Ashley ‘shares Toon Army pain’

Mike Ashley has told Newcastle fans he “shares the pain” of relegation and will do all he can to restore Premier League status.

Sunderland’s midweek win over Everton condemned their bitter rivals to a second relegation under Ashley’s ownership whatever happens against Tottenham on Tyneside this weekend.

Ashley has for years been the target of protests from supporters unhappy at a perceived lack of investment, while the billionaire’s reluctance to speak publicly is another regular bone of contention.

But in an open letter to fans Ashley has defended the club’s transfer outlay last summer and again in January, when Newcastle outspent the entire Bundesliga on the likes of Andros Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey.

He wrote: “Newcastle United rightly has a proud and long tradition of competing at the highest level and I therefore understand and share …

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