Ashley Rues Missed Opportunity!

Last updated : 20 September 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Chronicle: "And, we can reveal, the buyers would have put a Geordie management team in place at St James's Park.

"However, Mr Ashley chose to turn his back on the offer - only to scurry off to the Middle East this week supposedly searching for buyers in the wake of the mass uprising on Tyneside.

"I have papers in my possession which reveal that Mr Ashley was approached on behalf of a prospective buyer to open talks as long ago as June 11.

"The letter from a City firm of solicitors was sent directly to Ashley's lawyer at Freshfields Chris Mort, who acted as United chairman in the first year after the club was bought out.

"It referred to "Middle East-based clients" who had expressed an interest and talked of Geordies who could help front the club and keep its roots in the local community, something seen by the City as essential and a key point in having any deal accepted by United fans."