There is no doubt that Newcastle United are a club on the up. After the bitter disappointment of being relegated from the Premier League in 2009, a return straightaway as Championship winners, a solid first campaign back and a season above all expectations so far, has put a smile back on Newcastle fans’ faces. It has also put a smile on the face of Newcastle United chairman Mike Ashley, as Newcastle’s finances are showing signs of improving as well.

The Deloitte Football Rich List for 2012 has been released and Newcastle still in a solid position from which they can improve. The list of the world’s richest football clubs sees Real Madrid at the helm, followed by La Liga rivals Barcelona, Premier League champions Manchester United and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Those four clubs are a fair way ahead of the rest of Europe, but where are Newcastle I hear you ask?

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Well, Newcastle United are ranked at number 25. Despite a drop of 2 places that’s not at all bad for the Magpies, as this list is based on total revenues for 2010/11, which was Newcastle’s first season back in the Premier League. Newcastle’s revenue was 98 million Euros, which puts them 7th in terms of English clubs. Of those seven, Aston Villa are just one place ahead of the Magpies on 99.3m Euros and Newcastle would be hoping to overtake them and climb back into the top 20 next year, which was a position the St James’ Park club held a few years ago.

In terms of the big Premier League clubs, the top 6 looks like something of a closed shop. Other than Man United in third, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are ranked 5th, 6th, 9th, 11th and 12th respectively, with most of those clubs doubling Newcastle’s revenues. While the higher echelons of the Deloitte money list is a closed shop, thankfully the Premier League table isn’t and Newcastle could finish above one, two or even three of the aforementioned clubs.

In terms of Newcastle’s finances, there’s no doubt that Ashley is steadying the ship. Revenues should break 100m Euros next year and they might even make a profit when the next set of accounts is released. By in large the balancing of the books hasn’t been done to the detriment of the team either, as exciting young players have been accompanied by bargains from abroad. Newcastle might be 25th now, but as Yazz once sang, “The Only Way Is Up!”

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Click on the Dembas below to see the Top 10 Newcastle Goals of the Season so far