Mort replaced Freddy Shepherd last year and it is understood the top City lawyer, who took a year's sabbatical to spearhead owner Mike Ashley's vision for the future, will leave the club within a matter of weeks.

Mort has overseen the transition from the Shepherd era and a restructuring of the club during his chairmanship in a period with the club that has been far from uneventful.

Sam Allardyce was already in place as manager when Ashley and Mort arrived, but after they oversaw his summer recruitment drive, backed by a relatively modest net investment of around £10million, they dispensed with his services in January after a dreadful run of results.

The pair failed to lure Harry Redknapp to replace Allardyce but then sprang a major surprise when they brought Kevin Keegan back to the club.

But it is away from the football side of things where Mort has been most active, overseeing a drive to address Newcastle's £100million debts and working to improve the club's image both inside and outside the city.

"It was to be expected really. When Mike Ashley took over he hired Chris Mort to head up his negotiating team," Hall said.

"I think he probably had an agreement to stay and complete the legalities needed to take the club private and consolidate Mike's takeover.

"I read in the press the other day that he didn't want to live in the North East. He's done his stint and it's time for him to move back where he was."

The Magpies are yet to confirm Mort's departure, or the identity of his replacement.

But significantly, Ashley's long-term associate Derek Llambias was appointed deputy chairman earlier this month and it would be no surprise if his name was high on the list of potential successors.

Hall, who was chairman at the club between 1992 and 1997, also believes Newcastle's turbulent times are behind them and the fans can look forward to next season with optimism.

"There have been some good games and there have been some terrible games. It's been a season of mixed fortune," Hall told Setanta.

"I certainly didn't enjoy it. Some of the games I saw were probably some of the worst I've seen in 20 years.

"It'll be interesting to see where Kevin takes us. You've got to hope and believe that Kevin can take us forward, that he hasn't lost his touch for the game.

"The last six or seven games were quite good under him.

"Give the people time. It's a business and you've got to consolidate, learn and go forward. I'm sure we've done that this season."