Chris Waddle has provoked the ire of several Newcastle supporters by suggesting that the club’s owner Mike Ashley is a “lovely bloke“.
Since becoming Newcastle’s owner in 2007, Ashley hasn’t been a popular figure on Tyneside, with many fans having repeatedly slammed the businessman over the years.
Following recent speculation linking Saudi Arabian investors with a potential takeover at St James’ Park, many Newcastle supporters have also pleaded with Ashley to relinquish his hold on the club and sell to the interested party.
However, there has been no movement on the takeover so far, and former Newcastle star Chris Waddle told Chronicle Live that he would be surprised if anything comes off the speculated interest, saying:
Newcastle fans would like to see their club sold but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this latest approach from a Saudi group of investors comes to nothing. The last two bids came to nothing and that tells you something.
However, it was Waddle’s later comments that struck the wrong chord with many supporters, with the 59-year old claiming that Ashley is a “lovely bloke” who simply needs to communicate with supporters more often. Waddle said:
I have only met Mike Ashley once, after a game against Tottenham and I had a nice chat with him. I thought he was a lovely bloke.
I said to him then that he should be talking to the media more, talking to fans more, trying to explain to them what you’re about and what you’re trying to achieve, because when you don’t everyone starts guessing – and most of the guesswork is negative.
Many supporters reacted negatively to Waddle’s comments on social media:
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC He owns your boyhood club and has no ambition for it but is a lovely bloke…This article only serve… https://t.co/PmbqfGpi10 (@FinnThompson12)
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC And how much did he Pay you to Say that (@geordie1234)
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC More pro-Ashley propaganda. Unbelievable. (@jazadal)
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC Ridiculous statement! So in this context so did Harold Shipmans patients! (@SteveAt91142691)
Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC Can’t stand waddle (@Stevendouglas25)
