h the summer of 2007, the Gallowgate end awash with renewed optimism as the North East welcomed its first billionaire owner. He’s the bloke from the Donnay shop was about as much we knew about Mike Ashley back then and there’ll be many a Newcastle fan wishing that this was the case today.
In his three years in charge, the ruthless entrepreneur has dispensed with five managers and the most recent, Chris Hughton, has caused an almighty uproar, not just at St James’ but throughout the football world.
There seems to be no surprises anymore when it comes to Newcastle United as for once they were stable, fans and players truly united. Yet with Hughton’s departure the boat has been well and truly rocked and the unenviable task now rests on Alan Pardew’s shoulders.
The former West Ham manager’s appointment could well be Ashley’s most controversial to date but Sport.co.uktakes a look at another 10 Ashley gaffes.
Do you agree with us or have we missed one? If so, tell us all about it in the comment section.
Replacing Mort with Llambias
As mentioned it all started so well; Ashley was a popular figure amongst the Toon fans and it was Chris Mort that was the key to this. The London lawyer on sabbatical in the North East was the front man of the new regime, the fresh faced, well spoken voice of a bright new era on Tyneside. Never shying away from an interview or a fans’ forum, Mort became hugely popular and was key to bringing Kevin Keegan back to Tyneside. He left in the summer of 2008, with the Keegan dream in full swing and optimism sky high- oh how Newcastle fans wish they could make a return to those days.
Employing Dennis Wise
If ever there was a decision that highlighted the owner’s naivety, then it was the appointment of friend Dennis Wise to the Newcastle hierarchy. The former Chelsea man was brought in to seek out the best emerging talent from around the globe and widen the inadequate scouting network in place. However Wise managed to persuade Ashley into parting with £6million for Xisco and loan another(Ignacio Gonzalez) after viewing him on YouTube, all so that he could build a relationship with a South American agent. It was these two signings and Wise’s constant interference that forced King Kev out and sent the Magpies on the way to Championship.
The 3 Year Season Ticket
If that annoying bloke on the motorcycle from Rogue Traders got wind of this then Ashley would need a permanent eye over his shoulder. Sold as part of the Keegan dream, fans lapped up the multi-term option, only to see the Messiah snatched away before many of them had even received their new tickets. As a result the Toon Army crowd has been one of the highest over the past few years, even during their stint in the Championship. From the outside it looked like blind loyalty but in reality it was much like Ashley’s offer, completely false.
Downing That pint
If one of your mates managed to down a pint on a Friday night in less than 10 seconds you would probably be quite impressed. But when it’s the owner/chairman of a football club, donned in a club shirt. caught guzzling lager on national television then it sits somewhat uncomfortably. Ashley did return to the director’s box amid fears for his safety after the Cockney Mafia Out protests and immediately put the club up for sale… wonder where that King Kev shirt went?
Selling Milner
This gave everybody, including Kevin Keegan, an indication into who was in charge of transfers at the club. Although the manager did claim it was his decision, it was clearly not, as the offer of £12 million was deemed too good to turn down. The fact that Milner’s value doubled in the space of two years will have no doubt sickened Ashley who once again opted for pound signs over potential. There was talk that Keegan had already lined up Bastian Schweinsteiger as a replacement but Ashley refused to re-invest the funds and, just like this week, managed to disenfranchise Tyneside.
Joe Kinnear
What can you say about this man? Terrible football under him, terrible language in the press room and from the owner’s point of view a terrible decision to bring him in. Convinced once more by his crony Wise, Kinnear took over from Kevin Keegan and helped steer the club to err… relegation. A heart problem cut short the former Wimbledon manager’s time up North, but he claimed recently that he was offered the job before Chris Hughton was appointed full time and threw his name in the ring recently too; next to him Alan Pardew looks like a great appointment.
Communication
A major bugbear for most fans as Ashley’s reclusive style and baffling decisions have helped alienate him from the Geordie faithful. The fact that only a few weeks prior to Hughton’s sacking he released a statement saying: “Chris is our manager and we will renegotiate his contract at the end of the year” shows the contempt that he has for the fans and it’s statements like this on which their frosty relationship is built. Another highlight include telling the footballing world there would be no capital outlay on players during the transfer window- just what fans needed to hear before the start of the season.
Renaming The Stadium
We all know we are in a recession and that ways of raising a bit of extra capital are welcome as is a bit of free advertising to try and stir consumer interest. Nevertheless, the fact that Mr Ashley managed to incorporate the two into the masterpiece- Sports Direct@ St James’ Park left much to be desired. The crudeness and lack of respect for the Geordie temple once again infuriated fans who even agreed they would have accepted sponsorship by a North East company rather the cheap self publicising of the owner’s business.
Not Signing Modric
Signing a player of this ilk may now be a farfetched dream for Newcastle supporters but the little Croat was on the verge of joining the Tynesiders and even visited the training ground. He was to be the first of many superstar signings as King Kev sought to bring back the Entertainers tag given to his side during his first tenure. Yet despite all the signs looking good, Ashley failed to close the deal and Modric headed down the A1 to North London; ironically to the team Mike Ashley supported as a boy... hmmmmmm.
Daring Derek Llambias To Strip
To set the scene- Prior to Newcastle’s first home game in the Championship, Mike Ashley bet Chairman Derek Llambias that Shola Ameobi would net a hat trick. Such was Llambias’ well judged belief that there was more chance of him walking on the moon, he agreed to streak across the pitch if this did come true. Cue Shola to get all three in the victory over Reading and the chance for Ashley to exercise his winnings. Now although this may seem like harmless fun, it epitomises Ashley’s view of his football club; a play thing for him and his pals.
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