Newcastle United Football Club

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52193

Mort to leave Magpies post

22 May 2008 - 14:24:52

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Newcastle United chairman Chris Mort is set to step down after just one season in office at St James' Park.

Mort is a lawyer who advised businessman Mike Ashley during his takeover of the club last summer.

He became chairman in July 2007 and, alongside Ashley, was responsible for luring Kevin Keegan back for a second spell as manager midway through the season following the decision to sack former boss Sam Allardyce.

The 42-year-old originally arrived on Tyneside to help oversee the transition of ownership from former chairman Freddy Shepherd to Ashley.

Mort is expected to step down in order to return to his previous role as head of the leisure arm of law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London.

The Magpies are yet to confirm Mort's departure or the identity of his replacement.

However, they will reportedly appoint current deputy chairman and long-term Ashley association, Derek Llambias, as his replacement.