£1m in the pot to save United

Sep 24 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

Grobbelaar support

FORMER footballer Bruce Grobbelaar last night added his support for a fans takeover at Newcastle United.

Mr Grobbelaar, backed fans at Liverpool, his former club, when they launched a similar takeover attempt.

They unveiled ambitious plans to buy the Anfield club from its American owners in February this year.

The Share Liverpool FC Group will see 100,000 fans attempting to launch a £550m buy-out that would oust Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who bought the club in 2007.

On a similar bid by Magpie fans, Mr Grobbelaar said: "There are only two clubs in the Premier League, who can realistically be fan-based owned, they are Liverpool and Newcastle.

"I feel that Newcastle is owned by someone using it for his own hobby."

Bank in charge

SPECULATION over the future ownership of Newcastle United continued last night.

Yesterday Mike Ashley appointed London-based investment bank Seymour Pierce to handle the sale of the club, which he announced just over a week ago.

A Newcastle statement said: "The board of Newcastle United can confirm it has appointed the London-based investment bank Seymour Pierce to act on the potential sale of the club.

"All matters relating to the sale of the club, including inquiries from interested parties, should go through Seymour Pierce.

"The club will be making no further comment at this time."

A report from Africa earlier this week suggested a consortium of wealthy Nigerians may be interested in bidding for the club.