A time when we all had something to smile about“What makes a Geordie, a Geordie?” “Passion for football…..”, so went the old McEwans advert.
And passion is an essential ingredient of our national game and, of course, of our beloved club. And there are arguably none more passionate than our own Sir Bobby Robson.
Nobody needs me to give a recount of what he means to the club and the region or indeed what he means to football in general. Neither do I need to spell out what the club means to him. Even in ill-health last season he was seen at games, ever the engaged and fanatical supporter, our erstwhile manager caring as much now as he did while he was in charge.
The fact that the current incumbent managed to organise a preseason friendly on the same day as the already advertised charity game at St James on Sunday 26th July, says as much as you need to know about their lack of appreciation for this legendary football figure and the club and it’s supporters. That is a moot point now though, as the game in Holland was cancelled and the charity game goes ahead but it shows a stark contrast with how Sir Bobby would expect things to work round here.
Our club is on it’s knees and we are crying out for the dignity with which Sir Bobby carries himself. We are desperate for the honourable ethics and principles he encourages. Desperate also for the leadership, technical nous and managerial qualities he displayed in better health. (more…)
Biting his tongue?Does anyone really know what’s going at St James’? According to Big Al’s big pal, Rob Lee, even he hasn’t a clue.
Talking to the press, Rob had this to say:
“I speak to Alan every day and he’s frustrated to say the least. He’s coming to the end of his tether now. He’s waited for ages and been told that things were due to happen, but nothing has and he’s very frustrated.
“He organised all the pre-season games at the end of last season but he also had targets in mind that he wanted to bring in to the club. Now it looks like he will miss out on them.
“I’m amazed he hasn’t already told Newcastle that he doesn’t want the job any more, but there will come a point where he says, ‘You’re too late’.
“He still wants the job desperately but you can’t expect someone like that to wait forever. He’s not daft and they’ve had ample time to sort something out. (more…)
Praying for justice?It appears our esteemed right-back Habib Beye has been under the microscope of various interested parties in the recent days for very different reasons.
Just today, it’s reported that he is being courted by Portsmouth and Hull City for a summer move. However, in the meantime, he’s also potentially in the bad books with the FA, who it would seem took a different view to Chris Hughton and Lee Clark about the behaviour of the players involved in the ‘brawl’ on Tuesday night at The Galpharm Stadium.
Of course, Habib was at the centre of the controversy and allegedly his actions sparked the whole thing off. As I’ve mentioned previously, due to my need for sustenance, I was halfway to buying my pie when it all kicked off and didn’t really see what initially caused it.
However, alerted by the excited crowd reaction and turning to watch, what I did see was that the players looked pretty upset and though Beye might struggle with the local vernacular, should he seek local interpretation, his body language suggested he would have been saying “I’m ganna rip off yor heid and s***e doon your neck pal”.
This is the official line –
The Football Association is to investigate the trouble which flared during and after Tuesday night’s friendly clash between Huddersfield and Newcastle.
Visitor's BeyeUndoubtedly, the most exciting thing to happen at our game last night wasn’t the actual football. It was the handbags at half time and at the end of the game.
The first tussle involved Habib Beye who was incensed enough to remonstrate with Huddersfield skipper Peter Clarke following an earlier disagreement. Whether that was something said at a free kick or a challenge either one of them didn’t like, is unclear.
Certainly I didn’t see the flashpoint because I was halfway up the stairs to get my pie (which incidentally were out of stock!). But both players looked fairly agitated and keen to get at each other. Which resulted in a 20-man melee (I love that word) that involved police and stewards and continued down the tunnel. Beye didn’t reappear for the second half but as I suggested in my earlier report of the game, I got the impression that was the original plan regardless.
The second incident involved Coloccini and former Gateshead forward Lee Novak with the striker reportedly suffering a cut to his chin. It came as a surprise to me just how close these two actually got and that there was physical damage as it was dispersed relatively quickly and there didn’t seem to be much in it. The exact cause of that incident is also unclear. What is clear though is that this was a relatively bad-tempered affair considering the nature of the game. (more…)
A terrier or one of the gargoyles from Ghostbusters?Tonight sees us meet some old acquaintances at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield for our latest friendly. Die-hard Mag Lee Clark will need to rely on his professionalism to prepare for tonight’s game against his boyhood idols and for who he played a pivotal role before and during the Keegan era as a player.
The Huddersfield manager made great progress after taking over in November last year, winning 8 out of 9 games but a dip in form resulted in a mid-table finish. Having cut his teeth as assistant to Glen Roeder at Norwich City, Clark will be looking to realise the potential that people see in him to make a thoroughly decent manager.
Clarkie has some other familiar faces in his management team. Namely Terry Mac, buffer supreme to King Kev, tremendous former player, adopted Geordie and all-round decent bloke. Derek Fazackerley, who was assistant manager and coach under Keegan in the ’90s revival is acting in a similar role at The Galpharm. Paul Stephenson, who played for us in the ’80s is also part of the coaching set-up. (more…)
