New bid for Magpies launched

// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Former professional footballer Graham Roberts is at the forefront of a project that could see Newcastle United run by its own fans. Current owner Mike Ashley is looking to sell, with Tyneside-based business man Barry Moat the most likely candidate to buy the Magpies.But Roberts, along with a group called Fanbase 410, has launched a rival bid which will involve Newcastle fans making a personal investment in the club.The consortium recently met with Newcastle directors as well as prominent members of the supporters' trust and Roberts has been encouraged by the talks.He said: "It was a positive meeting. Now we will sit down with the supporters. They want to run their own football club, and why not?Further Talks"I just work for the company that is putting this together. Newcastle supporters will pick their own president and the manager."It's the same at Barcelona and Real Madrid. You never know, they could end up buying £60 million or £70 million players. It works for Barcelona, why not Newcastle United?"Barcelona is owned by its 108,000 club members while Real Madrid are polled every four years on the club's direction.Although Roberts was reluctant to reveal exactly how the proposed system at Newcastle would work, it is thought Fanbase will pay their members annual dividends.A spokesperson for the Newcastle United Supporters Trust says that further talks with Fanbase 410 will take place."The principle of the Trust is to give the fans an active and real say in the running of their club," the spokesperson said."We have met with Fanbase and we are in initial discussions about how their model works and discussions will continue."

Source: SKY_Sports