New owners in store for United club shop as Ashley seals Castore deal

TOON KIT SPONSORS TO TAKE ON GALLOWGATE OUTLET

NEWCASTLE United owner Mike Ashley is understood to have passed on control of the main club shop at St James’ Park.

However, it is believed the decision is down to incoming new kit sponsors Castore wanting to take on the running of the store and not an early sign of the club’s Middle East takeover situation involving Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers.

The two-floored shop at Gallowgate

has been operated by Sports Direct/Frasers Group in recent years and is currently decked out with Puma imagery throughout.

Ashley (right) has enjoyed a good relationship with Puma since 2010 when the club swapped Adidas for Puma after promotion back to the Premier League.

However, the store will soon have a new look with Castore taking over and will be run by the British kit manufacturers next season.

United are yet to make the official announcement on Castore, who also provide kit for Glasgow Rangers and tennis star Andy Murray, but an exciting £5million deal is expected later this year. Newcastle have refused to comment on the club shop closure and reports that staff have been made redundant.

The Castore deal was negotiated and agreed fully by the current regime under Ashley and managingdirector Lee Charnley.

It means the new sponsors would be through the door and on the premises IF the takeover deal goes through – but there has been no consultation with Castore and would-be owners.

A full year has passed since Ashley agreed to sell to Staveley and Co, and while the battle to sell the club continues in the courts it could be after the Premier League season is finished at the earliest before fans start seeing progress from the Sports Direct magnate’s legal team.