Ashley: I’ll sell

Mike Ashley. Off asap. With several thousand footprints on his bottom.

Are there happier days ahead for Newcastle fans?

After a huge protest by Toon fans at Saturday’s home game against Hull – which the Magpies managed to lose 2-1 – unpopular owner Mike Ashley conceded defeat and announced he’d sell.

The pie-eating billionaire took over the club last summer after a £134.4m deal.

However, his recent behaviour saw manager Kevin Keegan walk out – and that was the final straw for the loyal Newcastle fans.

So what if Keegan’s achieved precisely bugger all in his managerial career and always seems to leave before he’s found out. He’s a god on Tyneside.

‘I am not stupid and have listened to the fans,’ said Ashley in a statement.

‘I have really loved taking my kids to the games, being next to them and all the fans.

‘But I am now a dad who can't take his kids to a football game on a Saturday because I am advised that we would be assaulted.’

Which strikes us a little unlikely but hey, who are we to argue.

According to the back pages today, Ashley has ‘the interests of Newcastle at heart’ and is also after £400m.

Which seems like a contradiction in terms. And rather a lot for a mid-table club.

‘I hope the fans get what they want and that the next owner is someone who can lavish the amount of money on the club that the fans want,’ continued Ashley.

‘I have listened to you,’ he told the fans. ‘You want me out. That is what I am now trying to do.

‘But it won’t happen overnight and it may not happen at all if a buyer does not come in. This is not a fire sale.’

Nor, we’d suggest, is it particularly likely to happen at the price.

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