In a column for the Telegraph, written in June 2013, Ashley was described by Luke Edwards as "a curious man, shy of publicity, yet supremely confident, a self-made billionaire." Unless it's absolutely necessary he refrains from speaking openly in public and has never felt the urge of clarify the decisions that have transformed him into public enemy number one in the eyes of the Geordie public. He rarely, if ever, says yes to interview request or attends fans forum, often sending proxies to deliver his message and fight his corner. That unwillingness to communicate and engage with supporters has bred resentment that has been amplified by every unexplained decision he has made. It's not a duty of chairmen and owners to justify everything to do, after all the football club is theirs, but in Ashley's case he needs to regularly engage with the very people who buy his merchandise, if only to improve his understanding of the role Newcastle United plays in their lives.
