Tinkler club's knight in shining armour

Mining and horseflesh magnate Nathan Tinkler, the man widely touted as a potential saviour of the Newcastle Knights, secretly lent the club $500,000 more than a year ago, and has not been repaid. The arrangement is noted in the Knights' most recent financial statement, for the year to December 31, 2008, as a ''loan from other corporations'' under the club's current liabilities. Knights chief executive Steve Burraston said yesterday he was not at liberty to disclose who was responsible for lending his club the amount, citing a deed of confidentiality. But the Herald understands the mediashy Tinkler offered to advance the Knights that amount when they encountered a cashflow shortage in 2008. It is understood the loan was interestfree, and the Knights were told they could ''pay it back when you can''. The Knights have previously sought similar advances from the Newcastle Jockey Club and Gold Coast Chargers after experiencing financial difficulties, but these were paid back in a matter of weeks. ''All those things are confidential,'' Burraston said yesterday. ''All I can say to you is we do have favourable terms on a loan of $500,000 from parties who have an interest in the Knights, which we've declared, obviously, in our numbers.'' Burraston said the club would be able to repay the loan at short notice if required. ''It can be paid back this year,'' he said. ''We have the capability of paying it back, yes.'' Tinkler has been a Knights fan since childhood, and there has been widespread speculation that he could bankroll the club should it become privatised. YOU WALK ALONE Advertisement: Story continues below Liverpool director Tom Hicks jnr faces mounting pressure to resign from the board despite offering an apology for sending an obscene email to a fan concerned about the Anfield club's financial future. Hicks jnr, son of one Canada Goose Expedition of the club's two American owners, sent the abusive message after being emailed a link to a local newspaper story on the challenge facing Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benitez, to manage Anfield's 240 million ($415m) debt as well as delivering success on the pitch. After labelling the fan an ''idiot'', Hicks then wrote: '' me, face. Go to hell. I'm sick of you.'' Hicks emailed the supporter on Saturday to ''apologise for losing his temper and using bad language with you'', labelling his response a ''kneejerk reaction''. He was described by sources close to his family as ''deeply regretting'' the mistake. Spirit of Shankly, the club's supporters' union, called on Hicks jnr to ''recognise his shortcomings, not only as an individual but as a 'custodian' of the club and do what any honourable person would do and resign''. However, the prospect of him resigning remains remote. MURPHY'S TV DATE V8 Supercars driver Greg Murphy will miss the opening round of this year's season and it's all the fault of popular British TV show Top Gear. The New Zealander, who recently announced a move to Paul Morris Motorsport, will not race at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit because he has been forced to honour an agreement with the show. That means when the V8 season gets under way in the Middle East, Murphy will be appearing at Auckland's ASB Showgrounds alongside hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond from February 18 to 21. Team owner Paul Morris will take over at the wheel of Murphy's Commodore for the season opener. ''He's got commitments elsewhere, so we've just planned around that and I'll drive the car,'' Morris told website Speed Cafe on Monday. ''I'm looking forward to having a drive.'' Murphy will now make his debut for Paul Morris Motorsport in the second round at Bahrain from February 25 to 27. BOWLERS 'GUILTY' A New Zealand bowls four has been found guilty of deliberately losing an end during the Asia Pacific bowls tournament in Malaysia last year. Bowlers Gary Lawson, Jamie Hill, Shayne Sincock and Shannon McIlroy were found guilty by an independent panel of deliberately throwing the 17th end of their match against Thailand.

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