The North East of England is regarded as one of the most passionate football regions in the country.Supporters live and breathe to watch their side play on a Saturday afternoon - something which people work tirelessly all week to afford.Football is more than a sport, and that's why what happens on the pitch has such a big impact on those in the stands.For Newcastle United, there hasn't been a lot for fans to cheer of late.A mediocre couple of seasons in the Premier League was justified due to the ongoing discussions that were happening with regards to a takeover of the club.To say Mike Ashley is unpopular is an understatement, and so when news emerged that he might have been selling the club emerged, fans were immediately invested.That process of Amanda Staveley's Saudi-backed consortium completing a £300million deal to buy the club took plenty of twists and turns over recent months, but a bombshell on Thursday after left fans to pick up the pieces.
Sky Sports revealed that the buying party had withdrawn their interest in Newcastle United, citing 'the prolonged process under the current circumstances coupled with global uncertainty' as the reason.That news has not gone down well with plenty of supporters, but also with journalists on the Newcastle United beat.Chronicle Live's Mark Douglas is one man who has been covering the takeover saga since the first minute, and he's described the fatal blow as 'heartbreaking'.
Douglas tweeted: "These quotes are all very well but really, we need specifics now.
"We can all be heartbroken but something has gone very, very wrong here. What a mess."
GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...
This is utterly heartbreaking for Newcastle United.
Mike Ashley's tenure at St James' Park has been fuelled by supporter unrest with many never really getting behind the Sports Direct mogul.
That said, he certainly hasn't helped himself along the way.
The opportunity to see the club bought out by the Saudi-backed consortium represented a glimmer of light at the end of a dark tunnel that would see the club aspiring to reach the top of the game once again.
That dream came so close to being a reality, but at the last minute it's come crashing down.
To go from dreams of being the richest club in the world to one who seem likely to start the new season under the current regime is a bitter pill to swallow, and it will certainly take some getting over for supporters.
The hope now is that Ashley has another buyer in the pipeline so that a fresh deal can be struck in a timely manner to ensure that a takeover is done sooner rather than later.