Newcastle: An uncertain future

The future of Newcastle United was thrown in to further doubt yesterday as Chairman Freddy Shepherd said that Sir John Hall is making it hard to run the club.

Shepherd says Sir John, who is still the majority share holder, needs to make his intentions clear.

Shepherd said: 'For the sake of the club, the shareholders and supporters, Sir John must decide quickly what he is going to do and make his position public."

He added 'He is perfectly entitled to sell his shares to whomever he wants. But if he wants to sell them, he needs to say so and if, he does not, good, let's all march on together."

Shepard continued: 'Everyone at the club, from me as chairman down to the manager Glenn Roeder, the coaches, the players and our administrative staff, have been left wondering whether they would have jobs when it was all over.

'If he lives to be 100, is Sir John going to keep trying to sell these shares? Are we going to have this uncertainty forever?

'I want him to be honest with me and the supporters. The club simply cannot go on dealing with proposed buyers knocking on the door who turn out to be time-wasters."

Shepard also raised the prospect that he himself may be interested in buying Sir John`s stake. 'I have shown my commitment to Newcastle by buying shares in the club and I have never sold a share. I would consider buying the Hall shares at the correct price.

'I cannot prevent Sir John selling the shares he controls but I want it to be to the right people. As long as I am here, I am going to do my best for the club.'

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