NUFC Blog on metro.co.ukMy latest story on metro.co.uk is now up!
Entitled “Is Kinnear scouting Ferguson a Sunderland spoof?” or alternatively “Did the Joe Kinnear scouting Shane Ferguson story come from a mischievous Sunderland fan?” (they seem to think that two titles are better than one over there), it originally had the same title as this piece but never mind, at least I’m getting paid!
Anyway, in it I take a look for the origins of Alan Oliver’s laughable story about Joe Kinnear allegedly going to watch Birmingham City’s League Cup victory over Swansea and asking about signing Shane Ferguson. Of course, as Kinnear and all Toon fans know perfectly well already, he is already a Newcastle United player who is currently on loan at the Midlands club. (more…)
Pardew: Looking forward to US trip.Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew is looking forward to the team’s forthcoming 3 game tour of the United States.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he spoke of the trip as a chance to “focus completely on our job without any distractions”. He will also have a chance to get a good look at the club’s recent signings, and also some of the younger players who may be pushing for a place with the big lads. Pardew said of the trip:
“I know the facilities are top, top drawer, it’s good and accessible for our fans to see us.
“The training conditions are perfect, the competition will be good, and importantly we can focus completely on our job without any distractions – the food, language and climate won’t take any adjusting to and we can just get on with things.”(more…)
A cup...We’re still on course for some silverware this season after the reserves came through a tough test against their non-league foes, to reach the semi-finals of thecup. Newcastle Reserves lined up at home to Newcastle Benfield of the Northern League, in the quarter final stage of their defence of the Northumberland Senior Cup.
Last season saw the second string side beat Benfield 2-1, at the semi-final stage of the competition and at the same ground with goals from Mark Doninger and Wesley Baheng. Newcastle Benfield sit in 8th place in the Northern League and have a spattering of former YTs of various professional clubs (including United) on the books, including one who’s a physio at the town.
At a blustery Whitley Park, Benfield took an early lead, when a speculative shot from Shaun Bell was carried over the fingers of Robinson and went in off the underside of the crossbar, to put the Northern League side 1-0 up. The wind did it’s best to spoil the game but the youngsters of Newcastle tried to combat it with good interplay, though Benfield largely kept them at bay initially. (more…)
Pancrate ready to seal a deal?It’s a cold, damp and blustery day over here in Newcastle, so what better way to spend your evening than to go and watch a reserve game eh? Well that’s what the Bowburn branch of nufcblog.org has decided to do tonight, and I’ve even roped in my old man to come and keep me company.
Of course, it’s free and we’re playing Hartlepool United so there’s a little bit of local rivalry going on, particularly as my mate supports them. So there are two good reasons to go. Plus they’ve moved the venue from Whitley Park (where yours truly used to grace the beautiful turf, back in the day) to St James’ and have opened up the East Stand to supporters. That makes it a bit easier with me being in town already.
It’s admittedly been a while since I took in a ressie game, and it gives me a chance to see some of the young ‘uns that I haven’t seen play a full game. Mind you, I’ve once again managed to miss out another potential 90 minutes of football for Nile Ranger because he’s away with England U19s. I’ll also miss out on seeing Shane Ferguson, Callum Morris and Brad Inman who are all away representing their respective countries. (more…)
