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We asked fans: Do you believe what Mike Ashley has said about selling Newcastle United? – The result

5 years ago
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Is Mike Ashley genuine this time?

Is the NUFC owner really serious about it now, after over a decade of supposedly trying to sell Newcastle United?

We were just looking for a snapshot of public opinion, on how Newcastle fans are seeing Mike Ashley’s Sky News interview.

His TV appearance on Monday night (see below) ensuring he was the biggest topic of conversation for both Newcastle fans and neutrals alike, rather than the next match at Everton on Wednesday.

So what did Newcastle fans make of what the NUFC owner had to say?

Did they think this was the real deal, after more than a decade of misdirection, is he genuinely trying to sell the club and is talking to potential buyers, with a sale destined to happen in the very near future, even as early as this month according to Mike Ashley?

Or was it just more of what we have come to expect year after year, the Newcastle United owner yet again pretending to try and sell the club, the whole thing just a farce to justify not backing Rafa in the January transfer window whilst at the same time once more winding the supporters up?

Son on Tuesday we asked Newcastle fans the question: ‘Do you believe what Mike Ashley said on Monday about selling Newcastle United?’

Thanks to everybody who voted (1,182 in total) and as you can see, an overwhelming outcome…

10% (119) Yes, Ashley’s telling the truth this time and NUFC will soon be sold

90% (1,063) No, same old nonsense from Ashley ahead of a transfer window and club won’t be sold

If ever there was a time when most Newcastle fans hope they are wrong, it is now.

Opening up your advent calendar window to see that he had sold up, would be just the best ever.

Wednesday morning reports from Sky Sports, Press Association and BT Sports have all claimed that at least four bidders have met Mike Ashley’s price.

However, as Newcastle fans we have heard it all before and will believe it when it happens.

We aren’t pessimists, after everything that has gone before, just realists!

The Mag – Monday 3 December 2018:

Mike Ashley has announced on Monday night that Newcastle United could be sold before the end of this month.

The NUFC owner stating that talks with the potential buyer are way beyond any previous talks with anybody wanting to buy the club and that it is ‘possible’ a deal could be done and dusted in December – but ‘realistic’ for it to happen this month might be ‘too strong a word’ to use.

Yet again you can’t help but have a small part of you wonder if it could happen at last BUT having over a decade now of the club supposedly being up for sale and a series of supposed near misses, most of us will believe it when we see it.

Predictably, it was Sky where Mike Ashley turned up. With cynics (all of us!) no doubt wondering if his sudden chat about supposedly selling the club, is in any way some part of a PR circus connected to his appearance before a house of commons select committee to talk about ‘saving the high street’ earlier today and/or yet another episode in toying with the hopes of Newcastle fans.

Mike Ashley talking to Sky News:

“I am hopeful for the Newcastle fans, for the club, for everybody, that I will be able to step aside and we will be able to get an owner in that can please everybody.”

‘When will that be?’

“When would I like it to be?

“I would like it to be before the January transfer window.”

‘Is that realistic?’

“Hmmm. Realistic? It’s possible, realistic is maybe too strong a word.

“Hopefully we can carry on the good form…just recent good form…and we can get the deal done.”

‘So you are in exclusive talks with someone right now?’

“Not an exclusive but…

“Talks are at a more progressed stage than they have ever been.”

‘And whoever buys the club would presumably have to put in transfer funds for Rafa Benitez?’

“Yes, I’m very keen to sell it to the right buyer, so everybody is happy, that would be good news.”

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