|
Love to share your thoughts to other Toon Army?
VISIT OUR FORUM 
Newcastle United FC’s Who’s Who
A short biography of a man who owns Newcastle - Wikipedia Mike Ashley, Easily Britain’s answer to the late Howard Hughes 
Michael James Wallace Ashley (born 1964) is an English billionaire retail entrepreneur, in the sporting goods market. He is also the largest shareholder in Newcastle United F.C after buying Sir John Hall’s share in the club on 23 May 2007. Ranked 25th in the 2007 version of the Sunday Times Rich List with estimated wealth of £1.9 billion, Ashley is an intensely private person, who never attends industry functions or gives interviews. Philip Beresford, who compiles the annual Sunday Times list, says neither he nor his staff have ever managed to contact Ashley, and describes him as "easily Britain’s answer to the late Howard Hughes."Ashley grew up in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, where his parents still live in a modest bungalow. He was educated at Burnham Grammar School. After leaving school at 16, in the 1980s Ashley began opening Sport and Ski shops in and around London. The chain expanded quickly funded by private money, and by the late 1990s had rebranded the chain Sports Soccer and opened over 100 stores across the United Kingdom. As a sole trader and not having to file accounts at Companies House, little was known about him. The company attained limited-liability company status in 1999. On 23 May 2007, Ashley bought 41.6% of Newcastle United F.C at one pound per share, for a total cost of £55,342,223, via his company St James Holdings Ltd. Under the terms of UK takeover law, having purchased more than 30% of a listed company, he is obliged to make an offer to buy the remaining shares at the same or a greater price. On 31 May it was reported that the Newcastle board were considering Ashley’s offer. On June 7, 2007 it was confirmed that chairman Freddy Shepherd had agreed to sell his 28% share to Ashley, which left Ashley free to take control of the club Now, the question is: Will He be able to change Newcastle United into one of the European Elite football clubs in short time? The answer is only time to tell. But IMHO, I believe he will set the ground first and fixed the mess that has been done by the former chairman. The most important thing is to build a good management team for the club. He has also made it clear that funds will be made available for new manager Sam Allardyce to strengthen his squad. But he adds that before finalising the amount to invest he "Will want to undertake a thorough strategic review of Newcastle United, including its existing infrastructure, contractual arrangements, playing staff and financial position". Good point Mr. Ashley!  The same positive thinking also made by Newcastle United new boss Sam Allardyce. Sam doesn’t want a talk of silverware to enter their thinking for the coming season, although it is now 52 years since United’s last domestic trophy, and Allardyce admitted to the Sunday Sun: "With every year that goes by, the pressure gets greater and greater." More of that, Sam has added that we've got to really try to not focus on that. We shouldn’t start the season and say we are going to try to win the Carling Cup or the FA Cup. What we have to do is say: ’This is the number of points we need at the start of the season to get over early nerves or the adjustment of new players into the side.’ More Newcastle United Football Club News Welcome to Newcastle David, can’t wait to see in action! Do You Realy Need that £50m fund Sam? Transfer Speculation? Geremi on his way to Newcastle United, soon! What would you do if you have £50m in your hand to spend £10m payout over Owen from FIFA and the FA over his injury sustained We can’t match Chelsea. Why we have to? Albert Luque going nowhere, Allardyce will fix him? David Rozenhal finally signed for Toon. It’s about time Lad! Alan Smith signed for Toon, Allardyce type of players? Good job Taylor, Great strike Milner! Rigters Signing or Bellamy to return as a replacement for Owen? Sam is targetting new Dutch hitman Niall Quinn believes maKems are ready to become the dominant force in the North East? Sam Allardyce been told his job is safe Ashley get 77% Newcastle United Stakes yesterday A New Barton in Black-and-White Take it or Sit on the Bench. Ben Haim Story Solano and Krul Stays for Good Toon Champions Cup place next season. Why not? What they say: Owen’s Situation |
