Mike Ashley flies in to thank players

Nov 27 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

MIKE Ashley stepped up his re-integration into Newcastle United affairs by paying a flying visit to the club’s training ground to congratulate the squad on their table-topping start to the season.

Ashley took in half an hour of training and met the players and manager Chris Hughton on what is believed to be the first occasion that he has visited the club’s Benfield Park training ground since taking United off the market last month.

He met managing director Derek Llambias for a progress report and spoke briefly to Hughton – with the subject of a January transfer budget the obvious issue up for discussion.

Ashley, who spent around four hours in the North East before departing in his helicopter, can be thankful to the players and United’s newly-installed manager for taking the heat off him with their excellent start to the campaign.

Hughton said the visit was “routine” and feels that the players appreciate Ashley’s continued interest in the club he owns – even though he remains a deeply unpopular character on Tyneside.