Further blow for Newcastle as fourth director leaves club

NEWCASTLE, the troubled Premier League club rocked by scandal over comments from two senior executives, has lost its fourth director since it came to the stock market a year ago.

The resignation of Jo Dixon, Newcastle's finance director, is another blow to the group's credibility in the City, according to analysts.

The announcement follows the departure of Freddy Shepherd and Douglas Hall, who left the club in disgrace after making damaging remarks about team members and fans. Newcastle also lost Mark Corbidge, joint chief executive, last July when he resigned after just seven months with the club.

Ms Dixon, 38, joined Newcastle from National Westminster Bank three years ago and received a pounds 100,000 bonus from Cameron Hall, the majority shareholders in the club, when it floated.

Both Ms Dixon and Newcastle denied her departure had anything to do with the problems that have beset the club. "I have had a great time. But this is my third anniversary here and I wanted to move on," she said.