Freddy Shepherd ready to finance Shearer deal

Apr 26 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

Shepherd has previously said Ashley’s biggest blunder during his disastrous 22 months as Newcastle owner was his failure to appoint someone with experience of day-to-day operations at a Premier League club.

Although Shepherd’s own reign at St James’s Park is poorly regarded by some fans, Ashley’s regime – headed by former casino boss Derek Llambias – has overseen disaster at Gallowgate.

With Tyneside’s relegation panic extending beyond their huge fanbase, local civic leaders and heads of commerce who dread the knock-on effect of Newcastle going down would welcome Shepherd’s renewed involvement in the club.

Shearer himself is understood to be aware of a local group’s plans to get on board at St James’s Park, but is committing himself to nothing other than Newcastle’s survival battle.

Meanwhile, Newcastle may look to bring Roddy Macdonald to St James’s Park for a THIRD spell as club doctor.

Shearer confirmed controversial former Rangers doctor Ian McGuinness left the same post at Newcastle last week.

Macdonald is at Aston Villa, having left United in 2007, and is highly rated by Shearer and Michael Owen.