Independent article accuses Newcastle United’s fans of anti-Semitism towards Mike Ashley

Posted on July 21st, 2013 | 77 Comments |

Mike Ashley.
Fans accused of anti-Semitism towards Mike Ashley.
Newcastle United have threatened legal action over a piece by Jim Armitage in the Independent newspaper.

The piece is a sickly hagiography of Mike Ashley entitled “Is Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley the best boss in the world?” In it’s original version, it alleged that Newcastle United fans had abused the club’s owner on the basis of his Jewish background, despite the fact that he isn’t even Jewish..

On the club’s official Twitter page they tweeted:

“The club is aware of the article in today’s Independent and has referred the matter to its lawyers. Thanks to fans who have raised concerns.”

There is also an image of the original tweet below. To get to the meat in the sandwich though, the anti-Semitic parts of Armitage’s piece were rapidly edited out, but it was too late for the Independent and the original part of the piece which made the slur is preserved below.

It read:

“None of the criticisms is entirely without merit, although he would never admit it. What he might do, though, if you get enough beers in him, is regale you with some of the less polite chants about him from the terraces of St James’s Park. Says a colleague: “The one I’ve heard him sing goes something like “Give us back our club you cockney c***”. The anti-Semitic ones make him laugh too, because, contrary to belief on Tyneside, he’s not even Jewish.”

The twisted logic behind Armitage’s slur may rest in another falsehood, the misconception that Mike Ashley is a fan of North London Jewish side, Tottenham, though he is actually a Chelsea fan who used to frequent Stamford Bridge.

The now edited piece can be found here

Newcastle United’s tweet on the Jim Armitage’s piece.

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77 Responses

  1. Heard about this yesterday, I’ve heard fans discussing the fact Mike Ashley might be Jewish, But there has never been any Anti-Semitic abuse.
    He’s been called a greedy fat so and so, Or stronger words to that effect, But never anything Anti-Semitic.
    So it turns out he’s not even Jewish anyway, But that has never stopped the “Wrong Turn” section of our fans, Who still think he’s a Cockney, For some strange reason!

  3. Considering the blatant prejudice of some on here and other forums/blogs towards Muslims it would not surprise me at all if there were anti Semitic chants in some areas of the crowd. It is a big stadium, so anyone who says that it never happens can not be 100% certain that it doesn’t.

    I must say how heartwarming I’ve found some of the more erudite posters’ views when it comes to calling people out on their ignorance and lack of humanity. I have been surprised in equal measure by the thoughtfulness and ignorance on display.

  4. Count says:
    July 21, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    “Considering the blatant prejudice of some on here and other forums/blogs towards Muslims”

    Who has been prejudiced towards Muslims on here, Count?

  6. So it’s alright to call someone a piece of crap for being cockney but not for being Jewish?? It’s all the same at that point. If you’re being a racist prick you’re are being a racist prick.

  7. Charlietoon says:
    July 21, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    “So it’s alright to call someone a piece of crap for being cockney but not for being Jewish?? It’s all the same at that point. If you’re being a racist prick you’re are being a racist prick.”

    No. What gave you the idea that it was, Charlietoon? And since when have Cockney’s or Jews been a race?

    If you’re prejudiced against people for being Caucasian, Negroid, Mongoloid, Austroloid or whatever, that’s “racism,” if you’re prejudiced against someone for being a decendent of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael, that’s “anti-Semitism” and if you’re prejudiced against people who like pie and mash, jellied eels, a few britneys and a good old knees up dahn the old rub-a-dub, that’s “Cockneyism.” :-)

  8. Us Geordies get a lot of stick from certain quarters also, Whenever somebody famous for example, Ant And Dec grrrrr!,
    It’s always Geordie presenters Ant And Dec, Or Geordie Cheryl Cole.
    You never hear, “Inbred Chinless Wonder, David Cameron”, For some reason.
    We are always presented as something approximating another nationality, Like that ridiculous “Geordie Nation”, That does the rounds.

  9. joe hawkins says:
    July 21, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    “Us Geordies get a lot of stick from certain quarters also, Whenever somebody famous for example, Ant And Dec grrrrr!,”

    If so, can you blame them for hating the region that inflicted Ant and Dec and Cheryl Curl on the world? :lol: We used to give the world people like George Stevenson, Joseph Swan, Admiral Collingwood and the king of fine tea, Earl Grey. What went wrang like?

    “Like that ridiculous “Geordie Nation”, That does the rounds.”

    That was the fault of Geordieland’s answer to Slobodan Milosevic, John Hall.

  10. You can feel some people’s prejudice oozing out from between the lines. To be honest I barely take notice of the names of who says what. All the names blur into one another. There seems to be the same names cropping up on most of the blog and fan sites, so it is hard to remember exactly where I have read what and who said it. It’s not about naming names it’s about standing up for what you think is right. I really can’t be arsed to go back through the last few weeks of articles and find quotes, but I know for a fact that I have read some very dubious comments. In all possibility not on this site but by people who, in all likelihood, do frequent this site.

    I’m not just talking about this site. This is certainly not an attack on this or any other site in particular. Like I say I have been happy to see lots of people talking a lot of sense with regards to the world of finance and racial/political/philosophical issues. There are however some raging soulless ignorant dullards about.

  13. Count says:
    July 21, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    “I’m not just talking about this site.”

    I don’t think you’re writing about this site at all, Count. If you are, you’ve obviously mistaken it with somewhere else. Anyone trying to make bigoted comments on here doesn’t last very long.

  14. i am going to have to say it.The thought of that diluded cockney clown and his mackem muppet sidekick is not filling me with great hope for the coming season. At least they usually wait til after christmas before bursting the usual Newcastle United are going to win something this year bubble. Bastards i hate football.It is a shit game played by puffs. No i will stick with come on le Toon

  15. craigy boy chaddas says:
    July 21, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    “i am going to have to say it.The thought of that diluded cockney clown and his mackem muppet sidekick”

    Cheers craigy boy for making me look like a complete arse after my previous discussion with Count. Perfect timing! :lol:

  19. What is actually going on with all this rubbish lately. I am actually confused at what Ash is actually trying to achieve.

  20. Count says:

    “Considering the blatant prejudice of some on here and other forums/blogs towards Muslims it would not surprise me at all if there were anti Semitic chants in some areas of the crowd. It is a big stadium, so anyone who says that it never happens can not be 100% certain that it doesn’t.”

    I cannot be 100% certain that they are not boiling babies either. I don’t have any evidence of it though. Seems I am in the same boat as Count then.

    On the other hand, there has been deep rooted racist factions in lots of clubs and the resurrection of the BNP and popularity of UKIP would lead me to believe there could be racist/anti-semitic chants from individuals or small groups. I wouldn’t tar us all with the same brush though Count as I think that is exactly what that lot are doing.

  24. Sorry GS, I misread the last sentence of what you said. I thought you said that was what I was doing.

  25. Count, don’t accuse people on here of “blatant prejudice” against Muslims, then, when you are challenged on it, give pathetic answers such as “oh it is hard to remember exactly,” “I really can’t be arsed to go back through the last few weeks of articles and find quotes,” and “but I know for a fact that I have read some very dubious comments. In all possibility not on this site but by people who, in all likelihood, do frequent this site.”

    Making accusations like that which you can’t back up is just snide. If you are going to make a serious accusation about others on this site, be prepared to back it up, otherwise, don’t make it at all. ;-)

  26. I’m not prejudiced at all, And i’m not Anti Semitic, I always put it in on, When i grazed myself, As a kid, So there’s no flies on me!

  27. GS says:
    July 21, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    “On the other hand, there has been deep rooted racist factions in lots of clubs and the resurrection of the BNP and popularity of UKIP would lead me to believe there could be racist/anti-semitic chants from individuals or small groups.”

    GS, you’re in Chicago. You hardly have your finger on the pulse of what’s happening over here!

  28. Yes, you’re right. There are no edl or bnp types in existence. It’s just a myth…

    I’ve got better things to do with my time than get into arguments with moronic xenophobic dickheads. Surely you can understand that.

    Am I one of these trolls I’ve heard people on about. Or am I being trolled. Who gives a duck’s arse.
    You won’t catch me with me trousers.

  29. EDL are a bunch of morons i dislike sharia law but the fact that that they think it is coming to england is stupid! the country is about 6% muslim. i agree on some of their points on immigration laws but the way they portray them will get them no fans. i have no problem with anyone coming here if they have good ambitions, but i don’t see how it is up too us to help them when they come over because their country is poor when our country is smaller than where they are coming from. The real problem in every country is the elite claiming billions tax free and ridiculous amounts of government officials who do nothing for a 6 figure salary.

  30. Danny b says:
    July 21, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    “i dislike sharia law but the fact that that they think it is coming to england is stupid!”

    Danny, what is your understanding of Sharia Law, and what makes you think it is a problem in this country? How will it affect you? BTW, it isn’t “coming,” it’s already here.

  31. Worky @27: I read the British papers, but I am not as up on it as others. My 18 year old nephew linked me to his facebook page and one of his likes was EDL. I had to have a word with his Dad to explain that whatever his friends thought that this wasn’t cool, and that it might follow him around for jobs, college and other things. Who knows where this social media stuff may end up.

    It made me a little bit more aware of what was going on with that UKIP stuff and there was that NE bi-election where they got a lot of the vote.

    So, although I am not an expert in this, and do indeed live in Chicago, I still have lots of friends and family in England and follow some things from England – I listened to the whole 4 days of the Lords Test for example.

    Similarly, even though I live in Chicago, I follow NUFC much more than any Chicago team, including the Blackhawks who won the Stanley Cup.

  32. Worky: and when has living in the UK stopped YOU commenting on American issues/politics :)

  33. GS says:July 21, 2013 at 7:33 pm
    ‘popularity of UKIP would lead me to believe there could be racist/anti-semitic chants from individuals or small groups.’

    GS says:July 22, 2013 at 12:19 am
    ‘It made me a little bit more aware of what was going on with that UKIP stuff and there was that NE bi-election where they got a lot of the vote.’

    GS why are you so worried about UKIP? There are elected labour councillors who are ex-BNP & it was Labour policy to follow the US into illegal wars and murder millions of people from a select part of the world. Surely that is a good definition of racism. Anyway, wanting to limit cross border migration of all people is nationalism not racism. I’m of the opinion that trying to tie different countries together politicly, which have inherently different cultures, economies, values (and in Europe) languages, is not a good idea. I also don’t like the idea of being run by unelected people; of who we have no means to remove.

  34. DJG: You know, Worky was right about me not being close enough to really understand this, especially UKIP. The English papers I read hardly ever bring it up. I am pretty much knee-jerk against fascists which would include the BNP.

    I think I will stay out of this one. You never know who is watching (well, in addition to the NSA). I was worried about my nephew being linked to perceived hate groups and looked into it enough to know he shouldn’t be associated with the EDL.

    Worky, you are a smart man. I really only know enough to be dangerous on this.

  36. SJT: football? :(

    Until and if we sign a couple of players or sack Pardew, I want to just make snide comments about our situation whilst really hoping it turns around. SNAFU.

  38. MICK Harford will be tasked with finding Newcastle United bargains from the lower leagues.

    The former Newcastle and Sunderland striker is set to be appointed as assistant to director of football Joe Kinnear.

    Does this nightmare ever end?
    Been going on way to long for my liking and it just keeps getting worse.

  40. I thought you was from over the pond :lol:
    Wallsend boy me but now live in the capital….

    Birmingham haha

  42. SJT, Even daft Ashley was going to cotton on to the fact, He would need another few bodies in, To help him with his cheap plan.
    I cannot understand why he hasn’t been trawling the bargain basement, In this country, Until now.
    As Chuck says, It must be a slow learning curve, For Ashley!

    I have been watching “The Copa Libertadores”, Why have we not been scouting clubs in South America, And Central America?
    Especially clubs like, Newells Old Boys, Velez Sarsfield, Racing Club, Boca Juniors Etc, Or Brasilian clubs like, Vasco de Gama, Corinthians, Athletic Miniero, Fluminese, Flamengo etc.
    That’s where you will find talent, That will not cost the Earth.
    Ashley must save his cheap air miles or special offers for the Ferry, Across to France.
    Probably has Carr going across to buy crates of cheap lager, From the Cash n carry in Dieppe, Oh and while your there Graham, See if you can find any players.

  43. The reality of the situation is probably depressingly near the mark, Of what i previously typed.
    The sort of person i pick him for, With all the money he’s got, I can still see him after a hard day at the coal face, Going into his walk in fridge, And crack open a bottle of ESP or Sphinx lager!

    This is supposed to be a Premier league Football Club, He’s running, But he has cheapened it to the point, That you think you are watching an episode of “Phoenix Nights”!

  44. GS says:
    July 22, 2013 at 6:23 am

    “DJG: You know, Worky was right about me not being close enough to really understand this, especially UKIP.”

    I have no time for UKIP, but to mention them as if they are the same as the BNP is just daft. The BNP are very overexposed in the UK media, making them look bigger than they are. Their membership in 2010 was 4200 out of over 60 million and the EDL is smaller than that and many of them are probably the same idiots. Of course, there are far more than that who are a bit thick who might have sympathies and gravitate towards them every now and again after constantly reading distorted reports in the right wing media and listening to politicians playing the immigration card.

    Incdentally, did you know that it is highly likely that highest proportions of illegal immigrants in the UK are from places like North America and white Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand? The same is true in places like Australia with mostly white British people.

    When you don’t live in the UK and get most of your stuff from the media, you are going to get a very distorted and racist picture. Even most people who live in the UK have a totally distorted picture of life here because they view it through the distorted prism of newspapers like the Daily Mail and the Sun, or even their own psychology. After all, swarthy skinned people in niqabs and shalwar kameezs stick out far more to them than white Australians do. Even I have a distorted picture because the world I live in is highly multicultural and I hang out with people who were born all over the world, hence my perspective will be diferent from someone who has lived in Devon all their lives and sits around reading factually incorrect horror stories in the Daily Mail.

  45. See the Comical is reporting the Harford appointment is now a no go.Could this have been another case of our Director of Football speaking out of turn yet again?

  46. Nutmag says:
    July 22, 2013 at 11:56 am

    “Could this have been another case of our Director of Football speaking out of turn yet again?”

    I might be wrong, but I can’t remember him mentioning it, Nutmag.

    Getting back on to the topic of this piece, I find it a little silly that Geordies are blue in the face with rage over Joe Kinnear, yet we hardly seem bothered about being referred to as anti-Semites who are so stupid we think that Mike Ashley is Jewish. :-)

    Similarly we hardly seem to be bothered about the likes of Wonga getting their claws into the regions football club, it’s local newspapers and even a scheme for underprivileged bairns (the Wonga customers of the future). What have we become?

  47. well that caps it off, We couldn’t even get 50 odd year old ex player, To work under the pathetic conditions, Ashley has created.
    It’s coming to something when Harford’s services cannot be secured.
    My betting is, Ashley was expecting him to do the job, For next to nowt, And probably less than Millwall are paying him.

  48. Worky I was just following a theme.Kinnear did say in one of his early statements that he was rather good at finding talent in lower divisions and bring them through.(This must of had Ashley drooling)Put this together with the supposed job Harford was being offered sounds very Kinnear to me.
    On the other topics I’m with you all the way.It never ceases to amaze me the way Joe Public reacts to any given situation.A general election can be won or lost on one remark while being blatantly insulted cheated and made fools of nothing!

  49. joe hawkins says:
    July 22, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    “well that caps it off, We couldn’t even get 50 odd year old ex player, To work under the pathetic conditions, Ashley has created.
    It’s coming to something when Harford’s services cannot be secured.
    My betting is, Ashley was expecting him to do the job, For next to nowt, And probably less than Millwall are paying him.”

    Joe, I’m not sure it was that. I think it was more likely that he saw the treatment Kinnear had received from some so called fans and thought that he’d cop alot of it too if he took the job. His appointment had already being called a “joke” before he’d even accepted it and the media and fans were saying he was being brought in to force out Pardew etc etc…

    So perhaps he saw it as a toxic situation with guilt by association and all that?

  52. “There is of course no guarantee this is Cissé but, despite the fact the photo is blurred, the figure carries the notable low-slung shoulders and the slightly dubious dress sense of Papiss Cissé.”

    Personally, I don’t give a stuff whether it was Cisse or not. My parents were in the gambling industry so I don’t gamble, but even if I did, I’d still object to Wonga anyway. Personally, I’m more concerned that both the club and the club’s fans have such a proclivity for shooting themselves in the foot, then wondering why they are such losers.

    Ashley, the fans and the media are teaming up to drive the club’s best goalscorer out over a below average sponsorship deal with an odious loan shark who are bringing both the club and the region nothing but trouble. They are so f**king clever :lol:

  53. Worky, Look at Harry Redknapp, He took one look at it, And came away with the feeling, That there was something not right, At the club.

  54. I wasn’t even aware that there were allusions to Ashley being Jewish but I don’t think anyone would have problems if it were true and he was the type of owner we were all hoping for. As I still don’t get the financial ifs and buts I don’t know if he might yet prove to be type of owner we were hoping for, there certainly seems to be more negatives than positives to that possibility.

    Millwall were fairly decent as a team for the last few seasons, so Harford might have been a useful addition to the coaching staff, then again!!

    Define gambling, there are degrees of it and I think we all like a little flutter even if it’s only buying a lottery ticket.

    Nutmag, that’s not an allusion to Florida perchance.

  55. Whether it was his Sunderland Association, Or whether it was money, Or the general vibe of the place.
    Mick Harford has decided to stay at Millwall, Rather than take a role, At a Premier League Club.
    For one reason or another, This club has become part of the, “Who Needs Them Club”!
    I’m sure i would take a bit of stick from the fans, If i was getting well paid.
    Did he not play for us in the early 80’s?, So that would soften any resistance, And i’m sure if he was doing a good job, All things would be forgotten about.

    In my opinion, I think he has looked at the non relationship between all the combatants, And thought he doesn’t want to be part of the stand off, Or ensuing siege, And headed for the hills.
    I’m sure this is how Ashley likes to operate, Where there is tension, And ill will, He seems to thrive on the conflict, For some strange reason.
    Either way, I think this Club is finished, Until we get rid of these idiots, Across the board.

  56. worky @ 46-this is just so bizarre, while being irritated at yet another inane Ashley appointment is instictive to a lot of NUFC supporters these days.

    Of course there are anti-semitic and generally xenophobic sentiments NUFC supporters. Typically, they aren’t too intelligent and very willing to believe anything from sources with enough, ahem, charisma. If it did happen, perhaps it was something to do with his reportedly supporting Spurs?

    What people have become is apathetic and easily led. Simple as.

    SJT @ 51: that’s ridiculous.

    I DO gamble and I object to payday lenders. It surprises me how much of an industry it is over there. Over here, they’re seedy hole-in-the-wall joints that no pro sports league or team would ever partner with…not claiming any superiority, just a striking difference. Everyone over here associates these places with impoverished areas, in fact they’re an identifier. When you’re in an area where the storefronts are: payday lender, liquor store, pawnshop, payday lender, fast food joint, liquor store, etc.-watch out.

  58. I was reading the forums at “Toontastic” and someone on there mentioned that he wrote to Jim Armitage to complain about the anti-Semitic slur Armitage included in his piece, and he said he received the following reply:

    CleeToonFan, on 21 Jul 2013 – 3:00 PM, said:

    “Got this from Mr. Armitage (I complained before the edit)

    “Thankyou for your email. Needless to say, I don’t agree with your criticisms. The attacks on Ashley’s stewardship of NUFC have been extensive in the sports pages and were not the point of my piece. I was briefed to research what he was like as a boss and businessman in the week he’s paying thousands of staff huge share bonuses. This I did.

    “The point about anti semitism is, as you can see, a quote from somebody I interviewed who is close to Ashley.
    Your complaint has been forwarded to management at the newspaper.

    “Kindest regards

    “Jim”

  59. Indeed, Nutmag. The post-industrial wastelands that were the 1st world look the same everywhere. I’m sure you can imagine how bad it had gotten in Detroit that the entire city officially told its creditors they’re skint. Again, though, here payday lenders seem to know their place. They don’t go in for shiny ad campaigns and prestige sponsorships. Just cheap real estate in depressed areas and a reasonable budget for bulletproof glass & rent-a-cops.

  60. Grumpy@54
    No not Florida a bit closer to home.Gordon Browns response to the woman having a go using what she’d just read in her paper as argument.

  61. Putting aside the anti-Semitism issue, lots of people including Jim Armitage above go on about how wonderfully he treats his Sports Direct staff because of the share bonuses.

    However, there are two kinds of Sports Direct staff. Firstly there are the Kapos, the supervisors who get the bonuses for driving the other staff, the underlings as hard as possible. These underlings don’t get share bonuses, they are on minimum wage, zero hour contracts and have often even been refused lavatory breaks when they are working.

  62. Nutmag says:
    July 22, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    “Gordon Browns response to the woman having a go using what she’d just read in her paper as argument.”

    Nutmag, did you know that after those remarks, someone, somewhere supplied Gillian Duffy (the “bigot” lady) with a top PR consultant from multinational PR firm, Bell Pottinger?

    Bell Pottinger have had extremely close links with the Conservative Party for many years. Besides working as one of their PR consultants and speech writers. one of their partners, Lord Bell, used to write speeches for Thatcher.

  63. I have very little hope of any credible response from the fans regarding Cisse’s stand. Instead of carrying him shoulder high they will allow him to go with a muttered goodridance while fooding into SJP sporting their new Wonga emblazoned shirts.As Chuck would say “nothing changes”

  64. Worky@61&62
    Ah those good old Victorian Values.
    It will be left to another generation to fight to regain what they have lost.If you don’t learn from history etc..
    Doubt if I’ll be around to see it as people haven’t suffered enough yet. NUFC is depressing enough without getting into this.Think I’ll have a cold one!

  66. @ 65: haha, good one.

    I hear there’s a pretty good club in Catalonia that could use a manager, though.

  67. tunyc: The payday loan places do advertise though. They have title loans that Montel Williams hawks and Indian Reservations like Western Sky advertise. I am not really disputing your point about sponsorship but the big sports don’t allow companies on shirts and their stadium naming rights are out of the price range of the small pay day lenders so I doubt it is a moral issue.

    I still think there should be a limit on interest charged. The only problem is this would highlight the current outrageous rates and the bought and paid for politicians wouldn’t want to do this.

  68. tunyc says:
    July 22, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    “They don’t go in for shiny ad campaigns”

    tunyc, these ads look fairly slick to me, and there are 26 different ones on YouTube.

    This one doesn’t look quite so slick, but it’s actually called the “Montel Williams loan.” It says that Montel has been a strong advocate of patday loans for years because he strongly believes that everyone should have a right to credit regardless of race, creed or colour or some twisted shit like that. What a scumbag.

  69. Someone called John Lush who used to work in the payday loans industry was speaking about his time as a loanshark on Channel Four news. He estimated that around three quarters of the loans he gave were to customers who were taking them out to pay off other payday loans they couldn’t pay back on time.

  70. Big Game tonight looks like streams are available too…I tend to watch the games on my bed now as last season I dozed off loads mid game and woke up with a wonky neck.

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  72. It’s obvious there must be more going on with NUFC & WONGA than we have been made aware of.
    The reversal of the stadium name change is obviously part of the deal, but the damage there has already been done, yeah I realise the roof sign is gone, but only extra terrestrials could see it anyway.
    But there are still more than enough Sports Direct signs than any fan wants to see.
    I wonder if Ashley figured, that by reversing the stadium name change, the fans would become more receptive to the WONGA logo ?
    That possibly the combination of WONGA & Sports Direct, might have been the straw that broke the camels back and he could possibly end up dealing with both the “Ashley out” and bed sheet brigades.
    I gotta say it’s difficult to figure out what this guy will do next, for someone who has generated a massive retailing business in what is a relatively short period of time,(whether one agrees with his methods or not) the fact he is a complete screw up when it comes to running a football club, just doesn’t register with me.
    I suppose most on here are familiar with my rant, about how slow a learning curve he’s on(Ashley) but I still believe this club has the ability to provide both an entertaining style of football , plus the ability to compete with the best sides in Europe, as long as Ashley is willing to come up with the required funds, hire the right people (hell even offer them the same bonus system he gives his SD crowd, that’s management and players) and allow them to do the job.
    I could be wrong but I have the feeling he doesn’t cede control easily, to anyone, which could be his problem, that and a bit of hubris.
    So until he figures out it’s been almost six years now of on screwup after another and that is directly related to his stewardship, we will be in for more of the same.
    It ain’t rocket science !

  73. strongly believes that everyone should have a right to credit regardless of race, creed or colour or some twisted shit like that. What a scumbag.

    Unfortunately Worky, morals & ethics are the preserve of the comfortably off. Even Montel Williams needs to make a living. Some men & women will sell ‘everything’ they’ve got to make money…why should the rest of us be any different? Capitalism is an angry unremitting master and we as a populace seem to want it!…for the life of me I can’t understand why! Raging against pay-day loans companies whilst engaging in the rest of the spoils that capitalism brings is a bit like smokin’ dope ..Bill Clinton sort of stylee

  75. Chuck says:
    July 23, 2013 at 11:01 am

    “I realise the roof sign is gone, but only extra terrestrials could see it anyway.”

    I suppose that the scumbags in Level 7 are almost extraterrestrials, Chuck.

  76. Funny every time I mention NUFC in the local, I get a sympathetic grin from most.
    The Chaos of the Ashly years has made the club something of a laughing stock, a joke !
    This is a club that should be among the worlds elite and even as things stand to-day, we are still in contention for a top twenty spot.
    When is this clown you have above going to realise his constant interference is the reason for our poor performances.
    Yeah ! Certainly Llambias being dumped was a beginning, but don’t stop there, get rid of Pardew and Kinnear, both of those clowns are a detriment to the side .
    In fact dump the whole set of coaches and physios as we have seen no improvement in regard to tactics or injury prevention.
    I can’t see us getting any worse , there has to be a young manager available who can take over the playing side , if Everton, S’ampton, Swansea, Liverpool, W brom even venture Sunderland can find them, surely we can.
    That should be the most important role as far as the future of this club is concerned, find the right manager and the sooner the better, because I and probably most other fans have absolutely no faith in the present clowns running the club.
    Is it too much to ask, to see a side playing an attractive modern version of the game, as opposed to hoofball for season after season, FFS when is Ashley going to realise these people he hired are incapable of delivering anything but excuses and bullshit sound bites.
    As for our neighbours whatever you think of them, I kinda like what De Canio is doing, he took over a bunch of players who he considered were not delivering 100% saved the side from relegation and went in to rebuilding mode.
    Which took cojones and I hope it works out for him, not all of his picks are familiar to us and a few were free agents, but the scope of where he looked , from Argentina to Russia, when one considers NUFC’s trip to nearby France, it’s obvious we have no interest in some of the hotbeds of football, especially the River Plate area and the rest of South and Central America, not to mention Spain and the Balkans, a shortsightedness that has been commonplace within recent times by sides in the EPL.
    But not by the Portuguese, Duthch, Spanish, Italian and even Russian league clubs, why is that , we must prefer to buy them at exorbitant prices from those clubs , than do our own scouting there.
    Sure everyone believes Carr is something special, but the scout that discovered Waynama for Celtic, who was bought for under a million quid, then sold for £12, the following season, that’s the kinda guy we need.
    But I guess Ashley only gives Carr enough expenses to make that close euro train ride to both France and The Netherlands,penny wise pound foolish.

  77. Chuck says:
    July 23, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    “Funny every time I mention NUFC in the local, I get a sympathetic grin from most.”

    Aye Chuck, before they call the authorities and have you escorted back the asylum. :-)

    “The Chaos of the Ashly years has made the club something of a laughing stock, a joke !”

    How soon you forget the last big, fat red haired clown who was running the club, Chuck. This is odd as we’ve been constantly reminded of how awful he was by the current regime. All that seems to do with me is remind that Ashley is so bad, he even makes Fat Freddy himself look good, and I never thought I would ever say that in my lifetime!

    “I can’t see us getting any worse , there has to be a young manager available who can take over the playing side , if Everton, S’ampton, Swansea, Liverpool, W brom even venture Sunderland can find them, surely we can.”

    Don’t count on that, Chuck, we didn’t get relegated with 34 points last season. I did mention yet another young manager we missed out on when Brighton sacked Poyet, not him but his replacement there, Oscar Garcia. He’s very inexperienced as a full manager, only one year at Maccabi Tel Aviv which makes me sound crazy but watch out for him.

    “But I guess Ashley only gives Carr enough expenses to make that close euro train ride to both France and The Netherlands,penny wise pound foolish.”

    It isn’t easy Chuck, he needs a team. Newcastle United claim to have a team but it just seem to be Carr in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. One thing I’ll say about Kinnear is that he does seem to be trying to expand the network.