Takeover plan for turn out to be the
FORMER STARS SET TO BE WELCOMED BACK IF NEW CONSORTIUM TAKES REINS
NEWCASTLE United’s would-be owners are understood to be receptive to welcoming back a host of legendary players to the club as part of their grand takeover plan.
It is too early to say whether some former players could be part of the back-room team or others would be handed ambassadorial roles – but it has already been looked at as an area which can be vastly improved on.
One of the major own goals during the Mike Ashley era has been the treatment of leading Toon figures such as Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan.
Both former players and managers fell foul of the uncompromising framework of the current regime – but the problems did not stop there.
Keegan did not make an appearance at the club’s 125th anniversary three years ago and even revealed in his book he had to make an undercover entry into St James’ Park to attend an employee’s party.
When asked if he would ever be involved under the current regime, Keegan said in his autobiography: “I don’t want to share my oxygen with these people.”
Keegan added: “Nobody has ever officially told me I am banned from St James’ Park.
“Sometimes, though, you know when you are not welcome, and it is almost a decade now since it became apparent that, as far as the people at the top of United are concerned, I will always be persona non grata as long as the Mike Ashley regime remains in place.
“The only time I have made an exception to go back came after an invitation to a private function at St James’ Park one night when there was no football on.
“It was a leaving do for a lifelong Newcastle fan.”
Shearer was treated disgracefully by the club in the eyes of supporters after seeing his name crowbarred off the fan bar which was renamed “Nine”. A lack of co-operation from Toon chiefs resulted in his statue being erected outside the ground on Barrack Road.
Former chairman Freddy Shepherd commissioned the statue as an act of defiance in 2016.
He said then: “It is now 10 years since Alan retired and our family decided fans should not have to wait any longer for his unique career to be properly recognised.”
Shearer has always remained