Peter Beardsley has today come out in support on Mike Ashley, the Newcastle United owner.
Peter Beardsley – supports the Newcastle owner
Peter Beardsley, who is well respected on Tyneside as a former great player and local lad believes Mike has been treated unfairly and that his heart is in the right place.
This is what Peter told the BBC:
“He didn’t come here to fail and he has put a lot of money into the club, so credit to him,”
“Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out but I’m a little bit disappointed he has to walk away.”
“His heart was in the right place. Maybe he didn’t always show it in the right way but I think he really cared about Newcastle.”“Ashley is trying to do the right thing,” “He’s always tried to do the right thing, but it’s hard, because Newcastle is Newcastle and unless you’re used to that part of the world it does take a bit of getting used to.”
“I feel a sorry for him. But he’ll sort it out and hopefully everybody will be happy with the conclusion.” “We have a passion that probably isn’t equaled anywhere,” “If you look at the lack of success – and that’s not Mike’s fault – the support is unbelievable. They’ve been there through thin and thin.”
“I don’t think the fans are the problem – they care. They used their power and Mike has decided to walk away. But I think that’s a shame, I really do.” “Ashley might be at the club a while yet,” “And if he is he should be allowed to watch the games.”
“It’s his club and he has spent a huge amount trying to make us a force, first by clearing debts and then for transfers.” “It might not even be too later for Mike. If he brings success as an owner the fans could still forgive him. Geordies are like that.”
Peter has a point, and we don’t believe some of the made up stories about Mike, because we think he is a good guy, when push copmes to shove.
But our beef with Mike is that he allowed individuals to get in the way of the club’s progress, and the following actions have crippled our club.
Why allow an argument about who is in charge lead Kevin Keegan to leave, and why couldn’t
he have just given Kevin control of the transfers. After all there are many statements from the Board members that say Kevin had the final say on that, in any case.
We have allowed people’s opinions to come before the club, and that is what Ashley has allowed to happen as the owner.
If Mike reversed that decision, said he would back Keegan and let him have control of transfers, and patched everything up, in our minds he could be accepted back as owner of the club.
They could then take these events of the last two weeks as one huge learning lesson, and that’s actually what we thought and hoped would happen after Kevin did resign.
But it may be too late for that, and we may still be in complete denial about the whole business.
Comments welcome.
64 comments so far
Leo
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Comment #1i can forgive him for being niave because he isnt all that up there
Ericles
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Comment #2Cannot forgive Ashley for what has transpired. He brought in the likes of Wise and Llambias etc. He gave this mafia type bunch a free hand to try and sabotage NUFC and drive KK out. It is more than money as far as I am concerned. Pedro has some good points I admit but they cannot outweigh the stupidity and naivete of Ashley in the whole sorry affair.
ronaldeano
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Comment #3Its Ashleys fault we are in this mess. I dont care what pedro says
Stamford Toon
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Comment #4Well said Beardsley. It’s about time we heard something sensible from a past player and legend. MA could still pull the club around by finding a new manager if he is not able to sell the club. I see no reason why he should sell at a loss just to please those bigots who hate him. I still believe that KK was not the right man in the first place ( I said it on this site when he was appointed) and MA should not consider bringing him back. If we have new owners they would be making a mistake to bring KK back as they would make many supporters believe that they could control the club any time they took a dislike to players, manager or owners. We would them never have any stability or continuity.
How I am looking forward to an end of all this trouble and being able to just watch the games and support the players. I do hope that is what the fans will do at West Ham today and that they will not ruin the support by hurling abuse at MA.
Simon
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Comment #5“It’s his club and he has spent a huge amount trying to make us a force, first by clearing debts and then for transfers.”
MONEY FOR TRANSFERS ???
Come on Beardsley, you are now being a cretin.
Every man and his dog knows our squad is threadbare.
Keegan told the board this, and they did foof all.
Where did the Milner money go ??
DID THE NUFC PR DEPARTMENT PAY YOU TO SAY THIS, PETER, OTHERWISE YOU ARE SOUNDING LIKE A MORON !
Jonny
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Comment #6when are people going to realise that this isnt about keegan.
its about undermining the manager (it only stings more because it was keegan)
its about misleading the fans
its about ignoring the fans
its about employing the wrong people
its about backing eveyone except your manager
its about partying in New York when the club is in meltdown mode
its about lies, lies,lies and damned lies.
its about OUR club
Stamford Toon
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Comment #7Simon; Why do you have to hurl abuse at Beard0
just because you can’t agree with every word he says……..does that really make him a moron. I don’t think so.
Xsico golden boot
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Comment #8llambliss is to blame he is a westham die hard and so far up himself
mag in boro
Sep 20, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Comment #9All beardo has said is that he is disappointed with whats happened and think thats the same with each and every fan no where in that article does he say ashley been treated unfairly
Toon Chicken
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Comment #10Oh here we go – wondered when the conspiracy theories would start.
Calling one of the greatest toon players of my generation a moron just because he’s not a fully paid up member of the ‘we hate mike ashley club’ – you should be ashamed.
Peter has given so much to our club and his opion carries a lot of weight – which is clearly more than can be said about you, Simon.
graemer
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Comment #11stamford toom – in a word yes – dont know what pedros motives are (manager??) but the FACTS outlined by jonny stack up more than the FACTS by MA PR.
The “poor me” diatribe issued by MA has been seen through by all – the simple matter is that he is taking as much cash out of the club at hte same time attempting to sell it at a huge profit – hardly doing it for his love of football.
The debarcle in the nid East was embarrasing – getting pissed in a muslim state – sulking becasue his price wasnt been jumped on – that an his two toadies slating the club fans and manager – even the fakesheik couldnt of scripted a better scenario and yet these muppets orchastrated it themselves..
Simon
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Comment #12I said he was ‘sounding like a moron’. I didn’t call him a moron.
Beardsley was one of the best players who has ever graced St James Park, however, I disagree with a section of the article containing a reference to transfers.
So you lot disagree with my point about the transfer money, and squad situation then ??
Geordie Lumberjack
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Comment #13“But our beef with Mike is that he allowed individuals to get in the way of the club’s progress, and the following actions have crippled our club.”
He DIDN’T let individuals get in the way of the club’s progress, which is why Keegan was allowed to leave.
NUFCs progress will come from smart transfers, not overpaying for players past their peak (Owen, I’m looking at you), buying young players who will play hard for the team, and by a stable manager.
“Why allow an argument about who is in charge lead Kevin Keegan to leave, and why couldn’t
he have just given Kevin control of the transfers.”
Because KK hadn’t watched football in 4 years.
Everyone loved the transfers until they found out that Keegan didn’t have anything to do with them. Now, the people responsible for those same transfers should take the first train out of Newcastle.
Ridiculous.
graemer
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Comment #14Gerdie Lumberjack – I think its more about he quantity in and the ones that went that werent replaced. The fact that KK didnt know who he was getting only adds to teh turmoil. We all knew that the squad was threadbare and still the likes of Milner and Emre were allowed to go without replacements (and dont mention the thug guthrie). We need a left back and someone who can be creative in midfield – these positions are still not filled – we are dooooooomed
graemer
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Comment #15and another thing – what qualitiesand contacts has the hobbit got to scout on a worldwide stage???? He was only just a decent club footballer
Toony
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Comment #16shley hsn’t really invsted in the club. He’s bought it for a price plus debts. The same way as anyone would buy a business. Everyone knows that on top of buying the business/club you have to invest in the team. He hasn’t done that, he’s just bought something which he now wants to sell for more money, without improving or increasing the value.
Danny
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Comment #17Maybe its time for us fan to make our own reality check.
– Yes, by the structure of the club, MA managed to drive KK out of the club.
– MA did not keep his part of, the atleast, first statement that they would not get involved with KK’s pick of players.
– MA is way to secretive of how the running of the club has been done, and too few statements of the future of the club and the directions they wish to take it.
– MA listens almost nothing to the fans, that is a fact known by how he treats us (ticketprices, communication, etc)
BUT;
– He’s cleared debt
– He hired KK (mostly for our sake i believe)
– He’s put a structure in place that works for several other clubs around the world, but did not work for KK. (But apperently works for Zico)
– I belive he does to make the club better in every perspective, but does not always know the best way to go about it.
Should we not cool the whole thing down a bit?
We are the ones now bringing the club and player morale down, MA (hopefully) is doing his part. We are the ones chanting the songs, making the banners and speaking our minds.
Some players may be on MA’s side and some was on KKs. Do we need to add to the rift any longer?
Stamford Toon
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Comment #18OK so you don’t agree with what MA has one, but that is no reason to hate him. Lets face it if you had bought the club and it was your money that was at stake you would want to make the decisions. I did in my business. Yes I listened to opinions but in the end I did it my way and MA is entitled to do the same. In his way I believe he was doing what was best for the club. Lets face the facts none of us know what went on behind the closed doors, who said what and to whom. Yet still you jump to conclusions and make staements without the facts to back them up. So you hurt at the KK decision to quit, but it was his decision he need not have done it. MA had a vision and wanted to follow that vision, and it was his right to do so as he is the owner. His behaviour outside the club is none of your business, he can party on holiday if he wants to. If he sells he will sell to whosoever he wishes and you will have no control over the new owners at all. Follow the team and give them your support, put your energies into that and the club will benefit, and grow all the better for it.
toon up (or down)?
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Comment #19I’m not interested in what Pedro is saying to be honest. I think he is trying to say that Mike Ashley’s going about SOME parts of the job well, but he has gone way ott imo. Some comments are just factually incorrect about the transfer money especially.
There has been loads going through my mind about what’s going on at the club and what has gone on in the last few weeks, but one thing that is really really really annoying me the complete silence from anybody at board level. I honestly can’t believe that they have not come out and said something to try and give us some information about what has gone on, it is increasing the divide between fans and board/owner. It is literally killing our club. And the players no nowt which must make them feel the same way. This club is staring down the barrell of a loaded gun and they say nothing, nada, fook all. I really struggle to understand it, is it arrogance, they don’t care about the fans/club or what? What exactly is it. I’m a professional advisor and I would never dream of treating my customers like that.
It’s the same with the manager situation, are they looking for a manager, are they waiting to sell the club, are they not bothered. We will get beaten at West Ham today I’m convinced about that, the confidence of the players is rock bottom with all this going on, half will be eyeing the exit door and all toon fans will be sitting sick come tonight, me included, the future is bleak. Yet still The big lad and his wise men say nowt………….silence silence and more silence. So going back to the story, Peter your a toon legend and your well entitled to your opinion but the reality is Mike has made a mess of this irrespective of his good intentions – he has appointed a chairman who is utterly hopless at communication and three others who do what exactly. We have a squad short of numbers and players in key positions, we have a club that is, hard as it is to admit, in a terminal downward spiral. I really can’t see an easy wa out of this because my personal view is that ashley and his boys are as arrogant as they come and are blinded by their own self-importance. That means he won’t sell, he won’t invest any more into the club, we wont get a manager in and we will be fighting a relegation battle from xmas onwards. I’m as low as i have ever been as a toon fan and it is gut wrenching all of this.
Simon
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Comment #20Concentrate on the team.
Anyone see any problems ?
Have we got enough quality ?
Have we got enough cover ?
Why wasn’t this addressed ?
micky toon
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Comment #21I still don’t see why all of this hatred is towards MA. DL is the Chairman HE is the one who is in charge of the running of the club. HE is the one who hires and fires.
If anything DL is getting off scott free. He hasn’t put any money into the club, he just takes it in a big fat wage. So next time you destroy your mums bedsheet think on what you write. DL OUT!!
nufc mad
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Comment #22beardsley,you must have been paid by ashley to say that,you turn coat.
clinta
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Comment #23‘But our beef with Mike is that he allowed individuals to get in the way of the club’s progress, and the following actions have crippled our club.’
ahh.. no, the fans and media (including this old blog here) are the ones that have gotten in the way of the clubs progress, and due to these mobs the club has been crippled.
hardly individuals ed.. well actually no, maybe KK had his share of individualness in all this recent chaos.
what individuals are you talking of? Wise? okay, i dont really like the guy, didn’t care for him as a player or since, but i have to say what exactly has he done/ been doing wrong that we DEFINATELY KNOW ABOUT, please leave specualtion and the likes out????
seems to m he’s brough in some good young players and some very cheap first teamers, following exactly MA’s long term plan for the club? maybe that’s why MA sees him as valuable?
just seems to me his ben made a real scapegoat in all this! someone the toon army has just chose to blame as they needed to blame someone for KK walking, but would never blame KK himself of course?
toon up (or down)?
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Comment #24People are totally correct when they say that we have no concrete evidence that Wise has done this or that or Llambias has done this or that or etc…But turn it around and you can see why fans jump to conclusions, the communication has been terrible, totally none existent in fact bar a few crappy statements that don’t tell us anything we didnt already know. Keegan walked for a reason and he says it because he was forced to accept players that he did not want.
If i said nothing to my clients for days when there was an issue at work what would happen…clients would leave and that’s FACT.
Hopefully one day we will hear from them eh, about a new manager i.e. are they looking are they not do they care etc..
mcn0ble
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Comment #25The money from the Milner transfer will go to the Deportivo la Coruna and Real Madrid.
Ashley said that the club still owes money from past transfers. They have to keep it tight, for those obvius reasons. Some of you lot sound like you’ve never handled money.
You’ve made your point, now stop bitching!
zpq
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Comment #26I see that employees of of MA are back spouting nonsenseand twisting the argument again – maybe with the shops eing boycotted they have spare time.
The arguments about K would apply to any manager of quality – if you’re getting judged by results but not allowed to buy players in the positions you want, then it’s an impossible situation.
MA is guilty of letting DL and DW make a mess of things that is a fact.
and I still don’t see where he has put money into the club – yes he paid for it and paid off (or transferred) the debts… but where is any investment in players?
bill
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Comment #27Peter Beardsley is a very political animal, I’m surprised he has come out and said this unless he thinks that he can get something out of it himself.
Could this mean Ashley is staying and Pedro is taking over as manager (coach)?
ObaMartins
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Comment #28Dont bash Peter Beardsley, he does not have a bad bone in his body, maybe he thinks the same of others…Lets not get into Bashing Greats of the past..
bill
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Comment #29This tripe about not having been to a football match is just that. Frankly you see the game better watching it on TV; you don’t need to go to matches to see who is a good footballer. How many managers go abroad to go talent spotting anyway?
If you know football and have an eye for a good player it doesn’t disappear because you haven’t watched a live match for a few years. Keegan was obviously good at spotting talent and this will not have diminished during his time away from the game.
I think some people are falling for the old trick of being fed red herrings.
TOONPIPES
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #30ObaMartins . . Good point . . People like Simon continue to miss the fact that is SIMPLY ISN’T ALL MA’S FAULT . . I am so pleased that PB has come out + said this . .
41 years of pain
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Comment #31I remember when KK was at his first spell as manager and we were spending probably more than anyone, Sir Alan Sugar when he was Spurs chairman saying he couldn’t understand what Sir John Hall was doing in terms of his spending ie beyond his means. It continued under FFS who borrowed against the security of future gate receipts and sponsorship deals, eventually this will catch you up. MA has come in and steadied the ship, we could easily have done a Leeds. KK should have done what we all do when faced with a disagreement with the boss at work get your head down and get on with it, instead he walks away leaving the club in turmoil so the reality is we could do a Leeds after all.
zpq
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Comment #32Saying you disagree with PB isn’t bashing him.
Typical trick used by MA fans when they have no argument.
Hardly anyone is saying it’s all MA’s fault. It’s DL and MW that are more to blame for not buying the players we need.
(and that doesn’t means huge stars – just a bit of bolstering the depleted area’s like LB).
zpq
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Comment #3341 Years of Pain – steadying the ship is one thing, and much needed but why go to the extremes of setting up a structure where the manager can’t have a say in the buying and selling. So we end up with a threadbare team.
MA took some of the debt pressure away – great. but he appeears to have gone further than that by allowing DL and DW to scupper the managers plan of having enough cover for all positions to get through the season.
little willie
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Comment #34The fact is Keegan did have a say in transfers, the problem was he wasn’t co operating with the club and was dismissing players brought to him out of hand to try and push through the players he wanted (Anton Ferdinand, Warnock and Sidwell amongst the likes of Henry) and in the end the club had to step in to make sure we got bodies through the door.
Don’t forget Keegan wanted to keep Alan Smith and not bother getting another striker in, simply because he’s a good lad to have around the place. Jesus wept.
little willie
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Comment #35zpq – The club missed out on Atouba the day before the window closed and Schweinsteiger on the final day, these positions will be filled in January.
TOONPIPES
Sep 20, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Comment #36Zpq – get a grip man
Lawman
Sep 20, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Comment #37Pedro the Leg-end
Arseley the Bell-end
ToonRich
Sep 20, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Comment #38little willie…we didnt mis out on Schweinsteiger on the final day, because we never officially approached him, or whats whats been reported.
To all the MA fans…you all say he’s done great clearing the debts and putting this structure in place, but still this hasn’t given the club stability where it needs it. Any new owner could have done what MA did when he took over…MA doesnt have it in him to run this club, which is why he shys away and lets his monkeys have control – which in the end ran KK out of the toon.
Toon Graeme
Sep 20, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Comment #39Im on the fence about the MA/KK/NUFC situation.
I want things back to normal ASAP as I think do us all.
NO one knows what happened or what was said behind closed doors.
All we know is everything is a mess. I love the toon to death and always will through good and bad times.
We need a manger – now
We need some players free from injury and suspension – now
We need some new players to boost the squad – January
We need an owner who will open his eyes to the situation and pull his thumb out his ar5e and sort it out.
We need a face of the board like Chris Mort was-now
Roll on 3pm
Stardust
Sep 20, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Comment #40Nice to see the tide slowly turning as the MOB must realise they are looking a tad silly. Hysteria is being replaced by rationalle.
Even on football focus today Gullit and the panel were all saying that our fans are too impatient and that we have an inherent aversion to outsiders – who arent given any chance if they make a mistake verses a local ( Stephen Taylor v Rozehnal, MA v FF anyone?) . Its a classic small town syndrome (one of which I am currenly sadly embarrassed to belong to)
The structure imo is right, it just needs an open minded manager to work as a team and put their ego aside (they can still have all the input in the world – thats what teams of people do – work together for the common good of their objective)
KK put his ego in front of the needs of everyone but himself and stormed off with his ball in his hand and let everyone down – myself included but I ultimately see that as the biggest wrong in this.
Lets hope the tide keeps turning and MA brings in a first class manager – a tough ask after the way the MOB have acted but this turmoil could actually be the best thing to ever of happened to this club. I for one want a man at the helm with the long term ambtion and aims for the club and yes that involves hard decisions – I just hope that man is Mike Ashley.
i.e. a realignment of the MOBS expectations – from fantasy to reality and grounded.