Officiellt: Klubben inte till salu längre
Mike Ashley har bestämt sig för att behålla klubben.
I ett officiellt meddelande på klubbens hemsida berättade Ashley idag att klubben inte längre är till salu. Meddelandet löd på följande vis:
28 Dec 2008
Mike Ashley - Official Statement
Mike Ashley, Owner of Newcastle United Football Club, today announced that the football club has been taken off the market. Speaking in the club's match day magazine he announced today's news and that he was committing to the club as its Owner.
The club had retained Keith Harris from Seymour Pierce to look at interested parties and there has been considerable interest over the last two months. However, Mike Ashley has decided to end the current uncertainty now to allow the club to continue to progress under the new management team led by Joe Kinnear.
Mike Ashley, Owner of Newcastle Footballl Club, said:
"I am happy to end the uncertainty fans may have had about the future direction of Newcastle United.
"I know just how important that is to you.
"I have withdrawn Newcastle United from the market, and for me 2009 will be the year in which we drive the Club forward together. Even when I haven't been at games I have remained a keen supporter, kicking and heading every ball and cheering the team on TV and being the first to congratulate Joe whenever there's a good result.
"When I took the decision to put the Club up for sale in September I made a point of saying two things were very important.
"Firstly, any potential buyer would have to show they had the best interests of Newcastle United at heart and had both the commitment and finance to be worthy custodians of such a fine football club before I would even consider doing a deal.
"And secondly, I gave you my word that as long as I remain owner, this Club would continue to be run responsibly at all levels. I hope you will accept that I have stood by that pledge."
