Here's your chance to get your hands into club funds, and help Bobby out. Again from the Ronnie(why, yes I am avoiding work ;-) ):

ONE of the biggest jobs in football is up for grabs with Newcastle United kicking off the search for a new person to handle the purse strings.

The hunt begins after the departure of Les Wheatley, the former finance director of the Magpies, who has moved on to Liverpool FC.

Shuffle

The top job, which earned Mr Wheatley a whacking #160,000 salary last year, is seen in the soccer world as one of the biggest challenges in the sport, second only to Manchester United.

The club is said to prefer someone from the North East and is only advertising for the key position in the region, rather than in London.

A Newcastle United spokesman said: "It is a key appointment and the appropriate candidate will be someone who understands the business and the importance of the club in the region.

"It is also important that they have a strong interest in sport."

Mr Wheatley's exit from St James's Park was one of a number of moves in a huge boardroom shuffle which also saw fiery Scotsman Freddie Fletcher quit as chief executive.

One of the new finance director's uphill struggles will be to help turn around the poor performance of the club on the stockmarket.

Currently shares in St James' Park are worth just 56p, less than half the #1.35 fans bought them for when the club was floated.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2000

Answers

So why DID Wheatley leave for Liverpool if the Toon job is that big?

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2000

My sources tell me Wheatley was a dud. Let's hope we can get someone with real ability, who can more effectively market the Club in the City.
With a silent Club Chairman this is a really important appointment for the Club.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000

I presume you'll be waiting until you can get a NE postmark on your letter before you apply Clarky?

Other sources reckon Wheatley was a Scouser trhough and through and wanted to return to his roots. Probably b*ll*x.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000

I know nothing of Wheatley's ability, but he does hail from the North West and is a Tranmere fan. This job is a plum and I can't see Newcastle being short of applications.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000

The Stonehouse (?) guy they got in from Sunderland was from a finance background, so we should either be very strong in this area, or we'll have two cats in a bag

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000