Ashley takes Newcastle off the market

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has given up on his attempt to sell the Premier League club after failing to find a suitable buyer.

• Ashley issued a statement Sunday saying he had taken Newcastle off the market and was committed to leading the club forward under current manager Joe Kinnear.
• “I am happy to end the uncertainty the fans may have had about the future direction of Newcastle United,” Ashley said. “I know just how important that is to you.”
• Fans revolted against Ashley in September after popular manager Kevin Keegan’s departure, staging mass protests at St. James’ Park. Ashley then stated publicly he would sell the club, but failed in his three-month effort to find a buyer amid the worsening global financial crisis.
• “I have withdrawn Newcastle United from the market, and for me 2009 will be the year in which we drive the club forward together,” Ashley said in comments meant to appease the club’s unhappy supporters. “Even when I haven’t been at games I have remained a keen supporter, kicking and heading every ball and cheering the team on TV and being first to congratulate Joe whenever there’s a good result.”