Shorts:Mike Ashley, a 42-year-old billionaire from Buckinghamshire with no known previous connection to Newcastle United, dramatically altered the ownership of the club yesterday when he announced he had agreed to buy the 41.6 per cent stake of John Hall's family for £55 million, writes Michael Walker.
That values Newcastle at about £133 million and City analysts believe Ashley would not have bought in without being assured he could reach the 51 per cent holding that would give him day-to-day control. In turn that would force the current chairman, Freddy Shepherd, into a corner, where he would feel obliged to sell his 29 per cent. It appears, therefore, that Ashley, who made his fortune largely through sports retail, has staged a coup d'etat on Gallowgate.
Shepherd was in a Tyneside hospital when he heard of yesterday's developments. He was thought to be nursing a fractured rib, although he may now count shock among his ailments.
There is no public record of Ashley, or a company representing him, engaging in due diligence and there has been no team of accountants commissioned and allowed inside St James' Park. There has been a flurry of buying and selling of Newcastle shares in the past eight weeks in particular but the volume was not enough to compel a single buyer to reveal himself and Ashley's move was not foreseen. Ashley, well known in the City but described by most as a recluse, is unknown at St James' and on Tyneside.
Beyond selling shirts in his many sports shops Ashley's interest in football is not known either. He came into contact for a time with the Wigan chairman, Dave Whelan - Whelan owns the JJB network of sports shops - and one leading football agent who has met Ashley yesterday described him as "entrepreneurial, dynamic and shy - really shy".
So shy that he agreed only recently - and reluctantly - to be photographed for publication for the first time. Ashley could be the "Geordie Abramovich" figure to whom Shepherd always said he would sell. As recently as 1999 there was no public picture of Roman Abramovich. Like him Ashley has slipped in under the radar. Guardian Service
Deal for Bendtner
Arsenal teenager Nicklas Bendtner wants to force his way into Arsene Wenger's plans next season after agreeing a new five-year deal. The 19-year-old striker was on loan at Birmingham this season and has agreed a new long-term contract at Emirates Stadium. He now wants to make the break into the first team and is confident he will be given a chance to shine. Bendtner said: "It has always been my goal to get my breakthrough at Arsenal." Wenger yesterday continued to show faith in his young team by rewarding full-back Emmanuel Eboue with a new long-term deal.
Dispute over bonuses
Dunfermline Athletic's board has reached a compromise with the club's players after a dispute arose over Scottish Cup final bonuses. Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston told BBC Sport there is "now no problem" ahead of Saturday's end-of-season showpiece against Celtic at Hampden Park. Dunfermline's players were intitially unhappy at the offer made to them for winning the game. But Yorkston said it was normal that negotiations took place. "Bonuses are always a touchy subject," he said. "With players it is an emotional issue. We reached an agreement in August and things have been changed since then, but I'm sure we will reach a resolution before Saturday."
In brief . . .
Gareth Southgatemay have to ask for more time as he tries desperately to gain his coaching qualifications. The 36-year-old has spent the time since he was appointed manager at the Riverside Stadium last summer combining his role with the training he needs to meet Premier League rules. However, with time running out to satisfy the newly-amended requirement of being enrolled on the Uefa Pro Licence course before the start of next season, Southgate may have to rely on winning further dispensation from Premiership chiefs to continue in his post . . . Sylvain Distinfired a parting shot at Manchester City's lack of ambition after Portsmouth's reported £40,000-a-week offer saw off a late bid by Liverpool to take him to Anfield . . . Newcastle striker Antoine Sibierskihas rejected the offer of a one-year contract at St James' Park - he wanted a two-year deal - and has been linked with Wigan . . . Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrieis set to end his 12-year stay with the club within the next 48 hours after Leicester and Coventry reportedly joined Stoke in the race to sign him . . . Andy Toddis on his way out of Blackburn after being told the club are willing to sell him.
