Thompson ends Falcons speculation

Newcastle owner Dave Thompson has ended months of speculation regarding a takeover of the club, by revealing he will stay at the Falcons' helm.

Newcastle owner Dave Thompson has ended months of speculation regarding a takeover of the club, by revealing he will stay at the Falcons' helm.

Thompson had been in talks with three groups about the possibility of a buy-out, but insisted nothing is changing at Kingston Park.

“The constant speculation has had a negative impact on the team, and I want to end it now by saying that I will continue as majority shareholder to give the club the stability it needs,” he said.

“Over the last five months or so there has been a lot of speculation regarding a change of ownership for Newcastle Rugby Ltd.

“During that time I have engaged in talks with three different parties. I don't know if it's the current economic situation, or the geographical area we are in, but those three sets of negotiations have failed to come to a conclusion.

“In light of that I have taken a decision that the club had to be stabilised, that we have to get rid once and for all the various rumours and media reports, which is why I have made this announcement today.

Thompson then continued to insist his future is at the Falcons as he closes in on a decade at the Kingston Park helm before admitting his players need stability.

“The club is not going to get taken over, I will remain as majority shareholder and I am committing myself to Newcastle Falcons,” he said.

“This coming February it will be ten years since I started with the Falcons, and I believe there is a strong future for us here. I know where we are in the league right now, but I have enormous faith in this club and am here today to say that the 'for sale' signs have been taken down.

“That is important for the squad, because some of the things that have been said in the press and in the various bits of gossip around the place have just taken off that little bit of edge that you need as a rugby player.

“Players are a very funny breed. They need to know they're standing on rock and not sand, to feel comfortable in their environment. They want to feel very secure and tight, and maybe my own statements over the past few months have not helped that.

“There always remains the possibility of someone coming in and investing in the club, I would never rule that out, but a club has to have in a sense one owner because it can't be run by committee.

“For the forseeable future that person is me, and while we will continue to look for new investment, there will be no change of ownership.”