Newcastle United Fan View: Mike Ashley selling up is good news IF he finds the right buyer

When news broke yesterday via Mike Ashley’s lawyer that Newcastle United were officially up for sale and a quick deal was wanted before Christmas, Newcastle United fans from far and wide rejoiced. It was the news that we had all been waiting for but has anything really changed from last week, or last season? I would argue not.

Mike Ashley is a wheeler and dealer and therefore, his very nature is to make a quick profit so really Newcastle United has ALWAYS been for sale. He has spoken before of his desire to sell should a suitable bidder come in. Once there was a stipulation to buy an executive box to show commitment to the purchase, then, when that idea came to nothing, you simply had to sign a non-disclosure agreement; of which 4 interested parties have allegedly signed so far.

The news from yesterday that the club is now officially up for sale means there could well be something in the stories of an imminent sale or it could simply be Mike Ashley’s new tactic of trying to find a buyer for the club having failed over the last few years when unofficially touting the club around.

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There was news of Chinese investment through the summer and then talk of financier, Amanda Staveley having an interest in buying the club just a few weeks ago when she attended the Liverpool game at St. James’ Park, although she has also been credited with an interest in purchasing the Merseyside club so who she was watching is anyone’s guess.

Mike Ashley even said “I don’t think you’ll find many people out there who will actually stand up and do it (buy the club). So I think myself and the Newcastle fans are going to be together for a good while longer!” just 2 months ago before this season started so forgive me being a little skeptical with the latest news.

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However, whilst I remain skeptical, it is hard not to get a little excited about Mike Ashley moving on. On one hand, you know what you get with Ashley, the club will make money and that money will be reinvested; granted, we’re not talking about 100s of millions here but with Ashley what you see is what you get. He doesn’t take money out of the club in the same way that Shepherd and Hall did (Shepherd put £500k in and left with £90m in his pocket – precisely the reason why I did not give him any words on here when he recently passed away – the TV channels were making him out to be some kind of saint!). Ashley has his knockers, I am one of them and boy has he made some mistakes but with Ashley at the helm the club is safe financially. Some fans have an “anyone but Ashley” attitude but I definitely do not.

On the other hand, a change in ownership could put is in a position to be able to compete at the very highest level. Newcastle United has for as long as I remember been labelled a sleeping giant, we have the stadium, the fan base, the history and the manager; I may be biased but with the right investment we are the perfect club to be bought. Amanda Staveley allegedly has a £7bn fund behind her to invest in a Premier League club; that is Manchester City level money. Should this become a reality then there will be a massive shift in Newcastle United and whilst success is certainly not guaranteed with money, it will allow us to compete and that is all that Newcastle United fans want. Ambition, imagine that?!

However, with new ownership comes doubt. I have said it time and time again that a new owner does not make us the new Manchester City, for every Abramovich and Mansour there is a Cellino, Venkys and Vincent Tan. The sale of the club is in Ashley’s hands and he has said himself he will only sell to the right person/people, let’s hope, for once, Mike Ashley keeps his word.