NEWCASTLE Falcons might have secured a multi-million pound investment, but hopes of an immediate cash injection into the squad appear far-fetched.

Tyne Valley businessman Semore Kurdi secured a 40 per cent share in Falcons at the end of last month, easing the cash flow problems that had forced chairman Dave Thompson to put the club on the market in 2008.

Newcastle sold their Kingston Park stadium to Northumbria University in 2007 to help offset crippling loan repayments, while HMRC issued a winding-up order against the club in 2008 due to outstanding tax debts.

The arrival of Kurdi, who moved to Tyneside from Jordan at the age of ten and boasts interests in land, agriculture and property, will help secure Falcons’ short and medium-term future.

But with the club struggling one place from the foot of the Aviva Premiership, Thompson has warned supporters not to expect an expensive overhaul of the squad.

He said: “This is by no means a quick-fix scenario of someone coming in and spending a load of money on panic buys.

“Our shared vision is very much based on firm foundations, engaging the community, filling the stadium and giving the North-East and Cumbria a team they can really be proud of.”

NEWCASTLE supporters might remember Paul Kemsley as the Mike Ashley confidante who drove the unsuccessful attempt to appoint Harry Redknapp at St James’ Park, but the London businessman now finds himself resurrecting one of the most famous names in football.

Kemsley, who is also known for his cameo appearances alongside Alan Sugar on The Apprentice, is spearheading a consortium that has bought legendary US side New York Cosmos.

With support from former player Pele, Kemsley and his associates are hoping to secure a Major League Soccer licence by 2013.

THE North-East’s three biggest football clubs are all watching with interest as a test case involving overseas satellite television stations goes through the European courts.

Karen Murphy paid a Greek satellite station to provide Premier League football coverage for her Portsmouth pub. The deal enabled her to show 3pm matches on a Saturday afternoon, when British stations are banned from screening live games.

The UK courts handed out an £8,000 fine, but an appeal has been passed to the European Courts of Justice.

The result of the appeal could have far-reaching repercussions for the region’s clubs. Middlesbrough chief exceutive Keith Lamb has repeatedly claimed the illegal screening of football matches in Teesside pubs affects match-day attendances at the Riverside. But North-East pubs could be free to screen whatever football matches they want if Murphy’s appeal, which is not expected to be resolved for a number of months, is successful.

THE English cricket season might be over, but plenty of Durham’s players have found employment on the opposite side of the world.

Paul Collingwood will be part of the England side that attempts to retain the Ashes this winter, while Liam Plunkett and Ben Stokes will jet out soon to join the England Performance Squad down under. However, they will not be the only players wielding a bat in anger over the next few months.

Scott Borthwick is travelling to Adelaide to take part in a High Performance Camp run by former England captain Mike Gatting, while Chris Rushworth is already in Perth playing for Claremont Nedlands.

Durham skipper Phil Mustard is hoping to spend six weeks playing in South Africa, while Michael Di Venuto is coaching in his native Tasmania.

Who says cricket is a summer sport?

IT’S always nice to know someone is reading what you’re writing, but Darlington midfielder Jamie Chandler has admitted the Quakers squad were avoiding The Northern Echo in the wake of Tuesday’s defeat at Rushden.

“Reading The Northern Echo on Wednesday morning wasn’t very nice,” said Chandler, in an interview on Darlington’s official website.

“The gaffer’s comments about a lack of commitment really hurt.”