It’s clear that we need to hear much more from Mike Ashley

The Sports Direct and Newcastle United chief keeps his public appearances to a minimum, but despite his negative media image when Ashley speaks he does so with forthright honesty, writes Chris Blackhurst

Sports sections devote acres of newsprint to Mike Ashley’s reign at Newcastle United, much of it scathing (Getty)

The other evening, I was talking to my wife and, I confess, half-watching the TV that was showing the news in the background.

Suddenly, she complained, rightly, that my eyes were drawn to the screen and I was not listening to her. It was because I was doing a double-take. Mike Ashley was on screen, talking to the reporter.

This, for anyone who knows anything about the Sports Direct and Newcastle United boss, is a rare event. He keeps his public appearances to a minimum.