05/10/2000 UK: NEWCASTLE UNITED PLC NOTICE OF RESULTS - AMENDMENT.

Newcastle United PLC 5 October 2000

The issuer has made the following amendment to the Notice of Results

announcement released on 19 September 2000 at 10.39am under RNS No 1513R.

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AMENDED NOTIFICATION OF PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2000

Newcastle United PLC will be announcing its Preliminary results for the year ended 31st July 2000, on Monday 16th October 2000 and not on Monday 9th October as previously notified.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

Answers

Oh no it's all coming crashing down around our heads.....

Sorry for the sarcasm Dougal, I imagine that piece of news might be important to shareholders....

But then again.....maybe not.....

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

You're missing the point, pet. Why are they being delayed? They are probably going to be poor (as the last ones were) and may want to have something big to announce to soften the blow. Look at the leak of the Nike deal that preceded the Man United announcement of a fall in profits.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

WOB alias Winston O Boogle of RTG notoriety will be waiting with baited breath, his spec subject appears to be "The Financial Times of Newcastle Utd".

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

Probably just waiting 'til we've stuffed the Smoggies. A good result at the Sewerside Stadium and we'll all be able to cope better with a droop in the profits.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

Might be a simplistic thought but why would any "proper" investor but into NUFC plc?
I can understand fans buying in because it's wor club, but the nature of the (football) beast is that we spend money like there's no tomorrow so where are the dividends to a speculator?

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

Actually, we have almost no institutional investors - they are largely fans and then the big holdings like S+H plus NTL. I think the largest shareholding is an individual who has 3.5% or something.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

No Dougal I actually chose to ignore your scare mongering....I mean it just has to be sinister doesn't it?......one of these days I imagine that you'll be right and you'll feel totally vindicated...

I don't suppose it's possible that it could be that the accounts just aren't ready yet could it?

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

Gav, I didn't say it was sinister, did I? I said that they may be waiting for something big. It could be the signing of Zinedine Zidane, it could be megabucks from ADIDAS, it could be trying to get together figures from the new ST sales so they can say that things may have been bad last year but they'll be grand this year. Firms do this, you know. It could, as you say, be just that they are a bit crap and have got behind schedule. None of which is remotely sinister.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

PS. One of these days you'll actually read one of my postings as it was written and interpret it properly and feel vindicated in accusing me of being a scaremongerer.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

I really don't get any enjoyment out of picking on you Dougs (not like I do with Jay) but there's something about your postings that always make me think you're trying to be negative about the club (not just the results like I am!) and I can't help but be sarcastic in reply....

My sincerest apologies for misunderstanding your posting.....

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

Fair do's Gav - I'll admit that odd things really do worry me. However, I've been relatively positive this season and have even predicted 4 wins! Anyway, take care and have a good w/e.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

Announcing a week's delay at this juncture is very curious. I'd be betting on problems rather than any imminent signing of Roberto Carlos and Zinedine Zidane.
They may be having problems securing audit clearance - which would be worrying in itself - or simply in need of more time to put a positive spin on cr@p results.
Given a share price of 56p - now only 42% of the flotation price - there are very few people left who could be any more upset than they already are with our 'management', with the possible exception of the Fraud Squad that is!

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

Actually Clarky, I heard it was Roberto Zinedine and Carlos Zidane. But I was in a taxi at the time. I'm with Gav on this. Has to be bad news. Ooh, floods.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

One thing that could be holding the results up is the issue re the transfer system. I don't know whether 16 October fits in with any decision that has to be taken on that by the EC.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

I don't think the 16th has anything to do with the EU Transfer matter......that one is now pretty much dead in the water.....even the EU are against scrapping the system, they have now downgraded to accept 'a fairing' of the system, whatever that means in some of this euro-speak.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2000

The share price has fallen from 59.5p to 56p in recent days so someone seems to be aware for the reason for the delay.
Not the average punter mind - they never get the inside scoop until it's too late.

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2000

Clarky - can you let us know when would be a good time to buy???

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2000

I'm afraid there hasn't been a good time to buy Screacher, although the worst ever time to buy seems to have been at the flotation.

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2000

I've just been doing a bit of work for Breakfast for tomorrow morning, and they are still planning an item in the business section based on the NUFC results being announced.....now is this a The results aren't being released today item, or have we been sold a pup that they are gonna be late.

No one in Breakfast seemed to know....mind you, nothin new there

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2000

Better prepare something else Ken - or they could look like a right couple of twossers if they've got nowt to talk about - nothing new there I guess.

BTW Screacher - I've noticed your question to me - I don't think there's ever a good time to buy shares in this particular company. Nobody warned me that in the case of NUFC plc the value of the shares can go down as well as down!
If I ever get any information that suggests anything different you'll be the second to hear about it!

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2000

Can I be third Clarty sorry ClarKy......

BTW....I wasn't working on that bit.....boy o boy, business way over my head......but I noticed it on the board.......but then lots of things do drop off the R/O prior to air

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2000

Talking about Breakfast. Can you please arrange to shoot thet lecherous bugger. He's definitely not what's neededfirst thing in the morning. Isn't there a war you can send him to?

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2000

......wouldn't that be considered suicide screacher!

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2000

My thoughts exactly! You're not as daft as they say.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2000

Clarkie,

Serious enquiry. How do I go about buying shares in NUFC?

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2000

Bobby Robson's contract has to be sorted out or he will take the England job. We are duty bound to inform the City of changes to management personnel so the situation needs to be resolved before our results can be announced. Apparently Lord Lucan left a note to this effect on the grassy knoll...

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2000

The thing is, while SOS no doubt dented profits with the club shop embargoes etc, we had a decent run in Europe, a good Cup run, decent gates etc so the results shouldn't be as appalling as all that.....

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2000

toon expat,

I don't recall where you're living now, but you can buy shares through virtually any UK high street Bank these days. If you're living abroad, but still have UK Bank account, they should be able to do it for you.
You can buy on the net through a myriad of brokers/dealers (eg. Merrill Lynch, Charles Schwab, DLJ, etc.) but you will need to open a brokerage account.
Failing that I would consult your own local Bank as to how best to do it. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2000

Clarky

Many thanks. I still have a UK bank account which I can access via telephone. Tonight! Ta again.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2000

Incidentally wor share price is at a major low 54p. Howeverm almost all the football shares are down - Man United about 6.6p, Sunderland about 6p. Aston Villa's haven't budged but they never do (not unlike Villa).

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2000

Actually, the Inde are predicting #5.70 million before tax. Can someone like Clarky tell me whether this is good or bad.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

I assume that is profit?

How does the ground development fit into these figures? The squad is now a bit leaner thanks to Bobby so the results must get better especially when you take into account the increased revenue.

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2000

Wor shares are down to 52.5p! Is this an all-time low? If so, I wonder they are falling on basis of YBR speculation or upcoming financial results or transfer saga. Actually, the strangest thing is that Man United's are in freefall - down 12.5p yesterday and pretty much the same the day before....

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

The transfer market will surely affect some of these prices. A fair bit of money goes on transfers so if transfer fees are effectively abolished it will upset the balance won't it.

I'm tempted to buy some NUFC shares!

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

Sorry I haven't responded earlier dougal - just noticed your post.

I think #5.7mm pre-tax would represent a home run. We made #5.0mm pretax in 1998, which I believe included the CL windfall. However, this fell to #1.4mm last year, and I've heard it suggested that we could make a loss this year.

Obviously, we need to see the full figures, but at this distance #5.4mm pre-tax would seem very reasonable, and at odds with the declining share price - 59 down to 52.5p over the last week or so. Having said that the market in general has been in free fall over the same period.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2000

Thanks, Clarky! Man United are down by -16 today! However: LONDON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - HSBC Securities said on Friday it started coverage of UK football stocks, giving Manchester United Plc and Leeds Sporting Plc an "add" rating but assigning an "underweight" view to the sector overall. "Hold" ratings were given to Chelsea Village Plc and Tottenham Hotspur Plc , but Newcastle United Plc was rated "reduce". On the sector overall, analyst Virginie Lannevere said investors were likely to want to take some time to assess the potential outcomes of a current crisis over transfer fees in the football world. "The EC will not be ruling on the transfer fees before the end of this year and the outcome on this issue will prove crucial for the future redefinition of the sector," Lannevere said in a research note. "We therefore have an underweight position in the sector."

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

They are waiting for Lua Lua's Television Debut!!!!! We are 4th in the League and up to now have been less than convincing. Just let them get it right on TV once!!!!!! and we are a most marketable commodity. If you have any spare dosh-become a Toon shareholder--at 52.5p or thereabouts.You only need 1000 shares,, and you can leave them with your season ticket to your kids. If the large shareholders need more money they can release further shares out to existing small shareholders. Anyway,I digress...What I really wanted to say was watch Lua Lua on monday.Those 30+minutes I saw of him at the City game showed me we have a major young talent hear.. Fifties Fan

-- Anonymous, October 14, 2000

Just announced. #19M loss. That's a loss of Nineteen Million Pounds. Apparently blamed on "player trading" (if I heard correctly). So, it's aal YBR's fault. The sooner he resigns and takes the England job the better!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Whats your source Screacher, no not HP!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

UK Football News Mon, 16 Oct 2000, 8:56am BST Newcastle United Posts FY2000 Loss on Player Trading, Matches By Chris Collins

Newcastle, England, Oct. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Newscastle United Plc, a Premier League soccer club, posted a full-year loss after income from matches, sponsorship and player trading all dropped. Its net loss was 15.5 million pounds ($22.5 million), or 10.8 pence a share, from a profit of 887,000 pounds, or 0.6 pence a share, a year ago. Revenue rose to 45.1 million pounds.

``The last year has seen a number of significant developments across the business, the financial and other benefits of which will better enable Newcastle United to take advantage of the opportunities ahead,'' said Chairman John Fender in statement issued via the Regulatory News Service.

Newcastle and other Premier League clubs risk denting profit by meeting rocketing wage bills and transfer costs for elite players. While broadcasting pacts signed recently with media companies such as British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc should help offset some of these costs, success on the pitch is needed to maintain high attendances, analysts have said.

NTL Inc., the U.K.'s biggest cable company, in December paid 6 million pounds to raise its stake in Newcastle to 9.8 percent, and became the club's exclusive media agent for five years.

Newcastle is in sixth position in the Premier League after eight matches. It's due to play northeast England rival Middlesbrough later today.

The shares were unchanged at 53.5 pence on Friday. They've fallen about 22 percent this year.

Newcastle will pay a full-year dividend of 2.64 pence, from 1.76 pence last year.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

It was on my Auntie's breakfast show. Dougal has also posted from Reuters. Apparently it is July-July, so my earlier comments aboot YBR are incorrect. As we aal suspected, it was TDO who was profligate (sp?) with the funds.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Can someone sensible like Calrky or Jonno give their assessment of this? The good thing is that turnover is slightly better...

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Well, that rules me out then! Without the full picture, it would be difficult to comment. I guess the merchandising went down a fair birt, and looking at transfers in, we spent a canny bit on Marcelino, Goma (Dyer too?) and their ilk. This season's incommings will not be included, as indeed won't YBR's sales in thee close season.

PS. Do you really expect an unbiased opinion from "Calrky"?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

You saying I'm baised, like, Screacher? Reet - ootside!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Nah Calrky, I'd nivvor caal ye baised!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000