Mike Ashley and Newcastle United has been an interesting and mostly uneasy relationship as the people of the north east have taken to their London based owner. Now it looks like they won't have to put up with him for long.
Back in May 2007 Ashley, the owner of Sports Direct, bought a 41.6% stake in Newcastle for £55,342,223. In the decade since that takeover the club has twice been relegated to the Championship, and bounced back twice.
His refusal to invest in the squad when it most looked like it needed it and the London mafia tag that he and any of his cohorts were given by fans meant that he was never popular at St James' Park, even messing up the appointments of Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan.
Ashley's attempts to endear himself to the crowd didn't really work. Image: PA
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In a statement on the club website the 53 year old announced his intention to sell, saying, "Newcastle United requires a clear direction and a path to a bright and successful future.
"To give the club the best possible opportunity of securing the positioning and investment necessary to take it to the next level, at what is an important time in its history, its present ownership has determined that it is in the best interests of Newcastle United and its fans for the club to be put up for sale."
Despite the fact that Ashley has twice previously claimed he wanted to sell the club only to later change his mind fans on Twitter were very happy to hear the news:
No doubt they'll be many a smash massive mug in Newcastle in celebration tonight!
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Premier League, Newcastle United