Source: Daily_Mail
NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona and... Newcastle!
Talk of the Toon: Owner AshleyThey may no longer be in the top 20 clubs in England but Newcastle United have maintained their place among world football's rich list. The data is based on figures from three years ago, long before the current regime's unique approach to football ownership started to take hold. But the signs from the report by accountancy firm Deloitte make encouraging reading for Mike Ashley. And if you were the Newcastle owner, and stood on the brink of a quick and relatively easy return to the Premier League, would you sell? The league table from the 2007/08 season shows Newcastle have slipped down three places from the previous season to 20th but they are one of only seven English clubs in there, following the top four, Tottenham and Manchester City. The figures show Newcastle's revenue three years ago grew by £12.3million to £99.4m, even without the added bonus of European football, and mainly thanks to the club's matchday income. And by finishing 12th in the Premier League that season, under Kevin Keegan's stewardship, they claimed a £39.2m bonus which will certainly be missed this year. A Deloitte spokesman said: 'Average league attendances in 2007/08 still exceeded 50,000 but uncertainty about the future ownership of the club and disappointing on-pitch displays saw the average league match attendances for the first half of 2008/09 dip below 48,000. 'Newcastle's long-standing partnership with Adidas and its shirt sponsorship with Northern Rock contributed to commercial revenue of £25.9m. This too is down on the previous season. Local hero: Andy Carroll has been in fine form for the Magpies this season'In May 2008, Northern Rock announced that it would honour its contract with the club, despite the bank being taken under Government ownership. '[The campaign of] 2008/09 is the fifth consecutive season in which there has been a change of manager at Newcastle with Joe Kinnear having taken over following Kevin Keegan's departure in September 2008. 'Mike Ashley has now taken the club off the market and it will be hoped that stability on and off the pitch will improve the club's football and financial results.' More from Colin Young. COLIN YOUNG: Adam Johnson story a shining example to youngsters23/02/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Gibson warns of cost of Boro's failed Euro dream16/02/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Genius like Kevin Phillips is hard to find - but Darren Bent deserves a place at the World Cup 09/02/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: The old Bhoys network at Middlesbrough could finally shatter the myth that Celtic could dominate English football 02/02/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Adam Johnson's departure - even for £6m - would be a major blow to a Boro side struggling to keep up with the pace setters28/01/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Southgate stays calm as Gibson sticks the boot in19/01/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Magpies are not counting their chickens just yet15/01/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Expect change at Middlesborough as Gordon Strachan moulds his regime06/01/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Certainly results have improved this season in the Championship and Newcastle are entering a crucial month in their quest to return to the top flight at the first time of asking. After Barnsley this Saturday, Scunthorpe and promotion rivals Nottingham Forest are on the calendar. And there is the small matter of a Tees-Tyne derby at the Riverside next weekend. That promises to be a test for both teams. The controversial and unpopular Ashley has recently returned to his directors' box seat, ditching the bulging black and white shirt for a modest scarf. The smile has returned to his face, and of course he appears oblivious to the abuse still being thrown his way by unhappy supporters. If the recent figures supplied to certain media outlets from surprisingly well informed sources are to be believed, Ashley is still forking out incredible amounts of his own money, not only to keep the club afloat, but to maintain their promotion charge. Around £25m has gone on fees, wages and the day-to-day running of a club which is certain to feel the impact of relegation when Deloitte release their next figures. Attendances have dropped below 50,000 and, like it or not, some fans have managed to keep up their personal boycott of certain facilities within the ground on match days. The intention was to hit Ashley in the pocket, and it may just work. No Championship club has been on television more than Newcastle United, but the revenue from television and matchdays will have fallen significantly. Deloitte Football Money League - 2008-09 revenue (Last year's position in brackets)1 (1) Real Madrid £341.9million2 (3) Barcelona £311.7m3 (2) Man Utd £278.5m4 (4) Bayern Munich £246.6m5 (6) Arsenal £224.0m6 (5) Chelsea £206.4m7 (8) Liverpool £184.8m8 (11) Juventus £173.1m9 (10) Internazionale £167.4m10 (7) AC Milan £167.4m11 (15) Hamburg £124.9m12 (9) Roma £124.7m13 (12) Lyon £118.9m14 (16) Marseille £113.5m15 (14) Tottenham £113.0m16 (13) Schalke £106.0m17 (n/a) Werder Bremen £97.7m18 (20) B Dortmund £88.1m19 (n/a) Man City £87.0m20 (17) Newcastle £86.0m But there are still encouraging signs for Ashley, and any prospective buyer, that Newcastle are a Premier League club in waiting. And give the punters top flight football, and they will soon top that magical and important 50,000. The worry for the hardcore supporters still adamant that their owner should quit the Toon is that with every victory, with every positive step taken back towards the Premier League, the value of the club increases. The chances of selling to the highest bidder surely diminishes. If Ashley can't sell the club for £100m, when they were top of the Championship, what value will the club have if they stay there for the next two months? There are no signs that Ashley intends to put the club back on the market. No indication from previous interested parties that they are willing to re-open negotiations and force Ashley's hand. And with the clock already ticking to the opening of the next transfer window, Newcastle supporters may well be wondering and worrying about who is going to fund their return to the Premier League and sign the players they will undoubtedly need just to survive next season. There is every chance Mike Ashley will still be there, still wearing his scarf and his smile. Not so sure the XXL home shirt (complete with new design and new sponsors) will be a good idea though. On the up: Newcastle are on track to be back among the big boys Watford 1 Newcastle 2: Toon temper tantrum as Smith and Williamson clashNolan backs Toon star Gutierrez to make Argentina's World Cup squadRecord breaker Shay Given determined to enjoy Ireland swansong at major tournamentEx-Newcastle defender Habib Beye set to throw in the towel at Aston Villa