One Great North Run wasn't enough (apparently).Calling all generous Toon fans! Actually, before I go any further, I’d just like to say that I’ve been bowled over by the support I’ve received so far via my sponsor page. Most of the donations have come from supporters on blogs such as this and many from non-NUFC fans and to be honest it’s been pretty touching.
Anyway, here’s a brief update – I’ve raised a good amount so far but I need more!
Here’s another update – My knee is knackered. I’ve potentially ruptured the ligaments in my left knee playing against the Mackems from Houghton Town but I need to wait for the swelling to go down before I have a scan. Nevertheless, I’m doing this.
See here for the ironic background to last year’s run and my determination not to let football get in the way of this special event. Will I ever grow up? (that was my mam and the better half’s question, not mine). (more…)
I make no apologies for this image (a “Scene’s we’d like to see” sequel to my previous one) despite the fact my first one seems to have upset as many people as it tickled. The movie “300” is one of my favourites and it’s no stretch, for me, to imagine Shearer as Gerard Butler’s King Leonides; leading us into battle against insurmountable odds.
Wednesday’s battering by Blackpool was either a blip or the end of the world (depending on whose advice you hold sacred); but whatever it was it was a reminder that this league will still take some winning, whatever the odds say. Chris Hughton (target for too much vilification) and the backroom staff have worked a minor miracle to get us in ANY kind of shape to face this season. Our great start has surprised everyone, including ourselves, and we can only pray in continues. Standing on the edge of tomorrows game with the “Green Army”, we mustn’t allow ourselves the luxury of too much introspection. If we succumb to that vital momentum will be lost, and with it whatever confidence we’ve been able to muster. (more…)
Firstly, many thanks to bowburnmag and workyticket, for granting me authorship on this fine site…I promise to blog responsibly, visually and as often as I can.
The illustration is an old image of mine, appropriate for this week as KK’s battle begins, and shows Big Al triumphing over “The Chunky Cockney Monkey”…with KK looking on as referee.
I’m with BBM on this issue; the more pressure brought to bear of this rotund fool, the quicker he’ll want to sell. I’m for censuring the man but supporting the team. Difficult I know, but external forces are being marshalled to help us. The Mirror reported Keegans claim, this morning, as being something that could facilitate a quicker sale of the club. Any prospective new owner would not want their first act to be shelling out £10m for KK’s compensation. An out of court settlement (after a withering judgement from the Premier League this week), could see Barry Moat’s bid accepted…finally!
Our old friends the Serious Fraud Office are putting their wagons in a circle, and calling Ashley out for a fight! Charles Sale (Daily Mail columnist) reports today that “sources” close to Ashley say, he does not want the “distraction” of “running” Newcastle United (sorry, I wasn’t aware that the club was being run by anyone) while simultaneously fighting a lengthy, costly and (potentially) ruinous court case. In which case, a quick sale seems on the cards….I know, I hear you laughing when I say “quick”. The sooner this ‘incompetent’ is out of our lives, the sooner the healing can begin…and, god knows, we’ve a lot of healing to do. (more…)
40,000 crowds help MoatThe 40,000 crowds we’ve been getting at home games could help Barry Moat’s attempts to take over Newcastle United Football Club.
According to a recent article in The Journal, Moat’s original business plan was based on the Toon attracting 25,000 for home games. I have no idea how The Journal knows that but if we assume it’s true for a minute then the 15,000 additional fans we’ve been attracting could provide leverage for Moat in his negotiations with Barclays about the overdraft.
To be honest, I still wonder what the actual cost of the club will be to Moat or any other potential buyer. We know Ashley’s asking £100m and it has been suggested that the club has drawn £20m on it’s £40m overdraft facility but it’s still not clear to me what happens about the £100m Ashley loaned to the club to clear the debts. (more…)
Rob Lee - back in the dayOn what is an extremely slow news day so far, I managed to find an article in City AM about Rob Lee’s new role as an investment guru for sportsmen and other high net-worth individuals.
Lee does make a few comments about the current Toon situation though and when asked if Ashley was just throwing up a smokescreen by keeping Shearer hanging on for the manager’s job, he says:
“Yes, yes. If you put Alan Shearer in charge he is going to want to improve the club, and he is going to want money. I think the cheaper way is what [Ashley] is doing. By not appointing Alan he hasn’t got to spend any more money.”
I think many people have suspected as much anyway. Just after relegation Ashley described the appointment of Shearer as ‘the best decision he ever made’ but that was when he was planning to hold onto the club and rebuild it. Of course, now that he’s decided to sell it he won’t want to spend any more money on it than he has to.
I don’t necessarily mean that latter statement as a criticism. It stands to reason that if you’re selling something you’ll only spend what’s necessary to secure the sale and long-term investment is pointless. Although if you’re struggling to sell you might have to reconsider matters. (more…)
I make no apologies for this image (a “Scene’s we’d like to see” sequel to my previous one) despite the fact my first one seems to have upset as many people as it tickled. The movie “300” is one of my favourites and it’s no stretch, for me, to imagine Shearer as Gerard Butler’s King Leonides; leading us into battle against insurmountable odds.
Firstly, many thanks to bowburnmag and workyticket, for granting me authorship on this fine site…I promise to blog responsibly, visually and as often as I can.
