Backed by hefty pockets of Saudi origin, Newcastle United‘s first summer transfer window under the new owners is likely to be an eventful one. The Magpies haven’t hit full throttle just yet and have instead opted to remain calm and patient.
Their recruitment drive is being led by recently appointed Sporting Director Dan Ashton.
The Englishman has already conducted some smart business for the club, by bringing in Nick Pope, making Matt Targett’s loan permanent and signing promising centre-back Sven Botman.
Aside from working at Brighton prior to his spell at the Toon, there’s little information out there about the 51-year-old. There also appear to be no official social accounts bearing his name, adding more intrigue.
However, a user online seems to have capitalized on the obscurity and has subsequently created a Dan Ashton parody account.
I can confirm that, today we have accepted a deal from Sheffield United for Ciaran Clark.
Details of the deal will remain confidential until the conclusion and confirmation of said transfer.
We are hopeful for a positive outcome for all parties.#NUFC
Going by Twitter chatter, the account was previously a parody account dedicated to former manager Steve Bruce. It has seen an alternation, and the account subtly masquerades as Newcastle’s Sporting director now.
After the rebrand, the account genuinely functioned as a parody, by offering attempts at hilarity through commentary on the club’s transfer activities.
However, the tone soon changed, as the account became a ‘tribute’, and now functions as if the words are coming from the man himself.
The account consistently tweets out unverified information and poses as if the individual is ITK (in-the-know). Ironically enough, the account’s bio describes the individual as an ‘ITK account buster extraordinaire’.
An apparent case of leaning into the act, the user seems to have leaned into it far too much. Such is their dedication to the bit that some fans are actually convinced that it is indeed Ashton behind the screen, demonstrating a whole new level of transparency.
Those enlightened enough to see behind the facade (90% of the fanbase) are more concerned with just how unfunny the account is. The user clearly garnered no credit from his ‘SuperBrucie’ days, and their newfound attempts at satire are falling flat.
No wonder that Dan Ashworth account is painfully unfunny.. it used to be the @superbrucie account, which in its own right, was also painfully unfunny.
You’ve had two goes at it now lad, just pack it up 🫠
