Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has sensationally put the club up for sale after angry protests marred Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Hull City.
Fans demonstrated before, during and after the match at St James' Park as they chanted for the removal of Ashley and executive director (football) Dennis Wise.
Now Ashley, who has put around £250 million into the club, has decided to cash in after releasing a lengthy statement explaining his situation to the Geordie faithful.
One section reads: "I'm now a dad who can't take his kids to a football game because I am advised that we would be assaulted. I am no longer prepared to subsidise Newcastle."
Ashley arrived with great fanfare after buying Newcastle for £134.4 million in May 2007 and caused one of the biggest shocks of last season by bringing Kevin Keegan out of the managerial wilderness.
However, relations gradually deteriorated as the pair clashed over the management structure at the club and transfer policies, leading to Keegan resigning on September 4th, much to the anger of the club's fans.
In an emotional address, Ashley also added: "I am putting the club up for sale. I hope the next owner is someone who can lavish the amount of money on the club that the fans want."
© Copyright
21 October 2010
21 October 2010
21 October 2010
20 October 2010
20 October 2010
