Ken

Quotes from Oba please!...oh wait...there are none!

I don't care what Michael Owen's clause says. It is not his fault he has it. He is at the right age to be captain, and him sticking his hand up for it suggests to me he does care about this club. Give it to him.

Yep. I agree. Sam is being canny. Good on him!!!

Yeah very true. SA has missed out on a few of his top preferances. He also has to factor in that the real good players want to play in a European competition and also a lot prefer to live in London. Having said that though, this is a new era for the club. I'm sure there a a few out there who know the club is going up. Time will tell, but now the club is officially under the full and total control of MA, things should hot up a little now, transfer wise.

Says the man who can't keep his word Says the man who hates players from his own country.

We haven't, you are right. But the players we've got in so far have been very good. They are not trophy signings like there has been in the past. Injuries have to be kind to us this season. Judging by what's happened in the past, those are long odds of happening. But Sam is an astute manager, he'll bring in another couple of players hopefully. Never say never! That's what the optimistic side of me says anyway.

This season will be one of the closest I reckon. If Man City get the players that Sven wants. Obviously Manu will favourites and Chelsea and Liverpool will be chasing them hard but any number of teams can take positions 3-6, including us!!!

I find it a bit odd that you keep knocking your own countryman Sammy, and not only that, but a Newcastle Utd lad now. He's scored 3 goals, and for a team that by all reports have been playing terrible that is a decent tally. Have also read that the camp is split in two. Lucas Neil (thank God we never bought this twat) only cares to be captain. He is having a sulk about it??? I'm not making excuses for them but they have been playing in terrible conditions too haven't they? 33 degree heat and 80% humidity??? That plays into the hands of the teams in the Middle East a bit and ofcourse the home countries. At least Viduka will be fit and trim when he comes back to Newcastle. Japan will be tough opposition though. The Aussies have a mental edge because of there result against them in the WC. But Nakamura and Takahara are good players and they're better coached now that Zico has gone. Viduka to get another brace.

I saw him play last month against Australia and sorry not even big Sam could not inspire this man to perform constantly. He would forever be on the ground rolling around like he'd been shot by a sniper. Please no. And Deco wouldn't? If anything Deco is more of a feigner of injury??? I'm not saying we should get either or both, but I'm just putting things into perspective here. Have to disagree there. Yes they both have a touch of the gymnast to them but Recoba will always limp/fall to the ground when things don't go his way and that includes losing the ball to the opposition. Deco at least has been known to track back and try to win the ball back. One person's opinion against another Sammy. But Deco makes Cristiano Ronaldo look like an absolute tiger. Great player that he is, Deco is unquestionably guilty of being one of the biggest feigner of injuries in the world game, Alvaro Recoba included.

Holding out for an extra 15 grand a week tbh

I saw him play last month against Australia and sorry not even big Sam could not inspire this man to perform constantly. He would forever be on the ground rolling around like he'd been shot by a sniper. Please no. And Deco wouldn't? If anything Deco is more of a feigner of injury??? I'm not saying we should get either or both, but I'm just putting things into perspective here.

I loved this guy when he first came to the club. Proven goalscorer who can shoot with both feet. He scored 17 goals and was looking forward to him playing again this coming season. But some of the things that have come out like the "I got shot at" incident, and feigning injury has turned me off this guy. He is too high maintenance and maybe not worth the trouble. Let him go and bring in Eidur from Barca.

Fat Fred is staying, so I believe. He is being made to earn the two year salary he wrote into his own contract. Chris Mort, although Deputy Chairman is actually calling the shots, business wise. I like it.

He's going to ManU if you believe what is reported. Be a sensational buy though, regardless of cost.

Roeder should mind his own business. He sounds like he's sucked a lemon before saying the things he' said. Two words here: Sour grapes. We as fans want to forget about the past and move on. Reading what he's said has brought up very bad memories.

I planted some nice petunias today. My frangipenny looks to be dying though.

C'mon Stevie don't go mate. You meant well, and probably had a decent source who may have been misguided or over-excited. Take it on the chin and continue posting here.

allreet Stevie, all jokes, banter and jesting aside, when is the man going to sign? Soon, very soon, or sooner than that?...which one Stevie, c'mon now...you're torturing me here

Aye true Alex, but Stevie is pretty adament. So much so, that judging by his responses to naysayers that he'd bet all his assets on it being true...

I think that would be getting off lightly, but I have no need to worry. So you have thought about it long and hard then. You know if this don't come true the website your advertising becomes truly a joke for ages. Yes but nobody will care in 100 years time. Do I detect doubt??? Look, if he arrives, fine by me! But if he doesn't, it's not fine by you or what you advertise!!!

I think that would be getting off lightly, but I have no need to worry. So you have thought about it long and hard then. You know if this don't come true the website your advertising becomes truly a joke for ages.

Better Liam than Shinawatra. Liam's a twat but Shinawatra has killed to gain his wealth...

So what are you going to do Steveintoon if all that you've said proves to be hogwash? I hope you're prepared to be tied up and beaten with a bamboo stick on the soles of your feet.

I hate people coming on here with the aim of being attention seeking.

Chloe Griffiths, The Journal A secretive billionaire businessman has launched a £133m bid to take over Newcastle United after buying millions of shares from Sir John Hall and his son Douglas. Retail entrepreneur Mike Ashley - ranked as the UK's 25th richest man - has bought a 41.6% stake in the club for more than £55m in a move that sparked intense speculation over the future of chairman Freddy Shepherd. Critics and disenchanted fans, some of whom booed Mr Shepherd at the final home game of the season, have spoken of their hope that the bid will herald a fresh start at the club. Mr Ashley - owner of the country's largest sports retailers, Sports Direct International, - bought 55.3m shares in the club at £1 a share. The Buckinghamshire-born recluse has priced the rest of the club at the same rate and is now keen to gain a majority share-holding. Story continues Continue story ADVERTISEMENT Stock exchange rules mean that the 42-year-old now has to make a cash offer for the remaining shares, 29.8% of which are owned by Mr Shepherd. If he manages to obtain 50% plus one share, he would take over control of the day-to-day running of the club and make decisions regarding the chairman. Mr Ashley, who made more than £900m in February after floating one of his companies, has set up a firm called St James Holdings Ltd specifically for the takeover bid. He announced yesterday that Sir John would remain as the club's life president. The former chairman backed the 42-year-old entrepreneur as the "right person" to replace him. Library Click on the links below to read how The Journal has covered this story: *I will not sell up - May 17, 2007 *Confusion at United 'holding club back' - Jan 22, 2007 *Blame game as bid for United collapses - Jan 12, 2007 *Bid group blow the whistle - Jan 05, 2007 *United to be sold - Dec 15, 2006 *United investor revealed - Nov 16, 2006 Mr Ashley said: "I am delighted to have this opportunity to invest in Newcastle United. The club has a fantastic infrastructure, for which Sir John and the board must take much of the credit. "I am pleased that Sir John has agreed to remain as life president of the club. "Newcastle United has a wonderful heritage and the passion of its fans is legendary. "I am sure that, like me, they are already excited about the prospects of next season under the new manager's stewardship." Sir John, who formed the Magpie Group to take over the club in the early 1990s, stood down as chairman in 1997. He said: "I have been associated with the direction of Newcastle United for nearly 20 years. In that time, I have led the club and, before I retired, led the team responsible for modernization of the club we all see today. "It is now time for me to move on and let others take up the challenge of competing in the global marketplace." He said: "Mike Ashley is a major player in the sporting world and I am convinced that he is the right person to take my place and take the club forward. "I am sure he will be good for the club and its loyal fans, and indeed for the region. "I wish him the very best and hope he enjoys it as much as I have. Finally, I would like to thank all the fans for their support whilst I was at the helm and would ask them to lend the same level of support to Mike." Mr Ashley left school at 16 and set up the Sports Direct retail chain in 1982. The group runs the Sports World retail chain and Lillywhites, and its brands include Dunlop, Kangol and Karrimor. Mr Shepherd has fought off two take-over approaches in recent months - one by Jersey-based Belgravia Group and the other by Polygon-backed St James' Park Group. --------------------------------------------------------- Quick, secret - and in cash Billionaire Mike Ashley snapped up the 41% stake in Newcastle United in a "matter of weeks", it was revealed last night. Ashley's £55m purchase of the Hall family's shares was able to proceed so quickly because he was a cash buyer, a source close to the deal told The Journal. And as he has bought more than 30% of the club, Stock Market rules dictate he must now offer every shareholder in the club the same price of 100p a share - amounting to a £133.1m takeover of NUFC. Ashley, owner of sportswear company Sport Direct International, paid more than £55m to acquire 55,342,223 shares at 100p each to take a stake amounting to 41.6% of the club. Each share was sold at a premium of 19% on the previous night's closing price. The insider said: "It's a fair and full price. There's been an awful lot of takeover speculation over the last six months but this deal happened in a matter of weeks, rather than months. It was fast, but then not many people are in a position to buy almost half of a Premiership club for cash." Last night, analysts said Ashley would be "hard to beat" as an owner in terms of financial clout. Andrew Miller, of Barclays Wealth, in Newcastle, said: "He would be hard to beat unless you could get Philip Green [bHS billionaire] interested in football. The 100p is the highest figure we have seen bandied around and, if he's going to throw his financial weight behind the club, then the fans should be over the moon. "The share price after the announcement was 98p to buy and 94p to sell, so the market does not seem to anticipate a higher deal coming through [for the remaining shares]." Ashley now has to make an offer for the remaining shares, which he has done at the same price, conditional on the acquisition of in excess of 50%. Once he gets to 50% plus one share, he would take over control of the club's day-to-day running. If he were to gain a 75% holding, he would have control of the club and be able to de-list it, at which point reaching 90% ownership and the point where the offer becomes unconditional is inevitable. Yesterday's development came out of the blue in comparison to the speculation which surrounded earlier interest in the club, perhaps in keeping with an intensely private man who has earned his reputed £1.9bn fortune away from the limelight. Mr Miller said: "It was only this year that there was a picture released of him and, when he floated Sports Direct, he upset the City a bit because of the lack of information he had provided." --------------------------------------------------------- 'The Howard Hughes of modern day' Described as "Britain's answer to the late Howard Hughes", retail entrepreneur and self-made billionaire Mike Ashley is a reclusive figure. The 42-year-old owner of Sports World International - the UK's largest retailer of sports clothing and accessories - is intensely private, never attending functions and rarely giving interviews. Until recently the only photos that existed of Mr Ashley were from the 1970s when he was a county squash coach, while many of his employees have never met him. He is ranked as 25th in the Sunday Times Rich List with a personal fortune of £1,900m. Philip Beresford, who ranked him 54th on the 2006 version of the list, said neither he nor his staff could ever manage to contact Ashley and described him as "easily Britain's answer to the late Howard Hughes". Born in Burnham, Buckinghamshire in 1964, Ashley left school at 16, then began trading on the high street, opening Sport and Ski shops in and around London in the 80s. The chain expanded quickly and by the late 90s Mr Ashley had rebranded the chain Sport Soccer and had opened more than 100 stores. Today, Mr Ashley's Hertfordshire-based group Sports World International has more than 300 UK stores including the chains Sports World, Lillywhites and the Original Shoe Company. The group employs 8,000 people in the UK and at stores in Ireland, Belgium and Slovenia. In 2006, it overtook JJB Sports as the UK's largest sportswear retailer. Mr Ashley also owns several brands, including Dunlop Slazenger which he bought for £40m, followed up by outdoor gear manufacturer Karrimor, boxing brand Lonsdale and tennis brand Donnay. He also took a £9m stake and signed a lucrative long-term deal with troubled brand Umbro. The entrepreneur, who has been criticised for his "pile it high and sell it cheap" approach, also has a stake in Blacks Leisure, the owner of Millets and Mambo, and is thought to hold stakes in JJB Sports and 19% of JD Sports. Little is known of Mr Ashley's private life, except that his former home was a 16-bedroom hotel in Buckinghamshire. He is known to prefer dressing casually, appearing more often in a tracksuit or jeans than a suit and often carries his business equipment in a plastic bag. He married Swedish property developer Linda Jerlmyre in 1988 and had three children. When she divorced him 14 years later, he quietly agreed one of the biggest settlements in British legal history, reportedly handing over the family home, property and assets with total worth of £50m. He is thought to live alone in a large house on the edge of a Hertfordshire village. The building is hidden by trees, and CCTV cameras keep watch over the locked gates at the entrance to the half-mile drive. His neighbours say they never see him. At the nearby pub, nobody has heard of him. When the local newspaper attempted to find out more about him a few months ago, they eventually resorted to placing an advert in their own pages appealing for information - and no one responded. --------------------------------------------------------- The 'whistleblower' tycoon Entrepeneur Mike Ashley is a man who doesn't make deals with his rivals. The 42-year-old businessman even turned whistleblower on some of his competitors after an uncomfortable meeting when they tried to carve up the market. He reported them to the Office of Fair Trading for fixing the price of replica football shirts - and this led to dawn raids, an inquiry and multi-million pound fines. The Sports World boss acted after he was summoned to the Cheshire home of David Hughes - chairman of the now-defunct Allsports chain - in 2000 to discuss the pricing of a new Manchester United kit. It was reported to be a difficult meeting. Another businessman at the meeting, Dave Whelan, chairman of Wigan Athletic Football Club and the JJB chain, first mistook the casual Mr Ashley for a gardener and then reportedly told him: "There's a club in the North son - and you're not part of it." Mr Ashley's actions are in sharp contrast to that of Toon chairman Freddie Shepherd and vice-chairman Douglas Hall who were caught in a sting operation by the News of the World bragging about the profit they made from replica football shirts. --------------------------------------------------------- Shepherd looks to be left in the cold Chairman Freddie Shepherd will be forced to sell his 29% stake in Newcastle United, and earn as much as £40m, sports analysts predicted last night. Shepherd has been "forced into a corner" and, if he chooses not to sell, could be sacked from the board if Ashley manages to secure another 10% of the club's shares, according to sport business expert Tom Cannon. Mr Cannon, who is also dean of Buckingham University Business School, said: "I think Shepherd will now be thinking he doesn't have an awful lot of choice but to sell. "It's obvious that Ashley will now want some say in the running of the club and my guess is that Freddie Shepherd will find that very difficult. "Freddie Shepherd's 30% shareholding is not enough to stop Mike Ashley acquiring more than 50%, which would give him control of the day-to-day running of the club and allow him, should he choose, to sack Shepherd as chairman, vote him off the board and decide the dividend. "All he needs to do that is another 10% and it seems impossible to think that he wouldn't get that." Shepherd, who succeeded Hall Snr at the helm in December 1997, has resisted takeover approaches from the Jersey-based Belgravia Group and the St James's Park Group. As late as last week, Mr Shepherd, who has insisted in the past he would not stand in the way of a "Geordie Abramovich", said: "It is a plc matter. "But none of these talks came to anything because I am not selling. "It is an impossible club to buy. If the Halls don't sell and I don't sell, there is no way anybody can buy this club." The club is servicing debts of around £80m and in March announced an operating loss of £6.9m for the six months to last December 31. Mr Cannon said: "I would guess most shareholders will take the offer [of £1 per share] so that would leave Shepherd as a significant minority shareholder of a football club which is not particularly attractive. "The fans will be likely to sell because all they will be looking for is someone who will bankroll the club - fans are supporters first and shareholders second."