We always wondered why Shane Ferguson took so long to get back playing in the Newcastle first team again, after looking so good about 18 months ago when he made a few outstanding appearances at left back, although he’s had quite a few injuries over the last year or so.
Shane Ferguson tackles Shinji Kagawa on Sunday
But Shane had a pretty sold game on Sunday, in what must have been a difficult game for him, but he came through well and looked solid enough at left back, and Davide Santon looked good at right back, and the Italian can play either side – that seems no problem at all for the lad.
This is what Shane (my favorite film) told the local Newcastle press today:
“You just want to be able to show what you can do, and thankfully I’m getting that chance through the manager.” “It was even better for me that Michael O’Neill has been in the stands at St James’ Park in the last two games.”
“I spoke to him before the game against Bordeaux and it was great to see him there.” “Now I just want to push on and keep showing what I can do.”
And Shane could well be marking Ronaldo when Northern Ireland take on Portugal in Porto over the International break, so we’ll see how he does against one of the world’s top players.
And to think back in 2002 Bobby Robson was interested in signing Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon, just after we had signed his compatriot Hugo Viana from Sporting.
Shane opted to play for Northern Ireland rather than Ireland, but Ireland are ranked number 28 in the FIFA rankings compared to Northern Ireland’s 117 ranking, so he would have had a better chance of playing World Cup football with Ireland.
England are currently ranked number 5 and Portugal number 3.
It looks like Shane has a chance , a very slight chance, of playing in the World Cup like Newcastle’s Tommy Cassidy did, when he played in the 1982 World Cup finals for Northern Ireland.
Shane continued:
“Something like that would be a dream. But being back on the international scene is brilliant.” “Scoring against Finland gave me confidence.”
“It was an unbelievable feeling because it came in front of my family at Windsor Park.” “It’s something I’ll always be proud of.”
But is seems Shane is now a regular starter for Northern Ireland, and it should be a great experience for him in Porto, especially if Ronaldo is the one he will be marking.
Best of luck Shane.
Comments welcome.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 us on Google+:
You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
Buy your Newcastle tickets here.
=============================================
85 comments so far
dave 1961
Oct 9, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Comment #41ichrisho
if tony lived around my corner i would punch his head in and take all his money off him and re distribute it to our local poor.
martoon
Oct 9, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Comment #42Anbody noticed this story:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-ham-transfer-news-ravel-1368011
I think we did well to stay clear of him!
bollance
Oct 9, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Comment #43On the wonga sponsorship link
Firstly it is paper talk so it is a link which has yet to be accepted or denied by nufc.
xmas is approaching so MA needs SD in the papers, how? wonga story. It is dragging on which is giving SD a lot of media coverage. MA is a marketing genius.
Wonga link will soften the blow or inflate the brand we do take on board, which may be SD. It seems everyone wants anything other than Wonga.
All of these NUFC stories take weeks to materialise. They grow and develop which leads to lots of media coverage. We coould have got rid of Virgin and announced the new sponsor at the same time but that would minimise our media coverage.
All i would suggest is that Virgin is a credible brand who were paying £10m per season. Why would we walk away unless we have a better deal in place? MA is not daft 😉
bollance
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Comment #44so if you read between the lines i am saying that people will take out a wonga loan to buy xmas presents in sports direct or online at sportsdirect.com 😉
Tsunki
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Comment #45The thing about Fergy is that I don’t like Williamson he spent my pension on cheese and he is made of asbestos.
Neil
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:15 PM
Comment #46It’s official – It’s definitely Wonga on the nufc.co.uk website. 4 years
lesh
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:15 PM
Comment #47Well, her it is…. official!
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20121009/newcastle-agree-four-year-wonga-deal_2281670_2943978
Tsunki
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:15 PM
Comment #48And that he is actually Simpson they never play together at te same time. And he’s pub quality, in fact he is a pub.
lesh
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Comment #49Not * her but here
Novocastrian66
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:17 PM
Comment #50I’m not bothered who our shirt sponsor is. I don’t see what all the fuss is about. Don’t want St James’ called Wonga Park, Wonga Arena or any derivative of Wonga anyone can come up with. I don’t want it called SDA either.
If an institution is prepared to pump money into our club good on them I say.
People are free to choose to use their sevices or not. I honestly believe that their company name on our shirts will not make a difference to the individuals choice.
The press are loving all this. I didn’t see them making a fuss about the scruples of Manure when AIG went belly up costing people their living and losing investors a fortune.
tarie4
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:20 PM
Comment #51I think pple are overreacting to this wonga deal. Pards was right, toon fans are the most demanding supporters in the country.
If its TRUE that wonga want to sponsor us for 24 mill over 3 years (8 mill a year, we currently get 3-4 mill a year from Virgin) then atleast we shud listen to the offer.(am not saying sign the contract) but listen to what they have to say and offer. That’s basic business acumen that. Its not like we are Manchester united or Liverpool who have sponsors chasing after them. U got to weigh ur options before just blasting them off.
Read this article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2215020/We-wont-step-inside-Wonga-Arena-Newcastle-fans-hit-24m-sponsorship-deal.html?ITO=1490
I think its very unreasonable of toon fans that. U want to progress as a club into a top 6 (4)(2) club well U need money for that. Most of U are unhappy about of transfers during the summer but then U go chase away sponsors as if U have options. (if the 24 mill is TRUE, thats fantastic business)
Now wonga have questionable Morales etc I get that, but what they are doing is Legal, its not illegal. So what is wrong with them on our shirts?? I mean they ain’t an illegal company, they sponsor Blackpool at the moment, they haven’t caused any controversy between them and Blackpool. So can someone explain to me why they shudnt sponsor us.
Please don’t say the have questionable Morales. Cause thats not really a good enough answer because what they charge etc is in the confines of the law. Its up to the government to regulate them.
Again, I am not saying lets sign the contract, but we shud listen to their offer and weigh the pros and cons of such a partnership, not just threaten to never step foot in SJP. That’s a bit immature I say.
tequilamag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Comment #52Tarie seems a bit point less asking why we should not deal with Wonga and then say we can`t bring morality into it when that is most peoples objection.
tarie4
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Comment #53One of the readers said this on that article I posted and I agree completely with him.
“There is nothing immoral about Wonga or any similar company. Their terms are clearly expressed and they are there for exactly what they say, a short term loan. if people need a longer term loan then they are stupid to use Wonga or the like for this. I have used them a number of times between pay days and am more than happy with service provided they did exactly as they said and all fees were clear from the beginning. Instead of calling these type of companies immoral, how about turning it round and putting pressure on the people who take out loans knowing they cannot afford them rather than attacking perfectly legitimate companies.”
– RossChip , Faversham, United Kingdom,
Munster Mag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Comment #54Charming to be linked with Wonga. Well done Mike. Quality.
ichrisho
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Comment #55@41 – Fella – what does local poor mean… is there people literally on the streets poor… em.. they’re always has been… its ridiculous… why do us as Toon Fans react so sensitively to everything!!! Its ridiculous… MA is doing a good sound job on the finances… he’s a tad mean – I accept that… but by making this a viable club with cashflow… he can sell – we get rid of him and then we are all cushty.. I mean look at Bolton they are 110 million in debt – no manager… that could EASILY have been us… small graces an all that jazz… Wonga – so what? Big deal… who cares… as someone said AIG have been robbing money off people and businesses for about 70 yrs now…
tarie4
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Comment #56That post was for U tequilamag
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Comment #57We;re being sponsored by
“Please check back later”
“This page will be updated soon. Please visit again soon.”
Never heard of them personally 🙂
Some sensible comments on the Wonga deal since I left. I understand some people may have personally been caught out by Wonga or know people deeply troubled by it, but it is a legitimate company and it’s hardly Wonga’s fault if no one is offering these people better conditions, is it?
Not nice, but an unfortunate part of life.
People keep saying £10m p.a from Virgin. I’ve read £3m recently. Quite a difference.
ichrisho
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Comment #58@ 54 Chraming to have any sort of interest investing in the club to make US better… its ludicrious to think that anyone would object… its just a company who helps people out in poor finaincial times…Society needs to take a look at itself in the mirror before condeming a comapny which is trying to help others… OK they are taking a big cut but its al within your own control if you borrow from them… they dont just say “right now you owe us 1million pounds by friday.. ” Embarssing… the more we complain and go on about it – the worse we look to every other club…
tequilamag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:33 PM
Comment #59Tarie, just because someone is happy to use Wonga does not alter the fact that they target the poorest in society who are denied credit at reasonable rates. If you don`t get that fine but most people do. Wonga have also been pulled by the OFT for their questionable methods of debt collecting ie telling people they have comitted fraud for not paying back their loans.
ichrisho
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:34 PM
Comment #60@ 59 – they DONT TARGET ANYONE!!!! What are you saying… if you dont want to use the service – DONT… mental… what are all you like..???
tequilamag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Comment #61Ichriso , helping the poor ? really. They are not a charity. They are exploiting people in desperate circumstances.
ichrisho
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Comment #62http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20121009/newcastle-agree-four-year-wonga-deal_2281670_2944166
So there – big deal… a lead commercial sponsor… more money more players…at least the poor then are helping the club… eh?
martoon
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Comment #63Ibiza – I get the same message, makes you think they’ve pulled the plug on the story for some reason.
ichrisho
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Comment #64Tequila – if the government dont care – what do you expect? And anyway – they are just commercial sponsors… only investing in the community projects and the academy… egg on faces boys? Wonga Arena… ridiculous.. shirt sponsor – ridiculous…
beddersmag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Comment #65Lchrisho.
Agree these companies are just a sign of out times but to suggest they trying to help people out is a little bit much. You sound like one of their adverts. They exist to make big profits fast off desperate people. Ok they know what they are getting into- but often have no choice. Not the company i would choose but with ashley its all about who pays best. Sad but true. The name itself makes it sound worse too. Lets just hope someone else comes along
tequilamag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Comment #66Ichriso, of course they are targeting the poor. Do you think anyone would use them if they had access to cheaper credit at the High Street banks?
ichrisho
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Comment #67Cheaper Credit??? What does you mean? Is that not what ruined most of the country in the first place… look at Northern Rock…???
Big Pappa Cissé
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Comment #68ichrisho
Yeah because thats real mature, I take it you will be on the baby blog then ? . If you have no problem whatsoever being sponsored by a company like Wonga then you need to wake up. “they don’t target anyone” oh sure because I see rich people and footballers getting pay day loans all the time don’t you ? . My problem is that they would be making a healthy profit charging interest rates slightly above what the banks charge but they take the absolute p*ss because they can. I am not stupid enough to use the company but some people are gullible enough .
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:43 PM
Comment #69I’m not expecting everyone to agree on this issue, nor am I saying I am a fan of Wonga, personally I would rather something else on our shirts. The truth of the matter is, the club want to get as much money for the sponsorship as being offered. Anyone know if there were any other offers made and if so, for how much?
As for Wonga as a company, the service itself is pretty self explanatory. http://www.wonga.com/money/how-to-wonga/
If you don’t know you’ll be able to meet the clauses of the agreement, you shouldn’t proceed with it. That is simple really, without wanting to sound harsh, I know life gets difficult and lots of people will do next to anything to try and save themselves from the sh*thouse. If you’re in that much trouble you would use Wonga for long term financial issues, you’re surely best to go bankrupt before entering in to an agreement with them? Seek citizens advice? If these methods don’t work, then shouldn’t we be questioning our government for not stepping in?
Companies can chose to try and help out their customers. by perhaps being lenient with time scales etc, Wonga have made it clear, that is not what they’re going to do. Not nice, but that’s business.
Oh God, seems i’m somewhat back on my fence again. Didn’t take long.
Munster Mag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:43 PM
Comment #70Please all you silly people – leave Mike alone. You just dont understand corporate reality. Wonga are lovely people and once helped out a family in Byker with a short term loan and didnt send the boys around , or anything! Oh indeed , its a slippery slope with big Mike. Do you know, if we renamed the ground Roker park it would provide massive benefits and make us £1million extra per year? And then we could buy more players you see???? Please Ashley doubters, you really must wake up , he’s the best thing to ever happen to us. You’re all sooooo ungrateful! Incidentally, its becoming rarer to see St James Park now in papers etc. As I keep telling you, Lansdowne Road is now the Aviva Stadium, end of. That took just a couple of years, having had the name Lansdowne Road longer than any rugby ground. In the world.
Munster Mag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Comment #71Oh Ibiza this is getting tedious. Are you telling me that we could not have got similar money from a nicer source. You cannot see beyond Ashley can you? Will altering the clubs colours stop you, or will you say then that its a potential source of new revenue? And if its new revenue, it seems slow to make its way to the bargaining table for centre halves etc.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:49 PM
Comment #72Clearly, people well off are unlikely to use Wonga, why would they. But to blame Wonga for worse off people using them is also a bit far fetched. Where is the competition? Oh wait, there is a global recession and people don’t want to lend more money into a messed up system. Wonga are providing a service, yes at an extortionate rate, but if someone wanted to do something about it, they would enter the market. Once again, government, aren’t they supposed to be helping citizens, not companies?!?!?
ichrisho
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:49 PM
Comment #73a nicer source??? Funk this… what age are you? Wake up and smell the ashley produced coffee…
tequilamag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Comment #74ichriso if I have explain how credit works to you I really am wasting my time. Basically the more you earn the cheaper interest rate you will pay on a loan. If your “stupid” enough to be made redundant and even more stupid to have children which you need to clothe and feed dont bother asking a High Street bank to help because they wont. This leaves parasites like Wonga to step in and screw.
If you think thats OK then fine. But dont lecture me for taking an ethical stance on this just so we may or may not get MA to stump up for a new player.
Lynxie
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Comment #75Re: The wonga deal.
Boys and girls. At least now we have a sponsor in place, who are paying good money into the club, hopefully to enable us to operate better financially, with regard to strengthening the squad. Ashley clearly has a strict fiscal model in his head, which many teams will envy when UEFA get some balls with regard to the fair play rules. MA loosened the purse strings for Cisse, perhaps (heres hoping) that Mbiwa is captured in january for our assault on the Europa league, and silverware (I hope these drugs dont wear off).
I personally couldnt care less if Carlos the jackal or Spongebob Squarepants wanted to sponsor us, its whats on the pitch that I go to support, not whats on the roof of the Gallowgate……….
Lynxie
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Comment #76Alledgedly, Wonga beat off late offers for ground naming rights from Tena Lady. Obviously Ashley would have chosen them if he wanted to take the p*ss completely…..
tarie4
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Comment #77tequilamag
As I expected U read what U wanted to hear.
my point with that quote was to draw ur attention to this
‘Their terms are clearly expressed and they are there for exactly what they say, a short term loan. if people need a longer term loan then they are stupid to use Wonga or the like for this.”
As Ibiza said
“If you don’t know you’ll be able to meet the clauses of the agreement, you shouldn’t proceed with it. That is simple really”
There terms and conditions are clearly stated and if U want 400, for 30 days they tell U before borrowing that it will cost U 180 therefore U return 580. Now I would never go for that. But I appreciate them telling me all the costs upfront.
Munster Mag
Oct 9, 2012 at 1:59 PM
Comment #78Ibiza, please try to seperate your love of Mike Ashely ‘s way of doing business, from the type of associations most fans would rather NUFC have. Initially, when we renamed the stadium, and gave Mike all that free publicity as he apparently looked high and low for a new corporate sponsor, some of us , justifiably, hated it. Mainly on grounds of principal and history, over revenue. However, we thought that we might get a Sony. Not a Wonga for goodness sake.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Oct 9, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Comment #79Munster….I will take your comment about “this becoming tedious” to mean the situation and not my postings.
No, I am not saying we couldn’t or could have got a better sponsor for somewhere in the same ballpark. I don’t know. Is it fair to assume that we’re going with this as it was the best deal available? Probably, but not conclusive.
I can see beyond Ashley, but you’re entitled to view things as you wish. I would be thoroughly p*ss*d off if they suggested a change of colour, as I was about the stadium rename. I am still waiting for a new sponsor to come in for the stadium and it is one of the things on my Ashley dislike list. It is possible after all, for me to like somethings he does and not others. For me, and honestly, most people, it is still SJP and always will be. Let’s say the stadium burned down (god forbid), would that re-write our history? Extreme example I know and not a decision made for financial gain.
If we want tradition and to to progress, what’s the big plan other than getting a wealthy owner to pump money in? Anyone?
I am not an expert, I admit it, but from what I have seen, I have come to the best conclusion that I can, apologies if it is not the same as yours or is in fact wrong.
What do you mean with your last comment? What sponsorship money has been slow to the CB bargaining table? The Virgin money? From what I’ve seen recently, it was nearer £3m a year and didn’t we buy Cisse after that?
Let’s keep issues separate, as it coulds things. Perhaps as owner, Mike should make funds available for transfers, but he has said he isn’t anymore. So, what to do?
Lynxie
Oct 9, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Comment #80Wonga have just announced that they intend to rename the stadium for next season. BOOOOOOOOOOOO
It is to be known from that point onwards as St James’ Park HOOOOOORAAAAAAYYYYYYY
Where do they come up with these stadium names? Although this one might grow on me I suppose. I am so elated that I might go on the hoy now. Now wheres that Wonga website till I sign up for a million per cent loan till thursday?