENTAL SYSTEM.

    WHEN ALL PARTIES were asked re a specific conversation took place – it hadnt. The club assumed keegan knew his position because of the DOF.

    In reality KK had all say however any club or business owner reserves the right to do good business as and when they get the chance. this was an example of that.

    So their press releases were honest and sincere.

    When KK leaves on the NACHO signing they go to court.

    They have to defend against their press releases saying KK had control – they used the misled the fans line to win the case – this was UNSATISFACTORY – it was a defence to the allegation not a reflection on reality. The panel didnt believe that was a satisfactory explanation for the press releases.

    The club DID not produce other prem league club Directors and Managers to say that this practice is common place (which we know it is) – therefore they concluded as there was no evidence to the contrary that ALL prem league managers HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY WHO COMES AND GOES.

    SO if the club lied to anyone – it was the panel – the verdict tells you that.

  39. bowburn, i don’t think we are mate.
    I fancy that we’re not beyond any stage, as people keep going round in circles with their arguments.
    From what i can gather: the pro kk’s believe him to be beyond reproach-wrong.
    The pro ashleys- not sure there are any, maybe they’re just anti-kk’s, for obvious reasons, are trying to get some kind of admittance of kk’s mistakes.
    We all know & have trawled through ashleys mistakes, but there seems to be a distinct lack of stomach for the foibles of kk.
    Until it’s all been ranted about, home-truths accepted, there will be no ‘closure’.
    Anyone got a shrink?

  40. Very easy to get a shrink free of charge – a quick swim off Whitley Bay today will sort it.

  41. You can’t lay the delay in selling at Keegan’s door. I totally agree that the case has been the main reason for the delay in any bids but Keegan can’t be held responsible for something the club has been found guilty of.

    At the end of the day if Ashley hadn’t treated Keegan the way he did Keegan wouldn’t have left. If Keegan hadn’t left the anti-Ashley furore wouldn’t have erupted in the way it did and he (MA) wouldn’t even be trying to sell the club now.

    I appreciate that it’s all speculative but in my opinion we would still be a premier league club looking to push forward to mid-table security under KK and MA if Ashley had let Keegan do his job.

  42. That’s a long swim from NewYork.
    It’s last bit around scotland that always pisses me off, not doing that again.
    ;)

  43. For clarification – I am not saying KK or the CLUB deliberately caused this – it funnily enough was a mis-communication between them – and it wasnt in black and white.

    My point has always been not the dispute in itself – but KK should have stayed and resolved it.

  44. CLiNT FLiCK – I disagree to some extent. We all know Keegan’s actions have delayed the club in being sold. And it’s been difficult but I think he was right to do what he did. Even with the painful coverage and the fallout from the events. I always saw this as a bigger victory than just Keegan clearing his name.

  45. But the first & most fatal ashley mistake was: Bringing kk back, “gotta go forward if ya’ wanna go back”.

  46. Pons – all KK had to do was to sue for 2.0m not 25m – club sold.

    Please dont start that he would have had o have a gagging order on that – if it was a point of principle he could have said no and still went to the panel.

    the fact was it was a point of money – his greedy little piggy eyes lit up when he heard 25m – he again didnt care about you, I or NUFC.

  47. Sorry, but if the club lied to the panel, then isn’t that worse from a tribunal point of view? IANAL, but I’ve been involved in a work tribunal before and these guys aren’t to be messed with. You’re not making sense Stardust.

  48. Stupid bloody fingers…….

    It’s just that some of us see Ashley as ultimately being responsible for all that happened before, during and since. His plans and reactions have fallen pitifully short of standard.

  49. 55 – Clint though I accept you point – I have to admit I was glad when he came back – very short sighted of me – emotions ruling my head I am afraid.

  50. Stardust says:
    October 6, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    My point has always been not the dispute in itself – but KK should have stayed and resolved it.

    I thouht KK and Ashley did try to resolve it? Didn’t they get together the Friday evenin before the Hull game?

    As we don’t know what was said at the meeting you really shouldn’t be saying he didn’t try to resolve the issues.

  51. PA at 50 – Sorry I don’t agree. I couldn’t see the club staying in the PL even with Keegan there. In the 90’s Keegan had it easy. A seemingly bottomless pit of money and free reign over who he wanted. The only thing that stopped players joining us was our location. We weren’t in London.
    This time around, you had a (let’s give him the benifit) frugal owner and a club that was in a mess. We were always in for a hiding.

  52. Stardust, well & truly ‘shrunk’ by scotland. :)

    bowburn,
    Technicaly, as we type, kk has been justified.
    But, it’s not really “in the spirit of the game” , is it?

    We HAVE lost out. Despite any protestations otherwise. WE LOSE!

    That’s my point. Like Stardust says: He should’ve stayed & fought his corner?stood his ground, dragged ashley to his way of thinking. That would’ve have been the manly course of action, yea?

  53. Incorrect Micky Toon – the assertion it was PR to the fans is a step to the side of the reality – that can not be proven otherwise – as its a subjective view held by those performing (whether that view was formed at the time or a day before the hearing).

    The panel quite rightly chose not to believe it.

  54. “My point has always been not the dispute in itself – but KK should have stayed and resolved it.”

    Now you really are twisting it!!!

    Your main gripe since the findings was that it was all over one little incident. Now you’re arguing it was a case of they should have just talked it over.

    a) This was a catalyst.
    b) The nature and details of the case suggest it was never going to work out because there were too many people with their own ideas.
    c) KK expressly stated that they didn’t make much effort in reconciling. Which is in line with the findings.

    Fck it!!! I’m boring myself now.

  55. BBM “Your main gripe since the findings was that it was all over one little incident. Now you’re arguing it was a case of they should have just talked it over.” Read my “the king is Dead” article – I argue both points throughout.

  56. Guys,
    i was well prepared to fall in love again, if it all went right, when kk came back.
    But, i gotta say, i had that ‘orrible feeling in the pitt of the gut that said/screamed
    NO! What are we thinking?

    The gut knows most times.
    & so it proved.

  57. I could imagine if I was Keegan and you were Ashley I’d have buggered off as well.

  58. bowburnmag says:
    October 6, 2009 at 2:18 pm
    I could imagine if I was Keegan and you were Ashley I’d have buggered off as well.

    Very Funny.

    Probably not on ya own too.

  59. Stardust – I wasn’t going to mention anything about the amount he sued for. Don’t get me wrong, when I saw the amount I did sit up and take notice and it did make me question a few things about Keegan (I think every NUFC fan did).

    However, I don’t think I’m being naive in believing that the amount was highly influenced by his legal team and the LMA. A big part of this was tactical, the more points of law you sue on the higher the likelihood of some level of success.

    But more important than this is the very fact the tribunal would not have even existed had it not been for the actions of the guilty party, in this case which was found to be the club.

    I appreciate you believe KK should have stayed (so do I – I wish he had) but I can understand how he felt like his role was pointless when he realised he did not have the authority he was promised (and needed).

    Mickytoon – Aye fair enough mate, like I said it was all just speculation on my part.

  60. Fair post Pons – but the amount sued for was not tactical – it had no influence on the verdict – never does – and his contract was plain enough he was entitled to 2.0m.

    But I ask you this Pons – even if you had a dispute with NUFCs owners, and you were going to get 2.0m if you won – could you have sued for 25m knowing you would hold up the sale and possibly damage the financial standing of the club forever – thereon damage the fans.

    The claim of loving the club doesnt sit comfortably with me at all.

  61. Stardust – I was about to post something similar.

    It’s a funny one this, isn’t it? The problem I have is of conflicting interests. Technically, Keegan was right to take the club to court, as anyone would do, if their employer had sought to constructively dismiss them. Yet, I feel like Keegan has hoodwinked everyone. His charisma and past relationship with the fans has clouded our thoughts. Is Keegan just a very good con man?
    Points that need clearing up –

    Did Keegan really go after £25m?
    If so, would £25m have sent the club in administration?
    If so, would people still stand by Keegan?

    I can’t answer the first two, but the third I can and the answer is, I couldn’t.
    Put it this way, if I had a fall at SJP and I got one of those awful tv claims companies to take the club to the cleaners for compo, that I knew would sent the company into administration, would I do it? Hand on heart I wouldn’t. I could not do something to a club that means so much to me.
    Keegan it seems could.
    Does this tell us that Keegan doesn’t love the club and the area as much as he claims to?

  62. I see Stardust is at his work again can you not see he is trying to bore you’s all into submission. Also has he not told you’s that the Gulf war was KK’s fault aswell as the 3rd world famine KK has alot to answer to.

  63. Stardust – yeah I could sue for £25m and then re-invest it into the club and then have a big say in how the club is run. But that’s me :)

    The question that will plague me will be what would KK have done if he had won the full amount? Personally I don’t believe he would allow the club to implode if he knew he could stop it, but that’s just an opinion. Guess I’ll never know!

  64. Pons Aelius – But if the £25m was awarded and it effectively killed the club, by putting it into administration, then there would be nothing to re-invest in.
    It really saddens me that we are top of the division, I’m actually enjoying my football again and yet we still have this spectre hanging over our heads.
    The tribunal is over, we should draw a line under the whole sorry episode and start accepting that we will be stuck with Ashley at least until the end of the season.

  65. Micky – I cant bring myself the think he is a con man – but I do think time – years – and stress have changed the man forever. I dont think the KK of today is anything like the KK of yesteryear. Maybe he is ill – I dont know.

    Pons – to be fair that may well have been a strategy – you never know what conversations go on behind closed doors.

    Moondust – yes I was about to get onto that – it all started when George Bush junior came to St James in the 90’s……..lol

  66. Micky – Pons is right on that front – hence my statement above.

    It probably made sure we wouldnt go into administration as Ashley if he had allowed it to – could have ended up selling the club to Keegan via the administrators! And that would have had him “terribly vexed”.

    Maybe Keegan was having a cheeky stab at it though.

  67. Stardust – Now we’re opining. That’s totally different.

    That’s partly why I was apprehensive abot KK coming back. The doubters had a field day.

    Now in standing up for himself and because mud sticks, there are still more for whom his reputation is slightly tarnished.

    Would I have the same feeling for Keegan had he taken the club into administration? No.

    Do I believe that was ever a likely outcome? No.

    In your opinion, KK might not love the club as much as some of us believe. That’s your opinion based on facts and events. And you are, after all, entitled to your opinion. Even if I think you need to cut Keegan a whole load of slack.

    But arguing the facts and the results of the tribunal and spinning them into an opinon which suits your pre-tribunal views is really reaching and contradicts your claim that you deal in facts and objective reasoning.

  68. Even though I nearly wee’d myself when he first came back, I was the first to admit that Keegan looked a shadow of his charismatic and driven ’90s self.

    And I got butchered for it.

  69. Any chance of us moving on from this story?

    I mean today is a day we have been waiting for, for 12 months!

    Someone has actually made a bid for the club!

    Fair do’s – It probably won’t get accepted but it’s euphoric event/day non the less.

  70. I agree and I apologise to everyone for the circles.

    What about Moat then?

    We’re going to hear something just after 5pm today about the board’s initial reaction?

  71. BBM – youve miscontrued my attempts to explain that point re the hearing.

    Last year the fans rioted without evidence – I dare say if they had awaited this verdict a lot would have been saying “is that it?”. They now shout – theyve lied to us – this is untrue.

    Nontheless – I simply wanted to clear up that point as saying a point in a hearing and it being discounted as not true – is not the same as telling lies to the fans (if the point was accepted and/or a verdict in favour of the club then they would have had a point)

    But some seem hellbent on hating Ashley without thinking things through.

    Im just sick of our own fans helping in our demise.

  72. bowburn – pointless arguing with stardust, attention seeker of the highest order, you might as well go and try and win an argument with your wife.
    I go home every night and give mine a good listening too.
    Where did you hear about an announcement?

  73. “I go home every night and give mine a good listening too.” :)

    Sorry fella – it was more of hopeful wondering than a statement. But actually now that we’re back on topic, something tells me we’ll know straight away whether he’s willing to sell.

  74. bowburnmag says:
    October 6, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    Its a bit of a funny one with Moat. His backers don’t want to be identified until Ashley has left the building as it were.

    But there are a few peple who aren’t sure he will accept the bid.

    I have to be honest if it’s short of £100m Ashley has is ready made excuse.

  75. Stardust
    You’re still making these silly statements…..

    The fans didn’t “riot” last year. Look up “riot” then look up “protest”……

    Ashley and his cronies DID lie to the fans – it’s there in black and white in the tribunal findings. They admit it. It was the excuse that it was OK to lie because it was a public relations exercise that was described as “profoundly unsatisfactory”

    You’re the only one who reads the tribunal findings your way. All the journalists who have reported the findings have none of your difficulties in what is after all, there in plain english.

    I hope you are happy in your own little world – although I say this only as a public relations exercise…..

  76. UTD111 – its really funny – I dont have to say anything – your stupidity shines through with every post – you really have no understanding have you.

  77. On Moat – I’ve no idea what tto think.

    I like the idea of him being a local lad with a passion for the club. I like the idea of Moat being close with Shearer, who seems to support him in his takeover.

    I’m hesitant to say ‘if Alan likes him then I like him’, but it is a positive sign.

    Other than that I know sweet FA about Moat our what he intends for the club. I’m just dying to see the takeover go through so we can find out! :D

  78. Stardust

    Strange…..I feel the same way about you….as do many others….

    Good post though – it’s the first one you’ve made today that actually tells us anything i.e. I always know I’m getting the better of you when you start the childish “I’m more intelligent than you” garbage and the insults LOL

  79. Criminal Law UTD11 – often not charged as a violent disorder is far easier to prove – 12 or more for riot – 3 or more for violent disorder. Public or Private – no common cause – no one needed to be present.

    But thats just another area you can dip into if you want to go there.

    Lesson number 1 – know your enemy. lol

  80. Stardust

    You accused the United fans of rioting….

    To most normal people, riots involve violence to people or property….

    Where did you see the violence?

    (You’re not counting people waving their shoes around surely??)

  81. RE: Stardust

    Guys and Gals……relax, every Circus needs a clown….we’re just lucky to have one with so much funny material!

    Still, he’ll be back at his “Spiritual Home” this Christmas…..Santa’s Grotto at the Metro Centre!!

    Yuk-yuk-yuk!

  82. To be fair Excelsior – always wanted to be a clown – but I am not the tallest at 174cm – so I have to be a dwarf each year.

    But everyone has to have ambition ….right?

  83. Stardust says:
    October 6, 2009 at 4:37 pm
    UTD111- :#hint – (stop you look stupid)

    Surely you saw the irony before typing that Stardust….?

  84. My bastard car needs a new effing engine.

    I bought the fcker in April.

    **$*^%$T*%$*T%$T*%$*TT*%T*%$T*%$*T%$$*%R

  85. Stardust

    Straightforward question actually.

    The media reported last year’s events as a “protest” – because that’s exactly what it was.

    Yes, I know criminal law disappears up it’s own backside trying to go to the Nth degree of definition…..but most ordinary people don’t live their lives in a criminal law book.

    I didn’t see anyone threatened, I didn’t see terror in anyone’s faces…..it was a very relaxed atmosphere from where I was standing (across the road observing events and chatting to a group of Hull fans)

    Not a riot.

  86. bowburnmag says:
    October 6, 2009 at 4:49 pm
    Stardust/anybody – can I take it back to the garage?

    Is it new?

    Either way the garage you bought it from will have given you a one year warrenty I would have thought.

  87. Stu – nah it’s a 53 plate but apparently someone has run it without oil in and it’s just been waiting to happen.

  88. stardust – You have exposed yourself as a bluffing gobshite bonny lad.
    Riot is 12 or more persons using or threatening unlawful violence for a common purpose.
    Section 1 Public Order Act 1986.
    utd111 you were on the right track without knowing the wording of the law.

  89. Stardust – that’s a fcking good point. They can pick the b*tard thing up. Robbing gets.

  90. Stardust says:
    October 6, 2009 at 4:57 pm
    BBM – how you gonna get it there – you have no engine?
    <<<<< lolyou tw@t

  91. bowburnmag says:
    October 6, 2009 at 4:58 pm
    Stu – nah it’s a 53 plate but apparently someone has run it without oil in and it’s just been waiting to happen.
    <<< you know they will blame it on you m8 u better take stardust with you he will bore them into submision

  92. Anyway, Has anyone noticed that SkySports aren’t even reporting the Moat bid?

    They get all their information directly from the club ie Llambias.

    This is obviously the reason why they have been wrong about everything with regards to the sale of the club.

    David Craig is a arse!

    Wonder if he’s watching this blog?

  93. Bats – Its a Renault Scenic. I’m no mechanic but I’m fairly sure oil is technically meant to last more than 5 months in a decent engine! Even though I check it every fortnight.

  94. i once bought a wooden car – it had wooden seats – wooden enginge – wooden wheels & it wooden work !

    aye ah nah – am off.

  95. BBM take the oil cap of and see if there is anything like mayonaise on the underside of the cap. the oil should be ok if it is checked. but i know a couple of scenic that have blow a head casket re the mayo

  96. First time I’ve posted on here – but it makes a refreshing change to all the mundane boring comments over on the old blog.

  97. Nice to see you Spartan. Welcome aboard.

    BigBadBob – please reread 94 – its correct in its entirety and its practical application – they are called salient points – not sure what your motives are or where you are coming from but hey ho.

  98. MOONDUST – admittedly now I get the train into town I hardly use it but not that I know of. What’s the Mayo?

  99. bowburnmag says:
    October 6, 2009 at 5:43 pm
    MOONDUST – admittedly now I get the train into town I hardly use it but not that I know of. What’s the Mayo?

    It’s white stuff made with egg and oil!

  100. C`mon boys , be nice.
    Reminded me of a bunch of pre-teens having a pissing contest.
    Lets put Keegan to rest (rip)he`s gone, but apparently had the hutzpah to mention he would not rule out a return to the club in the future, what planet is he living on ?
    Moat ? Will not happen, just another local hustler trying to get something on the cheap.
    Though the other local hustlers (The Halls & Freddy did a good job on Ashley)think he has probably wised up by now. No pun intended.
    Probably hold on until next summer then put it back on
    the market, as a PL team.
    Looks like the only possible buyers in this economy are the oil rich Arabs, both UK & US economies are in the dumps and appear`s are going to stay there for the foreseeable future.
    The way things are going in the PL it`s going to take that kind of dosh to be competitive as somewhere in the region of half of the clubs are in the hands of billionaires, can you imagine someone like Moat trying to compete with that kinda dosh.
    How about we wait for the super rich guy and become the Man. Citeh of the northeast.
    Though joking , there is a certainly a trend taking place in the PL which if continued will result in every club eventually being owned by big money.
    Just have to wait our turn.

  101. bowburnmag says:
    October 6, 2009 at 5:43 pm
    MOONDUST – admittedly now I get the train into town I hardly use it but not that I know of. What’s the Mayo?
    <<<<<just have a look see if theres any white stuff in the oil if there is your head gasket gone and water is getting into the oil m8

  102. In keeping with Stardusts ridiculous Red bus story I have taken this from Talk of the tyne fanzine.

    I see Mike Ashleys NUFC ownership a bit like buying a classic car with a lot of history as a hobby for quite a lot of money.

    At first you do a bit work to it, get rid of the engine that works perfectly and replace it with an at times excellent but very temperamental one. You put out a lot of money at first but then you realise that you’re bored of it as a hobby and decide you cant be bothered anymore. So you stop filling it up with oil and stop washing/waxing it. You then take it for MOT and it just say passes but you’re warned that it wont pass next year if you don’t do a lot of work to it.

    So you ignore the advice and decide that it’ll be fine, after all you can keep reminding yourself that you’ve paid a lot of money at the start for it. Over the next year you realise that the car doesn’t really need to flashy spoiler, the twin exhaust and the nice pop-up headlamps. So you take them out and sell them, and only replace them at the last minute with cheaper and un-tested versions that aren’t really meant for that model of car.

    Some people come to see you from classic car magazine and they’re pissed with you, they say your ruining their beloved classic and you should stop now and restore it, you just laugh.

    The next time you want to take the car out it only just struggles to start so you take it into a cheap, east London dodgy garage to fix it up. you explain that you want rid of the car – as its not safe to drive your children in! So you tell the dodgy garage owner to flog it for you at 4 times the price you paid for it. The owner tells you that you can get double that price with a bit of work, but if not, it may not even get you home. You listen to him and decide to splash a little, but not a lot of money to the cockney boys garage in exchange for the extra parts. But rather than getting parts you need, you get an extra steering wheel, a spare set of wheels and a second exhaust. Rather than get the new radiator and oil filter the car is desperate for.

    On the way home it finally breaks down, but you’ve had enough and just leave it. You figure why should it be your problem and leave it by the side of the road to rot. A few months pass and nothings happened. A few local people have seen your car and offer you an little bit of money for it, but you figure that the car will be alright and if you can just leave it until its MOT time again you might be able to fluke your way out of it with a fake certificate to get it back on the road and once there sell it for the original price you paid.

    Unfortunately in that time the original owners of the car have gotten some unpaid parking tickets in the post as you forgot to fully change over the details of the car. They take you to court and sue you for a substantial sum of money. But you don’t care, as you can just take it out of your dodgy insurance policy. You know that in the end no matter what happens to the car, you’ll always have some other cars and buses to make some cash so why not just let it rot by the side of the road or get towed away to scrap.

    In fact, you’d quite like to see your investment wasted just to see the poor adoring fans of the car from classic car magazine crying, knowing they’re doing it because of you.

  103. Bowburn, get a Toyota that has been built in Japan. That’s what I’ve been doing since 1991 and I have never had a car problem since. French cars are break down almost as often as Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen, apart from Peugeot diesels perhaps.

    Are you completely sure that it’s been run without lubrication?

  104. As Batty said when the head gasket blows it allows the oil and water to mix and normally if it happens you will see the oil and water emulsion ( mayonaise )on the bottom of the oil cap. BBM what actually happened it or did it just not start

  105. BBM – following on from Moondust and Batty – if the engine is Red Hot – crack some eggs – fry em up on the block – use some of the mayo – lovely (remember the salt and pepper)

    Saw it on ray Mears once – as you will need some refreshments while pushing it to the garage.(could have just saved you life)

  106. @BBM – I take it the car isn’t under warranty? Some used cars still come with a 3 – 12 months warranty.

    Was the car inspected at all before you bought it and is there any paper work in connection with it?

    Most things that happen in the motor trade are classed as “tough luck, it was ok when you bought it” i’m afraid.

  107. @BBM – Perhaps Stardust and Mike will pick you up on their Red Bus, there’s lots of empty seats these days.

  108. Eds posted an Edline today “Zurab’s a lovely lad” – am I the only one that thinks thats funny – he might wonder why theres only a comment or two on there lol

  109. Stardust says:
    October 6, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    “Eds posted an Edline today “Zurab’s a lovely lad” – am I the only one that thinks thats funny – he might wonder why theres only a comment or two on there lol”

    Awww! I think it’s quite sweet actually, and it’s good to see him get behind the team for a change instead of slagging them off all the time.

    I actually agree with some of what he’s been saying recently. He’s stopped blathering on about how the sun shines out of Big Al’s arse constantly, and started supporting the real manager for a change. He has also realised that Keegan was a little excessive with his £25.1 million lawsuit. Since Ed’s flirted with being an Infidel, he’s been getting small pockets of dissent from the KK martyrs brigade and the Al-Shera fundamentalists there.

  110. “Stardust says:
    October 6, 2009 at 4:38 pm” Quite so Dusty! Ambition is a laudable thing.

    One last “Keegangate” missive before I retire to “T.V. Land”

    Since the KK ruling was announced I’ve seen a great many “opinions” expressed, from a variety of sources (Not least by your good self!) suggesting he should’ve stayed and ‘Fought” his corner.

    Interesting….Keegan + Terry Mac v.s. OWNER/Chairman/ Director of football and rest of the hangers on? And that’s a winnable fight is it? No employee can take on his, or her, company (for their perceived wrongdoing) and remain within that company. So STAY and fight….how exactly?

    The romantic notion, and a one entertained by my sainted Mother (a wonderful woman but, not the brightest light on the Christmas tree) is that he should’ve stayed “For Us”. That by electing to stand down he “Let us down” in some way.

    Had he stayed, and attempted to expose/undermine the Ashley regime…what effect would that of had on the club? What purpose would it have served, other than getting him fired?! How would that have helped us? Granted, not much more COULD have gone wrong that hasn’t already…short of SJP being hit by a meteor.

    Staying and “fighting” his corner is ludicrous, balloon-headed thinking. He got out and then, going through proper channels, exposed Ashley’s skullduggery…as far as I’m concerned he’s a hero. He should be lauded not demonised. He knew full well he wasn’t going to get £25m; he had to terrify Ashley into arbitration with big numbers…or the corpulent crook could’ve paid him off with chump change, and carried on about his slimy business.

    Read the ruling, incisive, legal brains have pronounced Ashley and his clowns….lacking credibility! That’s legalese (as you well know) for “Morons”! The sooner this cancer is cut from our club, the sooner we can rise from the ashes of ignominy! For God’s sake, let the healing begin!

  111. @ Worky and Stardust

    I think you two are far too harsh on Ed and his blog, he does not claim to be a journalist or pretend that his stories are fact, he simply gives his opinion.

    You would have less then half of your readers on this blog if it wasn’t for Ed’s blog and many people still enjoy going on both.

  112. Tino 11 says:
    October 6, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    @ Worky and Stardust

    Tino, I was saying that I agree with it more now, and that I admire his more balanced approach recently, even though he gets a few gripes about it from the more militant factions. He did used to write about how the sun shone out of Shearer’s arse alot anyway, most Newcastle United ‘blogs did.

  113. eds blog is great and the catalyst for this one though i think this one is better though ed has to be the hardest working blogger in blog history i mean who else wakes up at 4 o clock every morning in retirement age for a blog

  114. summerof69 says:
    October 6, 2009 at 9:07 pm
    eds blog is great and the catalyst for this one though i think this one is better though ed has to be the hardest working blogger in blog history i mean who else wakes up at 4 o clock every morning in retirement age for a blog

    At his age their normally waking up at 4 o clock for the BOG not a blog.

  115. Worky: “He did used to write about how the sun shone out of Shearer’s arse”

    But it does doesn’t it?

  116. Hugh de Payen says:
    October 6, 2009 at 9:45 pm

    But it does doesn’t it?

    Abso-fckin-lutely!

    Cannot wait for the day he is manager.

  117. stuart lol

    and of course the sun shines out of shearers arse..some one should start it as a facebook group lol but seriousely i think we would all agree that it would be hard for anyother fan to convince us that shearer wasnt a legend

  118. bigbadbob says:
    October 6, 2009 at 4:58 pm
    stardust – You have exposed yourself as a bluffing gobshite bonny lad.
    Riot is 12 or more persons using or threatening unlawful violence for a common purpose.
    Section 1 Public Order Act 1986.
    utd111 you were on the right track without knowing the wording of the law.

    —————————————————–
    Thanks Bigbadbob

    I wasn’t really arguing on a legal basis – just on a common sense basis as accepted by ordinary people or even “the man on the the Clapham Omnibus”.

    If you stick to common sense you can always run rings around Stardust LOL

    Cheers

  119. Alright lads, completley forgot about this blog after Stardust/Workyticket etc mentioned starting it up when Ed was considering shutting down .com. Just signed up and i have to say it looks impressive and i’m pretty confident i’ll post here along with .com now.

    Out of interest, it doesnt attract the more..colourful personalities that .com does, does it?…the idiots, i mean lol. Am i entering a ganiyu/benny free zone?!

  120. Ross – As long as you’re OK banging your head against a brick wall (otherwise known as engaging Stardust in debate) ;)

    No regular idiots so you’ll be reet!

    Good to see you over here pal.

  121. Alright lads, sorry to post other blogs on here but i’d love some feedback on my premature and only just created blog.

    http://halftimestottie.blogspot.com/2009/10/keegan-saga-concludes-moat-takeover.html

    I’m hoping to one day become a sports journalist and feedback is vital to me getting better at the skill. All feedback is welcome and I understand it’s pretty dire compared to this but it’s a small start for what may possibly become a proper website. Thanks!

  122. AndyNUFC

    I tried to put the following comment on your blog – but in order to do so it kept asking me to choose a profile and gave me a list of options I don’t use.
    Hope Worky won’t mind me putting the comment here therefore as I’m trying to help!

    “think my only (hopefully helpful!) comment would be that the white background is a bit overpowering? (are you able to add some side tables perhaps?
    Happy to help with ideas if you want – I do have some experience(!) having run my own Proboards Forum for 11 months now (www.lindisfarne.proboards.com)
    Cheers”

  123. AndyNUFC, it’s a decent enough first article. If you get serious about your blogging though you might want to get your own domain and load up WordPress – you just have so much more control over the look & feel doing that.

    But I do believe that ‘content is king’ and the important thing is to keep getting good articles up.

    I’ve done a bit of blogging and article writing before doing so on here but one thing I have noticed is that there’s a big difference between doing an article once in a while and getting articles out regularly, sometimes perhaps when you’re not completely inspired to do so.

    I can write a half-decent article if I have time and inspiration but I don’t have the ability to write particularly good articles on a regular basis and without much in the way of planning so quality inevitably suffers, hence some of the mediocrity I publish here. However, if you want a popular blog with people contributing via comments you do need to get articles out regularly, so it’s definitely worth practising.

  124. Thanks a lot for the comments and appreciate you letting me post that on here. I do really understand what you say about regularly getting the articles out, which could be a problem because of various things such as college work. All that I look for really is a few responses to things I may write, just to get an idea really of how people agree with it.

    Have to say since starting the idea i’ve had nothing but great support from everyone, just goes to show the community spirit up here.

  125. will everyone either stop listening or biting with stardust. I know him personally and he is the thickest person you will meet. He is the equivalent of david icke the self confessed son of god. Hes simply deluded! He looks and sounds like melvin hayes from ‘ aint half hot mum’. Please stop it!