Apologetic Ashley puts Newcastle up for sale again

Ailing English football giants Newcastle were put back on the market by owner Mike Ashley on Sunday at a vastly lower price than he bought them.

The 46-year-old businessman is reported by the BBC to be willing to sell the club for only 80million pounds as opposed to the 135million he paid in 2006.

Ashley, a Londoner who has tried to conjure up favour with the Newcastle fans by wearing Newcastle team shirts and drinking pints of beer among the spectators, confessed to the Sunday Times that he couldn’t wait to leave.

“It’s been catastrophic for everybody. I’ve lost my money and made terrible decisions,” he told the Sunday Times.

“Now I want to sell as soon as I can. I am genuinely sorry for everybody for what has happened.”

Ashley, who went through four managers in the past campaign, again issued a fulsome apology to the longsuffering Newcastle fans.

“I never said I was an expert in football clubs,” Ashley added.

“I was just a fan – although a very wealthy fan, but I’m not so wealthy now.

“I put my money into it and I tried my best, but I accept my best was woefully short.

“Seeing Newcastle relegated has been a catastrophe for us all.

“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.”

While Ashley is yet to sell the club one of his last acts might be to sign Newcastle icon Alan Shearer up to a four year contract as manager – though he only managed one win in his eight matches in charge.