Living next door to Smokie?OK, so I’ve been waiting a while to get that one out the locker and I hope it was worth it. I imagine the subtle reference in the headline will be lost on half the readers but if the other half get it, it’ll be worth it. Anyway, did I really just write a blog to make a witty (ahem) headline? Truthfully? Sort of.
Being totally honest, I’ve not really seen a great deal of this kid to give what I’d call a completely measured opinion on his prospects but if what little I’ve seen, plus the reports and stats I’ve read are anything to go by, then the future looks bright for this young man and hopefully for Newcastle United as a result. Signed from NK Domzale just after New Year, he’s gone from strength to strength impressing at youth and reserve level. He’s also had his first taste of first team football and looks to be in line for an extended run out at the weekend, though the likelihood is that it will be from the bench. (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…)
Still singing on the wing?As there’s absolutely naff-all of note in the news to hammer on about, I’ve spent the last half hour or so reminiscing about the good old days when I started going to games regularly and looking through old photos and reading back about that era.
Hopefully, you’ll forgive my indulgence. They were more innocent days when I was as concerned with learning the songs and gaining a decent reputation in amongst the big lads of The Corner as I was with what what was happening on the park. This was the bygone era of terracing and tight shorts, slimy stomach-churning burgers and rib-tickling bollards. When floodlights were things you could climb on and match tickets were for the Junior Magpies, competition winners and posh people.
We’d look forward to the games all week and we’d queue for ages to get in for certain games, but the wait and the £1.50 to get in seemed worth it at the time, laden down with replica shirts over a sweat top and adorned with black and white fishing hat and scarf. Smelling the hops and stale lager that we weren’t yet allowed to taste (legally). (more…)
Carrying his banjo with aplombIn a country well known for it’s love of lamb (easy tiger), there’s a new Chop on the menu. It’s not of the woolly variety though, it’s the history-making Michael Chopra and his scoring boots that has the city of Cardiff salivating.
Chops was breaking down the barriers back in 2006, when he became the first player of Indian parentage to grace the Premiership with both appearances and accompanying goals. Back in the day, he looked like the rightful heir to Shearer’s throne as being a local lad, not only did he attend the same school as Big Al but he also knew where the goal was.
However, with a pile of high profile strikers in front of him, Chopra struggled to make a starting place his own. While he will remain a Geordie legend forever for both his (quickest Premiership) goal in the 4-1 mauling of the Mackems at their dump and his inability / unwillingness to put the goal in the Leazes End net, sadly it was inevitable his future lay elsewhere. (more…)
A promotion race would do us the world of goodWhile fans are divided on their thoughts away from the pitch, it would be hard to argue that you’re not happy with the results on it. The football is hardly of the ‘total’ variety but in a results game, we’re grinding out the points where it counts and really, for now, that’s what matters most. Because it gives us something to get a bit carried away about and something to focus on. Not least it restores a bit of pride.
The last time we were relegated to this division, I was really just starting to watch regularly and for those old enough to reminisce prior to the ’90s, the parrallels between then and now will not be lost on you. The 88/89 season saw lose us our top flight status while discord was rife on the terracing and a Newcastle board struggled incompetently to run our beloved football club.
However, a summer and some inspired Jim Smith signings later, the sun was out, Mick Quinn and Mark McGhee led the division a merry dance and before you know it we’re sitting in a healthy league position behind the top two and the future was looking slightly rosier. (more…)
