TINO ASPRILLA

THE ONLY #NUFC ONLINE FANZINE INSIDE%THIS%ISSUE SUPERMACS%VIEWS TINO%INTERVIEW NUFC%GATES%-% THE%REAL%STORY ISSUE%ONE @9_NUFCFANZINE WWW.NO9FANZINE.CO.UK TINO ASPRILLA SPECIAL%GUEST%EDITOR LLAMBIAS'TO'THE'SLAUGHTER NUFC'FANS'UNITED

GALLOWGATE MEDIA CONTENTS//ISSUE%ONE Guest Editor: Tino Asprilla 04 Guest editor Editor in Chief: Steve Wraith 05 Wraiths rant Columnists: Steve Wraith, Malcolm 06 Supermac MacDonald 07 Unsung hero Issue One Writers: Marc Corby, SUPERMAC 09 Ian Cusack Ian Cusack, Andy Singe Thompson, Peter Mann, On Loan, Max Flinders, Brian Hall, Old Heatonian, Andy McPherson, Little Joe Allon, Davey Brown, Winston Smith, Leazes Lad, Geordie Dentist, Nick Kane & Jonathan Anderson Design: Alberto Martinez Copyright: All work in this MCFAUL publication is copyright #9 Magazine and Gallowgate Media. All usage of material within these pages is forbidden without prior consent. Disclaimer: The #9 is not an official 11 Remember when 19 Just a football club Newcastle United publication and is 13 Fairs club 20 Continental Travels published by Gallowgate Media. All 14 NUFC a history 21 Tino Asprilla views expressed within these pages are that of the author and do not 16 A Sky free zone 27 No enemy at the gates always represent the views of the #9 18 As it stands 29 Howay The Nads magazine or Gallowgate Media. Keep supporting the magazine. Enough support means it will become available in print. MIKE%ASHLEY%OUT 38 The number nines 30 Little Joe Allon 39 Llambias to the Slaughter 31 Déjà vu 41 Things are on the 33 MAOC Campaign wane 34 Divide & conquer 43 Summer of 36 Sons of the desert discontent 45 NUFC Fans United minutes WWW,NO9FANZINE.CO.UK FACEBOOK:%/9NUFCRETROFANZINE TWITTER:%@9_NUFCFANZINE

GALLOWGATE MEDIA CONTENTS//ISSUE%ONE Guest Editor: Tino Asprilla 04 Guest editor Editor in Chief: Steve Wraith 05 Wraiths rant Columnists: Steve Wraith, Malcolm 06 Supermac MacDonald 07 Unsung hero Issue One Writers: Marc Corby, SUPERMAC 09 Ian Cusack Ian Cusack, Andy Singe Thompson, Peter Mann, On Loan, Max Flinders, Brian Hall, Old Heatonian, Andy McPherson, Little Joe Allon, Davey Brown, Winston Smith, Leazes Lad, Geordie Dentist, Nick Kane & Jonathan Anderson Design: Alberto Martinez Copyright: All work in this MCFAUL publication is copyright #9 Magazine and Gallowgate Media. All usage of material within these pages is forbidden without prior consent. Disclaimer: The #9 is not an official 11 Remember when 19 Just a football club Newcastle United publication and is 13 Fairs club 20 Continental Travels published by Gallowgate Media. All 14 NUFC a history 21 Tino Asprilla views expressed within these pages are that of the author and do not 16 A Sky free zone 27 No enemy at the gates always represent the views of the #9 18 As it stands 29 Howay The Nads magazine or Gallowgate Media. Keep supporting the magazine. Enough support means it will become available in print. MIKE%ASHLEY%OUT 38 The number nines 30 Little Joe Allon 39 Llambias to the Slaughter 31 Déjà vu 41 Things are on the 33 MAOC Campaign wane 34 Divide & conquer 43 Summer of 36 Sons of the desert discontent 45 NUFC Fans United minutes WWW,NO9FANZINE.CO.UK FACEBOOK:%/9NUFCRETROFANZINE TWITTER:%@9_NUFCFANZINE

ASPRILLA WRAITH’S 04 05 Happy new season and welcome RANT to the first edition of #9 the very first online Newcastle Fanzine. I am very honoured to be the first Welcome to Issue 1 of the very as an assistant only served to fuel player and pay the going rate. Let’s guest editor as we begin another first online Newcastle United the speculation. One things for sure hope we get a few players in and season in the Premier League. Fanzine #9 named after one of I don’t expect Joe to keep his vow retain what we have before the Last season really was one to forget the most famous shirts in the of silence for long. I’m expecting window slams shut. for my old club. With the exception clubs history worn by the likes of fireworks before November 5th! One positive note over the summer of the Europa League I felt the squad Shearer, Milburn, Gallacher, and Failure to invest in a team that is the club communicating with underperformed in all competitions of course Supermac who we are qualified for Europe last season NUFC Fans United the Fans Coalition and the football on some occasions delighted to have as one of our almost saw us lose our Premier established 18 months ago with was painful to watch. For me the regular columnists. League status. Surely we won’t make the remit of communicating with failure to invest at the start of the We aim to bring you a mix of the same mistake this time? The the club. With the help of Head of season was the key factor and once articles on current events at St James departures of Perch and Simpson PR Wendy Taylor and Fans Liaison the injuries and suspensions hit Park and take a look back at our have saddened me. Perch was Officer Lee Marshall important Alan Pardew his team was always mixed bag of history. Each issue ridiculed in his early days at the club issues have been raised, tackled playing catch up. The loss of Demba will have a guest editor and I am but managed to earn the respect of and addressed and Chairman Steve The summer has been one of “ Ba was always going to hit the delighted to be sharing my maiden Hastie has been invited to sit on team hard and failure to sign a voyage with Columbian genius Tino the newly established fans forum. replacement was crazy. It mean that Asprilla. Also in this issue an in I wish the forum the very best of Cisse who had been outstanding the depth interview with Darren Jackson SOMETIMES%YOU%DO%NEED% luck. Enjoy the read and if you want previous season was left to plough and some forthright views on the TO%TAKE%A%GAMBLE%ON%A% to contribute for the next issue or a loan furrow up front on his own summer circus that has once again advertise then please drop us a line. on in many games and it made our engulfed our beloved club. PLAYER%AND%PAY%THE%GOING% style predictable and easy to defend RATE.%LET’S%HOPE%WE%GET%A% against. The defeat to Sunderland discontent for me and many other FEW%PLAYERS%IN%AND%RETAIN% was unforgivable and the collapse Newcastle fans. If there is one thing against Liverpool embarrassing but us battling for points at the right end be spending time with the up and that really gets me down it is our WHAT%WE%HAVE%BEFORE%THE% Pardew managed to get his team to of the table. coming footballers each time I visit club being on the front and back WINDOW%SLAMS%SHUT. pick up enough points to stay up, I will be back at St James Park on the city. My big hope is that we can pages for all of the wrong reasons but only just. So have we learned September 11th for Steve Harpers’ discover the next Alan Shearer at and the return of Joe Kinnear gave the fans and was awarded cult hero our lesson? At the time of writing charity game to celebrate his 20 East End and he goes onto play for the southern press a chance to stick status. A man for all positions and it seems not. We have sold Percg years at the club. I will be pulling his hometown club. Never say never. the knife into us once again. His never one to shirk a fair challenge and Simpson and released Harper on the black and white shirt once Where do I see our season going? much publicised radio rant was all he will be sorely missed. Simpson and brought in Remy on loan. For more to play alongside Shearer, It’s a very hard one to call. The the ammunition they needed to point not the greatest full back in the me that is a weaker squad. Okay we Lee, Beardsley and my best mate in fixture list has been kind to us and the finger and belly laugh at those clubs history but for me a consistent don’t have Europe to worry about football Keith Gillespie against an if we can get off to a good start then ‘daft Geordies.’ Pardew’s silence was player who understand the club and this year but if we lose a Cabaye or AC Milan Legends team. It is always who knows. We need a bit of luck deafening and only added to the air always gave 100%. Steve Harper, a a Colo or a Cisse in the first couple special coming back to Newcastle, I with injuries and suspensions and of confusion around St James Park. magnificent servant, has now moved of games to suspension or injury left a piece of my heart here during hope that the likes of Sissoko and He has since given his view on the onto pastures new and Kinnear, who then where is the ready made my playing career and to play at Mbiwa and Remy can hit the ground appointment and has clearly pulled is in charge of ins and outs at the replacement? There isn’t one. Failure St James Park again will be really running. It would be nice to see a on his tin hat and gone about his time of writing has yet to recruit to invest in the squad for a second special. Tickets are £10 for adults couple of new faces through the job in a professional manner. The one first team player. For me that consecutive season for a club of and £5 for children and available door before the transfer window situation has led to fans speculating leaves us three players down on Newcastle United’s size is not good from the club website so please shuts to. I just hope that the football on why Kinnear has returned. Is last years squad which clearly was enough. I guess the owner will say come along and give Steve the send is more entertaining than last season he here to replace Pardew if things not big enough. The public chase that they spent money in January off he deserves. it is the very least the fans deserve. go wrong on the pitch? Is he here for Gomis showed that Mike Ashley and that those players will now have Personally I am teaming up with a because he was still under contract? is still determined to dive a hard had time to bed in and we should football club in Newcastle called Tino Asprilla is available for talk Is he here because his little black bargain and he will not pay over the see the best of them now. I hope that Newcastle East End. I will becoming ins September to October. To Book football book is second to none in odds for a player. Many see that as a is the case and that this season sees an ambassador for them and will call 0191 2299631 the game? Only time will tell. The commendable quality but sometimes failed bid to bring Mick Harford in you do need to take a gamble on a

ASPRILLA WRAITH’S 04 05 Happy new season and welcome RANT to the first edition of #9 the very first online Newcastle Fanzine. I am very honoured to be the first Welcome to Issue 1 of the very as an assistant only served to fuel player and pay the going rate. Let’s guest editor as we begin another first online Newcastle United the speculation. One things for sure hope we get a few players in and season in the Premier League. Fanzine #9 named after one of I don’t expect Joe to keep his vow retain what we have before the Last season really was one to forget the most famous shirts in the of silence for long. I’m expecting window slams shut. for my old club. With the exception clubs history worn by the likes of fireworks before November 5th! One positive note over the summer of the Europa League I felt the squad Shearer, Milburn, Gallacher, and Failure to invest in a team that is the club communicating with underperformed in all competitions of course Supermac who we are qualified for Europe last season NUFC Fans United the Fans Coalition and the football on some occasions delighted to have as one of our almost saw us lose our Premier established 18 months ago with was painful to watch. For me the regular columnists. League status. Surely we won’t make the remit of communicating with failure to invest at the start of the We aim to bring you a mix of the same mistake this time? The the club. With the help of Head of season was the key factor and once articles on current events at St James departures of Perch and Simpson PR Wendy Taylor and Fans Liaison the injuries and suspensions hit Park and take a look back at our have saddened me. Perch was Officer Lee Marshall important Alan Pardew his team was always mixed bag of history. Each issue ridiculed in his early days at the club issues have been raised, tackled playing catch up. The loss of Demba will have a guest editor and I am but managed to earn the respect of and addressed and Chairman Steve The summer has been one of “ Ba was always going to hit the delighted to be sharing my maiden Hastie has been invited to sit on team hard and failure to sign a voyage with Columbian genius Tino the newly established fans forum. replacement was crazy. It mean that Asprilla. Also in this issue an in I wish the forum the very best of Cisse who had been outstanding the depth interview with Darren Jackson SOMETIMES%YOU%DO%NEED% luck. Enjoy the read and if you want previous season was left to plough and some forthright views on the TO%TAKE%A%GAMBLE%ON%A% to contribute for the next issue or a loan furrow up front on his own summer circus that has once again advertise then please drop us a line. on in many games and it made our engulfed our beloved club. PLAYER%AND%PAY%THE%GOING% style predictable and easy to defend RATE.%LET’S%HOPE%WE%GET%A% against. The defeat to Sunderland discontent for me and many other FEW%PLAYERS%IN%AND%RETAIN% was unforgivable and the collapse Newcastle fans. If there is one thing against Liverpool embarrassing but us battling for points at the right end be spending time with the up and that really gets me down it is our WHAT%WE%HAVE%BEFORE%THE% Pardew managed to get his team to of the table. coming footballers each time I visit club being on the front and back WINDOW%SLAMS%SHUT. pick up enough points to stay up, I will be back at St James Park on the city. My big hope is that we can pages for all of the wrong reasons but only just. So have we learned September 11th for Steve Harpers’ discover the next Alan Shearer at and the return of Joe Kinnear gave the fans and was awarded cult hero our lesson? At the time of writing charity game to celebrate his 20 East End and he goes onto play for the southern press a chance to stick status. A man for all positions and it seems not. We have sold Percg years at the club. I will be pulling his hometown club. Never say never. the knife into us once again. His never one to shirk a fair challenge and Simpson and released Harper on the black and white shirt once Where do I see our season going? much publicised radio rant was all he will be sorely missed. Simpson and brought in Remy on loan. For more to play alongside Shearer, It’s a very hard one to call. The the ammunition they needed to point not the greatest full back in the me that is a weaker squad. Okay we Lee, Beardsley and my best mate in fixture list has been kind to us and the finger and belly laugh at those clubs history but for me a consistent don’t have Europe to worry about football Keith Gillespie against an if we can get off to a good start then ‘daft Geordies.’ Pardew’s silence was player who understand the club and this year but if we lose a Cabaye or AC Milan Legends team. It is always who knows. We need a bit of luck deafening and only added to the air always gave 100%. Steve Harper, a a Colo or a Cisse in the first couple special coming back to Newcastle, I with injuries and suspensions and of confusion around St James Park. magnificent servant, has now moved of games to suspension or injury left a piece of my heart here during hope that the likes of Sissoko and He has since given his view on the onto pastures new and Kinnear, who then where is the ready made my playing career and to play at Mbiwa and Remy can hit the ground appointment and has clearly pulled is in charge of ins and outs at the replacement? There isn’t one. Failure St James Park again will be really running. It would be nice to see a on his tin hat and gone about his time of writing has yet to recruit to invest in the squad for a second special. Tickets are £10 for adults couple of new faces through the job in a professional manner. The one first team player. For me that consecutive season for a club of and £5 for children and available door before the transfer window situation has led to fans speculating leaves us three players down on Newcastle United’s size is not good from the club website so please shuts to. I just hope that the football on why Kinnear has returned. Is last years squad which clearly was enough. I guess the owner will say come along and give Steve the send is more entertaining than last season he here to replace Pardew if things not big enough. The public chase that they spent money in January off he deserves. it is the very least the fans deserve. go wrong on the pitch? Is he here for Gomis showed that Mike Ashley and that those players will now have Personally I am teaming up with a because he was still under contract? is still determined to dive a hard had time to bed in and we should football club in Newcastle called Tino Asprilla is available for talk Is he here because his little black bargain and he will not pay over the see the best of them now. I hope that Newcastle East End. I will becoming ins September to October. To Book football book is second to none in odds for a player. Many see that as a is the case and that this season sees an ambassador for them and will call 0191 2299631 the game? Only time will tell. The commendable quality but sometimes failed bid to bring Mick Harford in you do need to take a gamble on a

SUPERMAC 06 UNSUNG%HERO 07 SAYS DARREN%JACKSON WORDS//MARC CORBY FROM NEWCASTLE UNITED VERY RARE PICTURES AND VIDEO CLIPS 1980-1994 “Joe’s crafty, every season he balance the team. So what is Joe Kinnear really in the On November 30th 1986, I was splashes the cash on one big The Newcastle United I witnessed Club for? Certainly, I don’t think it 8 years old sitting down for signing and that keeps every one last season had little balance and was will be to aid and assist the manager ITV’s ‘Big Match Live’ between happy for a few months!”. riddled with weaknesses that spread in any and every way to put a great Newcastle and West Ham United. Somebody once said this to me, like an unwanted cancer that nobody side on the hallowed turf of SJP and Having never stepped foot back in the early 1970s’ a year or so seemed brave enough to tackle and get the wins stacking up. No, too inside St James Park due to the after I made the move to Tyneside, do something about. Not helped by obvious. Anyway, complacency might lack of influence from family referring of course to then manager, a negatively defensive formation creep onto the Terraces if the team members, this would be my first Joe Harvey. It was a rather cynical of 4-2-3-1 that is as depressing to were winning all the while, and we ‘experience’ of seeing Newcastle view and didn’t do credit to the play in as it is to watch. Ah, but can’t have happy, satisfied customers play. manner that Joe would utilize the wait a minute folks, we now have a can we? Bottom of the old First Division transfer market for the betterment Director of Football whose remit, it Joe has no doubt, over a pint or that day, the following 4-0 victory of his team. would seem, is firstly to search for three, informed the owner of the was unexpected against a team In the summer of 1971 Joe Harvey an assistant and secondly to go on fortunes last season’s top-three are who had beaten us 8-1 the previous moved as soon as the season ended holiday during the relatively limited pouring into the transfer market. April. Peter Beardsley was sublime to bring me to St. James’ Park. The transfer window. Even fourth-placed Arsenal have set and although Andy Thomas scored time to do the best deals I believe. Well, I suppose a fifty per cent aside a modest £80million for Arsene a brace that day, it was another Strike whilst others are still thinking success rate isn’t bad going for Wenger to try not to spend. So how Newcastle player who caught my about it. much to attempt to compete at the eyes. Darren Jackson. Then in the following July he starters. Although, I do feel I should top? Too much, and that’s without Scoring a tap in thanks to a typical entered the dressing room where his mention that I haven’t come across the detail, thankyou. The Europa Beardsley dribble, the skinny 20 team was after a morning’s training a Director of Football requiring an League isn’t profitable to play in, year old looked more like Auf and stood in front of me. In a stage assistant before. unless you get to the very late stages Wiedersehen Pet’s ‘Wayne Norris’ (1-1) when called upon that season whisper he announced, “I have where you’re drowning in Champions than a footballer but his performance McFaul played him out of position just signed the man who is going League drop-outs. What does mid- in this match and in the following 2 I%PLAYED%RIGHT%BACK%AT% mainly as a right midfielder, one of to make the bullets for you to fire”. table obscurity bring you? Well now, years confirmed that he could play. DIDN’T%BOTHER%ME. “ many different positions he would ANFIELD%WHEN%WE%WON%2-1,% Wow! Who was the new signing, Joe, that’s rather lucrative, the prize Almost anywhere. play in his time at United. But he c’mon, tell us. He dramatically took money in the mid-Premiership table Signed initially as a striker from UPFRONT%OR%MIDFIELD...IT% was “happy to play anywhere for his time before announcing, “I have is phenomenal considering it’s all Meadowbank Thistle for £40,000 on Newcastle” adding “I played right just signed Terry Hibbitt from Leeds prize money for relative failure and, the back of 22 goals the previous back at Anfield when we won 2-1, United for £30,000”. at best, mediocrity. But, nevertheless, season, Jackson gave up his part time Beardsley’s strike partner still to be upfront or midfield...it didn’t bother WOW! We really were impressed at it costs a lot to get even to there. job working as a Printer and told me found (Paul Goddard was to arrive me”. this, great passer, wonderful left peg. Norwich City and Swansea City have how his move materialised: a month later for a record signing A second goal for Jackson came As Joe started to exit the dressing spent vast sums for the size of clubs “I got called into Scotland fee of £415,000) and injuries forcing at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day room door he slowed and turned and they are. Both finished way ahead U21’s for the 1st time and had manager Willie McFaul’s hand 1987 (1-4) but the return of key said, “Mind, he can cause trouble in of NUFC last season so it means the heard Chelsea and Liverpool were throughout the season, he quickly players saw him fade from the first an empty house!”. And do you know, Magpies spending more than they interested but got a call from Terry made his debut as a substitute v team picture. McFaul would later he was right, on every count. But Joe just to catch up. Christie (Meadowbank’s manager) Arsenal (1-2) at St James Park on praise his attitude, telling The Pink had made two close-season signings Joe, let’s have another pint, I’ve just to say I was going to Coldingham 18th October 1986. A month later, “It’s obvious Darren has plenty of bringing in the highest goalscorer had a thought. The financials for the (Village in Berwickshire) to one a cameo in a 3-1 win at Chelsea skill but he has a burning ambition outside Division One and hugely seasons when we got relegated and of the Newcastle director’s house, came a week before his noticeable to become a top player and when I experienced midfielder, and also, then promoted immediately look George Forbes. I met Willie McFaul performance v West Ham, “I just dropped him into the reserves he to boot, two left feet into a totally really good. To be honest we made and signed there and then. I was remember my goal and Peter didn’t sulk as some would, he reacted right footed team. Balance was good profits, little outlay, got the made very welcome, I think they Beardsley was outstanding, but by digging in and was always the created. And so Joe would manoevre wage-bill right down. Do you think (Geordies) like the Scot’s!” what’s new?” he vaguely recalls. best on the park” CONTINUED on a yearly basis, always looking it’s an idea? When he signed, the idea was Rewarded with his first start With 12 games 08 to strengthen the weak spots and Think it over. to use Jackson sparingly but with the following week at Charlton to play, bottom and

SUPERMAC 06 UNSUNG%HERO 07 SAYS DARREN%JACKSON WORDS//MARC CORBY FROM NEWCASTLE UNITED VERY RARE PICTURES AND VIDEO CLIPS 1980-1994 “Joe’s crafty, every season he balance the team. So what is Joe Kinnear really in the On November 30th 1986, I was splashes the cash on one big The Newcastle United I witnessed Club for? Certainly, I don’t think it 8 years old sitting down for signing and that keeps every one last season had little balance and was will be to aid and assist the manager ITV’s ‘Big Match Live’ between happy for a few months!”. riddled with weaknesses that spread in any and every way to put a great Newcastle and West Ham United. Somebody once said this to me, like an unwanted cancer that nobody side on the hallowed turf of SJP and Having never stepped foot back in the early 1970s’ a year or so seemed brave enough to tackle and get the wins stacking up. No, too inside St James Park due to the after I made the move to Tyneside, do something about. Not helped by obvious. Anyway, complacency might lack of influence from family referring of course to then manager, a negatively defensive formation creep onto the Terraces if the team members, this would be my first Joe Harvey. It was a rather cynical of 4-2-3-1 that is as depressing to were winning all the while, and we ‘experience’ of seeing Newcastle view and didn’t do credit to the play in as it is to watch. Ah, but can’t have happy, satisfied customers play. manner that Joe would utilize the wait a minute folks, we now have a can we? Bottom of the old First Division transfer market for the betterment Director of Football whose remit, it Joe has no doubt, over a pint or that day, the following 4-0 victory of his team. would seem, is firstly to search for three, informed the owner of the was unexpected against a team In the summer of 1971 Joe Harvey an assistant and secondly to go on fortunes last season’s top-three are who had beaten us 8-1 the previous moved as soon as the season ended holiday during the relatively limited pouring into the transfer market. April. Peter Beardsley was sublime to bring me to St. James’ Park. The transfer window. Even fourth-placed Arsenal have set and although Andy Thomas scored time to do the best deals I believe. Well, I suppose a fifty per cent aside a modest £80million for Arsene a brace that day, it was another Strike whilst others are still thinking success rate isn’t bad going for Wenger to try not to spend. So how Newcastle player who caught my about it. much to attempt to compete at the eyes. Darren Jackson. Then in the following July he starters. Although, I do feel I should top? Too much, and that’s without Scoring a tap in thanks to a typical entered the dressing room where his mention that I haven’t come across the detail, thankyou. The Europa Beardsley dribble, the skinny 20 team was after a morning’s training a Director of Football requiring an League isn’t profitable to play in, year old looked more like Auf and stood in front of me. In a stage assistant before. unless you get to the very late stages Wiedersehen Pet’s ‘Wayne Norris’ (1-1) when called upon that season whisper he announced, “I have where you’re drowning in Champions than a footballer but his performance McFaul played him out of position just signed the man who is going League drop-outs. What does mid- in this match and in the following 2 I%PLAYED%RIGHT%BACK%AT% mainly as a right midfielder, one of to make the bullets for you to fire”. table obscurity bring you? Well now, years confirmed that he could play. DIDN’T%BOTHER%ME. “ many different positions he would ANFIELD%WHEN%WE%WON%2-1,% Wow! Who was the new signing, Joe, that’s rather lucrative, the prize Almost anywhere. play in his time at United. But he c’mon, tell us. He dramatically took money in the mid-Premiership table Signed initially as a striker from UPFRONT%OR%MIDFIELD...IT% was “happy to play anywhere for his time before announcing, “I have is phenomenal considering it’s all Meadowbank Thistle for £40,000 on Newcastle” adding “I played right just signed Terry Hibbitt from Leeds prize money for relative failure and, the back of 22 goals the previous back at Anfield when we won 2-1, United for £30,000”. at best, mediocrity. But, nevertheless, season, Jackson gave up his part time Beardsley’s strike partner still to be upfront or midfield...it didn’t bother WOW! We really were impressed at it costs a lot to get even to there. job working as a Printer and told me found (Paul Goddard was to arrive me”. this, great passer, wonderful left peg. Norwich City and Swansea City have how his move materialised: a month later for a record signing A second goal for Jackson came As Joe started to exit the dressing spent vast sums for the size of clubs “I got called into Scotland fee of £415,000) and injuries forcing at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day room door he slowed and turned and they are. Both finished way ahead U21’s for the 1st time and had manager Willie McFaul’s hand 1987 (1-4) but the return of key said, “Mind, he can cause trouble in of NUFC last season so it means the heard Chelsea and Liverpool were throughout the season, he quickly players saw him fade from the first an empty house!”. And do you know, Magpies spending more than they interested but got a call from Terry made his debut as a substitute v team picture. McFaul would later he was right, on every count. But Joe just to catch up. Christie (Meadowbank’s manager) Arsenal (1-2) at St James Park on praise his attitude, telling The Pink had made two close-season signings Joe, let’s have another pint, I’ve just to say I was going to Coldingham 18th October 1986. A month later, “It’s obvious Darren has plenty of bringing in the highest goalscorer had a thought. The financials for the (Village in Berwickshire) to one a cameo in a 3-1 win at Chelsea skill but he has a burning ambition outside Division One and hugely seasons when we got relegated and of the Newcastle director’s house, came a week before his noticeable to become a top player and when I experienced midfielder, and also, then promoted immediately look George Forbes. I met Willie McFaul performance v West Ham, “I just dropped him into the reserves he to boot, two left feet into a totally really good. To be honest we made and signed there and then. I was remember my goal and Peter didn’t sulk as some would, he reacted right footed team. Balance was good profits, little outlay, got the made very welcome, I think they Beardsley was outstanding, but by digging in and was always the created. And so Joe would manoevre wage-bill right down. Do you think (Geordies) like the Scot’s!” what’s new?” he vaguely recalls. best on the park” CONTINUED on a yearly basis, always looking it’s an idea? When he signed, the idea was Rewarded with his first start With 12 games 08 to strengthen the weak spots and Think it over. to use Jackson sparingly but with the following week at Charlton to play, bottom and

FROM... facing relegation, United DARREN%JACKSON career had peaked but come the first 07 earned 10 points from 4 day of the 1988-89 season he found HERDING CATS himself on the bench at Everton. consecutive home games including a recalled Jackson goal as a Following yet another Mirandinha 09 08 sub in the 4th match, v Norwich (4-1). injury, he played upfront and scored Replacing the injured Dave McCreery in 2-2 draws at home to Spurs and in centre midfield, a position he later at Charlton before solving an injury WORDS//IAN CUSACK played throughout his career and for crisis in that historic 2-1 win at for referring to politics in this piece, but I am also a Scotland in World Cup 1998, Jackson Anfield. Jackson recalls, “As I said Newcastle United supporter and I can see so many started the last 8 games enhancing earlier, I played right back and I’m parallels between the indignation, anger and desire results over Man United (2-1) and sure Steve Staunton made his debut RISE%LIKE%LIONS%AFTER%SLUMBER for change expressed at the Durham Miners’ Gala Chelsea (1-0) and subsequent as a left midfielder. He got taken off!” “ and what is happening at my football club. In 2008, survival. Jackson confirmed Gazza, He certainly played his part in one IN%UNVANQUISHABLE%NUMBER%- capitalism’s version of progress ground to a halt. !ere Beardsley and Paul Goddard (7 goals of the decade’s highlights. SHAKE%YOUR%CHAINS%TO%EARTH%LIKE%DEW hadn’t been a natural disaster or food shortage, but in successive games ensuring 6 wins) The following week United were WHICH%IN%SLEEP%HAD%FALLEN%ON%YOU%- simply the capitalist elite’s way of moving abstract were “definitely the best footballers hammered 3-0 at home to Coventry YE%ARE%MANY%-%THEY%ARE%FEW! loans and debts around had failed. !e ruling class during my time at NUFC” and they, and McFaul was sacked. Jackson told us the only way the world could avoid calamity along with “a fantastic team spirit” told me “It was one of my worst days (PERCY%BYSSHE%SHELLEY:% was for us all to agree to work harder for less money were the major factors in staying up. in football, a wonderful man and THE%MASQUE%OF%ANARCHY)% and for our bairns and grandkids to do the same. At At the start of the 1987-88 season, manager; he would have got it right”. the same time, Mike Ashley appointed Dennis Wise Newcastle bought the Brazilian United were in turmoil, the fan On a gloriously hot Saturday in July 2013, I was what I’m saying? as Director of Football at Newcastle United. You hear Mirandinha for a club record fee protests “not affecting the players proud to be one of the 150,000 individuals who of £575,000 but started poorly but it wasn’t nice” didn’t stop converged on Durham for the 129th Miners’ Gala. Cards on the table time; I am a passionate believer again with only 3 wins in the first Jim Smith arriving in December. Some were there mainly out of respect for tradition; in fan ownership and would regard Ashley selling the 15 games, 2 of those influenced NEWCASTLE%LEAGUE%& Instantly selecting Jackson up-front others came merely for an all-day session in the Swan club to another mega-rich Capitalist businessman by Jackson goals away to Sheffield CUP%APPEARANCES v Wimbledon at home (2-1) and at & !ree Cygnets. Personally I was there as I felt as no sort of progress whatsoever. In my lifetime Wednesday (1-0) and Coventry (3-1). 67 (16 sub)...................Goals: 9 Watford in the Simod Cup (1-2), this honoured at having been asked to carry my union’s Westwood, Seymour, McKeague, Hall, Shepherd Injured for a month Jackson didn’t was to be Jackson’s farewell as he banner during the procession through the city. In my and Ashley have o\"ered us nothing other than start again until Boxing Day. He recalled the following day: judgement, it seemed that all those people gathered vague, empty promises of jam tomorrow; in a sense, recalls “Beating Manchester United to crash a great left foot shot past “It all happened very quickly. I on the site of the former Durham Racecourse, who Ashley is the most honest of that bunch as he o\"ers 1-0 when Glenn Roader scored Hammond for his first FA Cup goal”. went in for treatment on a knock and heard impassioned speeches from RTM leader Bob nothing and promises less. My dream, idealistic is my favourite memory when at This goal followed a League Cup the physio said the manager wanted Crow and Independent columnist Owen Jones, had though it may be, is of a sustained, mass, democratic, Newcastle” backed up by The Pink goal v Blackpool (4-1) earlier in the to see me. Jim Smith told me he had come together on that day and in that location as passionate, non-violent movement of Newcastle match report who, despite playing season and would be his last goal to sell to buy and accepted an offer we held a common, shared belief in the fact that the United supporters, with an agenda and an ideology in midfield again said “Jackson of that campaign. However his form from Dundee United and suggested I current Government have proven themselves to be decided democratically among us all, where our voices outshone Mirandinha and Paul prompted an improved contract talk to them leaving me in no doubt %int-faced, implacable enemies of the working class are of equal importance, bringing such pressure on Goddard to take the honours as keeping him at United until 1991. that my future was elsewhere.” in thought, in word and in deed. Not only that, but I Ashley that he cuts and runs, giving the club to the Newcastle’s most dangerous striker”. Reminding him of this, he told me, “I A £200,000 move followed with sensed that a growing realisation is developing in this fans, washing his hands of the whole deal. At such a Jackson came in for high praise was happy to sign as I believed the Jackson reflecting “Yes, it was a country that the Labour Party are $nished; viewed time, a properly constituted, democratic constitution, from Tottenham’s Chris Waddle after club were going places. Although we sad day when I left, I was very with scorn by those they should be standing up for, giving all members an equal say in the framework of United beat Spurs 2-0 in January needed strength in depth we had so disappointed. I made a lot of good who see them as utterly discredited as a force for the club, based not on our monetary interests but in 1988, telling The Pink “When Darren many young players with quite a bit friends down there and enjoyed my positive opposition and change. While there were the legitimacy of our involvement as supporters of Jackson played at White Hart Lane of first team football that things could time”. zealous Marxist ideologues and charismatic the club, could be dra#ed, allowing for the provision at the beginning of the season (1-3 only get better”. Smith sold Jackson, amongst many Leninist Vanguardistas among those of appointed, accountable, co-ordinating executives defeat), he looked very slight and By this point Jackson was ahead of other youngsters far too soon and voicing such opinions, most were just in a range of positions, both sporting and otherwise, lacking in strength, but I’m happy schedule stating at the time to The United went down without any fight ordinary working class folk, fed up to to manage the club, but not for pro$t, ego or personal to say he’s filled out and played Pink “I only expected to be breaking in May 1989. the back teeth of cuts and austerity gain, simply for the good of the club, the city and the extremely well. He has a lovely first into the first team about now so I Almost 25 years since he left, measures being foisted on them region. I’m talking Barca; I’m talking FC United of touch and a good change of pace and am a year and over 40 appearances Darren has remained close to the while the ruling elite and their Manchester. Impossibly has come on leaps and bounds”. ahead of schedule”. players he shared the dressing mates the bankers continued idealistic though this Due to a family bereavement, United finished strongly in 8th room and bars of Newcastle with, to bathe in money. When may seem; this I was taken to St James Park to and at this point Jackson’s United testament to that team spirit he those you’ve placed your is my fervently simply get out of the way. Standing mentioned earlier: trust in throw it back held hope. in the D Paddock for the FA Cup 4th “I was Michael O’Neill’s best man in your face with their Remember, Round tie v Swindon, it felt fitting so we stayed best friend’s and I smug indi\"erence Newcastle THE%PHYSIO%SAID%THE%MANAGER% that Jackson, my first hero, scored “ still speak to Neil McDonald, Peter and zest for self- United has the first goal I seen ‘live’ in a 5-0 WANTED%TO%SEE%ME.%JIM%SMITH% Jackson, Albert Craig, Ian Bogie and aggrandizement, the existed since 1892 win. A screamer, looking back at TOLD%ME%HE%HAD%TO%SELL%TO%BUY% when you can get him Gazza. Gazza time has come to and the incredible footage now, you can see from his AND%ACCEPTED%AN%OFFER%FROM% and I stayed big pals especially when strike out in a radical pace and nature of celebrations how much it meant to DUNDEE%UNITED%AND%SUGGESTED% he played in Scotland”. direction. the changes wrought him as he confirmed to me it was his Something of a forgotten player I’m a Socialist; I on the game CONTINUED “favourite” United finish. I%TALK%TO%THEM%LEAVING%ME%IN% amongst most but an unsung hero don’t hide the fact and in that The Pinks’ match report confirms NO%DOUBT%THAT%MY%FUTURE%WAS% to me, Darren Jackson is currently a I make no apologies time 10 “The ball broke for the slim Scot ELSEWHERE. coach at Dundee United.

FROM... facing relegation, United DARREN%JACKSON career had peaked but come the first 07 earned 10 points from 4 day of the 1988-89 season he found HERDING CATS himself on the bench at Everton. consecutive home games including a recalled Jackson goal as a Following yet another Mirandinha 09 08 sub in the 4th match, v Norwich (4-1). injury, he played upfront and scored Replacing the injured Dave McCreery in 2-2 draws at home to Spurs and in centre midfield, a position he later at Charlton before solving an injury WORDS//IAN CUSACK played throughout his career and for crisis in that historic 2-1 win at for referring to politics in this piece, but I am also a Scotland in World Cup 1998, Jackson Anfield. Jackson recalls, “As I said Newcastle United supporter and I can see so many started the last 8 games enhancing earlier, I played right back and I’m parallels between the indignation, anger and desire results over Man United (2-1) and sure Steve Staunton made his debut RISE%LIKE%LIONS%AFTER%SLUMBER for change expressed at the Durham Miners’ Gala Chelsea (1-0) and subsequent as a left midfielder. He got taken off!” “ and what is happening at my football club. In 2008, survival. Jackson confirmed Gazza, He certainly played his part in one IN%UNVANQUISHABLE%NUMBER%- capitalism’s version of progress ground to a halt. !ere Beardsley and Paul Goddard (7 goals of the decade’s highlights. SHAKE%YOUR%CHAINS%TO%EARTH%LIKE%DEW hadn’t been a natural disaster or food shortage, but in successive games ensuring 6 wins) The following week United were WHICH%IN%SLEEP%HAD%FALLEN%ON%YOU%- simply the capitalist elite’s way of moving abstract were “definitely the best footballers hammered 3-0 at home to Coventry YE%ARE%MANY%-%THEY%ARE%FEW! loans and debts around had failed. !e ruling class during my time at NUFC” and they, and McFaul was sacked. Jackson told us the only way the world could avoid calamity along with “a fantastic team spirit” told me “It was one of my worst days (PERCY%BYSSHE%SHELLEY:% was for us all to agree to work harder for less money were the major factors in staying up. in football, a wonderful man and THE%MASQUE%OF%ANARCHY)% and for our bairns and grandkids to do the same. At At the start of the 1987-88 season, manager; he would have got it right”. the same time, Mike Ashley appointed Dennis Wise Newcastle bought the Brazilian United were in turmoil, the fan On a gloriously hot Saturday in July 2013, I was as Director of Football at Newcastle United. You hear what I’m saying? Mirandinha for a club record fee protests “not affecting the players proud to be one of the 150,000 individuals who of £575,000 but started poorly but it wasn’t nice” didn’t stop converged on Durham for the 129th Miners’ Gala. Cards on the table time; I am a passionate believer again with only 3 wins in the first Jim Smith arriving in December. Some were there mainly out of respect for tradition; in fan ownership and would regard Ashley selling the 15 games, 2 of those influenced NEWCASTLE%LEAGUE%& Instantly selecting Jackson up-front others came merely for an all-day session in the Swan club to another mega-rich Capitalist businessman by Jackson goals away to Sheffield CUP%APPEARANCES v Wimbledon at home (2-1) and at & !ree Cygnets. Personally I was there as I felt as no sort of progress whatsoever. In my lifetime Wednesday (1-0) and Coventry (3-1). 67 (16 sub)...................Goals: 9 Watford in the Simod Cup (1-2), this honoured at having been asked to carry my union’s Westwood, Seymour, McKeague, Hall, Shepherd Injured for a month Jackson didn’t was to be Jackson’s farewell as he banner during the procession through the city. In my and Ashley have o\"ered us nothing other than start again until Boxing Day. He recalled the following day: judgement, it seemed that all those people gathered vague, empty promises of jam tomorrow; in a sense, recalls “Beating Manchester United to crash a great left foot shot past “It all happened very quickly. I on the site of the former Durham Racecourse, who Ashley is the most honest of that bunch as he o\"ers 1-0 when Glenn Roader scored Hammond for his first FA Cup goal”. went in for treatment on a knock and heard impassioned speeches from RTM leader Bob nothing and promises less. My dream, idealistic is my favourite memory when at This goal followed a League Cup the physio said the manager wanted Crow and Independent columnist Owen Jones, had though it may be, is of a sustained, mass, democratic, Newcastle” backed up by The Pink goal v Blackpool (4-1) earlier in the to see me. Jim Smith told me he had come together on that day and in that location as passionate, non-violent movement of Newcastle match report who, despite playing season and would be his last goal to sell to buy and accepted an offer we held a common, shared belief in the fact that the United supporters, with an agenda and an ideology in midfield again said “Jackson of that campaign. However his form from Dundee United and suggested I current Government have proven themselves to be decided democratically among us all, where our voices outshone Mirandinha and Paul prompted an improved contract talk to them leaving me in no doubt %int-faced, implacable enemies of the working class are of equal importance, bringing such pressure on Goddard to take the honours as keeping him at United until 1991. that my future was elsewhere.” in thought, in word and in deed. Not only that, but I Ashley that he cuts and runs, giving the club to the Newcastle’s most dangerous striker”. Reminding him of this, he told me, “I A £200,000 move followed with sensed that a growing realisation is developing in this fans, washing his hands of the whole deal. At such a Jackson came in for high praise was happy to sign as I believed the Jackson reflecting “Yes, it was a country that the Labour Party are $nished; viewed time, a properly constituted, democratic constitution, from Tottenham’s Chris Waddle after club were going places. Although we sad day when I left, I was very with scorn by those they should be standing up for, giving all members an equal say in the framework of United beat Spurs 2-0 in January needed strength in depth we had so disappointed. I made a lot of good who see them as utterly discredited as a force for the club, based not on our monetary interests but in 1988, telling The Pink “When Darren many young players with quite a bit friends down there and enjoyed my positive opposition and change. While there were the legitimacy of our involvement as supporters of Jackson played at White Hart Lane of first team football that things could time”. zealous Marxist ideologues and charismatic the club, could be dra#ed, allowing for the provision at the beginning of the season (1-3 only get better”. Smith sold Jackson, amongst many Leninist Vanguardistas among those of appointed, accountable, co-ordinating executives defeat), he looked very slight and By this point Jackson was ahead of other youngsters far too soon and voicing such opinions, most were just in a range of positions, both sporting and otherwise, lacking in strength, but I’m happy schedule stating at the time to The United went down without any fight ordinary working class folk, fed up to to manage the club, but not for pro$t, ego or personal to say he’s filled out and played Pink “I only expected to be breaking in May 1989. the back teeth of cuts and austerity gain, simply for the good of the club, the city and the extremely well. He has a lovely first into the first team about now so I Almost 25 years since he left, measures being foisted on them region. I’m talking Barca; I’m talking FC United of touch and a good change of pace and am a year and over 40 appearances Darren has remained close to the while the ruling elite and their Manchester. Impossibly has come on leaps and bounds”. ahead of schedule”. players he shared the dressing mates the bankers continued idealistic though this Due to a family bereavement, United finished strongly in 8th room and bars of Newcastle with, to bathe in money. When may seem; this I was taken to St James Park to and at this point Jackson’s United testament to that team spirit he those you’ve placed your is my fervently simply get out of the way. Standing mentioned earlier: trust in throw it back held hope. in the D Paddock for the FA Cup 4th “I was Michael O’Neill’s best man in your face with their Remember, Round tie v Swindon, it felt fitting so we stayed best friend’s and I smug indi\"erence Newcastle THE%PHYSIO%SAID%THE%MANAGER% that Jackson, my first hero, scored “ still speak to Neil McDonald, Peter and zest for self- United has the first goal I seen ‘live’ in a 5-0 WANTED%TO%SEE%ME.%JIM%SMITH% Jackson, Albert Craig, Ian Bogie and aggrandizement, the existed since 1892 win. A screamer, looking back at TOLD%ME%HE%HAD%TO%SELL%TO%BUY% when you can get him Gazza. Gazza time has come to and the incredible footage now, you can see from his AND%ACCEPTED%AN%OFFER%FROM% and I stayed big pals especially when strike out in a radical pace and nature of celebrations how much it meant to DUNDEE%UNITED%AND%SUGGESTED% he played in Scotland”. direction. the changes wrought him as he confirmed to me it was his Something of a forgotten player I’m a Socialist; I on the game CONTINUED “favourite” United finish. I%TALK%TO%THEM%LEAVING%ME%IN% amongst most but an unsung hero don’t hide the fact and in that The Pinks’ match report confirms NO%DOUBT%THAT%MY%FUTURE%WAS% to me, Darren Jackson is currently a I make no apologies time 10 “The ball broke for the slim Scot ELSEWHERE. coach at Dundee United.

may be dwarfed by what lies in the future. In the same way that Bob Crow at the Big Meeting REMEMBER%WHEN%%%%PART%ONE FROM... None of us know what that future may be, called for the formation of a new party to represent the 9 but we can all agree that, in the same way 10 that Cameron and Clegg have managed to make the to be interested in mobilising our support to campaign OXFORD%AND%THE%FOG 11 working classes now that Labour is $nished, it seems to me as if the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust $asco le# behind by New Labour a whole lot worse, have had their day; neither they nor !e Mag appear the 6 years of Ashley’s ownership have been even more disastrous than the Shepherd administration. against Ashley, preferring mild hand-wringing in the By any standards, the period following the end case of the Trust and a head in the sand approach in of the 2012/2013 has been even more farcical than the case of !e Mag. Of course, they have time to learn WORDS//ANDY SINGE THOMPSON usual at SJP. No new players and the appointment of a the folly of their inaction and to get involved. I call Welcome to the first issue of this contemptible, discredited $gure of scorn and abuse as on the Trust and those who relentlessly espouse its brand-new fanzine. I’m going to Director of Football has had the e\"ect of engendering legitimacy as the sole elected voice of NUFC’s support, offer you my memories of life a rekindling of the %ame of sympathy for Pardew to do something other than repeat the mantra of the supporting Newcastle United or that was e\"ectively snu\"ed out with his incompetent validity of elections; are NUST more like Kier Hardie as much as I can remember before misuse of his 5 player get out of jail card from or Milliband? alcohol fizzled my brain. February onwards. However, tough as it may be to On June 24th, the only credible organisation able Jim Smith for some reason was accept this is the case, it is my belief that whoever pulls to mobilise anything other than a tiny number of fondly referred to in the media as on a black and white shirt, wherever we end up in the supporters, namely Newcastle Fans United held a the Bald Eagle. I’m sure Toon fans of league and whatever happens in terms of back room sometimes rowdy, sometimes ill-disciplined, but a certain generation could come up sta\" appointments during 2013/2014, are all complete always passionate, meeting in the Labour Club to try with a million other more appropriate red herrings and as near as damn it utterly irrelevant and make some sense of the Kinnear appointment names for this wheeler dealer, tea to the ultimate future wellbeing of Newcastle United. and take the temperature among the support. In cup throwing, hot headed bloke. Relegation has happened before and it doesn’t scare retrospect, perhaps those of us involved in Newcastle After our hurtful play-off defeat to me; what scares me is the thought of Ashley remaining Fans United were naïve in our expectations of how the Sunderland within 10 months his side of knowledge and experience “ Douglas, who penned superbly articulate pieces about his sword after an away victory to evening would unfold; certainly my heart went out to IN%THE%SAME%WAY%THAT%BOB%CROW%AT%THE% Bill Corcoran and Steve Wraith who did brilliantly to had fast became a side that was old, slow and sluggish. Smith fell on keep the lid on a seething vat of hatred in the room, BIG%MEETING%CALLED%FOR%THE%FORMATION% especially with local and national media present. Fair Portsmouth where his goal scorer play also to the likes of George Caulkin and Mark OF%A%NEW%PARTY%TO%REPRESENT%THE% Kevin Brock took a barrage of abuse. WORKING%CLASSES%NOW%THAT%LABOUR% the legitimacy of the gathering in the days a#er; their that we were unmanageable and IS%FINISHED,%IT%SEEMS%TO%ME%AS%IF%THE% opinions educated many message board observers who The Bald Eagle went on record saying stating that he had taken the club as had previously sought to denigrate and blackguard NEWCASTLE%UNITED%SUPPORTERS’%TRUST% those involved and, for once, it appears that there is far as he could (to be fair Portsmouth HAVE%HAD%THEIR%DAY. an appreciable groundswell of fan opinion in favour is canny far). The board appointed Swindon Town’s exciting Argentinean in charge of our club, which is why I urge us all to bury it; check out the website http://www.nufcfansutd.com/ World Cup winner Osvaldo César of Newcastle Fans United. Don’t just take my word for hatchets and accept olive branches, then get involved then come along to our next meeting and get involved. Ardiles as our next manager. in a mass movement of fans to help topple this terrible We are a democracy and your voice is as valid as mine Remember that this was way back in regime, before we lose our club forever. and every other member’s. 1991and any kind of foreigner was an So, that is my position; what can be done to bring it Newcastle Fans United is a loose amalgam of about? Well, as I said before, this club is 131 years old; support that is evolving meeting by meeting; what exciting novelty this was long before the Premier League floodgates burst history tells us that we need to play the long game and we are and will always be, is a democracy, that is open to all players from all corners we need to be organised. Perhaps the biggest criticism a growing organisation and one that will be de of the globe where an Englishman is we have of ourselves as fans of Newcastle United has facto even more democratic the more voices are now unfortunately a novelty. nothing to do with the insulting media stereotype of us represented. For example, I would love to see those Osvaldo or Ossie was actually a as impatient cry-babies demanding immediate success from NUFC.com and Black & White Da# in our likable little chap if you ignore that or else (look at our history and laugh at that farcical ranks. awful Chas and Dave FA Cup song opinion), but the fact that we have found it impossible However, Newcastle Fans United is not simply they did when he was at Spurs. over the years to work together. Ego, self-interest, a talking shop; it is a dynamic organisation that His philosophy of playing a new back-biting and whispering campaigns have nulli$ed encompasses diplomatic, cordial relations with refreshing brand of attacking football all those supporters who’ve tried to work tirelessly the football club, with more $rebrand opinions; known as the ‘diamond formation’ Mackem’s. Ossie made a huge and for positive change in the past, but that was then and in that sense, to steal a phrase from Gerry Adams, was in his favor when football in the bold gamble of ditching the majority this is now. !e time has passed when photographs of we have both the Armalite and the ballot box. It early 90’s was mostly kick it long of Smith’s old guard players like Steve Harmison joining NUST are enough to satisfy would be unfair to describe the meeting following from the back and gamble off the big McGhee, Aitken, Burridge and Dillon, the desire for change among our support. To suggest Kinnear’s appointment as a bear pit, but the anger centre forward. His first few months replacing them with Geordie kids such gestures, and I’m aware NUST do tremendous was palpable and demonstrated in the adoption of in charge at the back end of 1990/91 Watson, Clark, Elliott and Srnicek community work, are steps in the right direction or, an uncompromising resolution dra#ed by Graeme were erratic and no real indication of (see Pav was always a Geordie) worse, that our fans will forget all about this if we %uke Cansdale, of the Mike Ashley Out Campaign; yet the what was about happen. in our fresh attempted assault on a point at Man city on the opening day, is patronising, more the movement grows, the more we will learn The summer of the 1991/92 the promotion. The gamble didn’t work insulting and downright inaccurate. Ignore the smug whether this opinion is a majority or a minority one. bookies had us down as promotion and we were battered off the CONTINUED Twitterati who claim this to be the case; as Secret Newcastle Fans United is democratic; the policies, hopefuls with big spending park most weeks shipping 12 A\"air said, this is the time for action. opinions and campaigns involved come not from any Blackburn Rovers, Boro and the goals faster then we could

may be dwarfed by what lies in the future. In the same way that Bob Crow at the Big Meeting REMEMBER%WHEN%%%%PART%ONE FROM... None of us know what that future may be, called for the formation of a new party to represent the 9 but we can all agree that, in the same way 10 that Cameron and Clegg have managed to make the to be interested in mobilising our support to campaign OXFORD%AND%THE%FOG 11 working classes now that Labour is $nished, it seems to me as if the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust $asco le# behind by New Labour a whole lot worse, have had their day; neither they nor !e Mag appear the 6 years of Ashley’s ownership have been even more disastrous than the Shepherd administration. case of the Trust and a head in the sand approach in against Ashley, preferring mild hand-wringing in the By any standards, the period following the end of the 2012/2013 has been even more farcical than the case of !e Mag. Of course, they have time to learn WORDS//ANDY SINGE THOMPSON usual at SJP. No new players and the appointment of a the folly of their inaction and to get involved. I call Welcome to the first issue of this contemptible, discredited $gure of scorn and abuse as on the Trust and those who relentlessly espouse its brand-new fanzine. I’m going to Director of Football has had the e\"ect of engendering legitimacy as the sole elected voice of NUFC’s support, offer you my memories of life a rekindling of the %ame of sympathy for Pardew to do something other than repeat the mantra of the supporting Newcastle United or that was e\"ectively snu\"ed out with his incompetent validity of elections; are NUST more like Kier Hardie as much as I can remember before misuse of his 5 player get out of jail card from or Milliband? alcohol fizzled my brain. February onwards. However, tough as it may be to On June 24th, the only credible organisation able Jim Smith for some reason was accept this is the case, it is my belief that whoever pulls to mobilise anything other than a tiny number of fondly referred to in the media as on a black and white shirt, wherever we end up in the supporters, namely Newcastle Fans United held a the Bald Eagle. I’m sure Toon fans of league and whatever happens in terms of back room sometimes rowdy, sometimes ill-disciplined, but a certain generation could come up sta\" appointments during 2013/2014, are all complete always passionate, meeting in the Labour Club to try with a million other more appropriate red herrings and as near as damn it utterly irrelevant and make some sense of the Kinnear appointment names for this wheeler dealer, tea to the ultimate future wellbeing of Newcastle United. and take the temperature among the support. In cup throwing, hot headed bloke. Relegation has happened before and it doesn’t scare retrospect, perhaps those of us involved in Newcastle After our hurtful play-off defeat to me; what scares me is the thought of Ashley remaining Fans United were naïve in our expectations of how the Sunderland within 10 months his side of knowledge and experience “ play also to the likes of George Caulkin and Mark had fast became a side that was evening would unfold; certainly my heart went out to Bill Corcoran and Steve Wraith who did brilliantly to IN%THE%SAME%WAY%THAT%BOB%CROW%AT%THE% old, slow and sluggish. Smith fell on keep the lid on a seething vat of hatred in the room, his sword after an away victory to BIG%MEETING%CALLED%FOR%THE%FORMATION% especially with local and national media present. Fair Portsmouth where his goal scorer OF%A%NEW%PARTY%TO%REPRESENT%THE% Kevin Brock took a barrage of abuse. Douglas, who penned superbly articulate pieces about WORKING%CLASSES%NOW%THAT%LABOUR% the legitimacy of the gathering in the days a#er; their that we were unmanageable and IS%FINISHED,%IT%SEEMS%TO%ME%AS%IF%THE% had previously sought to denigrate and blackguard The Bald Eagle went on record saying opinions educated many message board observers who stating that he had taken the club as NEWCASTLE%UNITED%SUPPORTERS’%TRUST% those involved and, for once, it appears that there is far as he could (to be fair Portsmouth HAVE%HAD%THEIR%DAY. of Newcastle Fans United. Don’t just take my word for is canny far). The board appointed an appreciable groundswell of fan opinion in favour Swindon Town’s exciting Argentinean in charge of our club, which is why I urge us all to bury it; check out the website http://www.nufcfansutd.com/ World Cup winner Osvaldo César hatchets and accept olive branches, then get involved then come along to our next meeting and get involved. Ardiles as our next manager. in a mass movement of fans to help topple this terrible We are a democracy and your voice is as valid as mine Remember that this was way back in regime, before we lose our club forever. and every other member’s. 1991and any kind of foreigner was an So, that is my position; what can be done to bring it Newcastle Fans United is a loose amalgam of about? Well, as I said before, this club is 131 years old; support that is evolving meeting by meeting; what exciting novelty this was long before the Premier League floodgates burst history tells us that we need to play the long game and we are and will always be, is a democracy, that is open to all players from all corners we need to be organised. Perhaps the biggest criticism a growing organisation and one that will be de of the globe where an Englishman is we have of ourselves as fans of Newcastle United has facto even more democratic the more voices are now unfortunately a novelty. nothing to do with the insulting media stereotype of us represented. For example, I would love to see those Osvaldo or Ossie was actually a as impatient cry-babies demanding immediate success from NUFC.com and Black & White Da# in our likable little chap if you ignore that or else (look at our history and laugh at that farcical ranks. awful Chas and Dave FA Cup song opinion), but the fact that we have found it impossible However, Newcastle Fans United is not simply they did when he was at Spurs. over the years to work together. Ego, self-interest, a talking shop; it is a dynamic organisation that His philosophy of playing a new back-biting and whispering campaigns have nulli$ed encompasses diplomatic, cordial relations with refreshing brand of attacking football all those supporters who’ve tried to work tirelessly the football club, with more $rebrand opinions; known as the ‘diamond formation’ Mackem’s. Ossie made a huge and for positive change in the past, but that was then and in that sense, to steal a phrase from Gerry Adams, was in his favor when football in the bold gamble of ditching the majority this is now. !e time has passed when photographs of we have both the Armalite and the ballot box. It early 90’s was mostly kick it long of Smith’s old guard players like Steve Harmison joining NUST are enough to satisfy would be unfair to describe the meeting following from the back and gamble off the big McGhee, Aitken, Burridge and Dillon, the desire for change among our support. To suggest Kinnear’s appointment as a bear pit, but the anger centre forward. His first few months replacing them with Geordie kids such gestures, and I’m aware NUST do tremendous was palpable and demonstrated in the adoption of in charge at the back end of 1990/91 Watson, Clark, Elliott and Srnicek community work, are steps in the right direction or, an uncompromising resolution dra#ed by Graeme were erratic and no real indication of (see Pav was always a Geordie) worse, that our fans will forget all about this if we %uke Cansdale, of the Mike Ashley Out Campaign; yet the what was about happen. in our fresh attempted assault on a point at Man city on the opening day, is patronising, more the movement grows, the more we will learn The summer of the 1991/92 the promotion. The gamble didn’t work insulting and downright inaccurate. Ignore the smug whether this opinion is a majority or a minority one. bookies had us down as promotion and we were battered off the CONTINUED Twitterati who claim this to be the case; as Secret Newcastle Fans United is democratic; the policies, hopefuls with big spending park most weeks shipping 12 A\"air said, this is the time for action. opinions and campaigns involved come not from any Blackburn Rovers, Boro and the goals faster then we could

FROM... score them with stupid and did little to improve the mood in we went in at half time 1-0 down. 11 baffling results 2.3, 0.3, the car. Thankfully we arrived in Early in the 2nd half Durnin doubled FAIRS CLUB WILLIAM time to catch the solitary 7.30am 3.4, 0.4 being the normal. the lead and we looked down and 12 The pinnacle of crazy scores was Armstrong Galley coach which left out. A neat glancing header from ‘IAM’ MCFAUL 13 the mindboggling 6.6 draw with the Haymarket Bus station full of the Scott brought us back into the game, Tranmere Rovers in the ZDS Cup diehards (or silly bastards) and made then the away end went mental WORDS//PETER MANN which was played out in one of Sky the long arduous journey south to as Kelly was chopped down in the TV first ever televised matches. We Oxfordshire without further incident. box and the referee pointed to the also managed to lose the penalty Chuff’s hangover lifted at Woodhall spot. Peacock coolly converted to shoot out just to add insult to injury. Service Station as we ate a 24 pack of the left of the keeper and were back It also took until October before we Prawn Cocktail Skips and embarked in it 2-2. Our joy didn’t last long as won our first home league game on the 2nd leg of the journey. Simpson smashed in a free kick. The in a season of on field struggle. The hour before kick-off was fog by this time had visibility down Our much fancied promotion to spent swanning around the streets to less than half the pitch from the Division One (old school league trying to look hard and avoiding way end. I hope Tommy Wright the table) soon became certainties for the obligatory policeman with a Newcastle keeper didn’t watch the relegation to Division Three inside video camera as the streets were goals on the following day’s ‘Back of a few months. ‘A must win game’ descended with fog. The Manor Page’ sports program with the usual is something of a football cliché ground was a cramped little place Roger Tames’s awful commentary as similar to ‘a game of two half’s’ rolled made up of a mish mash of different it appears Tommy dives over the ball out all too often by crap pundits sized stands and terracing and it for Oxfords 4th goal. The irritating with nothing else to say but by the actually looked as shit as it did Foster added his 2nd then full time time our tip to Oxford United came on TV. The fog didn’t add to its whistle went and we were down around in early February it was appearance. The Newcastle fans and out twatted 5-2, there was no indeed ‘a must win game’. We were were housed on the sloping concrete protest, no demonstration from the nestled 2nd bottom of the table with terrace of the Cuckoo Lane End that small band of away followers nothing the mighty Oxford rock bottom. was split by an odd looking white but silence and the numb feeling Things looked far from good. painted brick tower that acted as a of the unavoidable and inevitable As a kid my grumpy old man was primitive score board. And of course relegation. It was a long somber never into football and had even penned in behind a giant blue and journey back home to Tyneside that One of only a select band of players season, keeping some 17 clean sheets (1974 and 1975). Then they reached the connected to Newcastle to have FA Cup final in 1974, a match United and playing in all 17 cup matches. The less interest in giving me a lift for yellow security fence that restricted evening. an away game. My travel partner the view of the pitch. The game 5,872 were present that day in this played for and managed the club, piece de resistance though would see would eventually lose 3-0 against a Magpies legend, William McFaul McFaul and United lift the Inter Cities Keegan-inspired Liverpool. McFaul at the time was a lad called Chuff kicked off with Terry Wilson playing crap little ground in the fog to see had a career spanning some two Fairs Cup. was remembered that season for his who had discovered the delights in defense making his début on loan our awful demise to a crap little club; In the three seasons which of Red Stripe lager and the joys of from Nottingham Forrest. Wilson it’s still to this very moment in my decades with United. McFaul and the Magpies flew across exploits in the semis though when his Joining in 1966, by the time he saves against Burnley kept United in Stanley’s finest nightspot Parkers was a product of Brian Clough’s lifetime of following the Toon the nightclub. For some reason I’d successful regime and he must have very zenith of my worst footballing became manager himself some twenty continental fields, their number one the competition. kept an impressive eleven clean sheets, years later, some six managers had Even in his last season with the railroaded the old man into giving wondered what the fuck he had let moment. Ossie rightly so was sacked come and gone, McFaul was there including both legs of the semis of the Magpies, McFaul would carry on in me a lift early doors into Newcastle himself in for as the fog came down a few days later and apparently to catch the supporters bus. Chuff thicker. shrugged his shoulders in vague through it all. cup-winning campaign against Scottish the previous vein of seasons past, appearing in over half a century of Born in Coleraine in January 1943, giants, Rangers. He also claimed a however in his alcohol induced Oxford had the annoying twat in acknowledgment when he heard the stupor struggled to get out of bed the head band Steve Foster making news. An even bigger gamble was McFaul caught the eye of then Magpies penalty save from Penman in a goalless matches (55), his eventual replacement manager, legendary Joe Harvey, against first leg (United winning the second Mick Mahoney playing in two of the in time; this made my old man even his return from a long injury lay-off. made by Sir Johnnie Hall and the his then employers Linfield. What 2-0, goals from Scott and Sinclair). four that McFaul didn’t. Mahoney had more grumpy than usual. After a And of course it was Foster who board with the return of the Messiah. good few bang’s on his front door to scored the first goal of the game as King Kev’s second coming of was bizarre about the situation is that There were also clean sheets in both arrived from Torquay United at a cost McFaul would concede seven times of £25,000. legs against Porto the following season get him up we were ready to go. The course is another story for temporary traffic lights at Sunniside another day. during that friendly, United romping to before the famous shut-out during the McFaul though, with four cup a 7-2 victory. Harvey though obviously 1971 season. winners’ medals in his locker, made saw enough that day to bring him to At home, on the 30th September the move into the boot room in 1975, St’ James’ in a deal worth £7000. The 1970, the mighty Inter Milan arrived becoming first coach and eventually future Northern Ireland international at St. James’ for a Fairs Cup First the manager of Newcastle United on “ the eve of the 1985-86 season after the Round, Second Leg encounter. McFaul, had a big challenge ahead of him if walked out. McFaul would last three famous night, played their part in what he needed to oust stalwart Gordon THE%HOUR%BEFORE%KICK- he was to make any sort of impact, along with his defensive backline that previous incumbent, Jack Charlton, had was a great 2-0 win, United winning 3-1 and a half seasons at the helm, and be Marshall (1963 to 1968). OFF%WAS%SPENT%SWANNING% McFaul’s first two seasons were on aggregate. responsible for nurturing in the talents In the meantime, McFaul would AROUND%THE%STREETS%TRYING% admittedly a struggle, managing become an ever present throughout the of Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley and just thirteen appearances, Marshall Paul Gascoigne. During his spell as TO%LOOK%HARD%AND%AVOIDING% keeping a firm hold on the number one 1970 campaign and missed only one manager, United would finish 11th, THE%OBLIGATORY%POLICEMAN% jersey. Then came the season when in each of the following two seasons. 17th and 8th. He would also have held WITH%A%VIDEO%CAMERA%AS%THE% everything clicked into place. Having The seventies even saw several cup two spells as caretaker manager prior STREETS%WERE%DESCENDED% finished the previous season with the runs, McFaul starring between the to taking the job on a permanent basis sticks and aiding the club in claiming and be capped six times by his country, coveted number one jersey, Willie WITH%FOG. McFaul would go onto play all but the Anglo Italian Cup (1973) against a spell headed by legendary Northern one of United’s 59 matches, marathon Fiorentina, and successive Texaco Cups Ireland keeper, Pat Jennings.

FROM... score them with stupid and did little to improve the mood in we went in at half time 1-0 down. 11 baffling results 2.3, 0.3, the car. Thankfully we arrived in Early in the 2nd half Durnin doubled FAIRS CLUB WILLIAM time to catch the solitary 7.30am 3.4, 0.4 being the normal. the lead and we looked down and 12 The pinnacle of crazy scores was Armstrong Galley coach which left out. A neat glancing header from ‘IAM’ MCFAUL 13 the mindboggling 6.6 draw with the Haymarket Bus station full of the Scott brought us back into the game, Tranmere Rovers in the ZDS Cup diehards (or silly bastards) and made then the away end went mental WORDS//PETER MANN which was played out in one of Sky the long arduous journey south to as Kelly was chopped down in the TV first ever televised matches. We Oxfordshire without further incident. box and the referee pointed to the also managed to lose the penalty Chuff’s hangover lifted at Woodhall spot. Peacock coolly converted to shoot out just to add insult to injury. Service Station as we ate a 24 pack of the left of the keeper and were back It also took until October before we Prawn Cocktail Skips and embarked in it 2-2. Our joy didn’t last long as won our first home league game on the 2nd leg of the journey. Simpson smashed in a free kick. The in a season of on field struggle. The hour before kick-off was fog by this time had visibility down Our much fancied promotion to spent swanning around the streets to less than half the pitch from the Division One (old school league trying to look hard and avoiding way end. I hope Tommy Wright the table) soon became certainties for the obligatory policeman with a Newcastle keeper didn’t watch the relegation to Division Three inside video camera as the streets were goals on the following day’s ‘Back of a few months. ‘A must win game’ descended with fog. The Manor Page’ sports program with the usual is something of a football cliché ground was a cramped little place Roger Tames’s awful commentary as similar to ‘a game of two half’s’ rolled made up of a mish mash of different it appears Tommy dives over the ball out all too often by crap pundits sized stands and terracing and it for Oxfords 4th goal. The irritating with nothing else to say but by the actually looked as shit as it did Foster added his 2nd then full time time our tip to Oxford United came on TV. The fog didn’t add to its whistle went and we were down around in early February it was appearance. The Newcastle fans and out twatted 5-2, there was no indeed ‘a must win game’. We were were housed on the sloping concrete protest, no demonstration from the nestled 2nd bottom of the table with terrace of the Cuckoo Lane End that small band of away followers nothing the mighty Oxford rock bottom. was split by an odd looking white but silence and the numb feeling Things looked far from good. painted brick tower that acted as a of the unavoidable and inevitable As a kid my grumpy old man was primitive score board. And of course relegation. It was a long somber never into football and had even penned in behind a giant blue and journey back home to Tyneside that One of only a select band of players season, keeping some 17 clean sheets (1974 and 1975). Then they reached the connected to Newcastle to have FA Cup final in 1974, a match United and playing in all 17 cup matches. The less interest in giving me a lift for yellow security fence that restricted evening. an away game. My travel partner the view of the pitch. The game 5,872 were present that day in this played for and managed the club, piece de resistance though would see would eventually lose 3-0 against a Magpies legend, William McFaul Keegan-inspired Liverpool. McFaul McFaul and United lift the Inter Cities at the time was a lad called Chuff kicked off with Terry Wilson playing crap little ground in the fog to see had a career spanning some two Fairs Cup. was remembered that season for his who had discovered the delights in defense making his début on loan our awful demise to a crap little club; In the three seasons which of Red Stripe lager and the joys of from Nottingham Forrest. Wilson it’s still to this very moment in my decades with United. McFaul and the Magpies flew across exploits in the semis though when his saves against Burnley kept United in Joining in 1966, by the time he Stanley’s finest nightspot Parkers was a product of Brian Clough’s lifetime of following the Toon the nightclub. For some reason I’d successful regime and he must have very zenith of my worst footballing became manager himself some twenty continental fields, their number one the competition. kept an impressive eleven clean sheets, years later, some six managers had Even in his last season with the railroaded the old man into giving wondered what the fuck he had let moment. Ossie rightly so was sacked come and gone, McFaul was there including both legs of the semis of the Magpies, McFaul would carry on in me a lift early doors into Newcastle himself in for as the fog came down a few days later and apparently to catch the supporters bus. Chuff thicker. shrugged his shoulders in vague through it all. cup-winning campaign against Scottish the previous vein of seasons past, giants, Rangers. He also claimed a Born in Coleraine in January 1943, appearing in over half a century of however in his alcohol induced Oxford had the annoying twat in acknowledgment when he heard the stupor struggled to get out of bed the head band Steve Foster making news. An even bigger gamble was McFaul caught the eye of then Magpies penalty save from Penman in a goalless matches (55), his eventual replacement first leg (United winning the second Mick Mahoney playing in two of the manager, legendary Joe Harvey, against in time; this made my old man even his return from a long injury lay-off. made by Sir Johnnie Hall and the his then employers Linfield. What 2-0, goals from Scott and Sinclair). four that McFaul didn’t. Mahoney had more grumpy than usual. After a And of course it was Foster who board with the return of the Messiah. good few bang’s on his front door to scored the first goal of the game as King Kev’s second coming of was bizarre about the situation is that There were also clean sheets in both arrived from Torquay United at a cost legs against Porto the following season McFaul would concede seven times of £25,000. get him up we were ready to go. The course is another story for temporary traffic lights at Sunniside another day. during that friendly, United romping to before the famous shut-out during the McFaul though, with four cup a 7-2 victory. Harvey though obviously 1971 season. winners’ medals in his locker, made saw enough that day to bring him to At home, on the 30th September the move into the boot room in 1975, St’ James’ in a deal worth £7000. The 1970, the mighty Inter Milan arrived becoming first coach and eventually future Northern Ireland international at St. James’ for a Fairs Cup First the manager of Newcastle United on “ the eve of the 1985-86 season after the Round, Second Leg encounter. McFaul, had a big challenge ahead of him if walked out. McFaul would last three famous night, played their part in what he needed to oust stalwart Gordon THE%HOUR%BEFORE%KICK- he was to make any sort of impact, along with his defensive backline that previous incumbent, Jack Charlton, had was a great 2-0 win, United winning 3-1 and a half seasons at the helm, and be Marshall (1963 to 1968). OFF%WAS%SPENT%SWANNING% McFaul’s first two seasons were on aggregate. responsible for nurturing in the talents In the meantime, McFaul would AROUND%THE%STREETS%TRYING% admittedly a struggle, managing become an ever present throughout the of Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley and just thirteen appearances, Marshall Paul Gascoigne. During his spell as TO%LOOK%HARD%AND%AVOIDING% keeping a firm hold on the number one 1970 campaign and missed only one manager, United would finish 11th, THE%OBLIGATORY%POLICEMAN% jersey. Then came the season when in each of the following two seasons. 17th and 8th. He would also have held WITH%A%VIDEO%CAMERA%AS%THE% everything clicked into place. Having The seventies even saw several cup two spells as caretaker manager prior STREETS%WERE%DESCENDED% finished the previous season with the runs, McFaul starring between the to taking the job on a permanent basis sticks and aiding the club in claiming and be capped six times by his country, coveted number one jersey, Willie WITH%FOG. McFaul would go onto play all but the Anglo Italian Cup (1973) against a spell headed by legendary Northern one of United’s 59 matches, marathon Fiorentina, and successive Texaco Cups Ireland keeper, Pat Jennings.

WORDS//PETER MANN SEASON THE%1902-03% 14 After consecutive top six finishes reverse at West Bromwich Albion. spell which extended into the New throughout the previous three United though don’t suffer fools Year. The other two goals would seasons, that which surrounded gladly and, in their very next outing be scored by Roberts in what were the 1902-03 season would become a week later, would inflict the same consecutive 2-1 reverses against something of a damp squib for score line upon Notts County with Liverpool (home) and Sheffield followers of Newcastle United. Rutherford yet again being amongst United (away) in November. Surprising as it was, the club made the goals, This time with a brace that Although it would finish in a dour, their best start to a league season took his tally to five in five from the goalless draw, a highlight during when winning five out of their seasons start; the other goals coming that spell was to be holding rivals opening six matches and scoring from McCool, Orr, Stewart and Sunderland to a 0-0 draw at their some eighteen goals. However, it was what would be Jack Carr’s seasonal, Roker Park home on December 27th. to be the problems that were arising customary goal. Bolton was then The return fixture would be even behind the scenes that would have beaten 2-0 away on October 11th as sweeter. an unsatisfactory filter effect into on the Magpies opened the season with It would be that of January 24th field events. The boardroom struggle ten points from their opening six before a victory was to be witnessed having repercussions that were felt matches. again, the club’s third in two, long throughout the football club, shaking Hard times then befell the club months as Andrew Gardner notched it to its core, before then chairman, over the next two and a half months the only goal in a home success Newcastle United, Football League Champions 1904-05: (back row, l-r) Andy McCombie, director GT Milne, director JW Bell, James Telford played a masterstroke. with only two victories being against West Bromwich, avenging director GG Archibald, Jimmy Lawrence; (middle row, l-r) director R Oliver, director JP Oliver, Jack Carr, Billy McCracken, That masterstroke would see the collected from some eleven outings. the earlier embarrassment before JQ McPherson, assistant secretary Frank Watt Jnr involvement of several of the clubs These were at home to Grimsby on a further four losses in six outings retary-manager Frank Watt, Andy Aitken, Jock Rutherford, Jimmy Howie, Bill Appleyard, Ronald Orr, Albert Gosnell, trainer more senior players in order to help November 22nd (Rutherford scoring put the Magpies divisional status chairman J Cameron, vice chairman Joseph Bell, Peter McWilliam, Joe McClarence, director J Graham, ?; (front row, l-r) sec- rectify and appease matters. The the only goal) and Blackburn on in jeopardy. A 2-2 home draw result of this masterful intervention December 20th (Alex Caie with with Notts County was followed follow that brace up with another would see those of Colin Veitch, his only goal for the club in 35 by successive defeats against two three days later at the City from Sheffield knowing that anything Andrew Aitken and Jack Carr appearances over two seasons). Middlesbrough (1-0), Wolverhampton Ground, United losing a five goal other than a Sunderland win would league defeat on Tyneside, and their brought into the fray and which Three times in the FA Cup over Wanderers (4-2) and Liverpool (3-0) thriller against Nottingham Forest. give them the title. Even without costliest. In fact Aston Villa claimed brought about the arrival of future the previous decade a Tyne-Tees and Grimsby (1-0) with a goalless Safety was still a slight issue defenders Andrew McCombie and runners up on goal average as United legend, Peter McWilliam, a derby had been witnessed, however, draw against Sheffield United prior though but three home wins on the Sandy McAllister, the Wearsiders Sunderland slipped to third. player who would spend the next on October 18th, the first league to the Grimsby loss. Prior to the bounce assured Newcastle’s future were still confident. Surprisingly the McColl’s goal would see him decade with the club. meeting since United’s debut season reverse against Boro, United exited would be atop flight one when FA sent League Invigilators to the finish atop the scoring charts with On the field and the new season in the Football League (1893-94 the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the Derby County (2-1), Bury (1-0) and game due to their worrying that the ten in thirty, but the big names would begin with three straight against Ironopolis), and the first third time at the opening hurdle, this relegated Bolton (2-0) were beaten. Magpies would roll over and let their were arriving on Tyneside, one in victories beginning with a home ever in the top flight, would take time losing 2-1 away to Grimsby. McColl scored both against Bolton rivals claim both victory and the particular whom would set tongues demolition of Stoke City in what was place. Newcastle United and The home straight though would and then netted again in a 3-1 title. Like that would ever happen! wagging. Aston Villa’s Robert ‘Bobby’ to be the debut of William Agnew. A Middlesbrough met on what would see survival emphatically secured reverse at Blackburn in front of just An even, but end to end, first half, Templeton joined for then princely crowd of some 17,000 would see Bob be a losing debut for young Peter with twelve points collected from 8,000 before a humdinger of a finale. would finish goalless before the sum of £400, a then club record fee. McColl and Ronald Orr hit a brace McWilliam as the Boro won 1-0 at a possible sixteen as the Magpies It was deemed as being ‘the most Magpies made a minor alteration It would be about Templeton that it apiece, alongside one for Jackie St. James’ in front of a 26,000 strong flew to six victories and two defeats important Tyne-Wear derby ever’ to their frontline after the interval. was once wrote, by William Pickford Rutherford in an opening day, 5-0 crowd. in their final eight matches, not bad as rivals Sunderland arrived in Bill Appleyard took on the centre in 1905, that rout. Of the other defeats that were going considering they had won Newcastle for the last match of forward role and it paid instant To watch Templeton at his best is A solo effort from Willie Stewart heaped on the club towards the only four times in the previous eight the season on April 25th. League dividends when, in a move that a sight for the gods, to watch him at would see off Everton away from end of 1902, the one on November months. Gardner (Alec) and McColl leaders Sheffield Wednesday were began with Veitch, through his worst was to see at a glance the home before goals from Richard 29th would be a humiliation. Again were proving to be the clubs saviours a point ahead but had completed Appleyard, played in Alec Gardner. frailty of things human. Roberts (two) and another from travelling to the Midlands, Aston as the duo netted ten between them the fixtures; Sunderland had He slipped past two defenders, Newcastle United was starting to Rutherford took care of the visiting Villa would come away clear victors during the run in. one match remaining and was played Appleyard back in and his make waves and that first, elusive Sheffield Wednesday. The club would in a seven goal battering. Including Back to back home victories were in second place; victory and the precise pass to McColl left him with piece of silverware, was just around then receive a sharp insight into those goals by Rutherford and Caie collected against the Villa (avenging League Championship was going just the keeper to beat, and, from the the corner. what the season had in store for in the victories against Grimsby and the earlier humiliation) and to Wearside. Newcastle would have narrowest of angles, United’s Scottish them when they visited the Midlands Blackburn, the Magpies managed completing the double over Everton both the final say, and the last laugh. international shattered Sunderland’s For more by Peter Mann, visit his at the end of September, Rutherford just four strikes during what was a on April fool’s Day as Gardner struck A crowd of over 26,500 packed dreams, scoring the only goal of the website www.pmannsportswriter. netting a scant consolation in a 6-1 horrendous thirteen match barren twice against the Toffees. He would St. James’ which included near 600 game. It was to be Sunderland’s first wordpress.com

WORDS//PETER MANN SEASON THE%1902-03% 14 After consecutive top six finishes reverse at West Bromwich Albion. spell which extended into the New throughout the previous three United though don’t suffer fools Year. The other two goals would seasons, that which surrounded gladly and, in their very next outing be scored by Roberts in what were the 1902-03 season would become a week later, would inflict the same consecutive 2-1 reverses against something of a damp squib for score line upon Notts County with Liverpool (home) and Sheffield followers of Newcastle United. Rutherford yet again being amongst United (away) in November. Surprising as it was, the club made the goals, This time with a brace that Although it would finish in a dour, their best start to a league season took his tally to five in five from the goalless draw, a highlight during when winning five out of their seasons start; the other goals coming that spell was to be holding rivals opening six matches and scoring from McCool, Orr, Stewart and Sunderland to a 0-0 draw at their some eighteen goals. However, it was what would be Jack Carr’s seasonal, Roker Park home on December 27th. to be the problems that were arising customary goal. Bolton was then The return fixture would be even behind the scenes that would have beaten 2-0 away on October 11th as sweeter. an unsatisfactory filter effect into on the Magpies opened the season with It would be that of January 24th field events. The boardroom struggle ten points from their opening six before a victory was to be witnessed having repercussions that were felt matches. again, the club’s third in two, long throughout the football club, shaking Hard times then befell the club months as Andrew Gardner notched it to its core, before then chairman, over the next two and a half months the only goal in a home success Newcastle United, Football League Champions 1904-05: (back row, l-r) Andy McCombie, director GT Milne, director JW Bell, James Telford played a masterstroke. with only two victories being against West Bromwich, avenging director GG Archibald, Jimmy Lawrence; (middle row, l-r) director R Oliver, director JP Oliver, Jack Carr, Billy McCracken, That masterstroke would see the collected from some eleven outings. the earlier embarrassment before JQ McPherson, assistant secretary Frank Watt Jnr involvement of several of the clubs These were at home to Grimsby on a further four losses in six outings retary-manager Frank Watt, Andy Aitken, Jock Rutherford, Jimmy Howie, Bill Appleyard, Ronald Orr, Albert Gosnell, trainer more senior players in order to help November 22nd (Rutherford scoring put the Magpies divisional status chairman J Cameron, vice chairman Joseph Bell, Peter McWilliam, Joe McClarence, director J Graham, ?; (front row, l-r) sec- rectify and appease matters. The the only goal) and Blackburn on in jeopardy. A 2-2 home draw result of this masterful intervention December 20th (Alex Caie with with Notts County was followed follow that brace up with another would see those of Colin Veitch, his only goal for the club in 35 by successive defeats against two three days later at the City from Sheffield knowing that anything Andrew Aitken and Jack Carr appearances over two seasons). Middlesbrough (1-0), Wolverhampton Ground, United losing a five goal other than a Sunderland win would league defeat on Tyneside, and their brought into the fray and which Three times in the FA Cup over Wanderers (4-2) and Liverpool (3-0) thriller against Nottingham Forest. give them the title. Even without costliest. In fact Aston Villa claimed brought about the arrival of future the previous decade a Tyne-Tees and Grimsby (1-0) with a goalless Safety was still a slight issue defenders Andrew McCombie and runners up on goal average as United legend, Peter McWilliam, a derby had been witnessed, however, draw against Sheffield United prior though but three home wins on the Sandy McAllister, the Wearsiders Sunderland slipped to third. player who would spend the next on October 18th, the first league to the Grimsby loss. Prior to the bounce assured Newcastle’s future were still confident. Surprisingly the McColl’s goal would see him decade with the club. meeting since United’s debut season reverse against Boro, United exited would be atop flight one when FA sent League Invigilators to the finish atop the scoring charts with On the field and the new season in the Football League (1893-94 the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the Derby County (2-1), Bury (1-0) and game due to their worrying that the ten in thirty, but the big names would begin with three straight against Ironopolis), and the first third time at the opening hurdle, this relegated Bolton (2-0) were beaten. Magpies would roll over and let their were arriving on Tyneside, one in victories beginning with a home ever in the top flight, would take time losing 2-1 away to Grimsby. McColl scored both against Bolton rivals claim both victory and the particular whom would set tongues demolition of Stoke City in what was place. Newcastle United and The home straight though would and then netted again in a 3-1 title. Like that would ever happen! wagging. Aston Villa’s Robert ‘Bobby’ to be the debut of William Agnew. A Middlesbrough met on what would see survival emphatically secured reverse at Blackburn in front of just An even, but end to end, first half, Templeton joined for then princely crowd of some 17,000 would see Bob be a losing debut for young Peter with twelve points collected from 8,000 before a humdinger of a finale. would finish goalless before the sum of £400, a then club record fee. McColl and Ronald Orr hit a brace McWilliam as the Boro won 1-0 at a possible sixteen as the Magpies It was deemed as being ‘the most Magpies made a minor alteration It would be about Templeton that it apiece, alongside one for Jackie St. James’ in front of a 26,000 strong flew to six victories and two defeats important Tyne-Wear derby ever’ to their frontline after the interval. was once wrote, by William Pickford Rutherford in an opening day, 5-0 crowd. in their final eight matches, not bad as rivals Sunderland arrived in Bill Appleyard took on the centre in 1905, that rout. Of the other defeats that were going considering they had won Newcastle for the last match of forward role and it paid instant To watch Templeton at his best is A solo effort from Willie Stewart heaped on the club towards the only four times in the previous eight the season on April 25th. League dividends when, in a move that a sight for the gods, to watch him at would see off Everton away from end of 1902, the one on November months. Gardner (Alec) and McColl leaders Sheffield Wednesday were began with Veitch, through his worst was to see at a glance the home before goals from Richard 29th would be a humiliation. Again were proving to be the clubs saviours a point ahead but had completed Appleyard, played in Alec Gardner. frailty of things human. Roberts (two) and another from travelling to the Midlands, Aston as the duo netted ten between them the fixtures; Sunderland had He slipped past two defenders, Newcastle United was starting to Rutherford took care of the visiting Villa would come away clear victors during the run in. one match remaining and was played Appleyard back in and his make waves and that first, elusive Sheffield Wednesday. The club would in a seven goal battering. Including Back to back home victories were in second place; victory and the precise pass to McColl left him with piece of silverware, was just around then receive a sharp insight into those goals by Rutherford and Caie collected against the Villa (avenging League Championship was going just the keeper to beat, and, from the the corner. what the season had in store for in the victories against Grimsby and the earlier humiliation) and to Wearside. Newcastle would have narrowest of angles, United’s Scottish them when they visited the Midlands Blackburn, the Magpies managed completing the double over Everton both the final say, and the last laugh. international shattered Sunderland’s For more by Peter Mann, visit his at the end of September, Rutherford just four strikes during what was a on April fool’s Day as Gardner struck A crowd of over 26,500 packed dreams, scoring the only goal of the website www.pmannsportswriter. netting a scant consolation in a 6-1 horrendous thirteen match barren twice against the Toffees. He would St. James’ which included near 600 game. It was to be Sunderland’s first wordpress.com

A%SKY%FREE%%%ZONE WORDS//ON LOAN 16 17 TWITTER:%@FIREANDSKILL Welcome …you are now entering a sky free zone… no breaking news yellow bar will ‘IN%THE%CROWD’ TIME%FOR%ACTION flash across this page telling you that someone you’ve never heard of has just crimped his eyebrows or some other ‘exclusive’ shite.. you may agree, you may disagree…these are just This is a plea from the black and white Well it’s time to wrap this up, my (mostly)lighthearted views on whatever I think may strike a chord with you…I hope heart….we get huge crowds at games hope you kept on all the way to surely we can do better on the chant front you enjoy my loan period and if I play well then who knows? Joe might get on the phone man….no more jimmy saville shite, no the end, if you did then thanks and get a permanent deal done for me….i obviously won’t be holding my breath !! more “youre support is f*****g shit at !! I’m on twitter @fireandskill every opponents fans irrespective of how add me if you fancy it ,I hope HANGING%ON%THE% woken up on transfer deadline have we done to deserve this” ? vocal they are and don’t forget ya singing you all enjoy ya summer and that we do manage to get a few day all fresh and raring to go… Joe Kinnear would not get a job at at fans who have actually bothered to TELEPHONE and just you watch who he gets a lower league club never mind a make the journey to SJP anyway (chanting signings ‘over that famous line’ !! Personally i think we have a very premier league one…yet here ‘over the line’….in all seriousness that at a Europa game to fans who’d trav- So let’s start with papa Joe and though we are pretty much all he is at Newcastle United and elled thousands of miles FFS !) its cringey decent first 11 and we obviously his crazy brain…. Penning this in agreement over the farcical yet another crazy chapter man ! its not funny so don’t look around need quality additions and I’m piece almost 8 weeks since he appointment of this buffoon…he is written for our ‘laughing at me with a grinning face and expect me also under no allusions that this claimed to be able to speak to all does as they say “exactly what it stock’ Christmas annual. Well to be thinking you are the funniest guy on is not an easy task, but my gen- the world leaders or something says on the tin’…he is a liability done Mike, one of the areas the planet you tit. And ‘Don’t sell Cabaye’ ? eral opinion is that the quality similar on talksport we are still in just about every way possible. that didn’t really need address- is it just me who just shuts their eyes and that is undoubtedly in our side is waiting for him to get his new mo- But why get animated at him? He ing (the scouting/bringing in thinks “please shut the f**k up. lets get in no way matched by the team bile phone sorted out it appears. was offered the job and he’s never of talent) now has a clown some new tunes, new words, some clever there to manage/coach/ it…I do I really do think he was shown to going to turn it down, why would at its helm.. What’s that humour, howay man. ..Big fat Mike should fear losing players, I hope this his office at SJP and he looked in he? The staggering fact here is saying “if its not broken have brought in a songwriter instead of a is not he case, please prove me and thought “what a lovely room” that Mike Ashley is the guy who don’t fix it”…its well and DOF, that would have went down well… wrong !! For the one thing all of and he sat down at his desk rested has made this appointment …it truly smashed to bits but then again wasn’t it Joe who wrote all us NUFC fans surely must agree his big round head on it and fell says more about Ashley than any- now it would seem. of the beatles stuff, ahh yeah that was Joe on is that we all want to see an into a deep sleep where he is still thing else. So yet again we are left So, hey Joe !! I hope …so howay Joe wake up and write a few entertaining and challenging snoring now and dreaming of his open mouthed staring up to the you prove me wrong… dittys for the chanters in the crowd… premier league club this coming magical contacts book. He will be gods and thinking “what the f**k give me a call if you do, ”shoes off if you love Kinnear shoes off season…just give us heart and ….” Aye right….”…pogo if ya love Ashley 100% and we will be with you all ALAN%PARDEW:%ALPHA%PAPA pogo if ya……….” ‘nuff said !! the way….as always. Now I hope you get a little bit of us, but I honestly don’t believe for performance there married with arrival and the ‘Pardews gone miss- ager of my club and it also doesn’t my personality through these ram- one moment that he is the right guy plenty more would have had better ing month’ he is cast as the victim mean that by wanting him gone blings, I’m not one of the bedsheet to take us forward..what was said to managers packing their bags and in this and a bit of a outpouring of I want Kinnear…and I will fight brigade at all, I don’t waste my time the players at half time that made heading off into the sunset, he is a sympathy has swung his way. I can anyone who dares even suggesting hating people and wanting everyone them become clueless cloggers very lucky man to be still manager understand this to a degree but per- such a fucking lame throwback at at the club ‘out’ for every little after the interval of games?..” of NUFC…and no doubt that there sonally I don’t judge someone who me ( well I wont fight you but al get episode, but its fair to say that the look lads you’ve done well 1st will be people reading this saying I think is pretty shit by a person me big mate too and hes massive !!) last few months at NUFC have been half now go out there and fuck “be careful what you wish for”, who is a canny bit shitter ..if you get . Once again I will finish by wishing pretty shit to be honest…and I do it up”. They play the way they “what’s the alternative” “he got us me drift… they are always going to Alan Pardew all the best as manager declare that this is definitely for me are told to play, simple as that 5th the season before”..yeah yeah look better… but then he comes out of our beloved club, its nothing the most disillusioned I’ve ever felt and on too many occasions we yeah he did get us 5th but then of hiding and he opens his mouth personal mate, I do hope you get it going into a new season…the end were woefully inadequate. The equally on that argument he nearly and I yawn and think “oh god here right and we have a cracking season of 2012/13 season was truly awful obvious stand out games were the got us relegated for gods sake a year we go again” … and the frightening and I’m made to look like a total nob and I for one had totally lost faith home ones against the mackems later(and yes he wasn’t helped by scenario obviously is that we are ! that’s how much I love NUFC but with our manager and after almost and then that unbelievably dire the lack of backing last summer) almost taking bets into what game that’s equally why that what is going every game I was left with the same surrender against a Liverpool side but ultimately the shocking use of Joe will step in to take over as Alan on is like an ever twisting dagger to thoughts of how tactically inept he who in all fairness never got out of the players at his disposal coupled clears his desk. (Norwich seems the the heart….oh and Alan if you do was…and then he would comment 2nd gear and even seemed to pity with appalling tactics got us totally favourite at the moment) a truly hor- see Joe on your travels at his oak afterwards and I would cringe…I us at 6 nowt and totally took their in the situation we found ourselves rendous thought I’m sure you will desk, gently shake his shoulder and don’t dislike Alan Pardew nor foot off the gas. As I said I’m not in at the end of the season. But now agree…but that doesn’t detract from wake him up, he’s meant to be doing disagree that he wants success for one for kneejerk reactions but that with all the farce of joe Kinnears me not wanting Mr Pardew as man- something I think, cheers.

A%SKY%FREE%%%ZONE WORDS//ON LOAN 16 17 TWITTER:%@FIREANDSKILL Welcome …you are now entering a sky free zone… no breaking news yellow bar will ‘IN%THE%CROWD’ TIME%FOR%ACTION flash across this page telling you that someone you’ve never heard of has just crimped his eyebrows or some other ‘exclusive’ shite.. you may agree, you may disagree…these are just This is a plea from the black and white Well it’s time to wrap this up, my (mostly)lighthearted views on whatever I think may strike a chord with you…I hope heart….we get huge crowds at games hope you kept on all the way to surely we can do better on the chant front you enjoy my loan period and if I play well then who knows? Joe might get on the phone man….no more jimmy saville shite, no the end, if you did then thanks and get a permanent deal done for me….i obviously won’t be holding my breath !! more “youre support is f*****g shit at !! I’m on twitter @fireandskill every opponents fans irrespective of how add me if you fancy it ,I hope HANGING%ON%THE% woken up on transfer deadline have we done to deserve this” ? vocal they are and don’t forget ya singing you all enjoy ya summer and that we do manage to get a few day all fresh and raring to go… Joe Kinnear would not get a job at at fans who have actually bothered to TELEPHONE and just you watch who he gets a lower league club never mind a make the journey to SJP anyway (chanting signings ‘over that famous line’ !! Personally i think we have a very premier league one…yet here ‘over the line’….in all seriousness that at a Europa game to fans who’d trav- So let’s start with papa Joe and though we are pretty much all he is at Newcastle United and elled thousands of miles FFS !) its cringey decent first 11 and we obviously his crazy brain…. Penning this in agreement over the farcical yet another crazy chapter man ! its not funny so don’t look around need quality additions and I’m piece almost 8 weeks since he appointment of this buffoon…he is written for our ‘laughing at me with a grinning face and expect me also under no allusions that this claimed to be able to speak to all does as they say “exactly what it stock’ Christmas annual. Well to be thinking you are the funniest guy on is not an easy task, but my gen- the world leaders or something says on the tin’…he is a liability done Mike, one of the areas the planet you tit. And ‘Don’t sell Cabaye’ ? eral opinion is that the quality similar on talksport we are still in just about every way possible. that didn’t really need address- is it just me who just shuts their eyes and that is undoubtedly in our side is waiting for him to get his new mo- But why get animated at him? He ing (the scouting/bringing in thinks “please shut the f**k up. lets get in no way matched by the team bile phone sorted out it appears. was offered the job and he’s never of talent) now has a clown some new tunes, new words, some clever there to manage/coach/ it…I do I really do think he was shown to going to turn it down, why would at its helm.. What’s that humour, howay man. ..Big fat Mike should fear losing players, I hope this his office at SJP and he looked in he? The staggering fact here is saying “if its not broken have brought in a songwriter instead of a is not he case, please prove me and thought “what a lovely room” that Mike Ashley is the guy who don’t fix it”…its well and DOF, that would have went down well… wrong !! For the one thing all of and he sat down at his desk rested has made this appointment …it truly smashed to bits but then again wasn’t it Joe who wrote all us NUFC fans surely must agree his big round head on it and fell says more about Ashley than any- now it would seem. of the beatles stuff, ahh yeah that was Joe on is that we all want to see an into a deep sleep where he is still thing else. So yet again we are left So, hey Joe !! I hope …so howay Joe wake up and write a few entertaining and challenging snoring now and dreaming of his open mouthed staring up to the you prove me wrong… dittys for the chanters in the crowd… premier league club this coming magical contacts book. He will be gods and thinking “what the f**k give me a call if you do, ”shoes off if you love Kinnear shoes off season…just give us heart and ….” Aye right….”…pogo if ya love Ashley 100% and we will be with you all ALAN%PARDEW:%ALPHA%PAPA pogo if ya……….” ‘nuff said !! the way….as always. Now I hope you get a little bit of us, but I honestly don’t believe for performance there married with arrival and the ‘Pardews gone miss- ager of my club and it also doesn’t my personality through these ram- one moment that he is the right guy plenty more would have had better ing month’ he is cast as the victim mean that by wanting him gone blings, I’m not one of the bedsheet to take us forward..what was said to managers packing their bags and in this and a bit of a outpouring of I want Kinnear…and I will fight brigade at all, I don’t waste my time the players at half time that made heading off into the sunset, he is a sympathy has swung his way. I can anyone who dares even suggesting hating people and wanting everyone them become clueless cloggers very lucky man to be still manager understand this to a degree but per- such a fucking lame throwback at at the club ‘out’ for every little after the interval of games?..” of NUFC…and no doubt that there sonally I don’t judge someone who me ( well I wont fight you but al get episode, but its fair to say that the look lads you’ve done well 1st will be people reading this saying I think is pretty shit by a person me big mate too and hes massive !!) last few months at NUFC have been half now go out there and fuck “be careful what you wish for”, who is a canny bit shitter ..if you get . Once again I will finish by wishing pretty shit to be honest…and I do it up”. They play the way they “what’s the alternative” “he got us me drift… they are always going to Alan Pardew all the best as manager declare that this is definitely for me are told to play, simple as that 5th the season before”..yeah yeah look better… but then he comes out of our beloved club, its nothing the most disillusioned I’ve ever felt and on too many occasions we yeah he did get us 5th but then of hiding and he opens his mouth personal mate, I do hope you get it going into a new season…the end were woefully inadequate. The equally on that argument he nearly and I yawn and think “oh god here right and we have a cracking season of 2012/13 season was truly awful obvious stand out games were the got us relegated for gods sake a year we go again” … and the frightening and I’m made to look like a total nob and I for one had totally lost faith home ones against the mackems later(and yes he wasn’t helped by scenario obviously is that we are ! that’s how much I love NUFC but with our manager and after almost and then that unbelievably dire the lack of backing last summer) almost taking bets into what game that’s equally why that what is going every game I was left with the same surrender against a Liverpool side but ultimately the shocking use of Joe will step in to take over as Alan on is like an ever twisting dagger to thoughts of how tactically inept he who in all fairness never got out of the players at his disposal coupled clears his desk. (Norwich seems the the heart….oh and Alan if you do was…and then he would comment 2nd gear and even seemed to pity with appalling tactics got us totally favourite at the moment) a truly hor- see Joe on your travels at his oak afterwards and I would cringe…I us at 6 nowt and totally took their in the situation we found ourselves rendous thought I’m sure you will desk, gently shake his shoulder and don’t dislike Alan Pardew nor foot off the gas. As I said I’m not in at the end of the season. But now agree…but that doesn’t detract from wake him up, he’s meant to be doing disagree that he wants success for one for kneejerk reactions but that with all the farce of joe Kinnears me not wanting Mr Pardew as man- something I think, cheers.

tim*krul JUST%A%FOOTBALL%CLUB?% 18 19 Mapou*Yanga@Mbiwa Steven*Taylor Fabricio*Coliccini Davide*Santon IT’S%FAR%MORE%THAN%THAT! WORDS//BRIAN HALL - AUTHOR OF LIFE OF BRIAN IN BLACK AND WHITE I have long held the view that live in Australia, never get to a I can personally vouch that this hatem*ben*arfa Moussa*Sissoko Yohan*Cabaye Sylvain*Marveaux Newcastle United are not exactly match, or a just a Granny in a cafe, recognition goes even wider , that your average football club. And I so many people in this region see this football club is far, far more just, am not talking about events both this club as quite an important part well, a footy club! Due to previous on and off the pitch, because I of their lives. Their culture. And that jobs, I have foreign friends who have don’t really feel like going down is felt with intense passion and pride. visited our place, and obviously been that path! Not just because it involves football. taken to a match, as well as soaking No. I am expressing a view that this that. It does not represent just a city. up the culture of the region. Some No. It involves far, far more than Papiss*Cisse Yoan*Gouffran stayed far longer than they should institution represents far more in terms of simply footy. It represents a region with a wee bit have done. AS IT STANDS somewhere between England and history. Often expressed with surprise, incre- This is a little, canny proud region, And of their common themes? Am I biased on this view? Probably. So I will name, in passing, some, only Scotland, only recently described as dulity, shock. They recognised that having many parts which are unin- this was NUFC thing was no ordinary a few of people who have recognised WORDS//MAX FLINDERS habitable, remote, and, well, deso- that. Obvious suspects came from institution. They thought it seemed to be a massive part of the region’s within this odd part of the UK. late. That came from some buffoon in the House of Lords. So what. Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan via his entire culture, and therefore, they As we approach the new season will take us apart if we sit back. They another injury, I don’t know if we The key point though, as John Hall Grandad, and others of course, from understood that it was no ordinary with no signings, many of us are may take us apart even if we have a are in safe hands with Rob Elliot. He once put it, is that Geordies – loosely the world of pop to politics. club. wondering who will be in the go but at least we, the fans, can have has made a few good appearances defined, that is – are the Basques of But then, just branch out slightly So. What I am rambling on about? I starting 11 for the opening game a team we can be proud of and just and some fantastic saves but in my England. Fierce, proud, passionate into players, managers, and so on, suppose that I am trying to say that it away at big spenders Manchester maybe, we can go there and win. opinion, he is not ready for first team identity, never to be surrendered. who have been associated with this is a honour, a privilege, to represent City. This is the team I would pick Manchester City are in a different at St James’ Park. Our number three, And therein comes the place of New- club. Robert Lee springs to mind, this NUFC institution. And if you if all are fit to start. league to us but beating them is not Jack Alnwick, is surely not ready for castle United in people’s lives here. Micky Quinn, Les Ferdinand, Ginola, cannot feel that, or understand that Hopefully we can go into the new impossible and being our first game, first team football but he could find Whether NUFC fans have a season to name just four off the top of my factor, then do not bother to put that season with a renewed belief in our we could take them by surprise. himself in the first team if we suffer ticket, travel to every away match, head. shirt on, manage it, or own it. own ability after a horrendous season I want to see Marveaux get a few injuries like last season so another last time round. I can honestly say it games under his belt and settle into tried and tested goal keeper would was one of the worst in my memory. the first team. With him and Ben Arfa be a sensible target for us. Mike Ashley has not done anything in midfield we would have flair, pace Our defence is looking ok at the mo- to show us he wants to improve our and most of all, chances. All Pappis ment and I hope Debuchy can force squad, adding only to his catalogue of Cisse needs is a half chance to start his way into the team as he is a great balls ups by employing JFK. Why he firing in goals and with the Gouffran player although he didn’t impress has come back to Newcastle United, running alongside him, I think they last season. He seemed to lack pace none of us know but he has already could do well. and in the Premier League, pace is an caused embarrassment with his The Targets attribute many managers are looking loose tongue and I can see it happen We definitely need another forward for. He does like to get forward but again and again. Only time will tell for competition and injury but with Ben Arfa playing on the right, if he will end up as manager again. attempting to buy three forwards we need a more stable defence. Mar- I wouldn’t bet against this scenario seems to be a little over the top veaux, Sissoko along with Ban Arfa, happening before the season is fin- unless they are buying with an eye will provide enough attack. ished unless we manage to get some on selling Cisse? I think we could do I have lost a little bit of hope for good, early results and get some with another play maker in midfield Newcastle United as of late but confidence into the team. and offload Cabaye. He has been too it only takes a decent run to get The best way for us to get results is inconsistent since he joined and as everybody going again and hopefully for us to have a go - you only have to I have said many times before, he the lads can do just that. As it stands look at the way Swansea approach goes missing in games far too often. I though, I am not happy with the games. Swansea go out to win. When am also a little concerned about our ongoing circus Newcastle United has they want a win, they will have a go goalkeeping options. If Krull doesn’t become. at City, not play for a draw and hope get fit for the start of the season and Thank God England are playing to sneak one at the death. Man City his injury drags on, or he sustains decent cricket in the Ashes.

tim*krul JUST%A%FOOTBALL%CLUB?% 18 19 Mapou*Yanga@Mbiwa Steven*Taylor Fabricio*Coliccini Davide*Santon IT’S%FAR%MORE%THAN%THAT! WORDS//BRIAN HALL - AUTHOR OF LIFE OF BRIAN IN BLACK AND WHITE I have long held the view that live in Australia, never get to a I can personally vouch that this hatem*ben*arfa Moussa*Sissoko Yohan*Cabaye Sylvain*Marveaux Newcastle United are not exactly match, or a just a Granny in a cafe, recognition goes even wider , that your average football club. And I so many people in this region see this football club is far, far more just, am not talking about events both this club as quite an important part well, a footy club! Due to previous on and off the pitch, because I of their lives. Their culture. And that jobs, I have foreign friends who have don’t really feel like going down is felt with intense passion and pride. visited our place, and obviously been that path! Not just because it involves football. taken to a match, as well as soaking No. I am expressing a view that this that. It does not represent just a city. up the culture of the region. Some No. It involves far, far more than Papiss*Cisse Yoan*Gouffran stayed far longer than they should institution represents far more in terms of simply footy. It represents a region with a wee bit have done. AS IT STANDS somewhere between England and history. Often expressed with surprise, incre- This is a little, canny proud region, And of their common themes? Am I biased on this view? Probably. So I will name, in passing, some, only Scotland, only recently described as dulity, shock. They recognised that having many parts which are unin- this was NUFC thing was no ordinary a few of people who have recognised WORDS//MAX FLINDERS habitable, remote, and, well, deso- that. Obvious suspects came from institution. They thought it seemed to be a massive part of the region’s within this odd part of the UK. late. That came from some buffoon in the House of Lords. So what. Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan via his entire culture, and therefore, they As we approach the new season will take us apart if we sit back. They another injury, I don’t know if we The key point though, as John Hall Grandad, and others of course, from understood that it was no ordinary with no signings, many of us are may take us apart even if we have a are in safe hands with Rob Elliot. He once put it, is that Geordies – loosely the world of pop to politics. club. wondering who will be in the go but at least we, the fans, can have has made a few good appearances defined, that is – are the Basques of But then, just branch out slightly So. What I am rambling on about? I starting 11 for the opening game a team we can be proud of and just and some fantastic saves but in my England. Fierce, proud, passionate into players, managers, and so on, suppose that I am trying to say that it away at big spenders Manchester maybe, we can go there and win. opinion, he is not ready for first team identity, never to be surrendered. who have been associated with this is a honour, a privilege, to represent City. This is the team I would pick Manchester City are in a different at St James’ Park. Our number three, And therein comes the place of New- club. Robert Lee springs to mind, this NUFC institution. And if you if all are fit to start. league to us but beating them is not Jack Alnwick, is surely not ready for castle United in people’s lives here. Micky Quinn, Les Ferdinand, Ginola, cannot feel that, or understand that Hopefully we can go into the new impossible and being our first game, first team football but he could find Whether NUFC fans have a season to name just four off the top of my factor, then do not bother to put that season with a renewed belief in our we could take them by surprise. himself in the first team if we suffer ticket, travel to every away match, head. shirt on, manage it, or own it. own ability after a horrendous season I want to see Marveaux get a few injuries like last season so another last time round. I can honestly say it games under his belt and settle into tried and tested goal keeper would was one of the worst in my memory. the first team. With him and Ben Arfa be a sensible target for us. Mike Ashley has not done anything in midfield we would have flair, pace Our defence is looking ok at the mo- to show us he wants to improve our and most of all, chances. All Pappis ment and I hope Debuchy can force squad, adding only to his catalogue of Cisse needs is a half chance to start his way into the team as he is a great balls ups by employing JFK. Why he firing in goals and with the Gouffran player although he didn’t impress has come back to Newcastle United, running alongside him, I think they last season. He seemed to lack pace none of us know but he has already could do well. and in the Premier League, pace is an caused embarrassment with his The Targets attribute many managers are looking loose tongue and I can see it happen We definitely need another forward for. He does like to get forward but again and again. Only time will tell for competition and injury but with Ben Arfa playing on the right, if he will end up as manager again. attempting to buy three forwards we need a more stable defence. Mar- I wouldn’t bet against this scenario seems to be a little over the top veaux, Sissoko along with Ban Arfa, happening before the season is fin- unless they are buying with an eye will provide enough attack. ished unless we manage to get some on selling Cisse? I think we could do I have lost a little bit of hope for good, early results and get some with another play maker in midfield Newcastle United as of late but confidence into the team. and offload Cabaye. He has been too it only takes a decent run to get The best way for us to get results is inconsistent since he joined and as everybody going again and hopefully for us to have a go - you only have to I have said many times before, he the lads can do just that. As it stands look at the way Swansea approach goes missing in games far too often. I though, I am not happy with the games. Swansea go out to win. When am also a little concerned about our ongoing circus Newcastle United has they want a win, they will have a go goalkeeping options. If Krull doesn’t become. at City, not play for a draw and hope get fit for the start of the season and Thank God England are playing to sneak one at the death. Man City his injury drags on, or he sustains decent cricket in the Ashes.

CONTINENTAL GIRLS, GUNS 20 21 TRAVELS AND GOALS THE 1996-97 UEFA CUP //PETER MANN TINO ASPRILLA// BY STEVE WRAITH The Newcastle United side of the mid-nineties, Kevin Keegan’s side, Faustino Asprilla the Entertainers, took Europe by scores his second both surprise and by storm, on goal for Newcastle more than one occasion. United against Metz 1969 is best known for man time they lost 1-0 against Arsenal. Having had four UEFA Cup outings taking his first steps on the moon, Season ’94-95 saw Tino finally two seasons before, the Magpies the birth of Monty Python and grace the Cup final stage and he wanted more and they received that Newcastle United Football Club didn’t dissapoint. He had been when they qualified for the 1997 winning a piece of silverware, it instrumental in Parma reaching European campaign courtesy of a was also the year that Faustino the UEFA Cup final with three fifth place league finish the season Hernán “Tino” Asprilla Hinestroza goals over two legs in the semi-final before. Then, in the summer prior to was born. against Bayer Leverkusen and he the campaign beginning, the Hall- He was brought up in Tulua an played both legs of the final which Keegan factor brought in £15 million impoverished city in Coulmbia saw Parma defeat Juventus 2-1. record signing, Alan Shearer, to add and was playing football from an “ Parma was a very special time to the attacking prowess already at early age. He started out at Carlos in my career. I loved the place and the club’s disposal. Shearer would Sarmiento Lora School and was loved the people and we had a very join the likes of Peter Beardsley and picked up at the age of 18 by Cucuta successful team. Missing out on the David Ginola, Les Ferdinand and Deportivo before being transferred Cup Final against Antwerp was a Faustino Asprilla. And, prior to that to Atletico Nacional where he scored bitter blow. It made the win over one night in Barcelona, this was to be 35 goals in 78 games. It didn’t take Juventus in which I played both legs ‘Tinos tournament.’ the left corner of the net from the interval though the Magpies were long for the big teams to sit up and of the final very special.” In reaching the quarter finals the far right of the box, as only he level courtesy of their twin terrors, take notice of this bandy legged goal His reputation as a World class goals that were netted by Faustino could. The pick of the bunch though messers Ferdinand and Shearer; machine and Italian giants Parma player was cemented with inclusion Hernan Asprilla Hinestroza saw him came from the man of the moment Lisztes though would net his second won the race for his signature paying in the Columbian national team and finish behind Ganz of Inter, Ikpeba as Asprilla fired home a flying and the hosts third, early in the over $10M US dollars. Tino had hit expectations were high as the team from United’s eventual conquerors volley from a deep Ginola cross and second half. Come the return, and the big time and he was going to won the South American qualifying Monaco, and Meller of Brondby, it giving Nordberg no chance in the a balmy night in October, it was to enjoy every minute of it. group for the 1994 World Cup Finals. was to be a European campaign Halmstads goal. be a memorable European night for “ I played football from an early age “ We had beaten everyone in our never to be forgotten from the The tie was all but won with a 4-0 the hosts. and was determined to make it to the group including Argentina 5-0 and enigmatic, Colombian frontman. first leg success and United took Asprilla was on fire, Ginola was very top level. I always had a good the people of Columbia expected Asprilla bagged five in this European their foot of the gas in the return majestic, United hitting four without eye for goal, it just came naturally to great things. We finished bottom of adventure. fixture in Sweden. Ferdinand would reply for the second European tie me and when my big chance came the group after 1 win and 2 defeats. Keegan, and United’s cavalier open the scoring with a volley for the in succession. Beardsley missed a with my move to Parma I grabbed it It is one of the lowest points in my approach, was at it from the off, even visiting Magpies to open up a five penalty before Tino struck either side with both hands.” career.” though the attendance from the goal lead just before the interval. of the interval, and then came the Parma from a football perspective The players all headed home opening match was to be the lowest Two late, second half Halmstads coup de grace, a moment of sublime was the most successful time in his and were told to take precautions home gate of the season, registering goals, from Arvidsson and Svensson, majesty etched into United’s history career as he helped his team win on their return because feelings under 35,000. Their opponents in the gave the underdogs a 2-1 second leg from the mercurial Frenchman, the European Cup Winners Cup were running high in the country first round arrived in the shape of victory, United taking the tie 5-2 on David Ginola. Goalkeeper Szeiler in season 92-93 scoring four goals and there were rumours that big Swedish part-timers, Halmstads BK; aggregate. punched away Gillespie’s corner as in eight matches. Injury denied gambling syndicates had lost millions they were destroyed. Flashback to the success of 1969 far as the edge of the box and, before him the opportunity to play in the on the teams demise. One of Tino’s The United manager went for saw United pitted against Hungarian the defence had recovered, Ginola final and he sat on the bench as an team mates Andres Escobar had the an all-out 3-4-3 formation and the champions, Ferencvaros, in the controlled, evaded a challenge, unused substitute as Parma ran out misfortune of scoring an own goal for visitors had no answer to the threat second round and fans would be switched to his left and fired a 3-1 winners against Belgian outfit his country against USA and whilst that was posed. ‘Sir Les’ opened the treated to a five goal thriller in the rasping shot into the top right corner. Royal Antwerp. Parma then went socializing in the Medellin suburb scoring with a customary header Ulloi Ut Stadium, the hosts claiming Ferdinand then tapped the fourth onto win the European Super Cup he was surrounded by three men inside five minutes alongside later a 3-2, first leg lead. Keeper Srnicek in injury time to seal an incredible, over two legs against Milan with Tino and shot dead. Over 120,000 people finishes from centre-half Philippe seemed edgy in the Hungarian come from behind, 6-3 aggregate win. playing his part in both games. The attended his funeral. CONTINUED Albert, and the evergreen Peter cauldron and it showed, united being Then came the French, and, with following year saw them reach the “ Andres death shocked Beardsley with a delicate chip into two down inside ten minutes. By the United bereft with injuries for Cup Winners Cup Final again but this us all. He was a great 22

CONTINENTAL GIRLS, GUNS 20 21 TRAVELS AND GOALS THE 1996-97 UEFA CUP //PETER MANN TINO ASPRILLA// BY STEVE WRAITH The Newcastle United side of the mid-nineties, Kevin Keegan’s side, Faustino Asprilla the Entertainers, took Europe by scores his second both surprise and by storm, on goal for Newcastle more than one occasion. United against Metz 1969 is best known for man time they lost 1-0 against Arsenal. Having had four UEFA Cup outings taking his first steps on the moon, Season ’94-95 saw Tino finally two seasons before, the Magpies the birth of Monty Python and grace the Cup final stage and he wanted more and they received that Newcastle United Football Club didn’t dissapoint. He had been when they qualified for the 1997 winning a piece of silverware, it instrumental in Parma reaching European campaign courtesy of a was also the year that Faustino the UEFA Cup final with three fifth place league finish the season Hernán “Tino” Asprilla Hinestroza goals over two legs in the semi-final before. Then, in the summer prior to was born. against Bayer Leverkusen and he the campaign beginning, the Hall- He was brought up in Tulua an played both legs of the final which Keegan factor brought in £15 million impoverished city in Coulmbia saw Parma defeat Juventus 2-1. record signing, Alan Shearer, to add and was playing football from an “ Parma was a very special time to the attacking prowess already at early age. He started out at Carlos in my career. I loved the place and the club’s disposal. Shearer would Sarmiento Lora School and was loved the people and we had a very join the likes of Peter Beardsley and picked up at the age of 18 by Cucuta successful team. Missing out on the David Ginola, Les Ferdinand and Deportivo before being transferred Cup Final against Antwerp was a Faustino Asprilla. And, prior to that to Atletico Nacional where he scored bitter blow. It made the win over one night in Barcelona, this was to be 35 goals in 78 games. It didn’t take Juventus in which I played both legs ‘Tinos tournament.’ the left corner of the net from the interval though the Magpies were long for the big teams to sit up and of the final very special.” In reaching the quarter finals the far right of the box, as only he level courtesy of their twin terrors, take notice of this bandy legged goal His reputation as a World class goals that were netted by Faustino could. The pick of the bunch though messers Ferdinand and Shearer; machine and Italian giants Parma player was cemented with inclusion Hernan Asprilla Hinestroza saw him came from the man of the moment Lisztes though would net his second won the race for his signature paying in the Columbian national team and finish behind Ganz of Inter, Ikpeba as Asprilla fired home a flying and the hosts third, early in the over $10M US dollars. Tino had hit expectations were high as the team from United’s eventual conquerors volley from a deep Ginola cross and second half. Come the return, and the big time and he was going to won the South American qualifying Monaco, and Meller of Brondby, it giving Nordberg no chance in the a balmy night in October, it was to enjoy every minute of it. group for the 1994 World Cup Finals. was to be a European campaign Halmstads goal. be a memorable European night for “ I played football from an early age “ We had beaten everyone in our never to be forgotten from the The tie was all but won with a 4-0 the hosts. and was determined to make it to the group including Argentina 5-0 and enigmatic, Colombian frontman. first leg success and United took Asprilla was on fire, Ginola was very top level. I always had a good the people of Columbia expected Asprilla bagged five in this European their foot of the gas in the return majestic, United hitting four without eye for goal, it just came naturally to great things. We finished bottom of adventure. fixture in Sweden. Ferdinand would reply for the second European tie me and when my big chance came the group after 1 win and 2 defeats. Keegan, and United’s cavalier open the scoring with a volley for the in succession. Beardsley missed a with my move to Parma I grabbed it It is one of the lowest points in my approach, was at it from the off, even visiting Magpies to open up a five penalty before Tino struck either side with both hands.” career.” though the attendance from the goal lead just before the interval. of the interval, and then came the Parma from a football perspective The players all headed home opening match was to be the lowest Two late, second half Halmstads coup de grace, a moment of sublime was the most successful time in his and were told to take precautions home gate of the season, registering goals, from Arvidsson and Svensson, majesty etched into United’s history career as he helped his team win on their return because feelings under 35,000. Their opponents in the gave the underdogs a 2-1 second leg from the mercurial Frenchman, the European Cup Winners Cup were running high in the country first round arrived in the shape of victory, United taking the tie 5-2 on David Ginola. Goalkeeper Szeiler in season 92-93 scoring four goals and there were rumours that big Swedish part-timers, Halmstads BK; aggregate. punched away Gillespie’s corner as in eight matches. Injury denied gambling syndicates had lost millions they were destroyed. Flashback to the success of 1969 far as the edge of the box and, before him the opportunity to play in the on the teams demise. One of Tino’s The United manager went for saw United pitted against Hungarian the defence had recovered, Ginola final and he sat on the bench as an team mates Andres Escobar had the an all-out 3-4-3 formation and the champions, Ferencvaros, in the controlled, evaded a challenge, unused substitute as Parma ran out misfortune of scoring an own goal for visitors had no answer to the threat second round and fans would be switched to his left and fired a 3-1 winners against Belgian outfit his country against USA and whilst that was posed. ‘Sir Les’ opened the treated to a five goal thriller in the rasping shot into the top right corner. Royal Antwerp. Parma then went socializing in the Medellin suburb scoring with a customary header Ulloi Ut Stadium, the hosts claiming Ferdinand then tapped the fourth onto win the European Super Cup he was surrounded by three men inside five minutes alongside later a 3-2, first leg lead. Keeper Srnicek in injury time to seal an incredible, over two legs against Milan with Tino and shot dead. Over 120,000 people finishes from centre-half Philippe seemed edgy in the Hungarian come from behind, 6-3 aggregate win. playing his part in both games. The attended his funeral. CONTINUED Albert, and the evergreen Peter cauldron and it showed, united being Then came the French, and, with following year saw them reach the “ Andres death shocked Beardsley with a delicate chip into two down inside ten minutes. By the United bereft with injuries for Cup Winners Cup Final again but this us all. He was a great 22

footballer and a good friend and he FROM... did not deserve to die like that. I had Newcastle lost a 12 point lead in the against the mighty Spaniards Barcelona meant 22 21 traveled back from the World Cup Premiership that year and were beaten to the that he would never have to buy a drink again 23 with him and he had warned me about going fans and commentators blamed the arrival of on Tyneside. title by Manchester United. Many neutral “ Those European nights were very special out to soon on our return. I’m so glad I took his Asprilla as the catalyst for the Geordies failure, and more so at Newcastle. My celebration with advice.” something he is keen to dismiss. the corner flag was my way of telling the fans Off the pitch his reputation as a player that liked a party built up momentum to. In 1995 It was not meant to be. Our team played some that I felt Newcastle should be at the very top “ One man cannot be guilty of a teams failure. of the world because of their support. The night he fired eight shots in the air outside a disco wonderful attacking football, certainly the against Barcelona in the Champions League in Columbia. He was arrested and charged and best football in that league at that time, but we was of course very special to me and I will was eventually given a suspended sentence. In conceded too many goals. Manchester United never forget the feeling when the third goal Parma rumours of all night house parties, late would win, 1-0 at home and then 1-0 away. went in. The bond I have with Newcastle and night liaisons with beautiful women and a fight Ultimately their two victories over us won them it’s people is down to that moment and for that with a local bus driver all surfaced during his the title.” I’m very grateful. It’s a game I almost missed. time in Italy but were quickly denied by the During his spell at Newcastle there were two The manager Kenny Dalglish was angry that player know as ‘The Octopus’ in his home great clubs. One the bastion of invincibility at I had not returned on time from International land because of his voracious appetite. St James Park and the other a small nightclub duty. I had decided to stay an extra night to “ I admit I missed the 1993 Cup Final because of my argument with a bus called ‘Julies’ on Newcastle’s Quayside which party. I was surprised to see my name on the team sheet, but I guess it worked out well for Tino would frequent most weeks. driver in Columbia. He crashed into “The Newcastle women were referred to as my car and I really angry. I got out dogs by one of the owners but I always found both of us in the end.” Controversy was never far away though and of my car and tried to get onto the them to be very attractive. They seemed to like in 1997 Tino found himself in the witness bus to confront him but he shut the me to. It’s a city that never sleeps and one of box at Southwark Crown Court, after giving bus doors. I kicked the doors but my the party capitals of the world and that is why money to a fellow Columbian to help with foot went through the glass and I ended I look at Newcastle as my second home. My an accommodation issue. The friend was up injured. I did like to party a lot when I soul is in Columbia but my heart remains in subsequently arrested in possession of 41.4g was younger and I’ve always had a fascination Newcastle.” of cocaine. He was found guilty and jailed with guns and girls which have both caused me His career at Newcastle was inconsistent for possession. Tino knew nothing about his a few problems in the past.” to say the least. His best form came in the friends habit but the story had given him Tino found himself out of favour the following season in Italy and after making only six where he had performed so well for Parma. headlines for the wrong reasons once again. following two seasons again in the UEFA Cup Those three goals against Barcelona would appearances in the opening five months of the prove to be his last for the Magpies and he season found himself on a plane to Newcastle one against FC Metz where he celebrated by CONTINUED Five goals in the competition in 1996 including in February 1996 to join Premiership leaders removing his shirt and hoisting it into the air was sold back to Parma in 1998 losing patience with the Columbian 26 Newcastle United who were managed by Kevin on a corner flag and that unforgettable hat-trick with manager Dalglish finally Keegan at the time. “Newcastle had to gain a work permit for me to enter the country which was proving difficult due to my firearms conviction but they overcame the issue and I flew to Newcastle to meet manager Kevin Keegan. Kevin sold the club to me in one meeting. He had such an enthusiasm for the club and the area and they were top of the League at the time. I remember arriving at the club and it was snowing quite heavily. I had never seen that type of white stuff before!” Christened Tino by the Geordie fans he made his debut in the Tyne/Tees derby after sinking a glass of red wine at the pre-match meal much to the amusement of his new team mates and astonishment of his new manager. He had a lot to lean about the dos and don’ts of Premier League football. It did not affect his performance as he went on to set up the winner after coming off the bench. His first goal came soon after and his wild cartwheel celebration became a regular site at St James Park in his first season.

footballer and a good friend and he FROM... did not deserve to die like that. I had Newcastle lost a 12 point lead in the against the mighty Spaniards Barcelona meant 22 21 traveled back from the World Cup title by Manchester United. Many neutral that he would never have to buy a drink again 23 Premiership that year and were beaten to the with him and he had warned me about going fans and commentators blamed the arrival of on Tyneside. “ Those European nights were very special out to soon on our return. I’m so glad I took his Asprilla as the catalyst for the Geordies failure, and more so at Newcastle. My celebration with advice.” something he is keen to dismiss. the corner flag was my way of telling the fans Off the pitch his reputation as a player that liked a party built up momentum to. In 1995 It was not meant to be. Our team played some that I felt Newcastle should be at the very top “ One man cannot be guilty of a teams failure. of the world because of their support. The night he fired eight shots in the air outside a disco wonderful attacking football, certainly the against Barcelona in the Champions League in Columbia. He was arrested and charged and best football in that league at that time, but we was of course very special to me and I will was eventually given a suspended sentence. In conceded too many goals. Manchester United never forget the feeling when the third goal Parma rumours of all night house parties, late would win, 1-0 at home and then 1-0 away. went in. The bond I have with Newcastle and night liaisons with beautiful women and a fight Ultimately their two victories over us won them it’s people is down to that moment and for that with a local bus driver all surfaced during his the title.” I’m very grateful. It’s a game I almost missed. time in Italy but were quickly denied by the During his spell at Newcastle there were two The manager Kenny Dalglish was angry that player know as ‘The Octopus’ in his home great clubs. One the bastion of invincibility at I had not returned on time from International land because of his voracious appetite. St James Park and the other a small nightclub duty. I had decided to stay an extra night to “ I admit I missed the 1993 Cup Final because of my argument with a bus called ‘Julies’ on Newcastle’s Quayside which party. I was surprised to see my name on the team sheet, but I guess it worked out well for Tino would frequent most weeks. driver in Columbia. He crashed into “The Newcastle women were referred to as my car and I really angry. I got out dogs by one of the owners but I always found both of us in the end.” Controversy was never far away though and of my car and tried to get onto the them to be very attractive. They seemed to like in 1997 Tino found himself in the witness bus to confront him but he shut the me to. It’s a city that never sleeps and one of box at Southwark Crown Court, after giving bus doors. I kicked the doors but my the party capitals of the world and that is why money to a fellow Columbian to help with foot went through the glass and I ended I look at Newcastle as my second home. My an accommodation issue. The friend was up injured. I did like to party a lot when I soul is in Columbia but my heart remains in subsequently arrested in possession of 41.4g was younger and I’ve always had a fascination Newcastle.” of cocaine. He was found guilty and jailed with guns and girls which have both caused me His career at Newcastle was inconsistent for possession. Tino knew nothing about his a few problems in the past.” to say the least. His best form came in the friends habit but the story had given him Tino found himself out of favour the following season in Italy and after making only six following two seasons again in the UEFA Cup headlines for the wrong reasons once again. Those three goals against Barcelona would appearances in the opening five months of the prove to be his last for the Magpies and he where he had performed so well for Parma. season found himself on a plane to Newcastle Five goals in the competition in 1996 including CONTINUED in February 1996 to join Premiership leaders removing his shirt and hoisting it into the air was sold back to Parma in 1998 one against FC Metz where he celebrated by with manager Dalglish finally Newcastle United who were managed by Kevin on a corner flag and that unforgettable hat-trick losing patience with the Columbian 26 Keegan at the time. “Newcastle had to gain a work permit for me to enter the country which was proving difficult due to my firearms conviction but they overcame the issue and I flew to Newcastle to meet manager Kevin Keegan. Kevin sold the club to me in one meeting. He had such an enthusiasm for the club and the area and they were top of the League at the time. I remember arriving at the club and it was snowing quite heavily. I had never seen that type of white stuff before!” Christened Tino by the Geordie fans he made his debut in the Tyne/Tees derby after sinking a glass of red wine at the pre-match meal much to the amusement of his new team mates and astonishment of his new manager. He had a lot to lean about the dos and don’ts of Premier League football. It did not affect his performance as he went on to set up the winner after coming off the bench. His first goal came soon after and his wild cartwheel celebration became a regular site at St James Park in his first season.





FROM... enigma. where he had success in both league offered over the phone and what I 23 understand anything that and cup. His career petered out with was offered face to face were two “ I could not really a handful of appearances for the completely different things. I wanted 26 Kenny Dalglish said so we we did likes of Fluminense, Atlante, Atletico the move to England but the money 27 not really argue. He obviously did Nacional and Universidad Chile. was obviously not there and so the not feel that I suited his teams style In 2002 a return to the UK made deal was off. I felt sorry for the fans and a move back to Parma suited us the headlines when third division but it wasn’t my fault.” both.” Darlington under the stewardship In 2007 Tino found himself back In football they often say of former safe blower George in the headlines once again for all you should never go back Reynolds offered him a the wrong reasons. He was linked to a former club and Tino contract. Tino was paraded to Newcastle gangsters through a struggled to find fitness in front of the fans but mutual friend who were planning to and form in Italy. After this would be the only forge links between themselves and a second short spell appearance he would be South American drug cartels. Tino at the club he moved making. had simply been in the wrong place WORDS//@OLDHEATONIAN to Palmeiras in Brazil “ The contract I was at the wrong time and had no idea of what was going on around him at these meetings. A year later he was placed under house arrest after allegedly going on a shooting spree with a machine gun near his farm in south-west Columbia. He was charged with The name St James’ Park enjoyed passionate about saving the name. The location of the second, slightly criminal damage and illegal an unbroken 119-year link to In February 2012 I made contact smaller set remains unknown. The possession of weapons. The Police Newcastle United until a cold and on their behalf with Newcastle City training ground at Woolsington never claimed that Asprilla had sprayed the undoubtedly damp November day Council asking if they back a call by transpired, as it became bogged machine gunfire towards a security in 2011, when a statement was supporters for the council to rename down in planning arguments and checkpoint after they had refused released stating that the name St a small area of the city surrounding the gates themselves remained entry to three females and a James’ Park was no longer “com- the Football ground as St James “forgotten”. The information came bodyguard in April of that year. mercially attractive”. Park, in the same way as some areas from Steve Wraith, who at the time At the time Tino was quoted Derek Llambias then explained: within the city are known by names was working on putting together a as saying “ This situation “Our aim for Newcastle United is to that tie them to a particular heritage, Sportsmans Lunch commemorating reminds me of the film continue to deliver success for the such as Grainger Town and Brandling 30 years of the Magpie Group; local Minority Report, in which fans and everyone associated with Village. This would be a symbolic businessmen who fought and won people end up in jail even the club. We must make this club but nonetheless important show the fight to remove the club from the before you’ve committed the financially self-sufficient in order to and help cement the decision by the hands of an inept Board of Directors; crime or even been tried.” deliver that success”. council to continue to keep signage sound familiar? Nowadays Tino spends his Armed with this information, “To grow sustainably and allow time between his farm in us to invest in our future, we will of St James’ Park in place. together Steve and I worked on the The suggestion was for the area Columbia and Newcastle. He need to rely increasingly heavily on along Strawberry Place, from the makings of a plan to see if we could has posed naked for a well commercial income”. junction of Barrack Rd, including the somehow get these gates erected known South American “These are very difficult economic Metro car park and Metro Station, near the ground; a lasting adornment magazine and appeared on two reality shows. His times and the board have a respon- Leazes Park, Terrace Place, St James’ to the name that was so horribly sibility to maximise all revenue removed by hammer and chisel from St, Leazes Tce and the Leazes car ambition is to return to football streams for the benefit of the club.” park be officially designated as St the walls of our great club. That in the UK in a coaching The result: meltdown. James’ Park. The heritage of the old action was in itself a disgraceful capacity. If ever a decision was made name could then be preserved until episode; a sight that showed up the “ I have had talks with Newcastle United about that showed a complete lack of such time as the name St James’ Park club owners actions as lacking any understanding towards the heritage integrity or feeling for supporters; returned to the football ground. coaching and about a possible and history of an institution it was While awaiting reply from the any respect for the name or any in- role in Columbia looking this one. Within hours Newcastle council, I became aware that despite tention to treat the club as anything for new talent but as yet I supporters worldwide were voicing what I previously had heard, the two but a rag to do as he and his acolytes have no offer on the table. their opinion. So too politicians, sets gates that adorned the Barrack saw fit. They acted on orders and There are a lot of talented the city council and local as well as Rd North entrance to the stadium woe betides anyone who stood and youngsters in Columbia national media. and had the name St James’ Park questioned such actions. looking to play at the A Facebook campaign was started emblazoned across the centre had top level in the UK and I by fans under the title “St James’ not been melted down for scrap By March 2012, backed by the promise they are very well Park; always was always will be” when ground redevelopment had members of the original Magpie behaved young men.” and it became apparent very early taken place. Instead one set had Group we were sat in front of the So can he still do the cartwheel celebration? on that supporters would simply not been stored with the intention of City’s then Lord Mayor, Geoff O’Brien lobbying him for support. tolerate the name change. I support- being used to adorn the entrance “Yes, but these days I ed the campaign; the organisers had to a planned training ground that We showed that we had CONTINUED save that for the bedroom.” 28 right on their side and they were was to be built in Woolsington. a strong hand and as a

FROM... enigma. where he had success in both league offered over the phone and what I 23 understand anything that and cup. His career petered out with was offered face to face were two “ I could not really a handful of appearances for the completely different things. I wanted 26 Kenny Dalglish said so we we did likes of Fluminense, Atlante, Atletico the move to England but the money 27 not really argue. He obviously did Nacional and Universidad Chile. was obviously not there and so the not feel that I suited his teams style In 2002 a return to the UK made deal was off. I felt sorry for the fans and a move back to Parma suited us the headlines when third division but it wasn’t my fault.” both.” Darlington under the stewardship In 2007 Tino found himself back In football they often say of former safe blower George in the headlines once again for all you should never go back Reynolds offered him a the wrong reasons. He was linked to a former club and Tino contract. Tino was paraded to Newcastle gangsters through a struggled to find fitness in front of the fans but mutual friend who were planning to and form in Italy. After this would be the only forge links between themselves and a second short spell appearance he would be South American drug cartels. Tino at the club he moved making. had simply been in the wrong place WORDS//@OLDHEATONIAN to Palmeiras in Brazil “ The contract I was at the wrong time and had no idea of what was going on around him at these meetings. A year later he was placed under house arrest after allegedly going on a shooting spree with a machine gun near his farm in south-west Columbia. He was charged with The name St James’ Park enjoyed passionate about saving the name. The location of the second, slightly criminal damage and illegal an unbroken 119-year link to In February 2012 I made contact smaller set remains unknown. The possession of weapons. The Police Newcastle United until a cold and on their behalf with Newcastle City training ground at Woolsington never claimed that Asprilla had sprayed the undoubtedly damp November day Council asking if they back a call by transpired, as it became bogged machine gunfire towards a security in 2011, when a statement was supporters for the council to rename down in planning arguments and checkpoint after they had refused released stating that the name St a small area of the city surrounding the gates themselves remained entry to three females and a James’ Park was no longer “com- the Football ground as St James “forgotten”. The information came bodyguard in April of that year. mercially attractive”. Park, in the same way as some areas from Steve Wraith, who at the time At the time Tino was quoted Derek Llambias then explained: within the city are known by names was working on putting together a as saying “ This situation “Our aim for Newcastle United is to that tie them to a particular heritage, Sportsmans Lunch commemorating reminds me of the film continue to deliver success for the such as Grainger Town and Brandling 30 years of the Magpie Group; local Minority Report, in which fans and everyone associated with Village. This would be a symbolic businessmen who fought and won people end up in jail even the club. We must make this club but nonetheless important show the fight to remove the club from the before you’ve committed the financially self-sufficient in order to and help cement the decision by the hands of an inept Board of Directors; crime or even been tried.” deliver that success”. council to continue to keep signage sound familiar? Nowadays Tino spends his Armed with this information, “To grow sustainably and allow time between his farm in us to invest in our future, we will of St James’ Park in place. together Steve and I worked on the The suggestion was for the area Columbia and Newcastle. He need to rely increasingly heavily on along Strawberry Place, from the makings of a plan to see if we could has posed naked for a well commercial income”. junction of Barrack Rd, including the somehow get these gates erected known South American “These are very difficult economic Metro car park and Metro Station, near the ground; a lasting adornment magazine and appeared on two reality shows. His times and the board have a respon- Leazes Park, Terrace Place, St James’ to the name that was so horribly removed by hammer and chisel from St, Leazes Tce and the Leazes car sibility to maximise all revenue ambition is to return to football streams for the benefit of the club.” park be officially designated as St the walls of our great club. That in the UK in a coaching The result: meltdown. James’ Park. The heritage of the old action was in itself a disgraceful capacity. If ever a decision was made name could then be preserved until episode; a sight that showed up the “ I have had talks with Newcastle United about that showed a complete lack of such time as the name St James’ Park club owners actions as lacking any understanding towards the heritage integrity or feeling for supporters; returned to the football ground. coaching and about a possible and history of an institution it was While awaiting reply from the any respect for the name or any in- role in Columbia looking this one. Within hours Newcastle council, I became aware that despite tention to treat the club as anything for new talent but as yet I supporters worldwide were voicing what I previously had heard, the two but a rag to do as he and his acolytes have no offer on the table. their opinion. So too politicians, sets gates that adorned the Barrack saw fit. They acted on orders and There are a lot of talented the city council and local as well as Rd North entrance to the stadium woe betides anyone who stood and youngsters in Columbia national media. and had the name St James’ Park questioned such actions. looking to play at the A Facebook campaign was started emblazoned across the centre had top level in the UK and I by fans under the title “St James’ not been melted down for scrap By March 2012, backed by the promise they are very well Park; always was always will be” when ground redevelopment had members of the original Magpie behaved young men.” and it became apparent very early taken place. Instead one set had Group we were sat in front of the So can he still do the cartwheel celebration? on that supporters would simply not been stored with the intention of City’s then Lord Mayor, Geoff O’Brien lobbying him for support. tolerate the name change. I support- being used to adorn the entrance “Yes, but these days I ed the campaign; the organisers had to a planned training ground that We showed that we had CONTINUED save that for the bedroom.” 28 right on their side and they were was to be built in Woolsington. a strong hand and as a

FROM... result we were invited to 27 submit more substantive plans for consideration. The momentum was now there and 28 the desire to do something was grow- 29 ing by the day. Budget constraints HOWAY meant the council would not be able to provide financial support but that did not deter anyone. Indeed, it sim- ply focused those now involved, with Steve Wraith and Graeme Cansdale offering to provide financial support should it be needed. The proposition was to erect the THE%NADS gates on Strawberry Place; presenting them as a focal feature within the footprint of a proposed “St James’ Town”; becoming part of the city WORDS//ANDY MCPHERSON heritage trail and close enough to Former Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall, stands with one of the the ground to cause maximum wind former gates from St. Jamesa Park It was the end of the 2011/2012 season we’re embarrassed? Possibly. If you check up. Yes, we wanted to get under the quently removed their objections was played out not for the benefit of and we’d been battered at Goodison once a month clubs skin; wanted the St James’ Park although as yet, no tacit approval the club, sponsors or those with an Park by a hugely over-respected Everton and seek advice if you find something name back up and prominent and I was forthcoming. ego or agenda. It was done to bring side, but never mind I was off to Spain you’re worried about then the survival remember a un-seasonally hot March Then came the breakthrough; Won- back a symbol of the heritage that on holiday and United were off on our rates are over 95%. There’s no need to die day as we accompanied Stephen ga were announced as club sponsors the name St James’ Park holds for European tour. of embarrassment. Testicular Cancer has Savage from the city council on a and the St James’ Park name was our club and city. Almost 2 years of Before arriving in Spain I noticed I had a amongst the highest survival rates. I was survey of various locations. Possible reinstated. There then followed a planning and scheming; coaxing and dull ache in my lower back and abdomen, quite lucky to get it checked out quickly. sites included directly opposite call from the club asking if we could cajoling others to see the benefit of but had no idea why. I noticed a lump on “Check’Em, Lads” now have a small army Shearer’s Bar; to the west of the meet again. They acknowledged what we were trying to do my right testicle whilst in the shower after a of helpers who are all unpaid survivors Strawberry Pub and Sir John Hall’s that they had been wrong to object Ok; so they’re not some antique knock on holiday. I was worried, but thought and we all really enjoy what we do with preferred choice opposite Shark Bar in the first instance and stated that set from 1892, but they are the gates ‘It’ll be nowt”. I went to the doctors when checkemlads.com charity. I’m running a at the end of St James’ Boulevard. they backed the idea, wanted the that stood as an imposing entrance I arrived home and was sent for scans and campaign in Tyneside called ‘Howay the The only issue encountered was who Gates up and were willing to pay for on Barrack Rd at a time when the after a 3 week wait was told I had testicular Nads’ going into colleges, football teams, owned the land in those locations installation. Naturally we were scep- word entertainers and football went cancer after having my right ball removed. workplaces, etc with the intention of getting and land searches conducted by tical, but we nevertheless met and together like bread and jam. But the The cancer had spread a small amount men between the ages of 15 and 40 to check the planning team determined that accepted the offer. Our objective had re installation shows that sometimes outside of the testicle and I would require themselves once per month after taking a permission would be needed on always simply been to see the name as fans we don’t simply have to chemotherapy to kill it. I was pretty scared. bath or shower. It takes 2 minutes. If you’re virtually all counts from Newcastle St James’ Park returned to NE1 in accept every decision that is made The World I knew had been flipped upside worried about anything then seek advice United’s owner! perpetuity and to that end it looked for the “good of the club”. Sometimes down and I didn’t know anybody else who from your GP, or if you’re going through It took a while but eventually Sir like we had met our objective. The we can make a difference, fight for had cancer at my age, 27. chemotherapy then you can contact me for John was able to take these matters financial burden had been removed, what we believe and get things done; Whilst going through cancer I felt slightly advice (@2NarMe, @HowayTheNads). I know up directly with the club but to say the legal liability was no longer in have a voice, change opinion and alone. I was angry about not being told what it’s really like to go through it and come that the response was not positive our hands and the refurbishment and find those willing to listen and take to check my testicles and also the lack of out of the other side. would be an understatement. That installation was now the responsibili- action. support for young men. This has the highest We all have normal day jobs but all make avenue seemed closed so we plodded ty of the club. cancer rate amongst 15-40 year olds and time for such things as awareness talks in on with the Council and members of On the 14th of June the Gates were A big thanks to Malcolm Dix, John nobody ever told me what to check for and schools and work places, offering telephone the Magpie Group seeking solutions uplifted. The club stated they would Waugh, Peter Ratcliffe, Sir John what to do if I find something. I really just support, awareness through social media and and resolution. Graeme Cansdale be located on Barrack Rd before the Hall and the Magpie group; to Lee wanted advice and to talk to someone who the internet, visiting hospitals to offer help did excellent work helping to put to- West Ham game and a small plaque Marshall, John Irving and Wendy had actually been through it. That’s when I and advice to men and their families going gether a very reasonable quote from will go on the wall adjacent to the Taylor from the club for listening; stumbled across Phil Morris on twitter, who through this illness. a local company; supporters willing gates acknowledging their presence. Geoff Oa Brien who as Lord Mayor runs “Check’Em, Lads” charity which raises I don’t want anybody to have to be as to uplift and refurbish the gates at No names; no political statements provided so much assistance and awareness and offers support to those going confused as I was and unsure of what to cost price and advise on all aspects just a simple acknowledgment of the to Stephen Savage from the City through cancer and post chemo support, as check for and what happens when having of their re-siting. We made it our aim importance of St James’ Park to the Council; Jane Brown and Davey well. scans, blood-tests, chemo and injection’s. that these Gates would be erected fans, club and city. Brown (not related) from the bSt I underwent chemotherapy treatment We should all be checking ourselves every with or without the club’s backing. They are not Wonga’s Gates; there Jamesa Park Always was Always lasting 3 months, at 27 years old, and I’ve month. Go on, what are you waiting for? Your The turning points came however were no thirty pieces of silver Will Bea Facebook group for fight- when Lee Marshall was appointed involved. Their return is entirely due ing the name change; to those who now been in remission for 7 months. It was a life, in your hands. tough time, but I got through it with the help Fans Liaison Officer and we met with to fans determination that the right have supported and follow Nufc of the wonderful NHS and my family. I was Advice available at www.checkemlads.com Jon Irving, the club’s Finance Direc- thing is seen to be done concerning a fans Utd and to Graeme Cansdale still angry though. Why is this not talked or speak to [email protected] tor. This provided us an opportunity crass and poorly thought out decision and Steve Wraith; good and hon- about more amongst men? What; because or tweet me @2NarMe or @HowayTheNads to pitch our case directly to the club. to erase the name St James’ Park. ourable supporters who only want We left that meeting in a positive Hopefully, now that the true story is the best and whose drive helped frame of mind and the club subse- out there, the critics will see that this see this through.

FROM... result we were invited to 27 submit more substantive plans for consideration. The momentum was now there and 28 the desire to do something was grow- 29 ing by the day. Budget constraints HOWAY meant the council would not be able to provide financial support but that did not deter anyone. Indeed, it sim- ply focused those now involved, with Steve Wraith and Graeme Cansdale offering to provide financial support should it be needed. The proposition was to erect the THE%NADS gates on Strawberry Place; presenting them as a focal feature within the footprint of a proposed “St James’ Town”; becoming part of the city WORDS//ANDY MCPHERSON heritage trail and close enough to Former Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall, stands with one of the the ground to cause maximum wind former gates from St. Jamesa Park It was the end of the 2011/2012 season we’re embarrassed? Possibly. If you check up. Yes, we wanted to get under the quently removed their objections was played out not for the benefit of and we’d been battered at Goodison once a month clubs skin; wanted the St James’ Park although as yet, no tacit approval the club, sponsors or those with an Park by a hugely over-respected Everton and seek advice if you find something name back up and prominent and I was forthcoming. ego or agenda. It was done to bring side, but never mind I was off to Spain you’re worried about then the survival remember a un-seasonally hot March Then came the breakthrough; Won- back a symbol of the heritage that on holiday and United were off on our rates are over 95%. There’s no need to die day as we accompanied Stephen ga were announced as club sponsors the name St James’ Park holds for European tour. of embarrassment. Testicular Cancer has Savage from the city council on a and the St James’ Park name was our club and city. Almost 2 years of Before arriving in Spain I noticed I had a amongst the highest survival rates. I was survey of various locations. Possible reinstated. There then followed a planning and scheming; coaxing and dull ache in my lower back and abdomen, quite lucky to get it checked out quickly. sites included directly opposite call from the club asking if we could cajoling others to see the benefit of but had no idea why. I noticed a lump on “Check’Em, Lads” now have a small army Shearer’s Bar; to the west of the meet again. They acknowledged what we were trying to do my right testicle whilst in the shower after a of helpers who are all unpaid survivors Strawberry Pub and Sir John Hall’s that they had been wrong to object Ok; so they’re not some antique knock on holiday. I was worried, but thought and we all really enjoy what we do with preferred choice opposite Shark Bar in the first instance and stated that set from 1892, but they are the gates ‘It’ll be nowt”. I went to the doctors when checkemlads.com charity. I’m running a at the end of St James’ Boulevard. they backed the idea, wanted the that stood as an imposing entrance I arrived home and was sent for scans and campaign in Tyneside called ‘Howay the The only issue encountered was who Gates up and were willing to pay for on Barrack Rd at a time when the after a 3 week wait was told I had testicular Nads’ going into colleges, football teams, owned the land in those locations installation. Naturally we were scep- word entertainers and football went cancer after having my right ball removed. workplaces, etc with the intention of getting and land searches conducted by tical, but we nevertheless met and together like bread and jam. But the The cancer had spread a small amount men between the ages of 15 and 40 to check the planning team determined that accepted the offer. Our objective had re installation shows that sometimes outside of the testicle and I would require themselves once per month after taking a permission would be needed on always simply been to see the name as fans we don’t simply have to chemotherapy to kill it. I was pretty scared. bath or shower. It takes 2 minutes. If you’re virtually all counts from Newcastle St James’ Park returned to NE1 in accept every decision that is made The World I knew had been flipped upside worried about anything then seek advice United’s owner! perpetuity and to that end it looked for the “good of the club”. Sometimes down and I didn’t know anybody else who from your GP, or if you’re going through It took a while but eventually Sir like we had met our objective. The we can make a difference, fight for had cancer at my age, 27. chemotherapy then you can contact me for John was able to take these matters financial burden had been removed, what we believe and get things done; Whilst going through cancer I felt slightly advice (@2NarMe, @HowayTheNads). I know up directly with the club but to say the legal liability was no longer in have a voice, change opinion and alone. I was angry about not being told what it’s really like to go through it and come that the response was not positive our hands and the refurbishment and find those willing to listen and take to check my testicles and also the lack of out of the other side. would be an understatement. That installation was now the responsibili- action. support for young men. This has the highest We all have normal day jobs but all make avenue seemed closed so we plodded ty of the club. cancer rate amongst 15-40 year olds and time for such things as awareness talks in on with the Council and members of On the 14th of June the Gates were A big thanks to Malcolm Dix, John nobody ever told me what to check for and schools and work places, offering telephone the Magpie Group seeking solutions uplifted. The club stated they would Waugh, Peter Ratcliffe, Sir John what to do if I find something. I really just support, awareness through social media and and resolution. Graeme Cansdale be located on Barrack Rd before the Hall and the Magpie group; to Lee wanted advice and to talk to someone who the internet, visiting hospitals to offer help did excellent work helping to put to- West Ham game and a small plaque Marshall, John Irving and Wendy had actually been through it. That’s when I and advice to men and their families going gether a very reasonable quote from will go on the wall adjacent to the Taylor from the club for listening; stumbled across Phil Morris on twitter, who through this illness. a local company; supporters willing gates acknowledging their presence. Geoff Oa Brien who as Lord Mayor runs “Check’Em, Lads” charity which raises I don’t want anybody to have to be as to uplift and refurbish the gates at No names; no political statements provided so much assistance and awareness and offers support to those going confused as I was and unsure of what to cost price and advise on all aspects just a simple acknowledgment of the to Stephen Savage from the City through cancer and post chemo support, as check for and what happens when having of their re-siting. We made it our aim importance of St James’ Park to the Council; Jane Brown and Davey well. scans, blood-tests, chemo and injection’s. that these Gates would be erected fans, club and city. Brown (not related) from the bSt I underwent chemotherapy treatment We should all be checking ourselves every with or without the club’s backing. They are not Wonga’s Gates; there Jamesa Park Always was Always lasting 3 months, at 27 years old, and I’ve month. Go on, what are you waiting for? Your The turning points came however were no thirty pieces of silver Will Bea Facebook group for fight- when Lee Marshall was appointed involved. Their return is entirely due ing the name change; to those who now been in remission for 7 months. It was a life, in your hands. tough time, but I got through it with the help Fans Liaison Officer and we met with to fans determination that the right have supported and follow Nufc of the wonderful NHS and my family. I was Advice available at www.checkemlads.com Jon Irving, the club’s Finance Direc- thing is seen to be done concerning a fans Utd and to Graeme Cansdale still angry though. Why is this not talked or speak to [email protected] tor. This provided us an opportunity crass and poorly thought out decision and Steve Wraith; good and hon- about more amongst men? What; because or tweet me @2NarMe or @HowayTheNads to pitch our case directly to the club. to erase the name St James’ Park. ourable supporters who only want We left that meeting in a positive Hopefully, now that the true story is the best and whose drive helped frame of mind and the club subse- out there, the critics will see that this see this through.

THE LITTLE 30 JOE ALLON DEJA%VU? 31 COLUMN WORDS//@LITTLEJOEALLON Well, well, well, where do I start about NUFC? I hate the cheesy chip eating scum ha ha. Who is Joe DEJA%VU? Although I enjoyed most of last season my dad will Kinnear? My dad tried to tell me but I still don’t know disagree (I’m not allowed to say what he thought ha who he is? He’s just a joker and a liar as far as I can see. ha). My favourites were the Chelsea game at home, I thought the whole Yohan Kebabs thing was funny. Let’s WORDS//DAVEY BROWN as well as Southampton at home. Though I’ve never see if he can get us the strikers we need, which I doubt been more upset than getting beat off the unwashed but ya never know. He reckons he’s the dog’s bollocks I Deja vu? Well, although the lack just couldn’t get him over the line’, the appointment of Kinnear. Why? 3-0 at home in my first ever derby day, think I bet he was Kate Middleton’s midwife. Sure I’ve seen him of transfer activitiy at St James’ ‘There wasn’t enough time’, etc, etc. Maybe he was keeping a dignified carried my dad home that day. there on the telly. As for Mick Harford, Park is very similar to last year, If they’re not going to buy anyone, silence? That would be admirable if As for transfers I thought the players we got in January I don’t think my dad was born when he played for the it is actually much worse and at least spare us the indignity of the it was the case as the vast majority should have been bought earlier in the summer, all those Toon, so glad he knocked us back. Let’s hope these clowns more worrying this time around post - transfer window patronising of people would lose it if an idiot European games and injuries took its toll on a thin squad get us the players we need to have a good season and because we now have a true and the insults to our intelligence. like Kinnear came in and instantly even more so when we sold Ba, which upset me a bit as fingers crossed. clown to complete the circus. We wouldn’t want anyone becoming undermined their job. Or maybe he was my favourite player at the time. Then fatty came I just want to thank Steve Wraith for letting me do this Joan, I mean Joe, Kinnear, could cynical and thinking Mike Ashley he had his orders to keep his own up trumps in January with the players to just get us over and wish Pardew and the players all the best for the new cause trouble in an empty house and gets his kicks out of winding us up counsel? Either way, it added fuel the line. season, I can’t wait .You can also catch me in the NO9 his radio interview defied belief. One now would we? to an already wild fire in the form Let’s get started on Cisse. What’s he bloody playing at? before every home game and follow me on twitter @ of his first acts was to stop the well Which brings me to Alan Pardew. of frenzied speculation regarding I’m not happy about Wonga, but if I earned as much as littlejoeallon, thanks Little Joe Allon. advanced transfer of international The purveyor of many a statement Pardew’s job. The most popular, yet him a week I would wear a mackem top. Even though TOON TOON FTM defender Douglas who we were akin to the aforementioned tried most feared opinion/theory, is that about to get for nowt. No, I can’t and tested excuses. And despite Kinnear is hovering like a starving figure that one out either! Especially being a man who likes to have his vulture waiting for Pardew to jump when a free transfer is right up say, his silence was deafening after or even be pushed. Time will tell. Cisse finally Ashley’s street and the club spent a Pardew has often been labelled a pulled on a lot of time and money tracking and puppet with Mike Ashley pulling his Wonga shirt monitoring this player. Then Kinnear strings. He tells us he is very much shoots off on holiday after telling the his own man but he’s never sounded world we’d have a new striker in by convincing. Some of his comments Friday. That was Friday, July 12th. sound like he’s reading from the I am writing this on Monday, July Mike Ashley handbook and some are 29th, but there’s still no sign of that just bizarre. At the end of last season striker. Maybe Joe lost him on his he rambled on about ‘big offers’, way through customs or the player ‘hard to turn down’ and other thinly is on the luggage carousel waiting to veiled invites to the likes of PSG to be claimed? get their wallets opened. ‘This is a At the time of writing, the failure/ big season for Adam Campbell’ refusal to bring in much - needed was another. Was that said in reinforcements to the playing staff case we don’t get a new striker has alarm bells ringing in many a in or because we’re NOT fan’s ears. Rumours persist about getting a new striker in? Ashley and the now departed For someone who claims Llambias claiming that the to be his own man, he players they bought in January doesn’t do himself any were in fact the Summer favours with CONTINUED signings brought forward. I’ll statements like tell wor lass that the shoes I these. I was 32 bought her in May were actually her Christmas present. I’d deserve DOUGLAS - FC TWENTE a slap for that. And so do these fools for thinking they can palm us off with any old shite as and when it suits them. The St James’ Park’ FREE transfer window script is now very boring and predictable.’We tried but %TWITTER//@LITTLEJOEALLON

THE LITTLE 30 JOE ALLON DEJA%VU? 31 COLUMN WORDS//@LITTLEJOEALLON Well, well, well, where do I start about NUFC? I hate the cheesy chip eating scum ha ha. Who is Joe DEJA%VU? Although I enjoyed most of last season my dad will Kinnear? My dad tried to tell me but I still don’t know disagree (I’m not allowed to say what he thought ha who he is? He’s just a joker and a liar as far as I can see. ha). My favourites were the Chelsea game at home, I thought the whole Yohan Kebabs thing was funny. Let’s WORDS//DAVEY BROWN as well as Southampton at home. Though I’ve never see if he can get us the strikers we need, which I doubt been more upset than getting beat off the unwashed but ya never know. He reckons he’s the dog’s bollocks I Deja vu? Well, although the lack just couldn’t get him over the line’, the appointment of Kinnear. Why? 3-0 at home in my first ever derby day, think I bet he was Kate Middleton’s midwife. Sure I’ve seen him of transfer activitiy at St James’ ‘There wasn’t enough time’, etc, etc. Maybe he was keeping a dignified carried my dad home that day. there on the telly. As for Mick Harford, Park is very similar to last year, If they’re not going to buy anyone, silence? That would be admirable if As for transfers I thought the players we got in January I don’t think my dad was born when he played for the it is actually much worse and at least spare us the indignity of the it was the case as the vast majority should have been bought earlier in the summer, all those Toon, so glad he knocked us back. Let’s hope these clowns more worrying this time around post - transfer window patronising of people would lose it if an idiot European games and injuries took its toll on a thin squad get us the players we need to have a good season and because we now have a true and the insults to our intelligence. like Kinnear came in and instantly even more so when we sold Ba, which upset me a bit as fingers crossed. clown to complete the circus. We wouldn’t want anyone becoming undermined their job. Or maybe he was my favourite player at the time. Then fatty came I just want to thank Steve Wraith for letting me do this Joan, I mean Joe, Kinnear, could cynical and thinking Mike Ashley he had his orders to keep his own up trumps in January with the players to just get us over and wish Pardew and the players all the best for the new cause trouble in an empty house and gets his kicks out of winding us up counsel? Either way, it added fuel the line. season, I can’t wait .You can also catch me in the NO9 his radio interview defied belief. One now would we? to an already wild fire in the form Let’s get started on Cisse. What’s he bloody playing at? before every home game and follow me on twitter @ of his first acts was to stop the well Which brings me to Alan Pardew. of frenzied speculation regarding I’m not happy about Wonga, but if I earned as much as littlejoeallon, thanks Little Joe Allon. advanced transfer of international The purveyor of many a statement Pardew’s job. The most popular, yet him a week I would wear a mackem top. Even though TOON TOON FTM defender Douglas who we were akin to the aforementioned tried most feared opinion/theory, is that about to get for nowt. No, I can’t and tested excuses. And despite Kinnear is hovering like a starving figure that one out either! Especially being a man who likes to have his vulture waiting for Pardew to jump when a free transfer is right up say, his silence was deafening after or even be pushed. Time will tell. Cisse finally Ashley’s street and the club spent a Pardew has often been labelled a pulled on a lot of time and money tracking and puppet with Mike Ashley pulling his Wonga shirt monitoring this player. Then Kinnear strings. He tells us he is very much shoots off on holiday after telling the his own man but he’s never sounded world we’d have a new striker in by convincing. Some of his comments Friday. That was Friday, July 12th. sound like he’s reading from the I am writing this on Monday, July Mike Ashley handbook and some are 29th, but there’s still no sign of that just bizarre. At the end of last season striker. Maybe Joe lost him on his he rambled on about ‘big offers’, way through customs or the player ‘hard to turn down’ and other thinly is on the luggage carousel waiting to veiled invites to the likes of PSG to be claimed? get their wallets opened. ‘This is a At the time of writing, the failure/ big season for Adam Campbell’ refusal to bring in much - needed was another. Was that said in reinforcements to the playing staff case we don’t get a new striker has alarm bells ringing in many a in or because we’re NOT fan’s ears. Rumours persist about getting a new striker in? Ashley and the now departed For someone who claims Llambias claiming that the to be his own man, he players they bought in January doesn’t do himself any were in fact the Summer favours with CONTINUED signings brought forward. I’ll statements like tell wor lass that the shoes I these. I was 32 bought her in May were actually her Christmas present. I’d deserve DOUGLAS - FC TWENTE a slap for that. And so do these fools for thinking they can palm us off with any old shite as and when it suits them. The St James’ Park’ FREE transfer window script is now very boring and predictable.’We tried but %TWITTER//@LITTLEJOEALLON

FROM... one of many who wanted France. I presume the players were land in his lap should do the trick. 31 Pardew out at the end of moonlighting as hod carriers or doing IF he was that good a businessman, he would invest that money in the 12 hour shifts down the pits as soon last season. I thought he ran out of ideas around December as they landed back in Newcastle. team and through the subsequent MIKE ASHLEY OUT! 32 and it went downhill from there. Why strive all season to qualify for improvement in league placings, a 33 His tactics are one - dimensional Europe then spend the following potential return to Europe and even, and opposition teams sussed us season whinging about it once you’re dare I say it, winning a trophy, he out very quickly. Some of his team there?! would reap the rewards in many JOIN US NOW//WINSTON SMITH selections and substitutions were So, if the end of season reports are ways. But Mike Ashley doesn’t work The fury that erupted after that is now without doubt a one way Bar, thereby directly feeding the bizarre. Yes we had a lot of injuries to be believed, Pardew escaped the that way. He’s a corporate locust. He the appointment of JFK which ticket to Palookaville. If we remain corporate monster who had caused but when we had a full, or almost sack by the skin of his teeth with will land somewhere, feed off it until led to the resignation of Derek a so-called ‘big club’, then we must all the trouble. Don’t let anyone tell full, squad to choose from, we still Ashley seemingly raging at the poor he’s had his fill, then move onto the Llambazee and culminated in the be the smallest minded big club in you otherwise, what is now NINE and just went through the motions. 4-3-3 season we had. Nowt to do with the next cash cow. He likes the quick FansUtd meeting at the Labour the world. At the time of writing, the Terrace Bar are NOT franchised was a very effective formation yet lack of investment last Summer, profit scenario. He likes to make a Club at the end of June really Swansea having captured their out, they are Ashley’s outright. Pardew stopped using it. Why? When eh Porky? Why give a manager an killing in an instant. could prove to be a watershed first major trophy last season, are The MAOC has since it’s inception you have players like Ben Arfa and eight year contract if you’re not Part of me feels sorry for Pardew, moment in the modern history busy speculating to build on their existed as a pressure group to ‘out’ Cabaye at your disposal, you make going to back him properly? My especially now Kinnear is here, but of NUFC. success, whilst other footballing the Ashley lies and has the absolute good use of it! While Gutierrez will main problem with Pardew, apart a bigger part of me feels he is part of After the Trust released a statement giants, Cardiff, Southampton, Palace conviction that for the club to have graft, etc, it’s hard to see what his from his weird tactics, etc, is the the ‘Cockney mafia’ thing and that which was so toothless and banal and yes, even little old Sunderland any chance of fulfilling it’s potential, actual role in the team is. And how fact that he does nothing to even is why he doesn’t put up much of it didn’t receive coverage, for are spending. Meanwhile at NE1, the t-shirt salesman and child labour Obertan even gets a shirt defies attempt to shake off the ‘puppet’ tag. a fight against Ashley’s ridiculous the first time in nearly 5 years a our beleagured Patsy of a manager exploiter has to go. We will continue belief! He has got to be the one of Fair enough, Ashley owns the club ways. Until he does, he’ll always non-affiliated open meeting was is repeating last summer’s excuses to do our thing but it seems others the worst players I have ever seen. and what he says goes, but you’d be labelled a puppet. The player he called for fans to have their chance whilst waiting for his boss/equal / are now willing to come forward and He’s bone idle and his body language like to hear of Pardew braying on has made the most noise about is to question club officials on the replacement in waiting(?) to return say ‘enough is enough’. We hope we while he’s on the pitch suggests he his boss’s door demanding proper Darren Bent. Despite the ‘interest’ direction the club is being led. Our from a well earned and immaculately can continue to grow and form some is arrogant with an attitude problem. investment in the team. You’d expect in Gomis, Remy, Bony, Aubameyang little organisation caused a bit of a timed holiday. kind of united front against Ashley’s When he ‘played’ at Brighton in the him to realise that we’re sick of all and whoever else we’ve been linked stir for having the temerity to say Now that it is starting to dawn on the abuse of power. cup, he was a disgrace. I don’t think that ‘couldn’t get him over the line’ with, Pardew’s main interest lies in what most neutral observers/fans dullards that the ‘five year plan’ was Wendy Taylor and Lee Marshall - the he actually moved for the first 20 bollocks and change the record to a player who couldn’t get a game of other clubs have known for a no more than an ad hoc ‘fly by the nice faces of the regime ( were they minutes apart from a couple of 5 something at least resembling the for an awful Villa team. Villa are considerable time. seat of your pants’ jape, orchestrated Grattan catalogue models?)- have a yard jogs to make himself look ‘busy’. sound of discontent at the greedy trying to claw back as much money But let’s make this clear, the MAOC by the deadly duo of Mike and Del, list of questions as long as a Liam But Pardew obviously has a soft spot owner who is blatantly using him as as possible on Bent with £5-6million did not hijack the meet; the tone was we would like to offer you a crumb of O’Brien arm from the meeting. But for him as he keeps picking him. a fall guy. In other words: man up! being the ballpark figure mentioned, set by an open mike session whereby comfort. Amidst all the furore about don’t expect many answers back That cup game at Brighton was one With the new TV deal in place, yet we offered £2million for him! countless fans got up to describe the brain addled ramblings of JFK, from them; they are PR spin doctors of the major contributory factors in Mike Ashley stands to score for a With all that extra TV money sitting their feelings of alienation and utter see that the deadly duo are no more. and it isn’t even clear who their me saying ‘enough is enough’ with reported £60million. This is in effect there, this is more proof that Ashley despair at how the club treats them Llambazee is gone. Rejoice! immediate boss is now! So much for Pardew. It was embarrasing and FREE money. He hasn’t earned it. & Co are taking the piss. We haggle whilst continuing to follow a road This may well be the first chink in ‘lines of communication’ eh? an insult to the fans who traveled He didn’t have to sell anything to over players like tourists in a tacky the armour of the Ashley regime The only disappointment about the to the opposite end of the country. generate this money. It will be given Morrocan market. Ashley won’t and a major error on MA’s part. We public meeting was the absence The team and tactics that day were to him as his share of the new deal. budge on what he wants to pay. may never find out what exactly of certain groups and individuals - chosen to get us knocked out of Add in the £4.3million NUFC made Football isn’t like that and there happened behind the scenes which never shy behind the keyboard to the cup. I don’t care how many from the EuropaW League games has to be some flexibility, especially led to Delboy’s departure, but the voice an opinion- who just didn’t injuries there were, how small our and that is a tidy sum. I can’t wait to if you really want a player that much. right hand man - Smeagol with a bother to turn up to even observe squad was and how many games hear where this money is going! New I’m not saying spend silly money on hatchet - has gone and it is quite proceedings. A great shame really, we had to play, when a team steps bulbs for the floodlights? New paint every transfer target. Just have the clear it was not amicable. but commercial interests may have out onto that pitch, they play to win! to mark the training pitches bought sense to realise that sometimes you We detect an air of rebellion taken precedence; not the first time, Anything less is not acceptable. with the Andy Carroll money? A new might need to go a little further to amongst other NUFC fans’ groups or we suspect the last time, that We did well in Europe but in the office for our Director Of Football? get something you want. If a player and the willingness to at least “do they will have missed the boat on end, it just wasn’t meant to be. The Maybe a rail season ticket would wants a bit more in wages give him something” to show the owner gauging the mood of the ‘grassroots’ Europa League adventure provided be a good investment for London it if it means we get quality in. that his mismanagement cannot Newcastle fans (their purported Pardew with something he seemed - based Kinnear. If anyone Newcastle United can afford it. continue without some reaction. readership!). to enjoy throughout the season: the who backs Ashley with the What else would the club do with It may not be an uprising on the Anyway, this brings us nicely to the opportunity to roll out more excuses. ‘but he’s got the club in a great that extra bit of money a player scale of the ‘Arab Spring’ as yet- point. If you want to ‘do something’ I just don’t accept tiredness as an financial position’ garbage might have wanted? but maybe it could develop into a don’t look to people who sell excuse for professional footballers. wanted proof that this man is Well Joe Kinnear has ‘Geordie Summer’? One thing that magazines and run websites. Just They are athletes in prime physical only here to line his allegedly been paid every fan could and should do, do ‘it’ yourself! Don’t tell us nothing condition and 3 games in 7 - 8 days pockets, the refusal £20,000 per week is totally boycott the relaunched can be done, it can. Just watch the is hardly a triathlon! We were told to spend this vast since he was and hopelessly renamed NINE bar. news if you don’t believe us. Don’t the ‘long journeys’ took their toll. amount of FREE manager. That money We hope never to see again the tell us no one is in the market to buy Long journeys? The team flew in money which could have been depressing scenes of 2008 when football clubs - Fulham has just been a chartered luxury jet but Pardew is about to paid to a top player protesting fans were moaning about sold in the time it has taken to write made it sound like they had to rather than one of the treatment of KK whilst sipping this article! If the team struggles hitch - hike back from these far Canat even afford £5-6m Ashley’s pals. Think overpriced Australian lager next year, don’t blame us; just look flung places such as Belgium and for Darren Bent? about it: Kinnear outside Shearer’s at the one man who has had us on

FROM... one of many who wanted France. I presume the players were land in his lap should do the trick. 31 Pardew out at the end of moonlighting as hod carriers or doing IF he was that good a businessman, he would invest that money in the 12 hour shifts down the pits as soon last season. I thought he ran out of ideas around December as they landed back in Newcastle. team and through the subsequent MIKE ASHLEY OUT! 32 and it went downhill from there. Why strive all season to qualify for improvement in league placings, a 33 His tactics are one - dimensional Europe then spend the following potential return to Europe and even, and opposition teams sussed us season whinging about it once you’re dare I say it, winning a trophy, he out very quickly. Some of his team there?! would reap the rewards in many JOIN US NOW//WINSTON SMITH selections and substitutions were So, if the end of season reports are ways. But Mike Ashley doesn’t work The fury that erupted after that is now without doubt a one way Bar, thereby directly feeding the bizarre. Yes we had a lot of injuries to be believed, Pardew escaped the that way. He’s a corporate locust. He the appointment of JFK which ticket to Palookaville. If we remain corporate monster who had caused but when we had a full, or almost sack by the skin of his teeth with will land somewhere, feed off it until led to the resignation of Derek a so-called ‘big club’, then we must all the trouble. Don’t let anyone tell full, squad to choose from, we still Ashley seemingly raging at the poor he’s had his fill, then move onto the Llambazee and culminated in the be the smallest minded big club in you otherwise, what is now NINE and just went through the motions. 4-3-3 season we had. Nowt to do with the next cash cow. He likes the quick FansUtd meeting at the Labour the world. At the time of writing, the Terrace Bar are NOT franchised was a very effective formation yet lack of investment last Summer, profit scenario. He likes to make a Club at the end of June really Swansea having captured their out, they are Ashley’s outright. Pardew stopped using it. Why? When eh Porky? Why give a manager an killing in an instant. could prove to be a watershed first major trophy last season, are The MAOC has since it’s inception you have players like Ben Arfa and eight year contract if you’re not Part of me feels sorry for Pardew, moment in the modern history busy speculating to build on their existed as a pressure group to ‘out’ Cabaye at your disposal, you make going to back him properly? My especially now Kinnear is here, but of NUFC. success, whilst other footballing the Ashley lies and has the absolute good use of it! While Gutierrez will main problem with Pardew, apart a bigger part of me feels he is part of After the Trust released a statement giants, Cardiff, Southampton, Palace conviction that for the club to have graft, etc, it’s hard to see what his from his weird tactics, etc, is the the ‘Cockney mafia’ thing and that which was so toothless and banal and yes, even little old Sunderland any chance of fulfilling it’s potential, actual role in the team is. And how fact that he does nothing to even is why he doesn’t put up much of it didn’t receive coverage, for are spending. Meanwhile at NE1, the t-shirt salesman and child labour Obertan even gets a shirt defies attempt to shake off the ‘puppet’ tag. a fight against Ashley’s ridiculous the first time in nearly 5 years a our beleagured Patsy of a manager exploiter has to go. We will continue belief! He has got to be the one of Fair enough, Ashley owns the club ways. Until he does, he’ll always non-affiliated open meeting was is repeating last summer’s excuses to do our thing but it seems others the worst players I have ever seen. and what he says goes, but you’d be labelled a puppet. The player he called for fans to have their chance whilst waiting for his boss/equal / are now willing to come forward and He’s bone idle and his body language like to hear of Pardew braying on has made the most noise about is to question club officials on the replacement in waiting(?) to return say ‘enough is enough’. We hope we while he’s on the pitch suggests he his boss’s door demanding proper Darren Bent. Despite the ‘interest’ direction the club is being led. Our from a well earned and immaculately can continue to grow and form some is arrogant with an attitude problem. investment in the team. You’d expect in Gomis, Remy, Bony, Aubameyang little organisation caused a bit of a timed holiday. kind of united front against Ashley’s When he ‘played’ at Brighton in the him to realise that we’re sick of all and whoever else we’ve been linked stir for having the temerity to say Now that it is starting to dawn on the abuse of power. cup, he was a disgrace. I don’t think that ‘couldn’t get him over the line’ with, Pardew’s main interest lies in what most neutral observers/fans dullards that the ‘five year plan’ was Wendy Taylor and Lee Marshall - the he actually moved for the first 20 bollocks and change the record to a player who couldn’t get a game of other clubs have known for a no more than an ad hoc ‘fly by the nice faces of the regime ( were they minutes apart from a couple of 5 something at least resembling the for an awful Villa team. Villa are considerable time. seat of your pants’ jape, orchestrated Grattan catalogue models?)- have a yard jogs to make himself look ‘busy’. sound of discontent at the greedy trying to claw back as much money But let’s make this clear, the MAOC by the deadly duo of Mike and Del, list of questions as long as a Liam But Pardew obviously has a soft spot owner who is blatantly using him as as possible on Bent with £5-6million did not hijack the meet; the tone was we would like to offer you a crumb of O’Brien arm from the meeting. But for him as he keeps picking him. a fall guy. In other words: man up! being the ballpark figure mentioned, set by an open mike session whereby comfort. Amidst all the furore about don’t expect many answers back That cup game at Brighton was one With the new TV deal in place, yet we offered £2million for him! countless fans got up to describe the brain addled ramblings of JFK, from them; they are PR spin doctors of the major contributory factors in Mike Ashley stands to score for a With all that extra TV money sitting their feelings of alienation and utter see that the deadly duo are no more. and it isn’t even clear who their me saying ‘enough is enough’ with reported £60million. This is in effect there, this is more proof that Ashley despair at how the club treats them Llambazee is gone. Rejoice! immediate boss is now! So much for Pardew. It was embarrasing and FREE money. He hasn’t earned it. & Co are taking the piss. We haggle whilst continuing to follow a road This may well be the first chink in ‘lines of communication’ eh? an insult to the fans who traveled He didn’t have to sell anything to over players like tourists in a tacky the armour of the Ashley regime The only disappointment about the to the opposite end of the country. generate this money. It will be given Morrocan market. Ashley won’t and a major error on MA’s part. We public meeting was the absence The team and tactics that day were to him as his share of the new deal. budge on what he wants to pay. may never find out what exactly of certain groups and individuals - chosen to get us knocked out of Add in the £4.3million NUFC made Football isn’t like that and there happened behind the scenes which never shy behind the keyboard to the cup. I don’t care how many from the EuropaW League games has to be some flexibility, especially led to Delboy’s departure, but the voice an opinion- who just didn’t injuries there were, how small our and that is a tidy sum. I can’t wait to if you really want a player that much. right hand man - Smeagol with a bother to turn up to even observe squad was and how many games hear where this money is going! New I’m not saying spend silly money on hatchet - has gone and it is quite proceedings. A great shame really, we had to play, when a team steps bulbs for the floodlights? New paint every transfer target. Just have the clear it was not amicable. but commercial interests may have out onto that pitch, they play to win! to mark the training pitches bought sense to realise that sometimes you We detect an air of rebellion taken precedence; not the first time, Anything less is not acceptable. with the Andy Carroll money? A new might need to go a little further to amongst other NUFC fans’ groups or we suspect the last time, that We did well in Europe but in the office for our Director Of Football? get something you want. If a player and the willingness to at least “do they will have missed the boat on end, it just wasn’t meant to be. The Maybe a rail season ticket would wants a bit more in wages give him something” to show the owner gauging the mood of the ‘grassroots’ Europa League adventure provided be a good investment for London it if it means we get quality in. that his mismanagement cannot Newcastle fans (their purported Pardew with something he seemed - based Kinnear. If anyone Newcastle United can afford it. continue without some reaction. readership!). to enjoy throughout the season: the who backs Ashley with the What else would the club do with It may not be an uprising on the Anyway, this brings us nicely to the opportunity to roll out more excuses. ‘but he’s got the club in a great that extra bit of money a player scale of the ‘Arab Spring’ as yet- point. If you want to ‘do something’ I just don’t accept tiredness as an financial position’ garbage might have wanted? but maybe it could develop into a don’t look to people who sell excuse for professional footballers. wanted proof that this man is Well Joe Kinnear has ‘Geordie Summer’? One thing that magazines and run websites. Just They are athletes in prime physical only here to line his allegedly been paid every fan could and should do, do ‘it’ yourself! Don’t tell us nothing condition and 3 games in 7 - 8 days pockets, the refusal £20,000 per week is totally boycott the relaunched can be done, it can. Just watch the is hardly a triathlon! We were told to spend this vast since he was and hopelessly renamed NINE bar. news if you don’t believe us. Don’t the ‘long journeys’ took their toll. amount of FREE manager. That money We hope never to see again the tell us no one is in the market to buy Long journeys? The team flew in money which could have been depressing scenes of 2008 when football clubs - Fulham has just been a chartered luxury jet but Pardew is about to paid to a top player protesting fans were moaning about sold in the time it has taken to write made it sound like they had to rather than one of the treatment of KK whilst sipping this article! If the team struggles hitch - hike back from these far Canat even afford £5-6m Ashley’s pals. Think overpriced Australian lager next year, don’t blame us; just look flung places such as Belgium and for Darren Bent? about it: Kinnear outside Shearer’s at the one man who has had us on

DIVIDE%AND%%%CONQUER 34 35 WORDS//@LEAZESLAD I’m sick of football, I’m sick of 3. Arsenal £235m sustain the expenditure we had, Newcastle United. I’ve been going 4. Man City £231m but commercially Newcastle WERE to games since 1985. We were no “one of the big boys”, we’re not now great shakes then even, however 5. Liverpool £188m because we’re downgraded, we’re my first game was against 6. Tottenham £144m told to think small, because we are Liverpool and we did actually 7. Newcastle £93m small. We’re not Chelsea, Liverpool, win, but don’t let that fool you, we 8. Everton £80m Man City so pipe down toon fans. were as shite as ever. This message has been drummed in My current mood may be Now this was for the 2011/2012 to Pardew from that fat bastard from attributable to the two most horrific season, in 1998 this was the status his first day on December 8th 2010. home games I’ve ever seen. Two quo (worldwide). He comes out with it at least once a in a row. I’m not saying that to be month. No other club in football has controversial, the last two home 1. Manchester United £87.9m a manager who comes out with this games are the most horrific we’ve 2. Real Madrid £72.2m with such great regularity. Pardew ever seen. I’ve seen us lose 4-1 3. Bayern Munich £65.2m is a mouthpiece for Ashley and if at home to Wolves, I’ve seen us we stay up we’ll have to get used to humbled off Bristol Rovers at St 4. Juventus, Italy £55.3m him because they won’t find a front James’ Park, but the cowardly 5. Newcastle United £49.2m man like him. Newcastle United is a showing and horrendous results 6. Barcelona £48.57m hindrance for Ashley, if he could get against two teams many of us detest 7. AC Milan £48.55m every penny he put in back now with more than any other, are the worst 8. Internazionale £48.2m a little profit, he’d take it. anyone in their 30’s, maybe even mid I’m sick of being told that we can’t 40’s have EVER seen. Startling figures. We all know expect to compete with the “big My feelings about how frustrated Newcastle are a big club, but our 6”. This season has been a disaster I am about football and Newcastle stature as a club in 1998 dictated waiting to happen. If we had Daniel United run far deeper than that that we had income in excess of Levy as chairman I have absolutely though. Don’t get me wrong, I’d Barcelona, a club who could put an no doubt we’d be a far wealthier never stop going, because like many argument up for being the world’s bigger club. others, I’m a mug. When you fall in biggest now. The financial side is killing football love with Newcastle United, it never Seven years ago we were as a whole, and FFP will make leaves you, you take them warts and generating £30m per season more absolutely no difference. Look at all, and the two biggest warts we than Tottenham, now with a stadium Manchester City. Before they were have with any connection to the club attracting 16,000 less every week bought out they were generating are Alan Pardew and Mike Ashley. they generate £51m more than us. the same revenues as Sunderland, So much for fair play! Manchester Cityas Etihad Stadium was sponsored for £400m We’re told with great regularity that now they’re the 7th richest club in profit, than a turnover of £160m with my whole life and never seen that, “we can’t compete with the big boys Absolutely startling figures. The the world. But are they? It appears £0m profit. We’re under valued by all of these reasons are why I’m fact is this Newcastle United made on an even level footing”. Granted more as a business in 2002 than we that they are, but people are already the hierarchy of this club, we’re told utterly fucked off with Newcastle when you look at the turnovers of did in 2012. Manchester United’s finding ways around FFP. Their to think small, expect small, view United. I was when we came 5th, I the clubs in the Premier League, income has trebled in that timeframe. sponsorship with Etihad is worth ourselves as small. It will never hate the fact that they’ve divided and Pardew and “Mike” may have a point. I’m no financial wizard but that is a £400m. Etihad are their owners. ever change as long as Ashley has conquered and people accept that we What I want to know is in simple disgrace. There are lots of people to Chelsea have Abramovic. So fair control of the club. He took over can’t compete. terms, why were we far richer than blame. enough we can’t compete with those the club in 2007 “to have some I hate the fact so called long say Tottenham before Ashley came My feeling is this, Newcastle two clubs, but why can’t we compete fun”, since then we’ve come in the term fans have forgiven him for in, and now they generate far more United commercially are being ran with Tottenham and Liverpool when top 10 once, been patronised with his abhorrent treatment of Kevin than us. we did for years? No one has been alarming regularity, been lied to, Keegan. like Reggie Perrin’s empire. We’re able to give me a proper answer. I will never accept them, if we won cheap and chatty, commercially we Mike Ashley is the scourge of this been ridiculed, been forced to listen the Champions League I wouldn’t to a chirpy southerner coming out 2012%FIGURES are a disaster. He basically has got club, he doesn’t care about where we with remarkably stupid blatant lies accept them, they’re vermin and the a casino manager to run what was without doubt one of the biggest finish as long as we make a profit. like “on me first day ‘ere I put some day he sells up, and takes Llambias clubs in Britain a decade ago. You have idiot Newcastle fans who petrol in me car, and there was a somewhere else they can show “how 1. Man Utd £320m Shepherd got lots of things he has sucked in, who would gladly 50 year old bloke, in full Newcastle narrrsty they can be”, will be one of Pardew continues to tell us hwe 2. Chelsea £261m wrong, we certainly couldn’t have a turnover of £93m with £3m kit including socks”, I’ve lived here great delight for me. canat compete with the big boysi

DIVIDE%AND%%%CONQUER 34 35 WORDS//@LEAZESLAD I’m sick of football, I’m sick of 3. Arsenal £235m sustain the expenditure we had, Newcastle United. I’ve been going 4. Man City £231m but commercially Newcastle WERE to games since 1985. We were no “one of the big boys”, we’re not now great shakes then even, however 5. Liverpool £188m because we’re downgraded, we’re my first game was against 6. Tottenham £144m told to think small, because we are Liverpool and we did actually 7. Newcastle £93m small. We’re not Chelsea, Liverpool, win, but don’t let that fool you, we 8. Everton £80m Man City so pipe down toon fans. were as shite as ever. This message has been drummed in My current mood may be Now this was for the 2011/2012 to Pardew from that fat bastard from attributable to the two most horrific season, in 1998 this was the status his first day on December 8th 2010. home games I’ve ever seen. Two quo (worldwide). He comes out with it at least once a in a row. I’m not saying that to be month. No other club in football has controversial, the last two home 1. Manchester United £87.9m a manager who comes out with this games are the most horrific we’ve 2. Real Madrid £72.2m with such great regularity. Pardew ever seen. I’ve seen us lose 4-1 3. Bayern Munich £65.2m is a mouthpiece for Ashley and if at home to Wolves, I’ve seen us we stay up we’ll have to get used to humbled off Bristol Rovers at St 4. Juventus, Italy £55.3m him because they won’t find a front James’ Park, but the cowardly 5. Newcastle United £49.2m man like him. Newcastle United is a showing and horrendous results 6. Barcelona £48.57m hindrance for Ashley, if he could get against two teams many of us detest 7. AC Milan £48.55m every penny he put in back now with more than any other, are the worst 8. Internazionale £48.2m a little profit, he’d take it. anyone in their 30’s, maybe even mid I’m sick of being told that we can’t 40’s have EVER seen. Startling figures. We all know expect to compete with the “big My feelings about how frustrated Newcastle are a big club, but our 6”. This season has been a disaster I am about football and Newcastle stature as a club in 1998 dictated waiting to happen. If we had Daniel United run far deeper than that that we had income in excess of Levy as chairman I have absolutely though. Don’t get me wrong, I’d Barcelona, a club who could put an no doubt we’d be a far wealthier never stop going, because like many argument up for being the world’s bigger club. others, I’m a mug. When you fall in biggest now. The financial side is killing football love with Newcastle United, it never Seven years ago we were as a whole, and FFP will make leaves you, you take them warts and generating £30m per season more absolutely no difference. Look at all, and the two biggest warts we than Tottenham, now with a stadium Manchester City. Before they were have with any connection to the club attracting 16,000 less every week bought out they were generating are Alan Pardew and Mike Ashley. they generate £51m more than us. the same revenues as Sunderland, So much for fair play! Manchester Cityas Etihad Stadium was sponsored for £400m We’re told with great regularity that now they’re the 7th richest club in profit, than a turnover of £160m with my whole life and never seen that, “we can’t compete with the big boys Absolutely startling figures. The the world. But are they? It appears £0m profit. We’re under valued by all of these reasons are why I’m fact is this Newcastle United made on an even level footing”. Granted more as a business in 2002 than we that they are, but people are already the hierarchy of this club, we’re told utterly fucked off with Newcastle when you look at the turnovers of did in 2012. Manchester United’s finding ways around FFP. Their to think small, expect small, view United. I was when we came 5th, I the clubs in the Premier League, income has trebled in that timeframe. sponsorship with Etihad is worth ourselves as small. It will never hate the fact that they’ve divided and Pardew and “Mike” may have a point. I’m no financial wizard but that is a £400m. Etihad are their owners. ever change as long as Ashley has conquered and people accept that we What I want to know is in simple disgrace. There are lots of people to Chelsea have Abramovic. So fair control of the club. He took over can’t compete. terms, why were we far richer than blame. enough we can’t compete with those the club in 2007 “to have some I hate the fact so called long say Tottenham before Ashley came My feeling is this, Newcastle two clubs, but why can’t we compete fun”, since then we’ve come in the term fans have forgiven him for in, and now they generate far more United commercially are being ran with Tottenham and Liverpool when top 10 once, been patronised with his abhorrent treatment of Kevin than us. we did for years? No one has been alarming regularity, been lied to, Keegan. like Reggie Perrin’s empire. We’re able to give me a proper answer. I will never accept them, if we won cheap and chatty, commercially we Mike Ashley is the scourge of this been ridiculed, been forced to listen the Champions League I wouldn’t to a chirpy southerner coming out 2012%FIGURES are a disaster. He basically has got club, he doesn’t care about where we with remarkably stupid blatant lies accept them, they’re vermin and the a casino manager to run what was without doubt one of the biggest finish as long as we make a profit. like “on me first day ‘ere I put some day he sells up, and takes Llambias clubs in Britain a decade ago. You have idiot Newcastle fans who petrol in me car, and there was a somewhere else they can show “how 1. Man Utd £320m Shepherd got lots of things he has sucked in, who would gladly 50 year old bloke, in full Newcastle narrrsty they can be”, will be one of Pardew continues to tell us hwe 2. Chelsea £261m wrong, we certainly couldn’t have a turnover of £93m with £3m kit including socks”, I’ve lived here great delight for me. canat compete with the big boysi

SONS OF THE DESERT WORDS//@GEORDIEDENTIST 36 37 A state of civil war rages Wonga, left to fester and create more sufficient way. That he was better Wendy Taylor and Lee Marshall on within NUFC. Within the wounds within. Time is ticking Joe, at then football decisions and within NUFC. I also believe he boardroom, within the dressing and no it’s not a bomb for you to interacting with football people had started to “get it”. Perhaps room, even now spilling onto the defuse. in my opinion. He seemed to that signalled his end with the terraces as the fan base starts to As ever it’s only really once the revel in a panto villain role owner. Who knows? I doubt he fracture and turn on each other. season is underway and transfer that would give certain fanzine will be remembered well, with There is no doubt that the potential window is closed that you can assess editors a run for heir money. He good reason, and not many will for this has existed for some time any team’s performance in a transfer didn’t care if he was the hate mourn his departure. It has and perhaps we are seeing just a window. Right now we appear to figure. Nor at times did he seem always been my belief that had small part of what went wrong last be looking at the broken biscuits to care how mis-timed, crass he had the right person alongside season. The solution the owner has and the close to sell by date offers announcements caused mayhem him, a football person, someone come up with simply baffles. Joe rather than the prime cuts and and mass upset within he ranks who understood the game inside Kinnear. International peacekeeper, exciting fresh international cuisine. of NUFC supporters. I had the out (and no I don’t mean the Billy heart surgeon, Nobel Prize winner, Worrying times! pleasure of meeting him on Liar we have now) things could Michelin Starred chef, rampant a number of occasions. have been very different indeed. fantasist, social hand grenade. Derek Llambias It’s fair to say the early From the minute he appeared departs Newcastle meetings didn’t go Yesterday an announcement was on radio to give one of the most and leaves a well! Eventually he made that Papiss Cisse was prepared breathtaking (for all the wrong football club in did gain some sort of to return to the fold after an exile reasons) interviews of the age it turmoil, but a understanding (until brought about by his reluctance to has staggered almost everyone business running we were relegated wear anything branded with our new associated with NUFC. Except the well, if you look and the shutters sponsor, Wonga. owner. It has become apparent since solely at balance came down again). This has been festering for some his appointment that between Alan sheets rather than I know however time and while we were too busy Pardew, Derek Llambias and Graham team sheets. That he had started to internally bickering this was left on up and running Newcastle United One piece of good news that Carr there has been plenty of finger- was always his listen again, mainly the must do pile along with many UAE (@NUFC_Dubai) and link into you may have missed is that we pointing and trying to apportion job; to get NUFC due to the hard other important footballing issues. @NUFC4Arab, a network of 75000+ managed, on appeal, to get the blame for mistakes last season. And running in a self work of good We all know what the argument was Arabian Geordies (you can Tweet me Academy upgraded to the highest it would appear all was not well people like about so I’m not going to rake over @geordiedentist too). Generally Cisse status. It now ranks with those well between them. the coals again. Reaction to Cisse’s hasn’t done himself any favours with established facilities on Wearside Lines have been drawn and stance has been mixed and again those over here, many citing the and Teesside. For years we have situations becoming more contributed to widening divisions same reason. There is obviously a lot lagged behind in our region and this entrenched. And in other ways even amongst the fans. more to this than meets the eye. My is excellent news for the club. We when they did produce a united front Once pictures of Cisse apparently suggestion. Get over it and all move should be shouting about this. But perhaps the owner did not like it. playing blackjack in a casino on together, UNITED! it’s another thing on the “to-do” pile The JFK solution was, in my mind, emerged his case was somewhat along with a launch date for the new intended to be a nuclear option. weakened. However we still have The Church of England say they home shirt (which has now been Something to cause a rapid clear out little in terms of proper quotes want to see Wonga out of business announced by Puma in the USA and and mass resignation. Flatten it all attributed to anyone in this sorry by setting up credit unions and worn by the U-21’s without a peep and start over. So far the only one to affair and lots of speculation. I’m offering alternative ways to from the club). This is where Derek go has been Llambias. Meanwhile in no position to tell anyone how to access loans for Wonga’s target Llambias probably had an agenda it seems Rome burns and the new apply their faith, no one is. Matters lenders. Wonder if they will start and would have had something in Director of Football (when he’s of faith meant so much to many. to do shirt sponsorship as well? hand. Yet under Llambias’s control not delivering royal babies or on However as a club NUFC have Imagine someone like Doncaster the academy missed out on top peacekeeping missions in Syria) has done so much to accommodate and running out with “Come to class status. Interesting. And talked much, upset many and done include all faiths and have regularly Church, it’s Great!” on their shirts! perhaps more reason to suggest you little. As I type the squad is thinner, been praised for this. Complex is Anyway wasn’t Jesus supposed to need football people alongside the we still need strengthening in critical not the word. Living in the UAE have thrown money lenders out businessman in top flight football areas, at least 2 incoming transfers has afforded me to chat with many of the temple? I probably need to these days. have been vetoed and important NUFC fans over here in the middle stop thinking, I may sleep better We have Walter Mitty. issues, such as Papiss Cisse and east, Muslim and non. We now have at night. Grim.