Ashley apologises for Newcastle relegation
Mike Ashley admits he has made mistakes
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Tuesday, 26, May 2009 09:32
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has apologised to the club's fans after the Magpies were relegated from the Premier League.
Ashley was in the stands at Villa Park on Sunday as he watched Newcastle lose 1-0 to Aston Villa and see their 16-year stay in the Premier League come to an end.
"Seeing Newcastle United relegated from the Premier League has been a catastrophe for us all," said Ashley."I fully accept that mistakes were made during this and previous seasons and I am very sorry for that.
"I would like to say sorry to our magnificent supporters who have turned up in their thousands, home and away, up and down the country and who have given the team amazing backing throughout.
"And I would also say sorry to all of the Club's hard-working staff, who have gone about their jobs all year long."
Relegation may have been the lowest point for the Newcastle fans, but they have had to suffer on numerous occasions under the two-year shambolic ownership of Ashley.
The 46-year-old took over in 2007 and became an instant hero when he brought Kevin Keegan back to the club, but things ended miserably last September when Keegan resigned after falling out with both Ashley and then director of football Dennis Wise.
Ashley put the club up for sale, but then decided against it and brought in Joe Kinnear as manager. But when he fell ill, Ashley turned to Toon legend Alan Shearer, and though he was unable to keep Newcastle in the Premier League, Ashley insisted he did the right thing to bring Shearer into the club.
"Bringing Alan Shearer back to Newcastle United was the best decision I have made. Alan and his staff did all they could to try and keep us up in the short space of time they had," said Ashley. "Talks are now ongoing between us about how we can take this club forward again."