Mike Ashley has FINALLY come clean and he now admits that he DOES regret buying Newcastle United.

Full marks to The Times ... who have managed to tie down the Cockney W***** and get a quote out of him, after his puppet Derek Llambias has insisted for a year "Mike has no regrets about buying the club".

Mike Ashley: "Of course I regret it.

"I never said I was an expert in football clubs. I tried my best. But I accept my best was woefully short.

"Chris Hughton deserves a shot at the title - he has done a great job. But if I keep the club I will have the final say on players.

"I am the one who has to fund the club."