Emotional tributes to an outstanding man.The focus may well be on the World Cup in South Africa at the moment, and football stories are being written daily as events unfold. But away from all the cameras and football there is another fantastic story emerging from the continent of Africa.
We are all aware of the loss of Bobby Robson, the loss of a man like that cannot simply be forgotten. The pure outpouring of grief, not just around Tyneside but also around the football world, is something that will live long in the memory of many fans. St James’ Park turned into a shrine in the week after his death as fans from all walks of life, from different clubs and even different countries, left their own tribute to one of the greatest English managers of recent time. These tributes came in the form of bunches of flowers, teddy bears, scarves, football shirts, anything that people felt they wanted leave in show of a tribute to the man who took us into the Champions League and brought joy to the people he knew and met. (more…)
Robson: LegendBefore the season started we found ourselves in the unfortunate position of having to say goodbye to one of our greatest managers and one of the games all time greats, Sir Bobby Robson, who sadly lost his battle with Cancer back in July.
The entire football world paid tribute to the man that had such an effect on the lives of so many, even people that never had the opportunity to meet him. It’s been an honour and a privilege to have him manage the team he supported as a boy. Whilst Bobby would rather have seen us challenging at the top of the Premier League rather than the second tier of English football, he would have remained equally as proud of this current team that had just spent the entire season defying critics and winning the title at a canter. Not much has been done by way of a permanent reminder of just what this man meant, not only to Geordies and fans of Newcastle United, but to England fans, Barcelona fans, PSV fans, in fact football fans all over the world. I think the time has come for that to change. (more…)
United?Save us from ourselves! That is the plea you hear from various quarters with regard the behaviour of other Newcastle fans in recent months, notably recently, in response to the anti-Ashley jeering which was evident throughout the Ipswich game.
The view taken by some supporters is ‘what will be, will be’ and we should get back to supporting the club. Other sections take it upon themselves to communicate their dislike of the current owner and will do until he’s gone. Personally, I say it’s a free country, but it’s not free to watch the Toon and so there are two good reasons, you should be able to say what you want.
However, even I found it a bit bizarre that we celebrated two of our goals with anti-Ashley jeering. And I guess it would have been nice to have got through a special occasion with Sir Bobby without that issue detracting from it. But it’s done now and we should move on, together. Except we can’t, at least for now but hopefully only until we’re sold and we all try to start getting on again. (more…)
Naked ambitionThe official Aston Villa site has confirmed that Martin O’Neill has agreed the 3-month loan of Marlon Harewood to Newcastle United. The rumours have been rife for weeks now but the speculation ends with the forward joining us at a critical point when our threadbare squad is already being stretched to capacity with a handful of injuries. The official Newcastle site is yet to make an announcement but it seems apparent the deal has or at least will go through in time for the weekend.
The jury appears to be out for Harewood, though I guess all loanees are always scrutinised for the very fact they’re carrying that status, the question being, why are they being loaned out? O’Neill has already gone on record to say Marlon can hopefully get some games under his belt and gain some much-needed fitness. Unfortunately, we really need players who are just about there and ready to hit the ground running so hopefully he’s not too far away and Hughton will welcome him into the squad for Saturday’s televised game at Ipswich. (more…)
