Chris Mort was quite possibly the most bizarre chairman Newcastle United have ever had, quite simply because the fella new NOTHING about football! But ... allegedly ... he's back!

Apparently Mort is one of the key deal clinchers in the business empire of Mike Ashley, and he is expected on Tyneside today in a development that suggests major movement on the sale of the club is under way.

Mort's anticipated arrival came on the day when the spokesman for the Nigerian consortium interested in buying Newcastle said that a formal offer had been lodged last Friday, but a group of South African businessmen based in England are now considered leading contenders.



They want to speak to the recently departed manager Kevin Keegan about returning to the role.

Mort's presence in the region will be viewed as significant by fans.

It is believed he has not to have been back at St James' Park since leaving at the end of last season, which is no surprise, because he allegedly doesn't know much about the sport.

When facing the media he was famous amongst reporters for uttering the same line over and over: "You will have to ask Mike Ashley that question" ... knowing full well Ashley REFUSES to talk to the press.

And so the saga continues.

Ashley has brought in Joe Kinnear as stand-in boss and he again refuses to explain his actions.

It's as though the fans don't matter.