Mass Board Clearout on the Horizon?
By Jonny Hall On Sat 23 Jun 2007 |
This afternoon’s Evening Chronicle is leading with the story that new Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has requested that all members of the current United board resign from their positions.
The English billionaire has begun his review of the club and believes that the boardroom is the first place that is in dire need of changes. With this in mind, it is reported he intends to get rid of the current board and replace them with his own people.
Whether this club shake-up involves current Chairman Freddy Shepherd is yet to be seen but things should become much clearer in the coming days.
A ’source’ close to the Sports World owener told the local paper:
“This is all part of Mr Ashley’s strategic review of Newcastle United.
“This is the first phase that will result in boardroom changes.
“It is all about getting his own people in there, people he knows and trusts with whom he has worked for many years.
“Now that he is the majority shareholder he has the power to do that.”
“These changes will give Mr Ashley a better feel for the business and help him to make it better and shape and develop it.”
So what are your thoughts on this? Is this exactly what the club needs? Do you trust Ashley to do what is right? Should Freddy Shepherd remain as chairman?
Give us all these answers and more, we want to hear from YOU.
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Freddy hangs in there…
from Sky Sports:
Four members of Newcastle’s Board of Directors have resigned but chairman Freddy Shepherd has remained in his role.
Douglas Hall, Bruce Shepherd, Allison Antonopoulos and Tim Revill have all stepped down from their positions with Chris Mort and Steve Hayward being appointed to the board.
A statement on the club’s website read: “Following the recommended cash offer by St James’ Holdings Limited being declared unconditional in all respects on 15 June 2007, Newcastle United PLC announces the resignation of Bruce Shepherd, Allison Antonopoulos, Tim Revill and Douglas Hall from the Board of Directors and the appointment of Chris Mort and Steve Hayward to the Board of Directors; all such changes to have immediate effect.”
Sent in on: June 26th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Get in David Dein. I don’t think it will do Ashley any good keeping Shepherd here. If there is another Geordie who has a business / football background get him in. But Shepherd will continue to get his fat face in papers with stupid statements.
Sent in on: June 26th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Definitely the best thing to happen and like already mentioned it sends all the right messages to everyone that might just think their along for the ride. I hope it would also put some fear into any players that are playing the same game. All this crap about Owen and Martins, if they don’t want to be here say so and bugger off. You shouldn’t want to get rid of good players, but if it means watching matches where they are clearly not interested or not going to try then say good bye. I believe they play and are paid by the club not the other way around.
Sent in on: June 25th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I agree with all the comments especially Mike’s-spot on!
Yes, sack this board, but wished it could have happen in a less ‘refined’ way after dragging us through the mire and making a laughing stock out out of the club.
I sincerely hope Fat Freddie ends up being humiliated in the worst possible way after taking the money, letting us all down, lying and trying his damndest to drag our beloved football club down to gutter level.
How that man can sleep at nights is beyond me. He most certainly hasn’t got a conscience at all and is one big liar to boot by publically stating on world media there was absolutely NO get out clause in Owens contract what so ever when asked by a member of the press. And he’s trying to tell us he’s one of us-a fan? how dare he!
No, the sooner he goes the better-he (along with Doug hall)is a parasite in the worst possible way.
Sent in on: June 24th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
what about russell cushing then, had some minor dealings with him some years ago, not impressed, so how has he managed to retain his job for that length of time.
one thing is for certain the club needs a strong football man at board level if ashleys men are going to be in control, freddy fletcher, he may have upset some people in the past but hes a real football/ buisnessman, took the fall for the board some years ago i reckon.
Sent in on: June 24th, 2007 at 4:28 am
Getting rid of the failures is a step that needs to be taken, they’ve been around long enough for us to know that the club will not move forwards while they hang on.
The only pity is that they’ll become even richer for failing to take the club to where it should be considering the money that has come into the club over the last 10 years, 10 years which have mainly ended in pain for the fans.
I just hope that Ashley can find a way to humiliate them in a way which gets close to the humiliation they’ve heaped on us.
We’ve paid a high premium to be served up crap by a small number of people who have become very, very rich in the process.
Sack the lot of them.
Sent in on: June 24th, 2007 at 12:02 am
shepard out the board are greedy bastads we need change ad when we get it we will win things piy this didnt happen when big al was here
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 11:41 pm
The board were there - like royalty - because of who they are, not because they were good at the job.
I think they my keep Freddy Shepherd on for a while, he will useful as a sacrifice if there is any more fall-out from the Transfer enquiry.
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 10:48 pm
if ash is going to nodernise the board he has to start with shepherd as he ,to my mind, is the main reason for our decline in the last ten years.
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I agree with ‘G Wanless’ we have suffered too long with this board. We need a new team with different ideas. SACK THE BOARD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 6:44 pm
This is a Good move from the new owner we have said countless times the current board has to go. Ever since he sacked Sir Bobby and replaced him with the Souness most newcastle fans lost faith about the hole board. I am really excited about many things in the past but these has to be one of the best. Hail the Ashly’s
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 3:06 pm
They have to keep Fat Fred - who else is qualified to choose the squad ?
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Revolution or evolution?
While I think its understandable that Ashley would want to bring in his own people, I also think removing the old guard would be a strong statement of intent. It not only shows that he means business but that has the ruthless streak needed to make strong decisions.
In my view a clearing of the decks is probably what this club needs anyway. We need some new ideas as the old way is clearly not working. For far too long we have had the profile and resources of a top club without coming close to really competing for the big prizes. Hopefully, positive changes at the top can bring with it a fresh impetus for the club to move forward and make that step from premiership also rans to real contenders.
Revolution for me.
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 2:08 pm
First phase - get rid of boardroom, bring own people in
Second Phase - Spend big
Third Phase - Champions league
Fourth phase - Win Premier league and champions league
Final phase - Win world cup (sorry got excited)
Genuinely pleased we will be rid of the old regime, although chances are the puppet master will remain
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
get the fat scrap man out !!!
he should have gone a long time ago as well as his board of non entities. Newcastle fans deserve better than these rip off merchants. We need at least a chairman who can string three words together, he makes the north east look thick.
Bring on the changes!!!!!!
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 1:32 pm
New broom, clean sweep.
I’m sure it is what is needed, Shepherd won’t stay either though he might be around the longest, as in a couple of months.
I don’t think there has been a decent board member since F. Fletcher left.
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
In my eyes this can only be a good thing. Freddy and his band of merry men have been a cancer of our club for far too long and his motives have always been very transparent. There has been far too much personal interest and alteria motives behind everything that has happened with signings, managerial appointments, etc. Good riddance to the lot of them and lets hope for a bright future and hopefully the success that has illuded us for years.
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Just been reading the article in the Chronicle where it says that Shepherd will probably keep his place, hope this is not true, don’t get me wrong Shepherd has always supplied the money but i just feel it’s time for a complete clearout. Also if it was Mr. Shepherd who sanctioned the singnings of Boumsong, Luque etc. why keep him on.
Sent in on: June 23rd, 2007 at 1:15 pm