Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan. There is a feeling of déjà vu amongst Newcastle United fans at the moment, with a proposed £350 million takeover bid dominating the headlines.
The Bin Zayed Group – led by Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan – are adamant their bid is serious, but the current situation is one that is all to familiar to Newcastle supporters.
Amanda Staveley’s failure to meet Mike Ashley’s asking price earlier this year was a huge disappointment to fans who are desperate to see the back of the current owner.
Read on as we look at the latest state of play at Newcastle.
Sheikh Khaled insists group have provided proof of funds. (more…)
Mike Ashley: Stick or twist? (pic by Paul Hutchinson)Now the transfer window is firmly shut and we know what sort of players we have to work with until the end of season, owner Mike Ashley’s plans have become much clearer… or have they? I’d like to focus on the Newcastle United part of Mike Ashley’s business empire, rather than his other companies, some of which have recently featured in a BBC documentary.
Mike Ashley’s tenure on Tyneside has been a troubled one to say the least. Seemingly riding into The Toon like a knight in shining armour, the billionaire investor the club needed to get us challenging towards the top of the Premier League. Unfortunately this didn’t happen, reports came out that Ashley never bothered to even glance at the clubs finances before signing up to buy the club. A look at the books would have revealed just exactly where the clubs finances were, and if it was feasable for him to conclude the purchase.
Not a great start then, and something that is arguably still having a knock on effect even now as the Sports Direct owner still wrestles to balance the books. Some will say fair play to him, he put his own money in to make the club more sustainable, and to correct his mistake. Others will say that it’s his mistake for not looking through the books first, a schoolboy error on his part and he, rightly, should cover the cost of his own mistake. (more…)
