I am old enough to remember the days well before businessman, CEO of Sports Direct, owner of House of Fraser and current Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley ever became a prominent figure.
Similarities
- He was born in the same year as I.
- He earned a fortune.
- I didn’t.
- I have made a lifetimes mistakes.
- So has he!
- I have learned from them.
- Has Mike?
- I originate in Wallsend.
- Where does he come from? Oh yes, Wallsall.
- I support Newcastle United.
- Who does Mike Ashley support?
Last night Ashley was making headlines…AGAIN.
Rafa Benitez arrives at restaurant (with £5.95 one-course happy hour) ahead of his team as Mike Ashley treats them to dinner in an effort to build bridges | @CraigHope_DM https://t.co/Ak47z047Tv pic.twitter.com/iYikgy2ojV
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) October 3, 2018
Exclusive video: A smiling Rafa Benitez arrives for dinner with NUFC owner Mike Ashley. More to follow @MailSport pic.twitter.com/wZkQVE4n0y
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) October 3, 2018
And this is what happened.
NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley appeared to flash the V-sign at protesting fans after taking the Magpies squad out for dinner last night. https://t.co/w09oorYSuf
— Sports News Today❗️ (@sportsnewuk) October 4, 2018
Reality check
I can’t make any sense of what is going. I simply can’t.
BBC Sport recently broadcast the following. Have you watched it?
One can’t go back in time. One can reminisce and have fond memories but Newcastle United will, for decades to come, and long after he’s disappeared, be remembered for all of the wrong reasons.
I despair.