Fallen Roker giants facing humiliation
MALCOLM CROSBY admits “it’s a bit worrying’’ to see crisis club Sunderland humbled – not once, but twice – by non-league neighbours South Shields.
It has a particular resonance for the former Sunderland manager and native of Shields. Crosby is a Black Cats fan who realised a dream when he took charge at Roker Park midway through the 1991-92 season.
At the end of that campaign he led the Wearsiders out at Wembley, where they lost to Liverpool in the FA Cup final.
Now, just three years after their decade-long stay in the Premier League ended, Sunderland are preparing for a third successive season in League One – and are up for sale again.
And their demise has been highlighted by the loss of ex-liverpool academy product Jordan Hunter (above) to Shields, the Northern Premier League side who also won the battle for Dutch defender Wouter Verstratten (below).
Full-back Hunter, 20, rejected a new contract from Sunderland and joined Shields as a free agent after spending last season on loan. In May, the Mariners held on to Verstratten,
24, when he signed a new deal after turning down Sunderland following a trial.
Crosby said: “Sunderland shouldn’t be having to worry about South Shields, although I’m so pleased Shields are doing well.’’
On the day Hunter’s move was confirmed, Sunderland’s talent drain continued as
South Shields-born midfielder Bali Mumba, also on loan to the Mariners last term, signed for Norwich in a deal which could rise to around £750,000.
Safe to say it is turmoil at the Stadium of Light, where owner Stewart Donald seeks £37.6million for the club.
Crosby reckons the asking price is fair but adds: “It’s pretty sad that £30m or so is all they’re worth when you’re talking about £300m for Newcastle.”
TOON TURMOIL: SECOND BIDDER’S DEADLINE
MIKE ASHLEY will give American businessman Henry Mauriss until August 14 to reach an agreement for his proposed takeover of Newcastle. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew the £300million offer they and the Reuben Brothers had tabled for the Toon.
Financier Amanda Staveley, who was leading their joint-bid, blamed the Premier League for dragging its heels.
Although sources close to the deal claim the Saudis knew as long as a month ago that their offer would not be rubberstamped because of the piracy argument in which the stateowned broadcaster beoutq had become embroiled with Qataribased bein Sports, who own top-flight rights in the Middle East.
Confirmation of their withdrawal came three days ago from a tearful Staveley and, while Ashley says he is still hopeful of resurrecting a deal with the Saudis, the door is now open for
Mauriss.
The American is understood to be willing to pay £350m, with Chris Ronnie, a long-time associate of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and, ironically, an old school
CALLUM WILSON was at the top of a wishlist that Newcastle United had drawn up before the plug was pulled on their proposed takeover. The Bournemouth and England striker (left) was the man wanted to spearhead the Magpies’ attack.
Wilson is thought to be worth around £50million – friend of Magpies boss Steve Bruce, steering negotiations.
And while a mid-august deadline has been set to give Newcastle clarity ahead of the 2020-21 season, there is hope that an agreement could even be reached in the coming days. Should Ashley and Mauriss get that far, the bid would then be subject to Premier League ratification. Ashley reached a final agreement with PIF and the Reuben brothers in March after they paid a nonrefundable £17m deposit which granted them a period of exclusivity to get the deal done. and he would have been the first building block put in place by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund had their buy-out of Mike Ashley gone through.
The club had also lined up a loan deal for Mauro Icardi of Paris Saint-germain.
And, having been given an exclusive insight into
But the Saudi-led bid has been mired in controversy from the off, with human rights experts calling for the Premier League to reject the move out of hand.
It even reached Whitehall with some Government ministers keen for the Saudi bid to be given the green light and a number of Labour ministers opposing it.
Ultimately, though, the fact beoutq was found guilty of stealing intellectual broadcast rights was the reason the bid collapsed and that has opened the door for Mauriss, the California-based CEO of Clear TV, to make his move.
Ashley’s and Mauriss’ teams are understood to have spoken over the past week, with the latter eager for a swift resolution. the list, we can also reveal the other players on Newcastle’s radar had the Saudi Arabian-backed consortium succeeded.
Approaches would have been made for Leicester duo Hamza Choudhury and Demarai Gray – both on the fringes at the King Power.
And, having raided the Vitality Stadium for Wilson, Newcastle would also have tried to set up moves for Nathan Ake, who is on his way to Manchester City in a £41m deal, and Wales midfielder David Brooks.
Finally, the Tyneside club planned to rival Brighton for the signature of Adam Lallana had the nod been given at any stage during the four months in which the Premier League had to sanction the takeover.