Today, the newly-formed Newcastle United Supporters Club, set up in the wake of Kevin Keegan’s controversial St James’s Park exit, issued a statement outlining their feelings.
Mike Ashley – 11 days left to bolster the squad
Spokesman Michael Ord said today:
“Anyone who had any doubts regarding the parlous state of Newcastle United only had to watch the farcical second half at Ewood Park on January 17, then glance at the league table, to see that the chickens are well and truly home to roost.”
“While other clubs act to improve their squad and pick up points, Newcastle – with just one point from the last four league games – are proving long on talk from the manager and short on action.”
“While the playing staff are stretched to the limit, the supporters are perhaps beyond that – fractious arguments between sections of traveling fans at Hull and Blackburn are bad signs, yet almost understandable in the current situation.”
The Supporters Club was formed after Kevin Keegan walked out on the club in early September, and of course we lost 5 consecutive games after that.
Mr Ord added:
“Ludicrously, we are still the only visiting side to get a point at Old Trafford this season, and that, placed in the context of our current plight shows the harm done in late August.“
“This window closes in two weeks time. We may have enough time to bring in the players we need.”
“We may have enough cash being made available to the manager to do it, we may hold on to our best players through this window.”
“One thing for sure; if we don’t we will be looking at relegation in May.”
“How on earth have we been turned into this relegation-haunted laughing stock?”
We think the Newcastle Supporters need to be very careful in what they say and do. Yes – we know they have the good of the club at heart, there’s no doubt about that.
On the one hand we are all hoping for new players coming in during the next 11 days, but what happens if we don’t get everybody we need?
We’d like the supporters to support the team through May, no matter what, and let us try to keep the lads afloat and the club in the Premier League, through May.
But any fans’ revolt could have a negative impact on the players, when they need the fans’ support more than ever.
It’s going to be very tricky, but of course we all have to hope that the Board will come through for the fans, because there have been enough warnings and they’ve had 4 months to see that the squad is neither big enough, nor good enough to stay up.
Comments welcome.
104 comments so far
BT9MAG
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Comment #1Sad but true…
Kash
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Comment #2Ed why should any supporter hold back from venting there feelings about how their club is run?
If we felt that the Government was doing a piss poor job, there are mass rallies and demonstrations.
Why should it be any different for a football club?
We do live in a land where freedom of speech advocated!
bettyswollocks
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Comment #3come on lads and lasses get joined up to NUSC
http://www.newcastle-united-supporters-club.co.uk/membership.php!
Kash
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Comment #4Lets put it this way, if things carry on the way they are, WE’RE RELEGATED!!!
We don’t have enough squad cover and players are getting injured left, right and centre. So if it carries on in this way, then WE ARE RELEGATED!!!
Some sort of STIMULUS is required, but will it be the right one?!
ronaldeano
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Comment #5Its going to kick off big time if the window shuts and we have nobody decent that will help us get out of this mess.
The supporters club are 100% right in everything they have said.
big_ding
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Comment #6anyone fancy a protest at the ground?
hitman
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Comment #7lets face it were well and truly f**ed.
Flop
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Comment #8“How on earth have we been turned into this relegation-haunted laughing stock?”
For a third season in a row were fighting a relegation battle, this time i think its a one we might lose. Were sinking to the Championship under the weight of all the deadwood Geremi Cacapa Butt Smith Viduka Duff. And what few good players who play for the cause seem to injured Barton Guthrie Martins and Beye. Its so sad to look on and see what was once a great Premier League team slip into the abyss.
RyanToon
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Comment #9i predict a riot!,
or to mike ashley, i predict a diet!
RyanToon
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Comment #1012.40 Middlesbrough striker Mido is almost certain he will leave the Riverside in January and has confirmed a switch to Wigan is one possible option.
Toon_Sydney
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Comment #11ryan toon – AHAHAHAH
batty
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Comment #12yep well and truly
toonoholic
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Comment #13relegation is the worst thing that can ever happen 🙁
batty
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Comment #14toonoholic wish sum one wud tell the fat cnt
Stardust
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Comment #15Summons the Mob and they shall appear “bing”
G
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Comment #16I have been quiet on here for a while, but this is only because I feel physicaly sick when I see the plight of our club. I would look to the NUSC group for assistance on this, but I am a natural born sceptic, and so far the only action I have seen them take is draft 2 letters and arrange a few beers in the Irish club to upset the Celtic fans. I will happily subscribe if they start taking positive action against the current board, but in the meantime, a tenners a tenner!
totsy
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Comment #17i keep my opinion of the club to my self until the end of the transfer window
batty
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Comment #18ha ha stardust
doofa the loofa
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Comment #19asset stripping bar stewards i say.
Drunken Steve
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Comment #20The Toon will be ground into the ground by Ashley and Co. He intends to do just enough to keep NUFC up so that in a year or 2 he can sell up and sell at a profit – more out of contact players and free signings I wonder……
He thinks that we are stupid.
Still waiting on further press releases since he has taken the club off the market when he said he is going be more open with fans.
NE3 NICK
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Comment #21I just joined. NUSC needs all the help and support it can get.
hitman
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Comment #22stardust,do you think we will stay up..
murvar
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Comment #23I don’t think there’s any danger of the players failing to understand that the reaction of the fans is directed to the club hierarchy and not themselves. They share the same viewpoint – they are being treated as badly as the fans. Why else would someone like Steve Harper – who loves playing for the club, has stayed for years as an understudy, and now faces being first choice for the first time in a long career – also be on the verge of leaving?? If he thinks it’s that bad then we had better ask the caretaker to be ready to put out the lights.
Tragedy for Kadar by the way.
toonoholic
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Comment #24it sux that the mancity game is away. had it been at home, shld have created riots and taken some man city players and fans as hostages until we signed some real good players !
G
Jan 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Comment #25I do not dissagree with NUSC in principle NE3 NICK, I am just a bit suspicious that the organisers are doing this to raise money for themselves (many of these fans groups do). Let me know how you get on with them and (hopefully) prove me wrong, and I will be happy to enlist mate.
RyanToon
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Comment #26toonoholic, just what i was thinking
toonoholic
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Comment #27fan groups are the worst thing to ever happen.
they make it a business G and then they retire early !
NE3 NICK
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Comment #28Just take a minute to think where we are at. A fat little cockney no mark who is another fat cockney no mark’s mouthpiece telling us a bunch of arse.
Now he is saying that another cockney no mark with something of the night about him is moving his office to the training ground so they can raid the footy bargain bin together.
We are NUFC. We play at St James Park, one of the best footballing venues in Europe. We have the best support and should be well capable of attacking the top 4 like Villa.
Look what we have been reduced to. I just don’t understand why these people wanted anything to do with us. They are a sick joke, and we have become one too…
NE3 NICK
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Comment #29OK G! By the way, that sounds a bit like a Bond Villain!!
bettyswollocks
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Comment #30G – if everyone has your attitude then we will all get absolutely nowhere.
Instead of whingeing on this board like the most why dont you get off your arse and attend a meeting – there’s one coming up on Feb 4th.
As a member I have been getting regular email from NUSC with polls on various subjects. They are doing good work but freely admit there is a long way to go. It has to start somewhere!
totsy
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Comment #31lol NE3 NICK
toonoholic
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Comment #32bettyswollocks does it start when we reach championship ? coz then i think its a bit late.
hitman
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Comment #33http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan22h.html
i take it this was the italian loan signing
Little Willie
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Comment #34NUSC are a joke and an embarrassment to Newcastle fans with more than 5 brain cells.
What do you get for your £10? Some idiot telling people they are not happy with the current situation.
Why pay for it when I can read it for free on here?
Stardust
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Comment #35Hitman – think so – but unless the fans get behind the club and team we will be in a weaker position.
Everyone will be culpable if we go down, fans, players, board, owner, keegan and JK.
Together we stand divided we fall, I see so sign of a large chunk of fans getting behind the club – hopefully the accounts will help many make sense of whats happening. time will tell
bettyswollocks
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Comment #36toonoholic – i take it you have some insite into some specific fans group that you have been a part of that has fleeced you? If so please do share more detail.
I would hate to think you were merely speculating on something you know nowt about which could have a positive influence on the future of NUFC
totsy
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Comment #37hitman–never heard of him
RyanToon
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Comment #38joe has said bids are in for players which is good to hear so we will have to wait till the end of the window to critise imo
Hugh de Payen
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Comment #39To my mind there are two issues here: venting fury at the club and supporting the team.
I don’t believe these issues are mutually exclusive.
I think supporters have every right to vent their fury at the club if they wish to. They also have every right to stay away from games.
But I think it’s perfectly reasonable to vent ones fury at the club AND still go to cheer the team on.
bettyswollocks
Jan 22, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Comment #40toonoholic – it’s never too late. Relegation will be a disaster but if it happens the club will go on. It will go on because unfortunately us mugs are joined for life. Lets just be prepared.
Little Willie – the only embarassment is you. All talk. Lets just all whine on the blog all day. That’ll definitely make things better.