Lee Charnley - "We'll Continue To Spend"
The NUFC managing director highlights the Magpies' financial strength and desire to move forward.
Newcastle United managing director, Lee Charnley is the latest member of the Magpies' staff to write an email outlining a number of key issues to the fans.
In a new bid to communicate better with supporters, Charnley gives his opinion on the transfer window, spending, finances, strategy and the club's long-term ambition.
The statement explains that the club has set Steve McClaren the target of a top eight finish and to win a trophy and outlines the financial situation very clearly.
Here is Charnley's full statement below:
Spending, Summer Window 2015"As the transfer window closes, we are delighted by what we think has been a very strong summer of business for our Club.
Advertisement"Weve secured ourselves four exceptional new senior players in Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Florian Thauvin, as well as landing the exciting emerging talent of Ivan Toney. "I hope youve been impressed by what youve seen from them so far. We are confident they will continue to improve and will add significantly to the quality and success of the team. "In addition, we were delighted to agree a new deal with our Captain, Fabricio Coloccini, who on and off the field is showing the drive and determination we desire from our Captain and one of the figureheads of our club."
"I know that conflicting reports from outside the club can make it hard to understand what weve spent in the window. I want to take this opportunity to confirm that the net amount spent this summer is £52.6m, with £51.5m cash paid out. On top of the transfer spend, our wage bill for the year to 30 June 2016 will increase by a minimum of just under £9m as a result of our activity during this transfer window."
Charnley then wrote some key messages that addresses the fans directly:
Financial strength
Our strategy is clear"The decisions weve made over the past few years have given us the financial strength to net spend significantly this summer, as well as retaining those key players who were in demand from other clubs.
Advertisement"Well continue to spend on the squad moving forward and have no need or desire to sell our best players."
"quality over quantity We want the best young players available to us.A new board structure"We have brought in high-calibre players that will make an immediate impact."
"The Board have worked very closely together during this summer window. We want a squad that is strong defensively, combined with plenty of creativity, attacking intent and flair.A long term strategy"We are all of one mind when it comes to our vision for the squad."
Advertisement
"Were delighted with the players weve brought in, but we always knew that it would take more than one window to reshape and restructure.Steve and his team"This is the start not the end. It will take time and number of windows to get where we want to be.
"We are in a very strong financial position. To allow us to continue in this vein, we need to ensure that the club's finances remain just as healthy over the coming years. We ask that you trust us in this process. We want our club to progress and be the best it can possibly be."
A new chapter"We have set Steve a target of a top-eight finish and to win a trophy. Everyone at the club is driving hard towards that goal. However, all of this rebuilding and reshaping isnt something that can happen overnight; it will take time.
Advertisement"I have complete faith that what he and his team are implementing will give us the best possible chance of success as a club and I would ask that you give Steve and his team, your team, all your support while we strive to deliver this reshaped vision."
"In recent years I know that some of you feel a divide has opened up between the club and the supporters. We accept responsibility for the things we have done, or not done, to contribute to this, but with Steve's arrival and a new season ahead of us, we have been presented with a real opportunity to make progress as a club together.
"Often our mistake has been that weve not communicated well enough with you and I assure you going forward, this is something we will do better. "I hope you can see from activities such as the pre-season open/family day, the emails like mine that are now being sent directly to your inbox, and with a fresh focus on engaging with you far better on social media, we are showing we have a desire to connect with you. "What is absolutely clear is that when we are all pulling in the same direction and you are one hundred percent behind the players who wear our shirt, it makes the difference. "Your support is magnificent and truly valued. On behalf of the board and all my colleagues, I hope that this can be a new chapter of positivity and progression for Newcastle United on and off the pitch."