Investors flock to Shepherd

Ex-Toon chairman contacted by consortiums

Last updated: 14th September 2008

Freddy Shepherd

Shepherd: Already taken calls

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Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has told Sky Sports News he has already been approached by two consortiums interested in taking over at St James' Park.

Mike Ashley's decision to put the club up for sale, amid vociferous criticism from the club's supporters over the departure of Kevin Keegan, has already alerted a number of consortiums weighing up a takeover.

Sports Direct owner Ashley bought a 93 per cent share of the club for £134.4million in May 2007 but his regime has been beset by problems.

Shepherd claims two separate 'big-money players' have approached him; although he will not be lending his name to their possible bids.

Two consortiums

"There are people who would buy that club, there is no doubt about that," he told Sky Sports News.

"I've been approached by two consortiums to add my name to it. I didn't fancy adding my name to the consortiums that were offered to me, but there are always people who would buy that club."

When quizzed on whether he would ever consider returning to his boyhood club Shepherd remained coy, although he did state he was firmly in favour of reinstating Keegan as manager.

He said: "One thing I've learnt is never say never.

"I'd take a bet we haven't heard the last of Kevin Keegan. I would definitely bring Kevin back, he's the right man for the job.

"It's entirely up to Mike Ashley. When I worked with Kevin he used to identify the players and put a value on them and we used to try and get the money to buy the players. We didn't try to get involved in judging the player - it was left to Kevin."

Failed set-up

Shepherd believes the infrastructure at Newcastle, set up by Ashley to have Dennis Wise oversee all of the club's transfers, has not worked out and needs dramatically modifying.

He continued: "Nobody wants to see what's happened but I think the way the club has been structured has not worked for Newcastle.

"It's a fantastic club, it's got everything there, a great training ground, as everybody said it's got great fans and the team must be wondering what's going on - it's certainly affecting them.

"I think the position needs to be calmed, it needs to be stabilised. There is far too much emotion running around."

Stinging rebuke

Ashley's criticism of the financial situation he inherited upon buying the club did not sit well with Shepherd either.

"To get back to what he paid for the club, he got us for the right price. He couldn't even build half the stadium for what he paid for that club. He got a great deal," Shepherd concluded.

"As far as the money is concerned I think he should take the advice he gave to Sports Direct shareholders: 'Don't be cry babies'.

"He seems to be whinging now about the money, well if I was a Sports Direct shareholder I'd be whinging about the money as well. He should take his own advice. The debt he had to pay was if you like, the mortgage on the ground."

Comments

Dan Coh (Manchester City fan) says...

Newcastle United need a reality check. They are like a messy divorce that is washing its dirty linen in public. The running of the club has been awful for years - the number of different managers is testament to this. The bringing in of an outside team without the managers backing was naive and crazy. Having said that Keegan is not a top manager - his record shows this and his blind support for Joey Barton shows his lack of judgement of the situation. He has a proven record of blindly backing his favourites. He did this at Manchester City when he wouldnt play the Goat but instead insisted on playing an unfir and useless Robbie Fowler. Newcastle need a complete clear out..and maybe the medium term solution is actually relegation. It maybe the best way to get back to proper wnning ways and rise again.

Posted 10:01 15th September 2008

Kevin Brown (Newcastle United fan) says...

The arguement isnt about Denis Wise in reality, the arguement is that Keegan was promised Bankrolls of money to get Newcastle back into the champions League, They have been given barely enough to stave off relegation. Look at how much revenue newcastle have made from Sold players e.g. Dyer, Milner and weigh that against players purchased.... Hardly shed loads of cash compared to the top 6

Posted 09:59 15th September 2008

Andrew Stockman (Newcastle United fan) says...

I dont think freddie would come back,he could not afford to . However if he came back it would have to be part of a consortium. Shepperd got loads of stick when he was at the top of the toon but he always backed his managers, something ashley is clearly not doing. I would if it came to it have shepperd over mike anyday.

Posted 09:27 15th September 2008

Tim Peschelt (Liverpool fan) says...

no matter who buys united, Kevin must be brought back. Obviously Wise then needs to do something else or go. It is beyond me, how such a situation can be brought around. I feel very sorry for the Newcastle fans for having to watch this charade... Good luck guys

Posted 08:21 15th September 2008

Michael Young says...

The Geordie fans expect too much too soon, Big Sam never got a chance and the sight of fans shouting you dont know what youre doing was a joke. Keegan is a baby who has ran away from many jobs including England. Shepard did well to get out when he did, he could probably see the writing on the wall. Unless some rich arab comes along I think they will struggle all season and for seasons to come the fans deserve better.

Posted 08:16 15th September 2008

Nitesh R says...

Mike Ashley and Dennis Wise are being treated unfairly by the fans. They've brought in some quality players and Mike has added stability to the clubs finances. Kev should have just got on with the job. There may have been one or two players he didn't want but they are not the worst players in the world. I for one am in favour of Mike and his plans. Give the man a break. He has done laot for the club in the last year or so.

Posted 07:38 15th September 2008

Vincent Gambini (Liverpool fan) says...

It is truly sad that the beautiful game has been reduced to the fans waiting for a 'rich man' to buy their club. The owners have become more important than the players, not to mention the fans. The money of fans alone is not enough to finance a decent side. This is madness, this is not about sport, it's about rich people's ego trips. Why else would they buy a club? No one makes money out of soccer except agents and coaches accepting bungs

Posted 07:29 15th September 2008

Michael Ajegbo (Newcastle United fan) says...

Freddy Shepherd should please not come back to the club. He clearly has no idea what goes on in football. Mike Ashley is a great person after reading his statement and the fact that he used so much of his own money just to keep the club afloat shows how much we will be willing to spend on the best players once the crisis is over. He loves Newcastle, not Freddy Shepherd. As for the consortiums, if their pockets are not oil deep then I am not interested in their reign.

Posted 02:25 15th September 2008

Michael Mccarthy (Newcastle United fan) says...

I would boycott the games if Shepherd came back, he hasn't got enough money to move the club forward, which is what the fans want. Running a successful football club is going to be a rich mans game and Sheps isn't rich enough. + all the newcastle fans were glad to see the back of him, he is talking above about the manager picking the players, if you read Bobby Robson's book he confirms that Sheps picked them and Big Sam stated that Sheps bought Duff not him recently. KK would never come back to work with Shepherd either.

Posted 22:45 14th September 2008

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