Billionaire businessman Mike Ashley's St James Holdings Limited have announced the acquisition of approximately 41.6 per cent of Newcastle United. The group paid more than £55 million from Sir John Hall's family. Link All I can say is... wow.
After all the rumors of take-overs in the past year, this does seem out of the blue. Here is some more information about the man who can now set Freddie Sheppard out to pasture. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ashley_(businessman)
43 years old! Suprised at how young he is for a billionaire. Britian's answer to Howard Hughes? Also no pictures exist of this guy since the 70s?
"Newcastle United On 23rd May 2007, Ashley bought 41.6% of Newcastle United. it is expected he will try and buy the remaining shares, to make him the complete owner of Newcastle United."
According to Wikipedia...he is expected to make a push to buy the remainder of the club. Seems like a fairly odd character though.
From SkySports: Billionaire businessman Mike Ashley has bought a 41.6 per cent stake in Newcastle ahead of a proposed takeover. Ashley, who made his fortune in retail and in February floated Sports Direct, has paid Sir John Hall and his family £55million for the stake. Ashley has offered to buy the rest of the club's shares at the same price, which would value the St James' Park outfit in the region of £133million. Ashley confirmed: "I am delighted to have this opportunity to invest in Newcastle United. "The club has a fantastic infrastructure, for which Sir John and the board must take much of the credit." Former Magpies chairman Hall, who will remain life president, has welcomed the prospect of a handover. "It is now time for me to move on and let others take up the challenge of competing in the global marketplace," said Hall. "Mike Ashley is a major player in the sporting world and I am convinced that he is the right person to take my place and take the club forward." Stock Exchange rules mean that St James' Holdings Limited, Ashley's bid vehicle, must now make a cash offer for the remaining shares, around 29.8 per cent of which belong to chairman Freddy Shepherd.
he does seem like a very, very secretive guy. strange he'd want to buy into a premiership club and all the media attention it brings. my company i work for is based in newcastle and i go with my mate to see newcastle two or three times a season so i hope this guy can bring some glory to the club. the fans deserve it.
This happened completely out of the blue, would be amazing to see FF out as well. Should be an interesting couple of days here.
From what I am understanding while he does have to make a full press for all shares, according to the terms of his agreement to buy, he is only interested in 51%--which would buy out either Freddy or buy out the other private shareholders (small holdings, supporters etc.)--enough to control the goings on. His past dealings show he does not "buy outright" but actually buys majority shares enough to enact change. Come Freddy, time to cash out. Ashley seems to know how to turn around companies and brands, without destroying them. He tends to buy, tear things down to rebuild the equity and then partially cash out and keep an interest rather than cashing out and walking away. A "Geordie Abramovich" he is not, so we'll see what the Fat One does...
The guy didn't lay down that cash to not be in control of the club. It will happen one way or another. This doesn't mean we have to wear Lonsdale jerseys now does it ?
This is great news. I'm curious about his intentions though and has he meet with any supporters or media to lay out his intentions for the club. I want Shepard out like the rest but at least he spent money to get players.
Roman is 40. Ashley's the fat one on the right. Here's the article that goes with the pic. This is only great news if he backs Sam's vision (if he has one). Otherwise, we'll look like Villa again. Do your job Fat Fred and sell! Thx, Jay!
I wonder why Fred rushed to put in Sam. He had to know that Halls were looking at selling their shares. It makes me think that Fred is looking at staying.
In my exuberance about throwing Freddy into the street, I think we should withold judgement on this guy until we know a little more. Ah, screw it. I hope the door does hit FS in his ass on the way out.
That meeting with Supporters and media probably won't happen. Not his M.O. i'm afraid. "He doesn't like disclosure very much at all." Plenty of head scratching going on about his intentions with his other ventures, and no one seems to know what he does until he does it.