Friday 10 December 2010

This Joke Isn't Funny Anymore


A wise man from Manchester once said that, and this week’s events in the joke that is Mike Ashley’s regime at Newcastle United is starting to hurt fans loyalty with the actual club itself and for some with football altogether. This week’s events have hit home to most who thought that Ashley may have learnt from his lessons of 2008/2009, that actually the guy is a complete utter idiot with no clue on how to run a football club and quite frankly probably doesn’t even understand the game of football itself. The sacking of Chris Hughton was disgusting on a man who never complained of the tight restrictions he had to manage against, and was dignified in how he presented himself to the fans and media. As ever Hughton after the sacking was as dignified as ever and can certainly be proud of the achievements he made at Newcastle and will be forever in the history books for being the man that lead this team to the 5-1 demolition of our fierce neighbours Sunderland in what for me was the best footballing experience I’ve had in my life.

The actual decision to sack the manager is just mind-numbing in the fact this is the 1st test in Hughton’s managerial career where he’s under pressure and any manager should be given the chance to see if they can turn it around and the quite simple fact we are in mid-table safety with their being for worse teams in the premiership this season. The performance against West Brom was dire, but that can be attributed to having a number of key players out and those who actually played having some shockers (i.e. Guthrie, Ameobi, Gutiérrez). The reasons given for the sacking are unproven with the main one being that Hughton is a coach and not a manager. Well if the guy had some coaches (after the Departure of Calderwood) which the board were not willing to sanction then maybe he could do his job in managing the team.

What cannot be in doubt now is the fact; Ashley & Llambias have had it in for Hughton all season and were just waiting for the right time to get rid. The rumours before the Arsenal cup game at the time seemed like rumours but now they have substance a contact on a Newcastle forum correctly reported then that a contract with Pardew had been agreed and the Newcastle hierarchy were just waiting for the right time to sack Hughton, they thought a drubbing off Arsenal would be the right time but as ever Hughton managed against the odds to win at Arsenal.

Going back now to what the effect of this week’s even on NUFC & the fans is this. I can see a split between the fans from those who say you should support your team no matter what and that of we need to protest & boycott to hit Ashley where it hurts. I’m in the latter camp, and I shall never ever be returning to St James’ Park while Ashley is associated in any way with the club and I shall not be spending any money in his businesses and those businesses where he has shares in (including a former employer of mine). I do understand the view of supporting the team no matter what, but I’m sick of this idiot pissing in mine and all NUFC fans again and again. I will always be an NUFC fan and will watch them on TV when I can, but actually spending the money which I work hard for on the club will not be on the agenda for me in the immediate future.

The boycotting of the club will not have an immediate effect this season thought I suspect we will see a big reduction in match-day sales, merchandise sales and ticket sales for individual games. The main effect will be next season when the 3 year season ticket scheme is at an end with many being locked into it for the past 3 years, and those season ticket holders this season not renewing. From the feedback of people and friends many have said they will not renew which is not surprising in the least, as you can only push people so far even the loyalist of fans until enough is enough. I suspect we will see around 20-25k maximum in attendances next season even if we do stay up (that is a big if now by the way). The loss of income will hit Ashley in the pocket and eventually the message will get to him, that if he wants to cut his losses then he has to sell-up ASAP and get the hell out of Newcastle & the North East in general. I don’t have a grudge against Pardew and would like to wish him the best of the luck (he’ll need it), but the stories coming out of Southampton are quite terrifying & his association with the Cockney mafia immediately puts him on the back foot. Newcastle as a club continue to shot themselves in the foot time and time again, and this time it could lead to utterly fateful consequences for the long-term support of many towards the club.

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