Archive for author: UTD111

The Alan Shearer Foundation – A United Legend, a Great Cause

June 3rd, 2012 | 10 Comments |

Alan Shearer Foundation.
Well Done Lads!
If those folk down in London don’t give Sir Alan Shearer his knighthood soon, I reckon we should just make him a Geordie knight anyway!

As some Newcastle fans will know, Alan Shearer got involved with St Cuthbert’s Care in Newcastle in 2006 when he donated £320,000 of his testimonial proceeds towards the completion of the charity’s unique £1.2M activity centre for disabled people.

The Alan Shearer Activity Centre was officially opened by Alan on 11 May 2007. In October 2007 – an exact year after his outstanding financial contribution – Alan also opened the Alan Shearer Short Break Centre located on the same site to provide respite for disabled people and their carers.

In 2011 Alan and Lainya Shearer became patrons for St Cuthberts Care. In spring 2011, activities at the Alan Shearer Activity Centre became free to disabled members, at the same time they began to provide free short break holidays for disabled children and adults in the Short Break Centre located on the same site. The funding for both of these free services is in excess of £100,000 a year. Alan helped to raise £52,000 at the charity’s corporate ball and he organised a celebrity golf day raising an additional £45,000. (more…)


On the Transfer Front – The Likely Lads!

June 1st, 2012 | 52 Comments |

Matthieu Debuchy.
Matthieu Debuchy.
Regular readers of my efforts for this blog will know that, like many other United fans, I place little credence in 90% of the stories which appear in the media about who is leaving and who is joining our illustrious club.

There is so much media “noise” going on at the moment about movements, and it’s a case of sorting the wheat from the chaff, as the old saying goes. In other words trying to identify the stories which might, just might, have a grain of truth in them.

Anyroadup, the problem is that in terms of the great Newcastle United, there aint a lot else going on in newsville at the moment, so transfer babble it is!

Here’s some of the stories which might just be on the right tracks – but remember, it’s just me saying this – I’ve read the stories, put the kettle on, had a think and what follows are my thoughts on what might be the stories which run to fruition – selected from today’s vast array of speculation. But who the hell am I to know better than anyone else!

Possible Incoming (more…)


“I Hope Newcastle go from Strength to Strength” – Chris Hughton

May 31st, 2012 | 75 Comments |

Chris Hughton.
"No regrets"
The Newcastle Journal have recently published an exclusive interview with Chris Hughton, in which the ex United Manager reflects on his time at the club and gives an insight into what is, I suppose, his side of the story and his feelings – both at the time of his sacking and in the period since.

Chris was relieved of his responsibilities in December 2010, a moved that was greeted with a certain degree of incredulity by the United faithful, as he had actually done a very good job in pulling the team together and winning promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

He was replaced by Alan Pardew, a move which it is fair to say was also greeted with a degree of scepticism by the fans. (more…)


Newcastle United Transfers – It’s Speculation Season!

May 30th, 2012 | 124 Comments |

Speculation
The speculation season has started in earnest for the British football press. With the domestic season over and the European Championships yet to begin, there is still a need for footy hacks to justify their bloated salaries and write stuff that sells newspapers. And they never let the truth get in the way of a good story – even if it was made up without checking any facts or even leaving the office.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against factual, truthful reporting. I just can’t remember the last time I actually read any! If Newcastle United were to eventually sign all of the players we are supposedly linked with, we’d end up with a wage bill approaching the level of the national debt. So there must be a lot of crap reporting out there somewhere – it stands to reason.

The key to spotting made up stories is of course the lack of direct quotes. If it says “a source close to the player” or “a source close to the club” – lets face it, un-named, impossible to prove sources are reliable? I don’t think so. Treat all such stories with a pinch of salt. What makes matters worse is that a made up story by one journalist is then picked up and repeated ad-nauseum – and this is particularly easy since the advent of the Internet, it’s not just other publications repeating made up stories but online publications, blogs etc If you don’t believe me, check a news aggregator like Newsnow, pick a story and watch it get passed around and grow! (more…)


Ben Arfa Playing for His Place – France v Iceland

May 27th, 2012 | 61 Comments |

Hatem Ben Arfa - France.
Allez HBA!
France begin their warm up schedule for the Euros at 8pm tonight against Iceland at the Stade De Hainaut in Valenciennes. The match will be televised in the UK on ESPN.

A number of players deployed by Les Bleus are regarded as fringe players who can still force their way into the final French squad for the European championship opener against England in June. Mathieu Debuchy, Gael Clichy, Yoann Gourcuff, Marvin Martin, Hatem Ben Arfa, Mathieu Valbuena, Jeremy Menez and Olivier Giroud are all among those who could get a look in at Valenciennes. Striker Loic Remy has been ruled out of contention for the Euros.

Yohan Cabaye will also play but his place in the final squad is thought to be secured.

Hatem Ben Arfa has admitted he is a bag of nerves going into this game, as he was in the same position in 2008 when he was cruelly left out of the final squad. (more…)