Not Walking in a Keegan Wonderland.

Posted on September 16th, 2009 | 138 Comments |

The Messiah.
The Messiah.
First of all this is not some kind of clever backlash at the recent posts from Bowburnmag or Excelsior designed to get people reading and commenting on this article.  It is something I’ve been meaning to write for sometime now, but I’ve never had the time.

For sometime now I’ve been a bit confused over peoples thoughts that somehow Kevin Keegan taking up to £10,000,00 out of NUFC is a good thing.   I just can’t see any sensible scenario where NUFC being left £10,000,00 less in the kitty is some how for the best.  Am I missing something here?  Have I not spotted some tiny detail that explains all of this?  I really don’t think I have, but I am willing to be shown what I’ve missed, so I too can finally see why this is a good thing to happen to a club that needs every penny it has.

My personal opinion on the matter is that it is not a good thing, that Keegan wants to take £10,000,000 out of the club.  How can it be?  Ashley won’t invest any money, so we need to hold onto what money we do have, so we can invest it in the team.  £10,000,000 would get some cracking players to boost the squad for a Championship promotion campaign.  I also think a lot of people don’t realise that it isn’t Mike Ashley being taken to court, it is Newcastle United Football Club.  Just think about that for a moment.  Any ruling in Keegans favour will be against the club, not Ashley.  Is this pro Keegan stance because people think it will be a shot in the eye for Mike Ashley.  A way of getting back at him for all the trouble he has caused?  Are we really saying that Keegan is bigger and more important that NUFC?  Would people be as supportive of  Les Ferdinand, Peter Beardsley or Frank Pingel taking us to court? How about old boss eye himself, Dennis Wise?  What if the stories of him being booted out at Shearers request are true?  Rumours are that we are having to still pay him for his remaining contract.  Is that right? What if Ashley had though he could try and get away with not paying Wise, so Wise took us to court?  Would people be so supportive?  I’m willing to bet they wouldn’t be.

Keegan has really annoyed me, I loved watching the guy play, I was head over heels with his management style in the ’90’s and now I feel like I’ve been stabbed in the back.  Thanks a bunch King Kev, your crown will forever be tarnished.

NUFCBlog Author: Micky Toon Micky Toon has written 6 articles on this blog.

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138 Responses

  1. if kk wins i doubt he will get 10 million,plus it means kk was right to walk.
    but im not arsed,we have a game the neet. 3-1 to the toon

  2. Just a question…is there multiple writers of this blog then? I usually go onto Eds blog but occasionally come on here, and i read the other day, which shocked me, a post saying they would love it if Keegan won.

    But anyway totally agree with this article. I was reading some comments and some people actually agreed they would like Keegan to win. Keegan was great and i accepted him walking but sueing the club is a step too far.

    Those who support Keegan should go onto http://www.keeganblog.com not NUFCblog.com as they want the club to loose, for the sake of one man.

    And no, before people say it, not supporting keegan does not make you pro-ashley.

  3. Robby Bob – they probably wouldn’t let me write articles on there. worky just about tolerates me.

  4. Just as well I changed the spelling before you quoted him. MT will you ever learn? ‘Pingles’ are them things in the box, where you can’t stop once you pop.

  5. Robby Bobson says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    “Just a question…is there multiple writers of this blog then?”

    Yes, Robby Bobson. There are lots of different viewpoints on here.

  6. Surely the most he would be able to get from the courts is the amount from when he walked to the day he started working as a pundit on espn channel.

  7. Worky,

    Good article and you have put your views out there.

    However, I believe your view is unbalanced due to your emotional tie with the club. Any other business this happened to there wouldn’t be this opposition to it. It happens ever single day in ‘real life’.

    You say £10m would buy us some good players for our promotion push – CORRECT, but Ashley won’t provide that whether he wins, loses or draws this case so that argument is thin at best, invisible at worst.

    Also you’re right this isn’t about KK v Ashley but if KK wins he will have had every right to whatever pay out he gets(I doubt it will be anywhere near £10m either) because i wil have been Ashley’s shambolic running of the club and actions that led to the ultimate final decison.

    If however the club wins then shame on KK.

    I will reserve judgment on both sides until we hear the findings.

  8. Agree with Hitman cant see him getting 10m IF he wins.

    Can I ask a Question of all those who have campaigned for KK since his walkout – How will you feel IF KK is found to be in the wrong?

    Will you reflect on your negative behaviour over the last year and accept that you may have helped towards relegation?

    Just curious.

  9. bowburnmag says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    “Just as well I changed the spelling before you quoted him.”

    I was just doing exactly the same thing when you beat me to it. Pingel’s a legend and we must get his name right!

  10. Stardust – howay man with your outrageous accusations.

    I will be well and truly gutted if KK is found out to be the main protagonist.

    I would reflect on my negative behaviour but I would never take responsibility for what has gone on since. It would effectively be KK’s and Ashley’s fault. Keegan for causing the fall-out and Ashley for not dealing with it. Though mainly KK’s fault, it would have proved Ashley is not exactly a great leader able to deal with adversity.

    Of course that’s never going to happen ;)

  11. Whether Ashley would spend the £10 million on new players or not is a moot point, what we do know is that if Keegan does win then that money will have to be found by the club, if it’s not already in the club account then it will have to come from somewhere and since Ashley has made it clear he’s not prepared to put anymore of his own money in then I would say it’s likely that some of the clubs assets are sold off to raise the cash.

  12. Congratulations to the author of this article for failing to understand anything about the legal matters concerning Keegan’s claim. I anticipate you dropping your trousers and touching your toes at your bosses behest whenever he wishes because you seem to expect Keegan to do the same thing.

    As for the question asked by Stardust “What if Keegan is wrong?”.
    If he loses he wont get anything but Mike Ashley will still be under investigation from the SFO for his alleged dodgy practices.
    Geddit!

  13. What a heap of garbage this blog is. Was Keegan not a working man?, was he not covered by the same employment laws as the rest of us. If I took employment with a company I would get a contract of employment. If the company broke that contract, I would be within my rights to take them to court. How is Keegan any different??
    If the club did not break his contract conditions and he walked because he didn’t like what was being done, then he will loose his case and be billed for 2M by the club as well as court costs.
    Wake up and smell the coffee, he has every right to sue as have we all in similar (but totally different) circumstances.

  14. If KK loses I will be disappointed in his actions. In fact I will be gutted!

    But like BBM says either way Ashley has handled this unbelievably poorly.

    He’s no leader, twice he has tried to cut and run – What kind of leader does that?

  15. Toonraider – don’t be so friggin short-sighted man. Have a read of the blog first or blog off.

  16. Stuart 79

    I dont really think its shame on KK if he looses, as MA may have decieved him by not telling him DW involvement, but not actually legally made him responsible for transfers. Its shame on him for sueing but if he wins or looses it doesnt really affect my opinion of him.

    If Ashley knew what he was doing (which i doubt he will), he could win this case. KK said after the man utd game when asked about dennis wise and Colo and Jonas he said something like “Well if he could get me some more like that i would be happy”. Also when Milner was sold he said he was definately his decision. One suggests he was waiting for DW to bring him in some players and the other suggests he confirmend outgoings. Im not saying this was the case, but he kept suggesting to the media it was.

  17. Toonraider says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    “What a heap of garbage this blog is.”

    It’s one of the best Toon ‘blogs I’ve seen Toonraider.

  18. bowburnmag says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:25 pm
    Stu @ post 14 – credit where it’s due. MickyToon wrote this one.

    Apologies to all concerned – Especially Worky. It didn’t show the author.

    I’m right in what I say though…..

  19. Aye – Ashley would rather spend the £10m on new players to help us. And I’m Santa Clause.
    On a serious note, when KK wins, it might send out the right message to those like Ashley, who play games with people’s emotions(us fans)and treat the game as a toy, that they need to keep out of football.

  20. What an unfortunate, one-sided article…luckily it’s by an anonymous author on a blog and is only his or her personal opinion.

    Personally, I think its totally flawed, as once again the pitch is “Keegan v NUFC” and ignores all of the other events which went on in the run-up to the bust-up.

    I preferred the more balanced article by Excelsior, and I’m content to remain a United fan, who will continue to support the team, and also accept that Sir Kevin has a case against the club because of the actions of the owner.

    Whether Sir Kevin wins his case or not is for others to decide – and they will hopefully be provided with all the evidence, which we as mere fans do not possess.

    Whatever the outcome however, Sir Kevin is and will remain a legend, and a man who provided me with some of the greatest moments I have witnessed for NUFC in my 47 yrs supporting the team.

  21. Keegan will have to prove that Ashley breached his employment contract in such a way that it was impossible for him to continue working, he will then have to prove that what the Ashley did was unfair. Both are quite hard to prove.

    Without having seen what Keegan’s contract says I’d lean towards the clubs ‘it is a fact’ statement being closer to what his contract actually says.

    People talk about Keegan going after the club for the money but do we know if he was the one that made the first move? Or is his claim a retort to the clubs claim against him for walking out on his contract?

  22. CaptainKidd says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    “Congratulations to the author of this article for failing to understand anything about the legal matters concerning Keegan’s claim.”

    Try asking a lawyer about it Captain Kidd, I have, and I’ve read two legal opinions on the case too. They all sugggested that Keegan’s case was weak.

  23. worky – sorry to get all ‘technical’ again but the lads are right. The authors aren’t showing?

  24. BBM – Do you never think KK is a bit like the high level bridge – looked OK on the outside – but at its skelton was a structure that had been weakening for years – his numerous walkouts being indicators of an implosion on the horizon?

    High risk strategy backing a man with his previous convictions.

  25. Rangerman – that’s something I’ve asked before. I mighta nicked the idea from you originally mind…..

  26. I tried to find KKs interview to where he said he hoped Wise would get him some players as good as Colo and Jonas….but found a different one where talking about jonas he said

    “when Wise and Jimenez told me we got this guy…..”.

    Sounds like he knew what he was in for way before he left. Whether he was told different when he started, well the courts can decide that.

  27. Rangerman says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    I think KK is using the club website and magazine as evidence when Ashley is quite clearly quoted as saying that KK has the final say on ALL transfers.

    Now either Ashley didn’t have clue what was going on at the club or KK has totally mis read his contract, or rather his solicitors have.

  28. Stardust – it’s undeniable that Keegan walks but everytime he has, he’s done so for a valid, honest and legitimate reason in my eyes. I can therefore only assume, until it’s proven otherwise, that he had good reason to this time.

  29. There can’t be a coincidence that KK joined NUFC just as his soccer circus was leaking money like a sieve – equally you have to ask what were his motives for walking if he believed that their might be a substantial reward to make him go away whilst ashley wanted to sell the club

  30. bowburnmag says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    “worky – sorry to get all ‘technical’ again but the lads are right. The authors aren’t showing?”

    It hasn’t changed, Bowburn. The authors are shown on the main page, but not on story page apart from the categories section. I’ll look into it later.

  31. Laughable comment of a year – Stuart

    “I will reserve judgment on both sides until we hear the findings.”

    Pray tell: when have you reserved judgement since this all began – do you have a sense of reality and perception about yourself or anything for that matter (or does psychosis prevent that)

  32. They will base their decision on what it says in Keegan’s contract and not what Ashley said it the clubs magazine, tiger tiger, greggs or in a casino.

    If Keegan can prove that then he will have to prove why it was unfair, which again the club will argue against.

  33. bowburnmag says:

    “Stardust – it’s undeniable that Keegan walks but everytime he has, he’s done so for a valid, honest and legitimate reason in my eyes. I can therefore only assume, until it’s proven otherwise, that he had good reason to this time.”

    BBM remember I was a KK supporter – but I now accept in light of this walkout that he is fundamentally weak as a man. Tell me one other man that walks and walks and walks and always has a good excuse – Forrest Gump aside?

  34. Stardust says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    My judgment has never changed on this particular subject!

    My opinion on Ashley has never changed – He’s a complete arse who tried to make a fast buck and bit off more than he could chew.

    Only my opinion on KK will change after this debacle.

  35. bowburnmag – What was the legitimate reason for Keegan walking out on the club as manager in the 90’s?

  36. Why does KK need to win?

    Two reasons:
    1. Protection from the Ashley’s of this world, and
    2. Money.

    First of all, the justice: KK has to sue for the same reason we don’t decide not to prosecute criminals because jails cost a lot. If the outcome of this case is as expected – that Ashley and co behaved with KK exactly as they’ve behaved on everything else, with lies, cheating, backstabbing and general nastiness, then they have to be punished for the protection of all football clubs. Do you think that a club’s need for a transfer budget trumps the need for laws and justice? Of course not. We can’t go clamouring for Ashley’s head on a plate and then decide perhaps he should be let off because we’ve got a thin squad!

    And does anyone on here think that, having been utterly screwed over and knowing you’re owed millions, you would say “nah – I’d rather see a new left-back”. Of course not – it would be daft, counter-productive and immoral.

    BESIDES – THE MONEY: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, MONGS!

    KK winning does NOT cost the club, it costs Ashley, the owner. That is because the value in the club is ALREADY GONE; it’s just a matter of who gets to keep the money – KK or Ashley.

    Let’s say KK wins because Ashley is found guilty of screwing KK over, and the settlement is £5m. KK is not taking £5m out of the club; the club is already worth £5m less because of Ashley’s actions. Any new buyer will know that, and as a result, the sale price will be reduced accordingly and Ashley will lose the £5m.

    This case does not have any impact on the value of the club; the money’s gone and it’s now about justice. We need to get used to the fact that Ashley’s actions cost more than just points.

  37. Stardust says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:44 pm
    Laughable comment of a year – Stuart

    “I will reserve judgment on both sides until we hear the findings.”

    Pray tell: when have you reserved judgement since this all began – do you have a sense of reality and perception about yourself or anything for that matter (or does psychosis prevent that)

    ——————————————–

    From Stardust – who of course has kept very quiet on the subject…..

    Aye right

    Kettle calling the Frying pan methinks

  38. Stardust says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:16 pm (Edit)

    Can I ask a Question of all those who have campaigned for KK since his walkout – How will you feel IF KK is found to be in the wrong?

    ==========

    First of all I should point out I’m disinterested as far as this issue is concerned at the moment because I don’t know the full facts. The tribunal will discover those.

    My take on it is this: if KK was constructively dismissed then Keegangate was Ashley’s fault. I’m not too keen on NUFC losing however many £m Keegan gets in compensation but if it’s constructive dismissal then it’s Ashley who’s cost the club the money, not Keegan.

    If KK was not constructively dismissed then he walked without being forced out, has attempted to get money out of the club because of it and the man’s reputation will be in tatters as far as I’m concerned.

    The most disappointing thing about all this as far as I’m concerned is the way most people have already decided who’s fault things are when there are precious few real facts available about what actually went on during the Keegangate incident. I doubt those people will change their stance regardless of what comes out of the tribunal because they simply lack the capacity of open-mindedness to do so. I find that sad.

  39. Stardust says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    Tell me one other man that walks and walks and walks and always has a good excuse – Forrest Gump aside?

    Mike Ashley!

    He has walked twice now which is as many times as KK as to NUFC.

    The only difference is that Ashley is still connected to the club by virtue of £100m that he wants before he fnall turns off the light.

    If he could he would have gone long ago!

  40. Whumpie….so you think Ashley is going to say well Keegan sued us for 5 million..so the club is worth 95 million. No chance!!!

    Moat will have to find another 5 million to buy the club to pay off the extra in the overdraft, that therefore wont be invested in the club.

  41. You see folks I am misconstrued.

    I am awaiting outcome of the tribunal before forming views – we don’t know what went on – I do know that KKs walkout was (to me) an unacceptable wrong (irrespective of what went on)as he had a responsibility to us the fans – he walked knowing what would happen to our great club. He didn’t care – still doesn’t care – he is disinterested in you all and he doesnt care about NUFC or its FANS at all – he is only interested in himself, that’s what you CAN tell from his actions.

    But as to the level of culpability of Ashley, Wise etc I am awaiting outcome as I see no real evidence to hang anyone yet.

  42. Stuart79 says:
    September 16, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    “Tell me one other man that walks and walks and walks and always has a good excuse – Forrest Gump aside?

    Mike Ashley!”

    That is a fair point, Stuart. But Keegan never had thousands of rabid fans baying for him to go. Ashley was still stupid and wrong to try and sell the club when he did, but you can’t say that he wasn’t pushed into it by idiots who didn’t realise what the consequences of their actions would be.

  43. KK winning does NOT cost the club, it costs Ashley, the owner. That is because the value in the club is ALREADY GONE; it’s just a matter of who gets to keep the money – KK or Ashley.

    Let’s say KK wins because Ashley is found guilty of screwing KK over, and the settlement is £5m. KK is not taking £5m out of the club; the club is already worth £5m less because of Ashley’s actions. Any new buyer will know that, and as a result, the sale price will be reduced accordingly and Ashley will lose the £5m.

    This case does not have any impact on the value of the club; the money’s gone and it’s now about justice. We need to get used to the fact that Ashley’s actions cost more than just points.

    …….

    What a load of rubbish.

    If Kevin Keegan was to be successful in his case then on our next set of accounts there is likely to be a nice -£10 million marked down, this money will have to be found somewhere and if Ashley isn’t putting any more in then the club will have to raise it.

    You seem to be banking on someone saying that Ashley wants £100 million, we offer him £95 million and the other £5 million will go out of his pocket to pay Keegan. It doesn’t work like that and with the club not looking like getting sold anytime soon the money could have been had by Keegan and put down to a one off loss which won’t affect the price at all over the long term.

  44. workyticket says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    I agree to a degree but if he was a strong leader(like Stardust says he is) he wouldn’t have tried to sell the first time and then the second time. He would have held firm and said I believe this is the best way forward.

    But no he tried to cut and run.

    The minute he tried to sell the club last Sept we all saw the real reason Ashley bought the club.

    PROFIT!

  45. That is a fair point, Stuart. But Keegan never had thousands of rabid fans baying for him to go. Ashley was still stupid and wrong to try and sell the club when he did, but you can’t say that he wasn’t pushed into it by idiots who didn’t realise what the consequences of their actions would be

    I disagree if i was ashley in that position i would sell dont blame ashley he had no choice and his actions were best for the club

    i do think the fans had a right to be angry as ashley(him and or his board) was obviousely lying one way or another

  46. Again “Norman Stuart” quotes:

    “Tell me one other man that walks and walks and walks and always has a good excuse – Forrest Gump aside?

    Mike Ashley!

    He has walked twice now which is as many times as KK as to NUFC.”

    Now Norman – I produce your doctors note of your conversation with Mother.

    Mother: “Norman everyone loved Keegan and wanted him to stay, even Mike had a meeting with him to get him back but he ran, we should kill kim”

    Norman: “But Mother”

    Mother: “Everyone hates Ashley and he’s trying to go just as they want – let him go and thank him for his money”

    Norman: “But Mother – I will Kill Ashley for giving us money, thats where the real blame lies”

    Forgot about your psychosis and the inability to separate fact from fantasy.

  47. The minute he tried to sell the club last Sept we all saw the real reason Ashley bought the club.

    PROFIT!

    i disagree im no financial expert by any means but i know it would be very difficult to make a profit in football and you would have to do it over a period of time

  48. Stardust – “he walked, knowing what would happen to our great club”

    Illogical

    The vast majority of the season still remained when Sir Kevin left/was pushed out. The owner still had plenty of time to regroup and make effective decisions going forward. He failed, miserably.

    To try to pin our relegation on Sir Kevin leaving/being pushed out is ridiculous.

  49. Norman Stuart

    “I agree to a degree but if he was a strong leader(like Stardust says he is)”

    Last time you used degree in a sentence you were shown to be a liar – now you use it again and show yourself to be a liar.

    Norman please stop will you, I have never said Ashley is a strong leader – I have explained countless rationale behind decisions though.

    I have slammed him for poor PR as the Mob needs controlling and he failed to do so – BUT I also counter myself with the fact thats not really his responsibility – thereon it becomes a pointless debate without knowing shareholder/board discussions and parameters.

    So Norman Liar Stuart – please stop – there are only so many names a person can have without it looking deliberate.

  50. Stardust – “He didn’t care – still doesn’t care – he is disinterested in you all and he doesnt care about NUFC or its FANS at all ”

    Where’s your proof for this? Sir Kevin has kept a dignified silence…..how do you know what he is thinking?

    As you usually say “pray tell…..”

  51. does not matter what we all think,the the truth is michael wallace ashley bought a football club,and consequentley was ripped off end of story.

  52. Stardust says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    He’s a weak leader who has tried to cut and run – TWICE

    FACT

    Thanks Norm….

  53. The minute he tried to sell the club last Sept we all saw the real reason Ashley bought the club.

    PROFIT!

    …….

    If anything what last september showed us was that he wasn’t in it for the money at all, his actions suggested that he was someone who bought the club to be a supporter and enjoy but when the fans turned on him and made it known they wanted him out he agreed to go.

    If he wanted to make a profit out of it then he would have just ignored the fans like the Shepherd and Halls did when people protested against them and continue to cream money out of the club in the way of dividends.

  54. he,s that disintrested that he,s spent over 250mil on it,can,t blame the man for wanting his money back.

  55. Stardust says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    He’s a weak leader who has tried to cut and run – TWICE

    FACT

    ——————-

    But that’s enough about Ashley LOL

  56. Keegan is an absolute c##k, he knew from the start what he was doing, after a bad start on his return he saw an opportunity to jump ship, blame someone else and take a massive wedge of cash for his soccer circus, he’s done us over, people must realise this because upto now he has escaped any blame because he knows hes a popular man on tyneside. I blamed him from the start, glad 2 see others doing the same..

  57. Well my opinion is that Ashley didnt buy the club for profit and did have good intentions….but he turned out to be such a bad owner, probably one of the worst ever, and now he feels the club has turned against him and wants to get back as much as possible. He created the mess so should accept a huge loss and go. Birimgiham are being borught out for about 60million, we have lost our highest value players, so why ashley things the club can be sold for 100million in the championship is beyond me.

  58. Where’s your proof for this? Sir Kevin has kept a dignified silence…..how do you know what he is thinking?

    …..

    How has his silence been dignified?

    He’s kept his mouth shut for the same reason that Llambias has kept his mouth shut on the situation, because the two groups have got a claim in against each other.

    Nothing dignified about that.

  59. UTD111 says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    “The vast majority of the season still remained when Sir Kevin left/was pushed out. The owner still had plenty of time to regroup and make effective decisions going forward. He failed, miserably.”

    That was because no-one would manage the club, because 1. the instabilty regarding the owner (Ashley’s fault mostly for putting the club on the market at such a crazy time) and 2. They were scared of being lynched by the all the rabid banjo twangers (the fan’s fault). This resulted in us having four different managers in one season and relegation.

  60. robby bobson,i reckon brumjum could be headed for choppy waters with that dodgy get carson yeung.

  61. Birimgiham are being borught out for about 60million, we have lost our highest value players, so why ashley things the club can be sold for 100million in the championship is beyond me.

    ….

    Because not all clubs are valued as equal with the only difference being the value of the players, you are buying a potentially massive club with a huge turnover and a ready built 52,000 seater stadium.

  62. I’m going to write another article, at the behest of nufcbb, about Tony Cunningham and see if we can talk about that fcuker all day.

  63. LOL UTD111

    Could someone push you out of a job where you were paid 3.0m a year AND the whole city relied on you and looked to you with hope in their eyes and hearts?

    Answer honestly UTD111 – Keegan wasnt in such a terrible place in life – why do you all paint it otherwise.

  64. birmingham are not being bought for 60mill thats the price that is required to gain majority, I think he’s already paid 40+, so stop talking out of ya hoop… google it..

  65. Rangerman says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:23 pm
    Where’s your proof for this? Sir Kevin has kept a dignified silence…..how do you know what he is thinking?

    …..

    How has his silence been dignified?

    He’s kept his mouth shut for the same reason that Llambias has kept his mouth shut on the situation, because the two groups have got a claim in against each other.

    Nothing dignified about that.

    ——————-

    Well it’s certainly not “undignified”

    But only Stardust seems to have the inside knowledge that for some reason Sir Kevin doesn’t care about the club or the fans…..my point was – where’s the proof of that, then?

  66. UTD111 “But only Stardust seems to have the inside knowledge that for some reason Sir Kevin doesn’t care about the club or the fans…..my point was – where’s the proof of that, then?”

    From the only fact you know for certain from the whole car crash – KEEGAN WALKED

  67. keegan kept a dignified silence about getting beaten up after noncing a rent boy…. he didnt say much that night, probs coz he had a cok in his gob… for all you keegan lovers, wake up! hes robbing our club!

  68. 79 Rangerman says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:27 pm
    Birimgiham are being borught out for about 60million, we have lost our highest value players, so why ashley things the club can be sold for 100million in the championship is beyond me.

    ….

    Because not all clubs are valued as equal with the only difference being the value of the players, you are buying a potentially massive club with a huge turnover and a ready built 52,000 seater stadium.

    Or you’re buying a second division football club with a huge debt, (owed to a prick)a business that don’t own the land their stadium is on, have an ovedraft 4 times the size of every other 2nd division club, have no manager and a squad as thin as posh spice.

    £100M?

    BARGAIN!

    Depends which way the buyers look at it and Keith Harris has said recently that potential owners of football clubs are looking at what could go wrong instead what could go right.

  69. markb says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    “keegan kept a dignified silence about getting beaten up after noncing a rent boy….”

    That is absolute rubbish markb. I actually know someone who was is prison with the person who started that ridiculous rumour.

  70. mike,s biggest problem for me seems to stem from the sacking of big sam.
    before sam took the toon job his stock was on the rise,he was even being touted for the london united sorry england job.
    when ashley sacked sam,his credibility went out of the window.
    i honestly think we,re still suffering from the backlash of samgate,nevermind keegangate.
    thats is when the bile by the media,other fans started,i also believe this made our club a pariah in signing players etc.
    i dont think anybody wants to have anything to do with ashley,this is why he has had to turn to people he knows in the game.
    we only got kinnear as manager,because ashley has known him for years.
    we only got keegan as manager in the same way as no,one else wanted the job after what happened to sam.
    i know people didn,t like sam,but he was hardly given a fair crack was he.
    i know i,ll be shot down for saying this,but this is where our problems started for me.

  71. “That was because no-one would manage the club, because..”
    Ashley would only stretch to about £50 a week.

  72. lol you know a nonce story starter and a jail bird… well i’ll certainly believe every word you say then…

    I know the preson who started it… lol..whatever, of course you do..

    My grandad once played tiddlewinks with hitlers henchmen, it was xmas day..

  73. Take five from the debate to look at my JustGiving site on the right lads? Great North Run on Sunday!

  74. the problem is Keegan WAS told about transfers being taken off his hands but knew the fans didnt know he knew, so he used this excuse to jump ship….

    wait until the case is over, keegan will have a big rent-boy spunk pie on his face, he’d probably settle for that..

  75. bowburnmag says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:42 pm
    Take five from the debate to look at my JustGiving site on the right lads? Great North Run on Sunday!

    Yeah it’s Sunday!

    Can you believe they wouldn’t rope off four seats forme in the Mal on Saturday night due to it being Great North Run weekend?

    Well until I told them who I was…..

  76. markb says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    “lol you know a nonce story starter and a jail bird… well i’ll certainly believe every word you say then…”

    Nope just the ‘jailbird’ markb. He was inside with one of the people who committed the robbery. The whole story was a complete fiction.

  77. Kevin deserves his day in court. If he wins Ashley will have to pay.

    Does that mean the money will come out of NUFC? Hardly. It will come out of Ashley. If he chooses to bleed NUFC, well guess what he is already doing that.

    KK only discovered what we have learned over several years. Ashley is an arrogant twat, who needs to be surrounded by yes men and pyschophants to feel complete.

    Your opinion is that KK does not deserve compensation and if he cared about the team he would not ask for it during NUFC’s financial troubles?
    Interesting how about these questions.
    Did Alan Shearer deserve his one million for mananging eight games? Should he have given the money back?
    Did Michael Owen and Mark Viduka deserve their summer paychecks even though their time at the club had come to an end? Should they have given the money back?

    Ashley contracted KK. He set the terms and KK agreed to them. Let the hearing determine if either party was wronged and is deserving of compensation.

    But based on history, Ashley has already provided sufficient evidence to his double dealing. Ask yourself what has Ashley given to NUFC and what has he taken away.

    My memory maybe be foggy but if I recall:
    1) he dragged his feet on signings for Sam Allardyce
    2) he failed to fund many transfers requested by KK
    3) he refused to renogiate contracts with young stars
    4) he used, abused and embarrased Alan Shearer
    5) he misled, lied and cheated the newcastle faithful
    6) he hired Lambias, an almost unpardonable sin

    If this drama was just about one incident between two men, then fair enough, let the courts address the matter.

    However, the reality is Ashley is a putz.

    Whether he wins at the tribunal is a contractual thing.
    In the court of public opinion he lost a long time ago.

  78. Nope just the ‘jailbird’ markb. He was inside with one of the people who commited the robbery. The whole story was a complete fiction.

    so when was this Keegan story made up then.. what year.. approx

  79. markb says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    “so when was this Keegan story made up then.. what year.. approx”

    Keegan was done over in his Range Rover in 1991, my friend was inside from the mid nineties.

  80. at the end of the day, Keegan was here to help us, but instead he JUMPED SHIP! true or not? who thinks he should of stayed and rode the wave of uncertainty instead of his usual tedious trick of toy throwing..

  81. How about folks put aside their inherent predujices regarding the two main protagonists, and merely await the judgement from the court of adjudication.

    Then, perhaps, we can achieve a degree of closure on this tawdry chapter in the history of NUFC. And that those on either side’s camp will accept the verdict without whinging like a baby. We can but dream…

  82. “who thinks he should of stayed and rode the wave…”
    Not me.

    What’s the point of working for a liar, who will undermine imortant parts of your role, while at the same time make you accountable for getting the likes of Xisco (the bloke who lied to avoid having to stay or play) or Gonzalez.

    If you give a surgeon plastic surgical instruments, don’t expect him to be able to use them – or stay doing the job.

  83. ShiverMeTimbre says:
    September 16, 2009 at 6:10 pm (Edit)

    How about folks put aside their inherent predujices regarding the two main protagonists, and merely await the judgement from the court of adjudication.

    ====

    Hurray, someone with some sense at last.

  84. ShiverMeTimbre says:
    September 16, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    “How about folks put aside their inherent predujices regarding the two main protagonists, and merely await the judgement from the court of adjudication.”

    Won’t happen, Shiver. That’s just human nature.

  85. Oh, I’m fully aware that won’t happen, hence the “we can but dream” part.

    It’s still interesting though, just from this thread alone, how many posts there have been merely to put across their own jaundiced views, to the point where comment sense and the salient point in question are left to the side like a fat girl at a nightclub.

  86. TROJAN 69 says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:20 pm
    he,s that disintrested that he,s spent over 250mil on it,can,t blame the man for wanting his money back.
    <<<< so ile go oot buy a new car tottaly wreck it do you think they will give me the full money back ?

  87. Kind of fun reading the comments.;-) So many strong views without anyone really knowing what went on. Not that sure about legal ins and outs, but will info be made public for people to read and make there own mind up? Or do we have to get it through the gutter press and websites?

  88. Batts – Nice to see youre friends with Sturat – he calls you “Bat Man” arrghhh ive gone all warm and fuzzy.

    people write to serial murderers too.

  89. Stardust says:
    September 16, 2009 at 7:24 pm
    Batts – Nice to see youre friends with Sturat – he calls you “Bat Man” arrghhh ive gone all warm and fuzzy.

    people write to serial murderers too.

    Coming from a man who types things like – Puurrrleees!

  90. bowburnmag says:
    September 16, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    I’m going to write another article, at the behest of nufcbb, about Tony Cunningham and see if we can talk about that fcuker all day.

    Not guilty Bowburnmag. He was propa s*+TE like!

  91. And all the while, Keegan stands astride the debate in tight shorts and bare chest. His camp pose fairly fitting as a backdrop to all of the posturing.

  92. bowburnmag says:
    September 16, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    “And all the while, Keegan stands astride the debate in tight shorts and bare chest. His camp pose fairly fitting as a backdrop to all of the posturing.”

    Is that the one you keep in your wallet, Bowburn? :-)

  93. Just about to walk the dog and listen to the first half. Where are those frigging earphones…..

  94. Keegan is as much to blame as anyone for this mess. He got outmanouvered by some cockney wide boys and instead of growing a set of balls reverted to type and did what he always does – chucked it. And then the fickle fans backed their hero without knowing any of the facts.

    I still cant believe people are defending him especially now that he is raping the club with his demands for £10m. If I saw him in the street I would p*ss on him the faggot.

  95. Thanks worky. Looks a good side, would like to see ranger used at some stage im sure big Carroll wont be able to play for 90 minutes. Wonder would CH play the two of them upfront in a 442?

  96. bowburnmag says:
    September 16, 2009 at 7:37 pm
    Just about to walk the dog and listen to the first half. Where are those frigging earphones…..

    That’s my trick. Every night listen to the legends while walking the dog. Takes the sting ot of it.

  97. You lot don’t half talk a load of shite, honestly, what a bunch of clowns – Kev did nothing wrong and you stab him in the back at the first opportunity. The guy’s done so much for this club in the past and some of you scrotes paint him as some sort of evil Toon hater. As if the money he’d win would have gone anywhere near the team anyway!

  98. batty,mike ashley out to destroy newcastle,you lads talk the same bollox everyday.
    stardust,i dont know why you bother trying to reason with these people,you would probably have more chance getting through to the taliban.
    thats exactly what they are like,muslim extremists,next they will be strapping suicide belts to themselves.

  99. I cannot believe how many people are prepared to fold meekly behind a person who destroyed 15 years progress in 1 year. Going against one of the people instrumental in getting us out of the toilet and playing good football. Basically siding with Tottenham against the Toon!

    The sooner Ashley is gone the better. By forcing down the price of Newcastle (shorting the price in stocks and shares terms) we make the team available to more people to buy. We can then put this entire episode behind us and move on. The players will appreciate it because it will give their playing careers added certainty too.

    So, ironic as it may seem, a Keegan victory on this issue could be a boost to the long-term fortunes of the club. Short term – just support the team and pray.

  100. TROJAN 69 god you do come oot with a load of shite and if your worried aboot the taliban get of y arse and sign up

  101. Stardust says:
    September 16, 2009 at 7:24 pm
    Batts – Nice to see youre friends with Sturat – he calls you “Bat Man” arrghhh ive gone all warm and fuzzy.<<<<<<you know me stardy i get on with every body lol

  102. “bat man” has Stuart made you some of his magical crocodile shoes?

    Apparently he makes the skin creep on them and they walk themselves.

  103. ah batty the 40 year old adolescent,i talk some crap?
    sign up what for to be cannon fodder for the illuminati,i dont think so he he he.
    i listened to this guy,s posts for a while now,kids stuff batty.
    come back when you can think of something intelligent to say.

  104. It’s only money. Either Ashley will pay the £8m (not £10m – it is £8m claim from Keegan and a £2m claim from Ashley) or a new investor will borrow it – they’ll have planned for it in their bid proposals.

    Keegan has a valid claim, if it’s proves that his position was undermined unilaterally or significant promises were broken. As an employment lawyer (and NUFC fan) I’m all for agreements being honoured and, if Keegan’s contract was fundamentally breached then he was entitled to walk out immediately, which he did. So he can claim the rest of his 3 year contract.

    I predict we will lose this case. I know everyone will blame Ashley and that’s completely right, the fact is anything he did towards Keegan was done in his capacity as an officer of our club. Thus our club did it andsNUFF is the only possible defendant to a claim like this. It’s not personal.

    I ultimately don’t regret Keegan coming in, or that he’s suing the club, just that the fat failure of a club owner Ashley acted so insultingly as to make Keegan go in the first place.

  105. Ok, seeing as this was my article, I though I’d stick my head back in and try and address some of the “concerns” that have been posted in the comments section.

    Do you really think that Ashley will give two hoots that the money will come out of NUFC? It’s not going to effect his Sports Direct or any of his other businesses directly. The money will not come out of his own, personal bank account, it will come out of the coffers of NUFC. As so many of you are found of pointing out Ashley more than likely doesn’t care what we think or how anything he does effects us. Taking that into consideration, do you think he’s bothered that NUFC will be minus a few million quid?
    Keegan was not employed by Mike Ashley directly, he was employed by NUFC. Therefore NUFC will be in court, not Ashley.
    My article wasn’t intended to say that KK was right to walk or that he was in fact in the wrong, it was written to show my point of view, that I cannot believe that so many people think it’s good that the club will lose millions over this.
    Do you not see that this shows Keegan to be a loyal to NUFC as we are to our current employers? That if our companies had forced us out then we would be taking them to court?
    To Keegan NUFC is just another job and people should realise that. To us it’s much, much more.
    I don’t hate Keegan, that would be a childish response, I just can’t blindly back the man based on what he once did for us.