SHOW HIM THE MONEY

As Toon takeover collapses, angry fans tell Ashley: Sell now or waste a once-in-a-lifetime chance to keep Rafa and bring us glory

MIKE ASHLEY has been warned he risks wasting a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” at Newcastle, as fans turn up the heat on him to sell.

The dramatic collapse of £300million takeover talks has cast fresh doubt on the future of manager Rafa Benitez to leave troubled Toon at a major crossroads.

Ashley remains keen to end his turbulent decadelong reign, if he can find a buyer to meet his asking price – after accusing Amanda Staveley of wasting his time when pulling the plug on their negotiations.

Supporters have reacted with dismay to the dramatic twist, with influential fans group Ashleyout laying the blame at the collapse of talks squarely at the door of the Sports Direct billionaire.

Ashleyout have organised fan boycotts of games in the past to show the level of feeling against the hugely unpopular owner.

And while there isn’t yet the threat of a repeat, as Benitez bids to guide the Magpies to Premier League survival, they have warned of the danger of losing the former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss, and with it a golden chance to re-establish the club among the top flight elite.

A statement offered a reminder of the discontent among fans, and a spokesman said: “In a bid to give the club – in particular Rafa Benitez and our players – full support in what was a tough promotion last season, and an even tougher effort to stay up this season, we have remained quiet with regards to Mike Ashley’s gross incompetence at running our club.

“But this is arguably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Newcastle United. Somehow we have Rafa Benitez and this opportunity to restore the club to its former glory, with the best manager we could possibly get, cannot be allowed to fade away.”

Benitez has a strained relationship with Ashley, who has failed to back him in the last two transfer windows, and is stalling on releasing funds this month to boost the fight to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

The Spaniard has grown disillusioned at being unable to add to a threadbare squad, leaving supporters increasingly worried he could quit the post he took almost two years ago.

Ashleyout added: “We’re suffering yet another year of Ashley-imposed austerity. This cannot continue and it really is time for a change. We are exhausted, frustrated, and running out of patience.”

Ashley put the “for sale” signs up in October, claiming he wanted to push through a deal by Christmas to offload the controlling interest he paid £134m for in 2007.

He will now wait until the new TV deal is thrashed out next month, when top-flight clubs can expect a major increase on the £5.14billion Sky Sports and BT Sport already pay, before deciding whether to raise his valuation of the club.