MAKE OR BREAK TIME
SIR JOHN HALL ON TOON TAKEOVER TALKS: Do Newcastle United want to be number one?...If you didn’t live in the Keegan days then you might not know, but everybody couldn’t get to the matches quick enough
SIR John Hall has claimed it is “make or break time” for Newcastle United, saying any new owners could revitalise the whole city.
The former Magpies owner said that whoever takes over could help it return to the level of success under Kevin Keegan during the 1990s.
And Sir John believes a takeover will have a morale-boosting effect on the North East as a whole.
“If you didn’t live in the Keegan days then you might not know, but everybody couldn’t get to the matches quick enough,” he said.
“People love football here and there was a happy atmosphere in the North East and in the factories.
“A successful Newcastle (United) makes such a difference to the lives of people in the North East. That has an affect on their home lives and their work.
“They used to say that when Newcastle won, there was a skip in your step and productivity went up in the factories.” Sir John, 84, who sold his United stake to Mike Ashley for a reported £55m in 2007, added new owners could also bring a fresh lease of life to the city with global publicity. He was speaking as Amanda Staveley, who spoke with Mr Ashley’s representatives this week, continues to be linked with a buy-out after the Sports Direct tycoon put United up for sale. The financier is representing PCP Capital Partners – understood to be worth £29bn, predominantly from Middle Eastern investors – and the group is looking through the club accounts to see if a deal is viable. Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, hopes for a buyer capable of boosting the whole city. Echoing Sir John’s views, she said: “There is so much passion in the city for Newcastle United that having an owner that we could believe in and get behind, that would be
A successful Newcastle (United) makes such a difference to the lives of people in the North East Sir John Hall
an economic opportunity for brand Newcastle globally.
“On the world stage Newcastle is a city that is often known for Newcastle as a football team.
“When we work together properly – and I would say Mike Ashley was a barrier to that – it could really be an economic boost to the city.”
Ms Onwurah said she supported any potential move from PCP Capital Partners as she had heard Ms Staveley was being backed by Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez.
Ms Staveley has signed a non-disclosure agreement and has started due diligence.
But Mr Ashley’s lawyer, Andrew Henderson, says she is not alone in the race to own Newcastle.
In a statement, he said: “Since Monday, a number of additional parties have come forward which we believe to be credible.
“We are also continuing to engage with a number of parties with whom we had entered into negotiations prior to Monday’s announcement.”