PUT YOUR £17M DEPOSIT TO GOOD USE,MIKE

Ashley still won despite deal’s collapse but what’s he going to do with all that cash?

MIKE ASHLEY has been urged to put the £17million deposit he banked from the failed Newcastle takeover into community projects.

Ashley is the only winner in the debacle, which saw the Saudi Public Investment Fund pull out of a £305m deal.

He keeps the non-refundable deposit from deal-maker Amanda Staveley, paid in April for exclusivity and to guarantee the deal would be completed.

His bonus could be put to good use around the city.

The Newcastle West End Food bank feeds 1,500 families... a family of four for £5. The £17m would keep them going for 43 years.

The Newcastle United Foundation, Toon’s community charity arm, could also be funded, and a new HQ, already in the pipeline, paid for.

Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah wrote in a letter to Premier League chief Richard Masters last night: “Is it true that Mr Ashley keeps the £17m deposit the buyers paid for exclusivity? Do you agree this money should be invested in good causes in the North East, for example the NUFC foundation and the Newcastle United Supporters Trust?

“It is unacceptable that the only person to profit from 17 weeks of frustration for fans should be the man whose ownership of the club is causing such misery for those fans. I am not arguing that the Premier League should have approved the sale.

“I am not an advocate for the Saudis, or for Mr Ashley, or for any billionaire – but for the people of Newcastle Central.

“But the Premier League should have made a decision and engaged with fans, rather than sitting on the takeover for months until the prospective buyers lost patience. The club has been left severely disadvantaged, the city has lost out on significant investment and fans are not only disenchanted with the Premier League but with football.”

The Premier League’s top brass, including Masters – who is the target of Geordie fans’ anger – declined to comment again.

Staveley has hinted she is trying to find a way of resurrecting the takeover.

And she has blamed the Premier League for stalling, and refusing to give a timeline for approval.

But Saudi sources eroded the chance of a U-turn, hammering the Prem too – saying they were “unprofessional” for such a global sports organisation, and “irrationally delayed” the takeover process.

Ex-crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan criticised Staveley, saying: “Amanda is using the media for leverage with emotivity, with statements of support towards the fans.

“But if she is going to control this business, why was she surprised this deal was going to be pulled? Surely she must have known that.”

As it stands, boss Steve Bruce is three weeks away from pre-season training and will continue to discuss transfers with MD Lee Charnley.

Bruce has called for business as usual as quickly as possible and has two early targets which he is trying to sign.

Newcastle owner Ashley looks to be having the last laugh as he rakes it in