The last time Newcastle United were relegated from the English first division coincided with the creation of the city’s most popular fanzine The Mag.
After the controversial sale of Paul Gascoigne to Spurs, Mark Jensen, a lifetime Newcastle fan, decided to give the Newcastle fans a voice long before the era of blogs and websites like this one, and he created The Mag.
And now, 20 years later Newcastle have again crashed out of the top division in England, Jensen is ready to see Newcastle’s first home game in the second division since 1993, with Reading due at St. James’ Park.
And it could be that before that first home game owner Mike Ashley could have announced he is staying on Tyneside, and he could even be at the game taking his seat in the Milburn Stand.
And Jensen does see some similarities as Newcastle try to make it a soft landing in the second tier, as they did 20 years ago.
Mark said today:
“I suppose there are similarities to then and now.”
“The Mag was born in 1988, just after we’d sold Gazza and the first game was when he actually came back with Spurs and he was pelted with Mars Bars!”
“That season we got relegated, so I suppose you can blame us for that! But looking back, there was a similar battle going on then when John Hall and his Magpies group were trying to wrestle power from Gordon McKeag and his board.”
“People could see the potential and were encouraged by Hall’s vision. There was a lot of upheaval at that time. Now with the club still not being sold, I think people can see a different vision.”
“This time, while many want the club to have a new owner, there is a call for a manager with time running out in the transfer market.” “This time it is a manager in Alan Shearer and there is a choice that the current owners can still make.
“I think many see Alan Shearer as the man to steady the ship. It would give the fans a credible manager even if the club isn’t sold.”
“And it would also put the focus back on the pitch.”“The very fact that thousands of fans have renewed their season tickets shows how people still feel about the team.” “And as unhappy as people feel at the moment, it’s about getting behind the 11 players who are pulling on the shirt against Reading.”
“People also have their own pressures in life and going to the match is a release for them.” “So Saturday they will probably be looking to do the same again.” The first issue of the Mag this season is available from the usual vendors on Saturday.”
Mark is so right with what he says at the end of his comments.
That’s a good statement from Mark, and it is measured and mature, in that we have little choice as fans but to get behind the lads.
After all, their performance on Saturday was better than expected, and with good home support, surely the lads can get the win on Saturday against Reading. Reading drew 0-0 at home to Nottingham Forest in their first game last Saturday.
The Newcastle fans (as well as the Newcastle players that are still left) have been put through hell and high water this summer by the controversial Newcastle owner.
And even so, thousands of season tickets have already been sold, and it looks like away fixtures will have their allocations completely sold out, as they were on Saturday at the Hawthorns.
One of the big advantages Newcastle have going for them is their fantastic fan support, whihc is legendary around the world, and we expect the fans to be there in their thousands on Saturday – and all they will want to see is a good display and a win from the lads.
If the players can produce that on Saturday, the fans will be very satisfied indeed with 4 points from our first 2 games.
Then what we’ll need is another win in our next game at home, on the following Wednesday (KO 7:45 pm), against Sheffield Wednesday. 😀
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
66 comments so far
magforlife
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Comment #1Mark- i go back to the sixties as a supporter and loyalty can only be stretched and tested so far, Ashley out before i return.
Mark-o
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Comment #2theres one thing geordies will do and thats back the players. Its only when those players fail to respond to that backing that the toon army turn.
After the WBA performance its clear to see who the fighters are (Smith, Taylor, Duff, Carroll, Krul, Nolan to an extent) and those who want out (Guttierez, Collocini, Enrique, R.Taylor).
I, for one, will be backing the team on Saturday and hope that the rest of you will. The Anti-Ashley protests should be saved for befor the game, half time and After the game. EVERY GAME until he’s gone!
Stevo
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Comment #3Magforlife – I’m with you on that one. As I said earlier MA is stealing from us and laughing in our faces. I don’t think he has any plans to sell up. He’s here to stay.
lesh
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Comment #4A good article and very philosophical comments from Mark.
There is reference to the lack of respect shown to the players living in an information vacuum they’ve had to endure, uncertainty about team mangement, different styles they’ve lived under, demotivation.
There are parallels twit players and fans and the statement that “People also have their own pressures in life and going to the match is a release for them” may not recognise that to many, NUFC is a major part of their lives and their release may be ventimg their spleens at Ashley et al.
However, we all want to see grief and frustrations turned to happiness or near happiness with a great home win on Saturday.
The players need to feed of the atmosphere in the ground, need to feel that the supporters are behind them and behind Newcastle United, whoever’s in charge!
So let’s hope that frustrations are confined to this and other sites and that the air in SJP is good and supportive.
The lads win and the fans go home a little happier, possibly seeing the tunnel at the end of which is light.
Howayyyyyyyyyyy the ladssssssssssssssss!
lesh
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Comment #5* twit meant to read twixt!
twit = me
Ross
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Comment #6Off topic but apparently Chris Mort was in the away end at the WBA game on saturday cheering us on. One of the best things to happen to us for a while so he was, even though it was short lived. Come back, please! lol
Doocey
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #7Ross // Aug 12, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Off topic but apparently Chris Mort was in the away end at the WBA game on saturday cheering us on. One of the best things to happen to us for a while so he was, even though it was short lived. Come back, please! lol
—
Yeah Chris Mort was a good guy, always the good guys that go first eh?
magforlife
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #8Still think this whole proposed sale by Ashley was never serious in the first place, if he took advice and pitched it at the right price we would have been sold.
His price from day one has been unrealistic and he wont budge which to me means his heart isnt in it.
The NDA has been very handy for him to hide behind and also the fact he is dragging it towards the end of the transfer window is also very convenient for him as he can blame the non sale on the non purchase of players.
A very shrewd and ruthless business man, thats how he got it and how he intends to keep it.
Next will be the withdrawal for sale, apologies and patronizing shite.
Ross
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #9Doocey-its a shame like. You can bet he wouldnt be here now anyway, even if he hadnt left when he did., i doubt he’d have sat through this circus tight lipped. He liked to keep in touch with the fans, act rationally and let us know what was going on when he saw fit. Obviously fat Cashley disagreed with said tactics and decided a casino manager would be far more fitting for the position of chairman.
carrollfan
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Comment #10I agree with mark-o 100% on this one. we need to keep going to the games.
OHurley
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Comment #11Always gotta keep going to the games. I would if I could. A team just ain’t a team anymore if the fans stop supporting it. I know I’ve used this example before, but the Chicago Cubs have an amazingly huge fan base. All over the world you’ll find Cubbies fans. Truthfully, they suck. Even when they have the best team in the league, they choke every single time they get to the postseason. They’re streak without a trophy of any kind is the worst in sporting history. 101 years without a title. Yet the fans support them religiously. I think there’s a lesson in that.
Also- what does the expression “he’s absolute pants” mean?
punk skunk...
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Comment #12Interestin’ that he says: “it would give the fans a credible manager’ (Shearer)…
…A credible Geordie Legend…Yes!.. but it’s not decided that he’s a credible manager yet, is it?..
OHurley
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Comment #13punk-
True, it’s a fine point of logic, that. i’d be willin’ to wager that he’d be a good manager, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call him “credible” just yet. He hasn’t established anything at all yet, huh?
Stuart79
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Comment #14punk skunk… // Aug 12, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Interestin’ that he says: “it would give the fans a credible manager’ (Shearer)…
…A credible Geordie Legend…Yes!.. but it’s not decided that he’s a credible manager yet, is it?..
He’s a credible football man. We desperately need that at the minute!
doofa the loofa
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Comment #15kk and mort……those were the days…….
punk skunk...
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Comment #16O’Hurley & Stu,
Yea, i guess it’s a point of order, but y’knowarra mean, huh?..
…He’s defo a major ‘footballin’ man’, Geordie Legend & he could well ‘become’ a top manager…I’d love to think that he would/can…I’m
defo not rulin’ out that possibility!..
…Just don’t think we should go jumpin’ the gun, thinkin’ he’s there, yet!..
Doocey
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Comment #17‘Absolute pants’ means a cr*ap player or has played poorly.
Rodzilla
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Comment #18http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1752386,00.html
…sign up to Mike Ashley’s favourite game.
OHurley
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Comment #19doocey-
thanks m8. Still don’t understand what pants have to do with it, but I’m takin’ your word lol
OHurley
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Comment #20Rodzilla-
Thanks for the offer, but honestly I lose too much money at Roulette. That IS MA’s fav game, right?
Nobby_Long
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Comment #21If Ashley was taking money out of the club – which he isn’t – I would strongly advocate staying away.
But not going to the game is only going to damage our chances on the pitch and put the club in much deeper financial trouble.
If Ashley stays then I can see more players out of the door and no permanent transfers in, with a view to balancing the books.
I suppose it depends on whether you’d like to see the club go into administration and be relegated again just to get rid of him or not.
Regardless of the owner, our best chance of promotion is to turn up & get behind the lads
Rodzilla
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Comment #22OHurley, yeah, of the ‘Russian’ variety it seems.
OHurley
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Comment #23Rod, yeah, I’ve heard the Russian’s really got that game down to a science. I’m glad to know that MA is playing more of it. Maybe there IS a light at the end of the tunnel (and not just the freight train)
magforlife
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Comment #24Dirtiest player in the league, Cattermole is having a medical at sunlin, makes it even easier to hate the nasty little get now.
punk skunk...
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Comment #25Well said nobby!..
…Support the Lads, big time, every single game!..
…Ho’way!..
Rodzilla
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Comment #26Nobby, to be honest at the moment I’ll take what is handed to me. If MA is staying, then so be it – just hire a bl00dy manager and get on with it. O’Leary, fair enough, I just wish he’d pull his effin finger out and make some sort of decision. My patience is well and truly tried now. I 100 percent agree with you ‘getting behind’ the team and whatever manager we end up with. I’m such a radgie at the moment all of my mates are treading on eggshells with me.
…just want to get on with normality. All of this uncertainty is bang out of order. Can he not just tell us what’s happening instead of us all having to speculate. Is there or isn’t there any interest? I can’t even be arsed to watch England tonight and the Premiership opener on Saturday is currently as appealing as a hot sh1t sandwich.
Rodzilla
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Comment #27…and I’m still getting jip off my faaaakin cokernee mate, but unfortunately I can’t just slap him as he’s an ex schoolboy champion boxer.
punk skunk...
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Comment #28tw@amole (it’s kinda woolyback game) is a total…
…fill in the blank…
…That’s a match made in purgatory, if ever there was one!..They deserve each other…Dorty gets!..
punk skunk...
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Comment #29Sucker punch him Rodz!..
OHurley
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Comment #30For the record (and since we’re on the subject) cattermole is b1tch. I hate that f*cktard. I don’t usually get that dirty on here, but he freakin’ sucks.
punk skunk...
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Comment #31sly sports to d craig: any further developments at the Toon?..
…Try: any developments?..
Rodzilla
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Comment #32…might just spike his jellied eels with acid and give him some broken glass to play with
Rodzilla
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Comment #33…what’d DC say then punk?
HalftimeBovril
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Comment #34Certainly a slow news day today. I reckon all will be known by this time next week. Either we’ve been sold or Ashley is staying on. I’m at the stage now that i just need to know either way so we can get on with the game in hand.
OHurley
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Comment #35Rod-
lol feelin’ a bit vindictive today?
Ross
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Comment #36Rod- just take a pop, whats the worst that could happen! i took a clip from an amature boxing champion and didnt hit the deck, was canny proud of myself like, haha.
Although the eels and glass combo could be slightly more productive, if not somewhat sadistic.
Looks like Krul will be getting a start at the weekend like. Am i the only one who wants to see Ranger get 20-30 minutes this weekend? Shola seemed to slow down in the final 20-30 last week, bring Ranger on and see what he can do if things are going our way?..
Toon_Factor
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Comment #37Team v Reading,
________________Harper____________
Coloccini____S.Taylor___Kadar____Enrique
Jonas_______Smith____Barton_____Lualua
___________Carroll____Duff__________
Si Harpers still out then Krul, duff should play as a striker imo.
Fostino
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Comment #38David Craig ‘there’s certainly alot of speculation in the papers again today, especially about the manager department, i can tell you Newcastle are still trying their best to sell the club, however the club have said nothing again today and i think it is unlucky that a manager will be appointed with discussions ongoing about the sale of the club’
this was the general jist of what he had to say….basically nothing new!!!
Toon_Factor
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Comment #39* If Harper….
OHurley
Aug 12, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Comment #40TF-
Duff as a striker would certainly be interesting. And hey this may be a dumb question, but is Kazenga LuaLua back from his loan yet?