NEWCASTLE United is perfectly placed to achieve on-field success because it struck lucky when Mike Ashley brought his business acumen to the club’s boardroom, it has been claimed.

John Irving, a former Magpies’ finance chief, says Mr Ashley remains the man to bring success to Tyneside.

Mr Irving was speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo ahead of the club’s £12m capture of Tottenham Hotspur’s Andros Townsend.

The England winger’s arrival will mean Mr Ashley has sanctioned spending in excess of £75m in the last six months and paid nearly £30m in January alone, after approving a £12m deal for Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and the £4.4m transfer of Bordeaux’s Henri Saivet.

Mr Irving, who worked alongside owner Mr Ashley for about eight years before moving to Newcastle Airport, said the Sports Direct founder’s outlay is proof of his commitment to make the team one of the best in the country.

He said: “When Mike came in there was a step change in business attitude; it is now a very stable football club.

“That doesn’t come out because it’s not the fun stuff (but) they have got the ability to go and buy quality players.

“Mike gets a lot of criticism at the club for things that are not necessarily his doing.

“The club is lucky he bought it; I honestly believe that.

“If not, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Mr Irving, who, as business development director, is charged with luring more passengers and services to the airport, said Mr Ashley won’t walk away until success is attained.

He added: “People talk about him not having an interest but that is total rubbish.

“When he first came to Newcastle, he came to enjoy the football and that’s what he still wants to do.

“He has made a massive difference to Newcastle United and has never taken money out of the club.

“The model works at the club and Mike has Newcastle United’s best interests at heart.

“They are definitely not where they should be this season, but they’ll be better next year.

“Mike won’t accept anything less than that.”