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Luke Edwards is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.

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Petrol On The Flames Of Discontent

Posted by Luke on September 8, 2008 1:26 PM | 

In normal circumstances I would have arrived at work on Monday morning to write a blog congratulating Andy Murray on his achievement at the US Open, but as every Newcastle fan knows, these are far from normal times.

If anyone thought things would calm down over the weekend you were sadly mistaken because you can always rely on a "club insider" to pour petrol on the smoldering flames of discontent.

It is pretty obvious that the stories claiming Kevin Keegan wanted to sign Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard were aimed to discredit the man, but they have failed miserably because the story is so ludicrous and why, oh why, did this insider not wish to put his name to the comment?

Keegan himself laughed off the reports that he wanted to sign Henry last season and as if anyone in their right mind - something Keegan clearly was - would believe Fat Frank was on his way to SJP!

Petty attempts to poke fun at a man whose supporters will be doing a bit of poking themselves when Hull City arrive at SJP on Saturday - with the vocal equivalent of a particularly sharp stick!

As for the club statement about Keegan always knowing the management structure he was working under - i.e he would have no say over transfers - why did Dennis Wise completely contradict that in the club's own official matchday programme back in February?

If you haven't seen it, Wise insisted Kevin had the final say on all comings and goings, not him. Something Keegan repeatedly insisted last season when asked about the management structure and which Ashley himself also appeared to collaborate in the new official - nobody will every buy it - club magazine.

Somebody, somewhere has been eating porky pies (possibly in New York) and somebody, somewhere is telling them (possibly in Newcastle, but probably London) and it's insulting, not just to the former manager, but also our intelligence.

It was interesting to read the comments made by the editors of two of the club's best known fanzines today, Michael Martin of True Faith and Mark Jensen of The Mag, regarding their stance on the debacle that is Mike Ashley's regime.

The two are trying to make sense of the anger and frustration that has followed Keegan's departure and make a loose attempt to co-ordinate the protest against Ashley and his cronies.

They do not support a boycott of games, but they do support a complete boycott of club merchandise, refreshments and other products which make Ashley extra money.

And, without wading into the row with my loud hailer and bedsheet banner, I would suggest it is better to turn up at SJP to make your, ahem, feelings known than it is to stay away altogether, particularly when most of you will have already paid for your season tickets!

The louder the better I'd say. It is easy to ignore a revolt when it is from a small rent-a-mob outside the ground in front of the Sky cameras, or in the pages of a newspaper or a website, but it is far harder to block it out when it's coming from 50,000+ incensed and dedicated members of your hate club!

Perhaps even those who haven't paid for their season ticket might pop along to have their say outside the ground before kick-off.

That was just a thought, but perhaps we should also spare one for the players. One I've spoken to over the weekend insisted the mood is dark in the dressing room following recent events and that most simply can't believe the mess they find themselves in. They are not alone.

As for Murray, brilliant win over Rafael Nadal and good luck against Roger Federer in the final! A true British champion - and yes I know that irritates the Scots!

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Comments (27)

Paul Patterson wrote...

As many fans across Tyneside prepare divorce papers once again to be sent to their cheating spouse, the war of words between spouse and ‘bit on the side’ continue un-abated, with the distinct prospect of the situation getting nasty.

Kevin Keegan (Via the League Managers Association) has said that his job was restricted to Motivator, Coach and Public Relations officer. This has been backed up in an official statement from N.U.F.C. stating that Kevin wasn’t in charge of transfers and that he was expected to keep his gob shut, welcome the players signed for him like a delirious child at Christmas and get results accordingly. I expect that when James Milner was sold, that same child would have a pet lip and supremely tight folded arms to match.

The scourge of modern times Wikipedea shows Ashley to be a bit true to what he is doing currently at Newcastle United with regards to other business ventures under the umbrella of Sports Direct. Get yourself on there, it makes interesting reading.

‘The chain will often use a closing-down sale and re-open in another location soon after, using another one of it’s brands’

So there you have it, expect the likes of Xisco, Guitierez and Coloccini playing down in London for Lillywhites United sometime soon.

They go on,- “Customers are drawn into the stores by almost margin less promotions, when they also buy an own brand item marked up at a substantial margin�

Season Tickets over three years and James Milner being sold anyone??

But wait there’s more, Ashley apparently made “£10m from the sale of ‘Intellectual property rights to Slazenger, to Arch Rival JJB in 2005�

So expect St James’ Park to be sold to Sunderland for next season’s campaign then??

More tellingly, it also claims “Complaints of poor investor relations management� (52.000 and more people would testify to that) and “Close to the wind sales practices� (Maybe like sticking a whole football squad up for sale on transfer deadline day would be close to that)

This all paints a picture of a man I’m not liking the idea of too much with regards to running our football club.

Sadly I have a more immediate problem for you to advise me on Luke, I need a new pair of trainers and, as I’m boycotting Soccer World/Sports Direct, I was going to take my custom to JJB Sports as well, but guess who owns a stake in that as well. . . .

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | September 8, 2008 2:40 PM

JC wrote...

Luke, again well said. Personally I feel disgusted by the way they have attempted to discredit Keegan. One paper said this insider joked that internally the supposed list was deemed 'The madness of King Kev'. Unlike the rest of the London mafia Keegan is a man with genuine passion for our club, even if he did want to sign those players...whats wrong with that, all summer we were told of a wow signing, players that would set the place alight. No matter how far fetched, they are (on paper at least) a darn sight better than what we ended up with. I was worried on Sunday (pre Deadline) when the Owen contract uplift surfaced, my first thought being that for a club who continue to conduct they're business in private it seemed a strange move. I had 2 thoughts.....firstly that there would be no 'big name' arrival, the other that they were planning to sell him citing the fact he would not sign. To me it is perhaps the best example of how stupid the Ashley regime seem to think the fans are. Nearly one week on I remain disgusted with them all, and for the first time in my life disillusioned with everything NUFC.

The only way forward is for Ashley and his London buddies to step aside, by now they must realise that as fans we will NEVER accept them. The new owners must re-instate Keegan and unite the team, fans and city once more. I see Mark Jensen has advised against the boycott but I still think the one thing that will drive a businessman like Ashley out is by hitting him in the pocket. I just have this nagging fear that Ashley will try to ride out the storm, then install Gus (yes sir) Poyet and we will end up relegated within two years. The situation is depressing and disturbing. As a member of our local press Luke (and I realise that from time to time, you've to tow the line if you want stories etc from the club), what is your personal opinion regarding the best route forward? On another matter was there any truth that we had Schweinsteiger lined up to replace Milner? What a signing that would have been!

Note From Luke
Crank up the heat verbally and economically and I think they will eventually sell up, but it's not going to happen overnight. They will believe things will calm down again once a new manager has been appointed and will look at the examples of people like Doug Ellis at Aston Villa who stayed in power for more than a decade despite regular protests. Ultimately, there has to be a buyer in place and we simply don't know if that is the case at the moment. Ashley always said he wanted to have some fun and I don't think he fully realises how much resentment there is towards him and his cronies. He should be given a wake up call against Hull on Saturday. As for Schweinsteiger - if he was lined up to replace Milner he would be here now wouldn't he? It's all very well saying we'll get this player, but fail to actually check if he wants to come!

Posted by: JC  | September 8, 2008 4:14 PM

Micky D wrote...

Anyone who DOESNT boycott the Hull game is not a true fan...

Posted by: Micky D  | September 8, 2008 4:16 PM

Rich wrote...

My opinion, as brief as I could make it given the scale of recent events:

Didn't think KK was right man in the first place. I did get swept up in the excitement of his return, but couldn't help think it would end in tears.

The recruitment team have signed some excellent players, just not enough of them. However, I don't want them to sign people for the sake of it and if our targets knock us back, what can they do? Whowever is heading up the recruitment team deserves credit, Dennis Wise included.

Are the recent events really as bad as the Shephard/Hall/brothel incident in which they personally attacked the fans and woman of Newcastle? I for one don't think so.

People keep adding the lack of a "wow" signing to their ammunition against Ashley. Yet, this was a rumour which was taken as gospel by a vast number of fans and was never confirmed. In fact these "wow" signings are what got us into the financial mess that was restricting our summer transfer activity in the first place!

The lack of communication/information coming from the club is frustrating. However, I prefer this than the old regime's methods of leaking everything to the press. I am disappointed in the mud slinging that is going on between club and KK, but we're not the first club to engage in this sort of activity and no doubt we won't be the last.

NOBODY is bigger than NUFC, KK included! I support NUFC and not because we have a specific player or manager.

The fact is KK has gone and we need to get behind the club, get a quality manager in (Zola or Rikjaard would be my choice), get our heads down and back the 11 lads put out on a saturday. We don't want to be wasting a decent start to the season. If we get a good man in we can hopefully make further quality additions in January and clear some of the deadwood from the squad.

Note From Luke
An interesting point of view and one which will gain some sympathy I suspect in some quarters. However, the club have constantly contradicted themselves on their own management structure and my worry would be, which top manager is going to want to work at a club where Dennis Wise decides who comes and goes at anytime? We shall see what happens in the coming days and weeks, but I think it's still too early for most fans to forgive and forget. That might happen eventually or Ashley will be forced to sell up to the first serious bidder because of the strength of feeling against him or he will sack Wise and Llambias and regain some popularity....

Posted by: Rich  | September 8, 2008 5:25 PM

stevie wrote...

I really do not believe that Ashley wants to create a successful football team only a valuable asset. At the other clubs with billionaire owners, attempts are being made to make the teams relatively stronger,i.e. stronger in relation to rival clubs. Official statements from Newcastle talk about resale value of players, as if this is the overriding concern when buying a player, rather than their contribution to the team. Alex Ferguson buys top quality players and hangs on to them until they no longer can do a job for him, and then replaces them with more quality - that's his job as a football manager.
When Ashley bought the club I was full of hope and when Keegan returned, I expected players to come in and attacking football. We have been conned from the beginning - he didn't give big Sam much money because he wasn't 'his man', Keegan got nowt in the January transfer window because he needed time to settle in. Now we are being told he didn't get much money this summer because he was trying to turn us into the football equivalent of the harlem globetrotters.
Well I hope Michael Owen enjoys playing for his fifth manager at Newcastle with a load of Spanish speaking youngsters with resale value.

Posted by: stevie  | September 8, 2008 7:19 PM

Robson wrote...

ZOLA? a quality manager!!!
The idiot posting this wants his head examined!

Posted by: Robson  | September 8, 2008 7:30 PM

Edmond Dante wrote...

I can understand the desire for a boycoutt [sic], but that would be to the detriment of the team, who have done nowt wrong. Turn up, cheer the lads on during the match, make your feelings about Mr Fake Closing Down Sale and his sycophants known before kick off, at half time and after the game. Don't buy any jellied eel pies and shandy from the ground, never pay another £3 for a half in Shearer's, and don't even think of crossing the threshold of a Sports Soccer outlet. Unless it's to complain that the random tat strewn around walkways is causing on obstruction and probably against health and safety regs.

We're better than these people, we were here before them, and we'll be here after them, however long they stay.

It isn't Mike Ashley's club, it's ours.

He's not fit to wear our shirt.

(Ooh, that would be quite a good chant. Makes mental note.)

Posted by: Edmond Dante  | September 8, 2008 7:37 PM

Restless Native wrote...

Good piece Luke. Couldn't agree more regarding the way the club is so blatantly trying to distort things and pull the wool over our eyes. The rhetoric is clearly a million miles away from the reality that preceeded it. Keegan and the LMA's version of events, on the other hand, stacks up 100&. But anyone who has followed proceedings at St James over the past few months couldn't fail to notice this ... or could they?

I am genuinely dismayed at the number of fans that now appear to be AGAINST a boycott of the Hull game. Ashley is going to be let off the hook because of our blind loyalty to "the team". Or is something more sinister afoot?

Make no mistake, the ONLY sure-fire, tangible way to send a message to Ashley - and the media - about how angry we are is to boycott Hull. Only the cold hard statistic of a drastically reduced attendance cannot be spun by the Ashley propoganda machine.

Not buying merchandise, drinks, food, gear from Sports Direct, etc. ... do you expect Ashley to be on the front page of the Journal talking about that? Of course not, it'll be covered up. And even a demonstration at the Hull game will get a few minutes of media coverage, the club will brush it off on the grounds that 'it was only a minority and Keegan was very popular', and then we'll be back to business as usual before Ashley can say 'thick Geordie mugs'.

We're fighting a corporate PR machine here. I already suspect these blogs have been infiltrated by Ashley sympathisers, to influence opinion among fans. I find it impossible to believe that some of the anti-Keegan comments could come from true Mags. And can someone explain (Luke?) how Keegan can go from less than 3% - in the 'who's to blame' online poll - to 70% in the space of a weekend? Seriously, seriously dubious.

Don't believe the hype. Ashley is scum. Fight to get the club back. Please boycott Hull.

NOT MY BOARD.

Note From Luke
It depends how long and loud the protests are Mr Restless. For this game, I think the vast majority of fans will be more interested in venting their frustration at the board than they are about the result, but I appreciate it's a difficult balancing act. At the end of the day - nice football cliche there - it's going to be down to the individual what they do on Sat but as long as there is some sort of co-ordination it will start to bite. With Ashley likely to dig in to ride out the storm, it could be a long battle. As for online poll, two words for you, Sunderland fans!

Posted by: Restless Native  | September 8, 2008 8:50 PM

nigel wrote...

I would suggest a boycott will ultimately have little effect given most of us have already paid for our seat. Its like buying a car then refusing to pick it up from the dealer. Surely the whole point of a boycot is to not buy in the first place, like league and FA Cup tickets, pie's 'n' pints?
I would much prefer to see passion in the stadium from fans furious about the contempt shown towards them and KK.

Posted by: nigel  | September 8, 2008 9:00 PM

RAY WILSON wrote...

Hi Luke. Some interesting points raised above. I note their are one or two sympathetic vibes to the clubs actions been expressed. My own thoughts are -Ahley ,Wise, and co. have shown themselves not to be trusted-I dont know of any other club in the premiership who indicates that all its players can be bought before the close of the window.We were all aware last season how much the team needed to be strengthened-some attempts have been made -but not nearly enough in terms of quality or indeed quantity.This talk of "modernising " the management structure is nothing more than macho management to ensure Ahley and his little puppet wise screw the club for as much as they can get. Fergie,Wenger,Benitez have had as much success as any one in Europe-how come they dont work in this "modernised "management structure-because its nothing to do with effective management. We actually have the worst business management structure in place that I have ever seen.We have a chairman ,Director of football,and an owner who cant communicate with the media or the fans-a sure recipe for disaster in terms of customer satisfaction and public relations-indeed it seems likely based on their non attempts so far that any one of them have the articulation skills required to convey any message to the public.A boardroom managed in this fashion is always doomed to failure.I note the departure today of Terry Mac-another mistake-Terry also loves this club-seems like the criteria for living with Ashley -whether you work for the club -or are one of its paying customers is dont be too close to Newcastle United-as we all know we might get hurt as he tries to dismantle and destroy it.

Posted by: RAY WILSON  | September 8, 2008 9:27 PM

david fairless wrote...

keegan must come back, where are your morals ashley, tryin to get rid of barton because of his reputation. now he has got to stay, at least until january, perhaps if he can find time to assault a taxi driver in this time, you can find him a post on the board.

Posted by: david fairless  | September 8, 2008 9:29 PM

Andrew from Perth wrote...

I agree totally. Being treated like idiots through the whole saga is the most galling thing.
Toon fans, support the players but hit the owners in the hip pocket, it's the only thing Mike Scrooge Ashley will understand. Thanks for 'stunning the football world', Mike.

Posted by: Andrew from Perth  | September 9, 2008 5:28 AM

Keith Hutton Africa wrote...

I've been saying this for some time and often been ridiculed on this site. Keegan is a quitter and was never going to stay for very long he got involved with NU because he was in financial trouble he is no longer in hock and walks away with a full wallet. His style of football is out dated and niave and he could take NU no where. Ashley however came to turn a decent profit and for no other reason. He is a sinister devious beer bandit and has fooled most of the people till the truth eventually burst out leaving him in serious trouble. He will pull out but without making the profit he so greedily craves, as I can't see a decent business man paying over the odds for a club swimming in muck. Will we be able to attract a good manager doubtful at this stage, West Ham can't and they seem less in turmoil than us and they are in London. Shearer not yet he won't take over this mess what chance would he have of success. The waters are mudy and it is difficult to see the way forward, but it all started when we let emotion control the decisions there was never a plan either team or business it was a case of keep the punters happy and we'll get 52000 a game the tills will graft and Fat ashley will take his money to the bank in a wheel barrow. We are all responsible for this mess and to go crazy now will make it worse, lets start using our brains and maybe there is hope.

Posted by: Keith Hutton Africa  | September 9, 2008 6:28 AM

Graham wrote...

I don't think either Keegan or Ashley are necessarily lying, just choosing their words carefully. Having the final say on transfers doesn't necessarily mean total control, it could just mean having a veto. Afterall, Keegan did manage to veto Barton's departure.

Yet on incoming transfers a veto means little control at all, as the only real power Keegan would have would be to halt Wise's suggested targets. As most of these were decent pleyers it would have been churlish to do so. Yet doe amanger to be truly in charge of transfers he has to be in charge of the budget, not just have the final say over somebody elses selections.

Posted by: Graham  | September 9, 2008 7:59 AM

Stuart wrote...

I'm convinced Mike Ashley isn't going to sell NUFC!

There's been that many stories over the last year that if he was going to sell he'd have sold already. One thing is clear - this set up just isn't working and can't work.(Especially from London!)

Luke you're in a lucky position in which you probably know more than us fans. With your peice in this morning Journal regarding possible takeover (i really hope it's true!) what's your gut feeling in relation to Ashley and selling the club?

Great Blog as usual

Note From Luke
Glad you enjoy the blog Stuart. As for my gut feeling, I'd go back to what I wrote last Saturday. This lot aren't going anywhere in a hurry unless things get so uncomfortable for them that they want to sell up. I think this Indian guy Anil Ambani is interested, but only at the right price. Ashley has said he wants a backer not a buyer and he would prefer that backer to be a Geordie - can't see that happening anytime soon! I think it's going to be a long, drawn out battle, but they will hope to ride out the storm as others before them have.

Posted by: Stuart  | September 9, 2008 8:58 AM

Henrya wrote...

Please explain how a boycott of the Hull game will hurt Ashley and company.
We've already paid for those tickets man, he doesn't give a stuff if we go or not!!!
Now staying away from the tottenham game is another matter.

Posted by: Henrya  | September 9, 2008 9:00 AM

watson wrote...

luke, congrats on your foreword. you are like rob lee 100% newcastle. your comments are what the fans need from the local journalists. keep at them the fans cant get at them.

Note From Luke
Having kicked off the "Luke is cockney scum" row over the weekend Watson it's good to see you have finally put the whole stupid thing to bed again.

Posted by: watson  | September 9, 2008 9:11 AM

Nigel wrote...

Luke - why have you or your paper not managed to get an interview with Dennis Wise himself? All the Keegan resignation fall out has conveniently taken attention away from the fact that our squad doesn't have the depth to be remotely competitive in the premiership this season. If KK wasn't responsible for the transfers then we need to hear from the men who were. If they'd provided the right players in the right positions to strengthen the squad maybe Keegan would have been able to stick out. As it is we'll struggle this season whoever's in charge.

Note From Luke
Dennis has refused to do anything since he came to the club other than the interview with the official website - the club would like to put everything out in this way I suspect - in which he said he would not sign any players Kevin didn't want. We've repeatedly asked to speak to Derek Llambias, but he has refused time and time again to talk.

Posted by: Nigel  | September 9, 2008 9:40 AM

Ken wrote...

The leak to the press over the weekend said it all about these people, especially the bits about centre backs and the 'madness' of KK. I say 'these people' because we don't know who is doing what behind the scenes. Dennis Wise is supposed to be in charge of the Academy is he not?

We do know that Keegan let them get on with it over the summer, and we have to give them credit for coming up with some decent players.

But, they have failed to strengthen the squad overall and have done nothing to improve the finances of the club.

According to the leak, Schweinsteiger was one of the initial targets, and it would have been fairly easy to buy him and then sell Milner if that had really been the plan. Keegan would have approved of that.

All the last minute activity shows how badly they did their jobs.

Posted by: Ken  | September 9, 2008 10:07 AM

William Gee wrote...

I have a similar opinion to the present chaos and hysteria as Rich, in so much as I never wanted KK back as manager.
I readily acknowledge his place in NUFC history and the debt all fans owe him, but my humble opinion was based on his managerial failures after leaving NUFC and his three year absence, in which he admitted he had lost his love for the game and hadn’t even watched football on TV, during that period.
Sadly or unfortunately KKs type of management is in the past, where the manager brings in some of his pals such as Arthur Cox and Terry Mac, to help run the club, decent people but out of touch on how to run a modern football club. Old school managers such as Peter Reid et al are simply not capable of putting the necessary structure in place to progress in the quickly changing business of modern football.
Modern British managers such as Martin O’Neil, Mark Hughes and Gareth Southgate have embraced the changes and are looking to develop youth teams helped by owners who are ready to supplement the plan with available transfer funds. It is no coincidence the teams managed by the above managers have overhauled, or are about to, NUFC.
If the club is taken over by another consortium then hopefully they will enlist a forward thinking manager, supported by qualified staff, with someone who will oversee the whole structure and provide funds when necessary.
Personally I don’t care who it is, as long as they bring a modicum of long overdue success and stability to our beloved club.

In conclusion, I advocated a protest earlier (Sept 2nd) that supporters should pack SJP against Hull City protest loudly then leave the ground 5 minutes before kick-off, not surprisingly this has been met with some criticism !
How about a compromise? Instead of filling the ground, which would help to fill M A coffers, if just the season ticket holders all turned up, made their protests, then silently leave the stadium at say 15 minutes before k.o this should still generate maximum publicity.
Anything is better than the embarrassing rent-a-hoodie mob that drops from the trees at the sight of a TV camera!
Regards to you all
Keep the faith
William.

Posted by: William Gee  | September 9, 2008 10:53 AM

Commulus wrote...

Royston United

The Keegan effect had some fans dancing into a wonderland, but manifestly failed to get everyone onto the dance floor, it didn’t reawaken enough people to stop the drift away from St James Park. The first sign was that now infamous meeting with the corporate absconders (you know the ‘wow’ meeting) I think at that stage Ashley was going down the same path as Kev and the little subliminal message on the back of his oversized toon shirt at the Emirates proclaiming ‘King Kev No 1.’ belied any deceitful intention!

This puerile attempt to discredit Kev by inferring that his idea’s were backward thinking, gives credence the notion that Keegan was attempting to find a middle road, to pacify and placate the toon army with one of ‘yesterdays men’ whilst at the same time help the owner to keep within a somewhat stingy £12 million budget. This would have been the clearest indication that our new despot wasn’t serious in his intentions and in so, doing a remarkably impersonation of the previous regime.

Perhaps we just don’t like outsiders damaging our club, after all, this is a local club for local people, but Ashley’s done nothing (apart from buy a few rounds of drinks) to endear himself to the fans. If the ‘Arsenal’ model is to be followed then why on earth have the fans never had a mission statement, the wall of silence is as perplexing as it is inept in public relations. Now we have seen the ouroboros in all its glory, The London media will assemble to watch the cringeworthy protests that it has engineered. We have been here before!

Just how many season tickets were sold? Did this have any bearing upon Ashley’s apparent change of direction from the ‘Wow’ signings to whatever it is we’re aiming for? And if there is a substantial boycott how will the scale of protest be measured?

Note From Luke
The thing that makes me laugh - apart from you Commulus of course - about this whole Arsenal model thing is that can you imagine Arsene Wenger working within the management apparently in place at SJP? Do you think somelike Wenger would work with a man like Wise? As the Arsenal model is mainly due to Wenger's brilliance, how does Ashley expect it to work at Newcastle? That's just a pipe dream I'm afraid, or possibly just another way of saying - doing it on the cheap!

Posted by: Commulus  | September 9, 2008 12:34 PM

John Gilroy wrote...

Another good blog Luke.

I agree that there is no point in boycotting the Hull game, go along and express your disgust at recent events.

A better option is to boycott the Carling Cup game, as unlike the Hull game, that will hurt Ashley in the pocket.

Posted by: John Gilroy  | September 9, 2008 3:49 PM

DC wrote...

Luke, since this whole sorry saga began it's been interesting to see how those on the board have or rather haven't communicated with the fans. Their behaviour in both their treatment of KK and then subsequently their attempts to discredit him have been nothing short of disgraceful . He is the only party to this who has had the interests of the club and the fans at heart. A boycott of the Hull game is one way of expressing the anger that is felt, but I think a better game would be the Tottenham Cup clash . Tickets for this game need to be purchased, and it is being televised live. If nobody goes then at a rough estimate at least a million pounds will be kept from that oafs pockets. Not only that but what a sight for the nation to see an empty SJP. By all means express our feelings at the Hull game but I genuinely think the best effect is to boycott the Spurs game , unless of course the fans feel it's worth boycotting both . Perhaps a vocal demo at the Hull game letting Ashley know our feelings, even leaving at the ko, and a complete boycott on the 24th against Spurs.

Posted by: DC  | September 10, 2008 9:12 AM

Restless Native wrote...

So, it's official. 'Money' has replaced Keegan! But I guess we all knew that already.

ASHLEY OUT.

Posted by: Restless Native  | September 10, 2008 9:18 AM

watson wrote...

my complaint about you was that you were not 100% newcastle. i did not assume you were london born just because you supported leyton. i live in somerset and everyone are man u fans. none born in manchester but their budgies probably born there. you assumed i was anti cockney because i had a go at you because you did seem 100% newcastle i happen to believe that newcastle football journalists should be newcastle 100% . i believe you owe me an apology.

Note From Luke
Surely I'd have to be completely mad to choose to support Leyton Orient if I wasn't from that part of London. Blimey, I could have had the pick of Arsenal, Tottenham or West Ham as it is. I blame my parents, it's all their fault. As someone said, sometime, somewhere, you don't choose your football team, it chooses you. So why are you a Newcastle fan if you live in Somerset? Yeovil not doing it for you!? Look, let's just move on from this while 100% Newcastle thing, I'm sure everyone is finding it a little boring now. I just hope you continue to enjoy reading this blog.

Posted by: watson  | September 10, 2008 9:30 AM

Sy wrote...

You couldn't have summed up my feelings on this "Arsenal Model" twoddle any better, Luke. This irritated me from the first time I heard it.

As you say, it's either a thinly-disguised "do it on the cheap" or, proof that Ashley doesn't have a clue about top-flight football. Either way it's a joke. If it was that easy there'd be 20 Arsenals in the Premier League.

Posted by: Sy  | September 10, 2008 10:12 AM

watson wrote...

i was born 500 yards from st.james, moved to somerset when i was 50yr.old. i do support yeovil and somerset at cricket. your problem is you jumped to conclusions and cant admit it. typical cockney .i will leave you to your persecution complex as it is obvious that someone has been giving you stick. probably that geordie wife of yours.

Posted by: watson  | September 10, 2008 4:39 PM

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