Fat Freddy Shepherd launching 60 million take over of toon .....? The BBC reported that a consortium were in "advanced talks over a £60m takeover" of the club via TV & online news updates on Monday, naming Freddy Shepherd as the lead figure and Alan Shearer as preferred manager. Informed sources on Tyneside are now giving credence to the story and suggesting that this Friday could finally see something solid break, bringing an end to the weeks of claims, whispers and half-truths over United's future. The price quoted seems ridiculous - has our stock really fallen that far? - but the story seems to have gathered pace after reported sightings of Shepherd and Shearer at the old La Sagesse school in Jesmond, recently bought by the former Chairman. The return of FS would surely be another backwards step if we're treated to more embarrassing "Geordie Nation" utterances, exclusive Sky interviews with Jim White, family members on the board, dubious agent involvement and local car dealer hangers-on back in the Director's Box. Mike Ashley & Co have been an unmitigated disaster but have we really been beaten into submission to the extent that the man who bought Albert Luque and Michael Owen (Graeme Souness insists he was a bystander in both deals) can walk straight back in? And we haven't even mentioned Toongate.... This club has been without competent management at all levels for decades and that needs to change. Now.
at least with shepard we know were we stand because we been through it all before, and hes not afraid to spend money on the squad. yes, its would be a huge embarassment having to go back to our old "hated owner" but at least its an owner, and at least hes offering long term contracts to a PERMINANT manager, and at least the uncertainty will end.
he sold it for how much? just at the right time if u ask me, now he's buying it back at half the price alan sugar eat your heart out!
I wonder if the toon fans will be welcoming with open arms the people who ran their club into the ground financially, slagged off their fans for buying their overpriced shirts, called the women of the north east slags .... then sold it for a song to a poor sap, only to buy it back from them for pennies when the arse fell out of it (again).
Taken from BBC sport:- Shepherd in £60m Newcastle offer Shepherd left Newcastle in 2007 Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd is heading a consortium that is set to launch a £60m takeover bid for the Magpies, BBC Sport understands. Alan Shearer has been lined up to carry on as manager after Newcastle were relegated to the Championship in May. Owner Mike Ashley was asking for £100m but BBC Sport understands Shepherd's offer is likely to be accepted. Shepherd sold his Newcastle shares to current owner Mike Ashley two years ago as part of a £134m deal for the club. Ashley's total investment in the club is estimated at £244m, which includes paying off debts and buying new players. When Ashley first put the club up for sale last September, he hoped to get about £300m. Shepherd became chairman in 1997 when Sir John Hall and his son Douglas were the major shareholders and negotiated the £15m signing of Shearer. Always a controversial figure, Shepherd was forced out of the club when Ashley bought his controlling interest. Several other groups, including investors from Singapore, Oman and South Africa, have also shown interest in buying the club. The man in charge of the sale, Keith Harris, the chairman of brokers Seymour Pierce, has said he expected a deal to be concluded by the end of June. BBC sports editor Mihir Bose said that the cost of Shearer and his backroom staff would cost the new owner in the region of £3m a year, with the former England striker seeking £2m for himself. The owner will also have to finance the wages of 15 players, each of whom earns about £50,000 a week, said Bose. Meanwhile, Newcastle temporary boss Chris Hughton has revealed that the uncertainty surrounding St James's Park at the moment must not seep on to the training ground. "Everything will be done properly with the group of players that is there, and everything that is going on outside of that has to stay outside of that," said Hughton, who will be assisted by Colin Calderwood. "Whatever the situation will be, when it comes to the first day of pre-season training, the players will go through a correct programme for however long it is until someone takes over. "The most important thing is the players get a good pre-season under their belts. "The most important thing is that the club has to come straight back up," added Hughton.
pretty much sums it up. I bet all the fans who said "Come back fat freddy, all is forgiven" will be crying into their pints now...
