The long goodbye?

Over four days have passed since it was first reported that Chris Mort is set to step down as chairman, and yet there's still been no official word from the club of either confirmation or denial.

Should Mort return to his day job with law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, his replacement could well be Derek Llambias, a close friend of owner Mike Ashley who already holds the position of deputy chairman and who, like his pal, has been photographed in the stands wearing a Toon shirt. All this despite allegedly being a West Ham fan...

Reactions to Mort's departure would likely be mixed. On the one hand, he's not a football man and has rarely come across as having the requisite passion for the club that we would expect from someone in his position. On the other, he's been quietly efficient in helping to stablise the club off the field following the turbulent reign of Fat Fred and, unlike the previous incumbent, has appreciated how to conduct himself with dignity as well as when to open his mouth (usually in support of Keegan to dampen the nonsense spouted in the press) and when to keep it shut.