When owning Newcastle United, what’s love got to do with it?
Posted on June 30th, 2009 | 40 Comments |
I find it hard to see when we can get back to being what we’re supposed to be. A well-supported club, with fans who have a modicum of decency, humility, self-deprecating humour and expectations at a manageable level. Oh yes, and owners who are capable and care about the club and about us. Or maybe we’ve never had that and I really am deluded but for reasons different to those we’re normally criticised for? Either way, that’s all I’m asking for, honestly.
I’m an only-child so perhaps I’m a little selfish but I don’t think I’m asking for the world.
To be fair I think most of us agree, perhaps not so surprisingly, that the current perception of us as fans is a little wide of the mark and perpetuated by media whores and jealous fans. Though arguably these last two years has sought to senselessly bash much of the humour and decency out of us. The truth though, becomes distorted and all of a sudden we’re all moronic ‘barcodes’, the butt of a thousand jokes and our demise is fully deserved for having ideas above our station. But we know different, don’t we? Our passion sometimes overstated and our loyalty painting us as foolish. We just want the love back. The chance to love our club without these current conditions so that it’s not a constantly strained love and we can enjoy it once again. One in three marriages ends in divorce apparently. It’s testament to the love we have for NUFC that so many are sticking this one out because it’s a turbulent and upsetting situation. No matter how good you are at rolling with the punchlines, after so much incessant laughter, there’s a good chance you’d become hysterical.
The difference between conventional marriage and the marriage between a Newcastle fan and their favourite club is that every so often the relationship is given a boost. New owners, new managers, new players – they all bring a freshness that prevents the relationship going stale. And so we find ourselves in a situation where we could have all of those things.
Will they be the type of people who can help us fall in love with our club again? Can they demonstrate pure intentions and honourable behaviour? It starts at the top and if the new owner can be trusted and is here for the right reasons, he/she/they will surely ensure the rest of the club is similarly inclined. Mind you, it’s argued Mike Ashley had only good intentions for the club and look at the state of us now. So in addition to having honourable reasons to own us, they also need to be competent.
So who is our new knight? Why it’s Sir Leaves-a-lot-to-be-desired, also known as one Freddy Shepherd; Or so the media is telling us. It’s actually hard to imagine a bigger villain really, never mind casting him as a saviour in shining armour. It’s been mooted for weeks and yet we hardly dared contemplate it could be for real and yet there is evidence that some fans are so disenchanted by the current situation, his return would be seen as a positive. I have no doubt he cares about this club and yet his behaviour in the past as chairman has done for any possible reconciliation for me . That particular relationship was soured long ago but it seems time is healing wounds which should remain fresh in the minds of fans who want good things for this club.
I mean who really knows what to believe in the press any more though? Or even what the club tells us? Today was a deadline by which we were led to believe something would be announced. I just want someone in charge that we can warm to and perhaps, just maybe, they can fall in love with this football club. Just like we have and we can look forward, United, to the moment when we can begin to live happily ever after. I’d also love an opportunity to write about something positive and not this perpetual negativity and whining that pervades Newcastle United.
Is that moment tomorrow and what if tomorrow never comes?
got to do got to do with it
but yeah its like i heard some 1 say you can change youre friends house family and youre car but you cannt change youre club