Mark Douglas has been speaking on the latest edition of the Everything is Black and White podcast about all things relating to Newcastle United.
The episode was mainly about the proposed takeover of the Toon by PCP Capital Partners, PIF and the Reuben brothers, which was withdrawn in July.
One of the points that came up during the discussion was Douglas’ belief that the legal challenges from both Newcastle Consortium Supporters Limited and Newcastle United themselves, as well as political pressure, are all part of the plan to get the Premier League to look at this takeover again.
He said: “They’re trying.
“There are all these different ways of trying to apply pressure to the Premier League, politically, legally.
“[The challenge from NCSL], I don’t think is going to legally win, but it’s already made a difference in that the letter [from the Premier League] has come, it’s forced Newcastle to [release their statement].
“It’s all about putting enough pressure on the Premier League for them to go back and revisit the decision.
“That’s been the strategy from the start.
“It still feels a bit like a war of attrition to me, but that seems to be the idea, a pincer movement of pressure on the Premier League.”
Do you think this is a good plan?
No, seems to be too slow
Yes, as long as it works
TIF Thoughts on the takeover strategy and Douglas’ view on it…
Since the takeover was formally withdrawn in July, there was another attempt to get the deal through, which was done behind closed doors but failed.
There are now two ongoing legal challenges against the Premier League, and it is interesting that Douglas thinks that this is all just about putting pressure on the Premier League rather than a direct attempt to force the takeover through, which is what appeared to be occurring in September when Mike Ashley hired lawyers Nick De Marco and Shaheed Fatima.
So, it is unclear what will happen now, but we do think that this has gone on for long enough.
We think there needs to be a conclusion so that the Toon can either start a new chapter under a new regime or focus on the current regime until another credible buyer comes along.