Ashley winning fans over

Llambias confirms Newcastle is not for sale

Last updated: 3rd March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ashley winning fans over

Ashley: Backed by Llambias

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Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias believes owner Mike Ashley has proved his commitment to supporters this season.

Ashley has received criticism in the past from a section of Newcastle fans, unhappy at his handling of the club.

The Magpies were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season and there was uncertainty about matters off the field, with no permanent manager in place and Ashley looking to sell.

However, Ashley took the club off the market last October when Chris Hughton was officially confirmed as boss.

Newcastle continue to set the pace at the top of the Championship and Llambias feels Ashley deserves to take much of the credit for his financial backing.

"You can't lose the income we have lost in relegation and still be where we are, so Mike has put in £25million in December," Llambias told Sky Sports News.

"He has put in another £5milllion this week, so he is committed.

"We bought £5.5million worth of players in January. We needed to freshen up the team and support our manager."

Passion

Llambias insists Ashley has now won over the majority of supporters, who realise where the club could be without him.

"It is a passion. They are great fans," he stated.

"There is a very small section of fans that are basically not reasonable, there is no reality to where they are.

"I am hoping that we get there and we'll see what happens next season.

"The reality is that if Mike had not taken the club, we would be in a mess."

Llambias maintains that the club are still not for sale after previously interested parties failed to keep their end of the bargain.

"No it is not up for sale. There is no money out there. Football is not what it was," he explained.

"We had two possible buyers and they didn't put their money up so at the end of the day they are not real."