Belgravia ends Newcastle Utd bid

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The Belgravia Group investment fund has said it no longer intends to make an offer for Newcastle United.

Jersey-based Belgravia said that despite protracted negotiations with the club, it had been "unable to agree a price and transaction structure".

It added that it felt its planned offer would have been in the best interests of the club and its supporters.

It is the second firm to end takeover interest in Newcastle this year, after the Polygon hedge fund also pulled out.

Future interest

However, Belgravia said it did not rule out resurrecting its interest in Newcastle in the future if circumstances changed.

It said it could return with a fresh offer if a recommendation from the Newcastle board was forthcoming, or if a third party announced an offer.

US firm Polygon and its St James' Park Group consortium has also said it could return to make an offer or possible offer for Newcastle if circumstances change.

Belgravia is a private company with interests including construction, hospitality, aviation and sports marketing.

The majority shareholder at Newcastle United is Sir John Hall who, with his son, owns more than 40% of the club.

The other major shareholder is Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who owns a 28% stake in the football club.

In October 2006, Newcastle United announced a £12m financial loss for the year after heavy investment in players and a fall in revenues as a result of its failure to qualify for Europe.