EVENING CHRONICLE:-
Mike Ashley today released a fresh mission statement detailing their plans for the future.
United underlined their plans for the future but stated:
1 They will not be “reckless” in the transfer market
2 The club will continue to work with their youth development plan and hope for more youngsters like Sammy Ameobi, Shane Ferguson and James Tavernier
3 The club have expanded analytical equipment at the Training Centre and undersoil heating on pitches will allow the club to achieve “maximum performance on the field”
4 The board are committed to the long-term and have made the club “healthier”
5 Mike Ashley paid off transfer fees for players who had already left the club on his arrival in 2007
The document stats that United’s wage bill has risen by seven percent after the Magpies’ summer transfer business and new deals for the likes of Cheick Tiote.
The United board also sung the praises of Alan Pardew and John Carver while chief scout Graham Carr was also singled out for praise.
United expect to break even this year on the financial front but say they made an operating loss of £4.7million.
But the club say they will not be reckless in the transfer market and have a “strict spending policy."
And looking ahead to the future the board statement read: “Over the coming year we will continue to build the club sustainably – on and off the field.
“We have a realistic view of what we can achieve at Newcastle and the time frame required to achieve it.
“We have a strict spending policy and will not take a reckless approach which permits spending beyond our means.
“It is a sensible long-term plan for success and we have absolute confidence that this is the right model for Newcastle United.
“When Mike Ashley bought Newcastle in 2007 he arrived with a clear five year plan to get Newcastle on a sound financial footing and the club is now in a better shape financially that it has been for many years.
“Our aim is to make Newcastle United self-financing.
“We can’t continue to acquire debt year after year and rely on additional financial support from the owner.
“In 2008/09 we reported an operating loss of £37.7m.
“In 2009/10 that loss was £33.5m.
“Once audited our accounts for 2010/11 are expected to show an operating loss of £4.7m.
“And this year we hope to break even.
“We are pleased that the club is working towards being able to operate within the boundaries of UEFA’S Financial Fair Play rules during these challenging economic times.”
The club also stated their transfer policy: “Our priority during the summer transfer window was to secure exciting young players with huge potential that add real strength to the squad.
“There are certain perceived ‘big’ clubs that have no financial constraints whatsoever.
“But for us as a club rash, short-term spending is not the answer and the days of Newcastle acquiring ‘trophy’ signings who command huge salaries for past successes on the pitch are over.
“Such players have generated excitement and anticipation in the past but ultimately have left the club poorer and with little to show for it in terms of our standing in the league and cup competitions.
“Our focus now is to bring in players who can develop and fulfil their potential at Newcastle.
“This does not however discount players of any age who feel can add experience to the squad.
“The board, the manager, our technical staff and our scouting team worked very well together to ensure we brought in seven top class players who represented excellent potential for the club.
“We are fully aware that Newcastle United holds a unique place in the lives of Geordies around the world.
“Our supporters are the lifeblood of the club and the board understands that.
“It has been charged with ensuring their club is properly run and continues its growth on and off the pitch.”