Source: Telegraph
Newcastle's demise is Mike Ashley's fault says former chairman Sir John Hall
It was Hall who paved the way for Ashley to take over Newcastle two years ago when he sold his family share in the Tyneside club to the Sports Direct founder. [LNB]The North-East-based entrepreneur has insisted Ashley had been well intentioned but claimed that he went on to make "massive mistakes" that resulted in relegation to the Championship ten days ago. [LNB] Related ArticlesAshley exit won't cool Shearer spiritEverton to offer Owen Newcastle escapeSeason's Top 100 moments: 100-76Middle East interest in NewcastleQuinn: Ashley must goNewcastle sale may thwart Alan ShearerBut he has also held previous unnamed managers for the loss of Premier League status. [LNB]"Let's get one thing straight: Mike Ashley came into Newcastle for the right reasons - as a long-term investor looking to build the business over four or five years," Hall said. [LNB]"He wanted to globalise the club. He did not use it as a toy. He saw Newcastle was a fantastic brand, and he wanted to build that brand. However, he made massive mistakes. Too often, he probably took advice. That, combined with the recession, made for disaster."[LNB]Hall continued: "When I first came into the club, I knew nothing about running a football club, but luckily we found Freddie Fletcher, who had huge experience of the business from his time at Glasgow Rangers. [LNB]"He guided us through the minefield, so we did not make the type of mistakes Ashley has made. Sadly, I don't think Ashley has been able to call on that type of advice. [LNB]"What you also have to acknowledge, though, is that Newcastle's decline had begun before Ashley arrived at the club. [LNB]"Some of our managers have been disasters and ruined the club long before he came in." The club was turned into further turmoil last weekend when Ashley put it up for sale again and Hall is hoping that he can find a buyer soon rather than later to restore Newcastle to the Premier League. [LNB]"The quicker he can sell, the better it will be," Hall added. "However, that is much easier said than done in today's climate." [LNB]"Mike Ashley will be pushing very, very hard to find a buyer quickly. I just hope he can find one - and find the right one. [LNB]"We need investors who will come in and let the Newcastle United manager - hopefully Alan Shearer - try to build for the long term. [LNB]"Whoever buys the club has to find the money to build a team to get out of the Championship, then build a team fit for the Premier League. [LNB]"That will be easier than it was for us to do because the stadium, the structure and the training ground are in place now, but it will still be very difficult." [LNB]"We can get over this. I know we will get over it. Geordies are used to succeeding in adversity, and they will do again. Let us hope that happens sooner rather than later." Hall also called on the club's players to pay for relegation by accepting wage cuts. [LNB]"Many of our players are on massive salaries, and the players have to take a long, hard look at themselves," Hall said. [LNB]"They are morally bound to re-negotiate their contracts. If they care about Newcastle United as much as they say they do, they will see is the right and proper thing to do. [LNB]"With the squad we had, we should have stayed up. The players badly under-performed." [LNB]
