It’s quite surprising but Richard Branson has said his company Virgin Money were not even consulted by Newcastle before it was announced that Wonga would be the new shirt sponsors, and that deal was not met with positive vibes from Newcastle fans.
Richard Branson – in Newcastle last January
Wonga is one of those companies who offer short-term loan deal (payday loans) and charge amazingly high interest to the specific people who just cannot afford it.
And they do not have a very good name in the business world – and the Wonga name will be on Newcastle shirts starting next season, in a deal that is said to be worth £24M to Newcastle over the next four years – our biggest shirt deal ever.
Those pay-day type loans are not legally allowed over here in North Carolina, and it would have been great to have had Virgin Money still sponsoring the shirts over the next four years.
But Richard Branson said they were not even told about the deal, and didn’t get a chance to match it, and he was asked if he would have liked to have remained sponsoring the Newcastle shirts:
“Yeah, we would love to have stayed in touch with the club and the players. It was a great time, the timing was perfect when we took over, we became Virgin Money on the day they beat Manchester United, a great start for us.”
“The club in their wisdom did the deal with Wonga without talking to us, whether we would have matched that who is to know. These things happen I guess.” “We will definitely still sponsor sports, we are still involved in major events, we will still keep an open eye one this.”
Wonga have also paid to have the St. James’ Park name returned to the stadium – so that was positive – and they will also invest in Newcastle’s Youth Academy in addition to sponsoring the shirts.
Ir’s surprising to us that Newcastle didn’t even mention the Wonga deal to Richard Branson.
What do you think?
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90 responses so far ↓
1 Big Pappa Cissé // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:34 AM
Shame as I would much rather have Virgin money on the front of the shirt rather than wonga but it is what it is. I don’t think we can be so naive as to think that Ashley would jump on the wonga deal without knowing how much Virgin were likely to give us. You don’t become a billionaire by making rash decisions like that.
2 Graeme // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:35 AM
If its true, that nobody other than wonga was considered or allowed to put in alternative proposals, we could have well shot ourselves in the foot, yet again!!
No doubt the truth will eventually come out!!!
3 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Take this with a pinch of salt I think.
Branson lost out on the west coast rail line a few months ago to a new bidder and he has done nothing but put them down and question them since, so much so the government have held a review.
He clearly is very clever in business and people usually say these to help themselves and not others.
Although if true it is odd and not something I imagine Ashley would do as I’m sure he’d be keen to get the most money.
4 saxonfenken // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Can not say I am to chuffed with the Wonga Name, and would much rather have Virgins [who wouldn't] Logo because Richard is a winner, but hey we got St James Park back,
GOT TO BE WORTH SOMETHING
5 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Transfer,
Or that Wonga agreed to put 25% of the money in Mashleys account in the Cayman islands.
6 Graeme // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Transfer @3
The Government had no choice but hold an enquiry – they investigated what Branson said and found out he was correct. The Government had completely cocked up the whole process and actually used different outlines to the bidders and different criteria to evaluate them.
7 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:47 AM
JFA
I doubt he’d risk all the flack for the sake of a couple million.
8 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Graeme
Yeh I know he turned out to be right but thats my point. He will not take things going against him lying down whether he has a genuine grievance or not.
9 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Seems a bit odd really. Why on Earth would the club not approach them and offer them the chance to at least match it? Something is amiss, but where?
10 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Also, isn’t it a bit odd for Branson to only be mentioning it now?
Conspiracy theorists….I pass this case on to you…do us proud.
11 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Transfer,
Then I think you underestimate the extent of the mans greed
12 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:02 PM
JFA
He just made 100mil this week selling 5% shares so can’t see him having done a dodgy deal for 2mil.
Maybe this one was a deal done by Llambias…he could use the 2mil to buy a new suit….he looks like a comedian doing the working men’s club rounds in the 80′s when i see him.
13 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Transfer,
I see what you mean Mahmoud Ahmadinejad turns out better than Dirk Dastardly.
14 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:10 PM
JFA
He actually does. He’s got that weird grubby brown suit that looks like the same material they used to line the seats of an old club.
I don’t even know where people buy these things. It’s like the question of where does the physics teacher at school buy his turquoise trousers.
15 Rotonda heights // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Would a double billionaire really be fussed over an alleged 6M in his offshore account? Well perhaps, but yes I think we’d all have been happier with Virgin.
16 bills-son // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:22 PM
JFA – I think you totally overestimate the extent of Ashley’s greed. Totally.
17 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:23 PM
rotonda
It genuinely puts me off buying the shirt next year. Not just because I don’t like the style of company but also cause their logo is bloomin awful.
18 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:24 PM
bills,
but spot on with his dress sense.
19 toonLYF // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:28 PM
I decided a while ago that I won’t be buying the shirt for next season simply because the wonga logo looks cheap and crap. Besides the shirt design won’t be as nice as this years so ill probably just get another one from this season to freshen things up when the shop is selling them off half price or whatever. Lovely top this year and the Virgin logo looks sleek as out!
20 STB // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Wonder if DL is “chums” with the Wonga crew. ..
I assume that it is the MD and not the owner who has the delegation to manage the sourcing contracts.
21 Mister Tuff // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:30 PM
Oh dear this story seems to have a bit of an unpleasant whiff about it. One poster suggested we would know how much Virgin were willing to give – what – so now we have psychics employed at the club. What a load of tosh. The whole idea surely to get the best deal FOR THE CLUB would be to put it out to tender -playing one against the other -in the hope an offer is increased. Whether you get a better offer is only known through using this well tried system.
I recall reading about the Wonga deal -and what these new monies would provide -there was great emphasis on getting the best deal. If you do not put it out to tender you just will never know.
Public bodies by law have to put things out to tender -or run the rsk of being accused of corruption.
The West Coast Mainline affair – was spotted by Branson immediately the winner was announced -he knew the bidder could not ever run the line with the bid submitted. His “nose” paid off and we now hear the bidding process was not conducted properly and has cost us the taxpayer £50 million.
One poster suggests some of the Wonga money may be diverted into a private account – one of the reasons for tendering is to dispel these types of suggestions.
There is one thing I definitely believe I would trust Branson more than el Gourdo or Owlhead.
In my previous posts about the Wonga deal I suggested may come back and bite us -there is still time yet.
The question remains -why was it not put out to tender.
22 Topbanana // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:30 PM
Both sides would know that the deal was due to end.
A succcessful business ie Virgin who has ploughed money into advertising would know what they had to do to make or take talks further. Don’t and can’t believe that no talks took place.
23 toonLYF // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:33 PM
Ibiza, my theory is that Branson will be signed as our new striker. This statement is simply a ploy to put his name fresh in the minds of the fans. The reason the Virgin sponsor couldn’t continue is due to potential of dressing room unrest, as our new striker (Branson) would not only be the talk of the toon, but would have his multi- million pound company on the front of the shirt. Other plays may begin to feel inadequate, so wonga it is.
24 boater // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:38 PM
“You have no idea how f**ing horrible we can be”. Derek Llambias, 2011. Given that, there was only going to be one winner between Wonga and Virgin.
25 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:43 PM
LYF…A decent effort, I mean… Really, Is that what has happened? Thanks for keeping us up to date, can’t wait to see our new ST in action.
26 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:46 PM
Just as a bit of a feel good factor spreads over the toon the Dastardly duo come up with another nasty surprise,funnily enough just when we haven’t got a home game for three weeks.
27 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:50 PM
The thing is though this is purely Branson’s word. There has been no official statement from the club and if there was a case to answer I imagine he would have flagged it up long before now.
Does sound like sour grapes to me.
28 check the toastie // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:53 PM
From previous article, if Haidara does play Santon should play further up the pitch, another option and reason to oust Jonas from his automatic selection.
29 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:55 PM
SSN,breaking news :
” Mike Ashley spokesman Derek Llambias plays down corruption claims by Richard Branson,but unveils plans to erect a bronze statue of Margaret Thatcher outside of SJP,claiming it was her who inspired Mike to start his own business.”
30 Assam Toon // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:55 PM
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/ben-arfa-must-fight-for-newcastle-united-starting-role-1-5448947
news coming in that HBA will have to fight for starting spot. Who exactly replaced him? It is stupid to think that someone else may start in his place. and what’s with the cabaye speculations? he is the last player i would want to see leave newcastle. it will completely bring down our entire machinery imo.
31 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Jail…This timing isn’t really down to Newcastle though, is it? It’s Branson who has made the statements, one would argue he’s a little late to join the party.
32 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:57 PM
Are Virgin Money, any better from the ethical sense from Wonga? They have a different customer base, but essentially it’s all the same and boils down to making money. All I can say is that I don’t really care too much about this story. The Virgin logo looks nicer, but that’s about it.
33 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:58 PM
JFA
Haha…I heard it was going to 30ft high.
I genuinely think they will have spoken to virgin who offered to renew it at x amount (or maybe delayed talks)….they looked around got offered y amount by wonga and thought well this is much higher than virgin offered us so i wont waste my time with them, they have lost out and signed the deal.
Might not be the case but more likely than corruption.
34 croftus5678 // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:59 PM
maybe wonga offered a take it or leave it offer and wanted an answer there and then !
either way its our greatest deal we have had so no reason to turn it down + stadium name change which gets fans on side (worth millions alone after the balls up as we never wanted to sell our name) and branson said he “may” have matched it ! which prob means he would not have or if he had he would have had our stadium name also.
35 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 12:59 PM
G
Virigin are a normal bank, every needs it and usually free to use. Issue loans at a respectable rate and to people they believe can make repayments.
Wonga prey on those who need money fast, usually the poor, and charge high fees and interest to borrow.
36 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:01 PM
Transfer, not so sure about that. The club says little until llambias went mad recently. Remember the silence on Shearer? Thing is, the Wonga deal apparently is nothing to write home about? I am pleased with many aspects pf how the club is now run, but always mindful of stunts like the disgraceful renaming of SJP. Remember if Cardiff can turn red – so can we! Great marketing opportunity u see – could make us 10 mill in a year which we could waste on Amalfitanos etc!
37 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:03 PM
TS, I understand that, but ultimately any financial institution in the country is fairly guilty of the above. Granted, the pay-day lenders charge extortionate rates, but usually a lot of the people who use those services have already been back-heeled by the ‘Normal Banks’ when they have asked for help. That, in my opionion makes them as guilty as the parasites. I know a lot of people who bank with Virgin, or have mortgages with them, and I hear horror stories all the time (no better or worse than any other bank / building society I suppose), but it’s usually dealing with one that leads you to the other.
38 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:04 PM
G, they are completely different ethically I’m afraid.
39 DokToon // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:05 PM
glad i stil sport my nothern rock and got my virgin money shirt this year already…
40 jayphoto // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:07 PM
Wonga is the biggest deal we ‘ve ever had! Why are we complaining?? Theyve been a fantastic sponsor at blackpool investing in the youth team and the community! Personally think money is money, fair play whoever got wonga to pay all that money to name a stadium the same name itd been for 100 years! Financial wizardery!
41 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:08 PM
See my above comments MM, I stand by the above. My cousin ended up in serious financial clarts due to losing his job with a mortgage, and he got caught in the credit trap and had to revert to the Pay-Day parasites when Lloyds TSB wouldn’t help him. It’s a horrible place to be and resulted in him losing his wife and attempting to end his life. It isn’t a nice place to be for anybody, but the mainstream banks could help the people who use the services of them, and they choose not too. That makes them part of the problem, not the solution.
42 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:09 PM
We did a lot of debating on the whole Wonga ethics (or lack thereof) compared with your more typical bank.
I still maintain, that whilst the charges are outrageous and aimed at the needy, surely the government or normal banks therefore have some sort of obligation to offer better services?
These people who use it (the ones who get themselves in more bother) are usually at their last resort, so is it better to have no service available? People know the rates before they enter in to it, so are Wonga responsible for lack of other options?
Now I know there are also cases of taking extra payments etc, which is completely wrong, but is a separate issue and happens with all sorts of companies and is basically an administration system balls up.
43 jayphoto // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:11 PM
Wouldnt shock me to see us sporting a blue red and white away kit next season tho! Could sell it to us as french colours but reslly its sports direct in disguise! Other thing is, originally newcastle united wore red when founded, same as cardiff, there would be marketing excuses for the change!
On a different note, anyone seen the french shirt released yesterday? Sky blue one, possibly the nicest football shirt iv seen (overlooking the usa 94 world cup shirt ofcourse haha)
44 check the toastie // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:11 PM
Pardew – the manager who brought Sammi off the bench last year instead of Ben Arfa to unlock Swansea’s defense, a great judge of a player. Expect more of the same when Benny starts to replace Goofy or Sissoko instead of Jonas, you heard it here first.
45 toonLYF // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:15 PM
this song needs to catch on!
to the tune of I’m a Believer by The Monkees
“…and then i saw his face, oh Yanga-Mbiwa,
Yeah he’s got pace, no doubt in my mind…
I’m in love, TOOOON, i’m a believer, Yanga-Mbiwa on the tyne”
46 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:18 PM
Check,
What has corruption,Wonga and statues of maggie thatcher got to do with pards incompotence.
47 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:28 PM
Check
Don’t invent a problem before it happens.
If that happens then rightly criticise him, until it does you shouldnt pick fault.
48 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:29 PM
Check
Also the same manager who once had adequate cover sent that sammy ameobi on loan to gain experience.
49 jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:29 PM
Good afternoon lads!
…so we are back on the Wonga talk are we
50 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:30 PM
G, thats a desperate story, and probably not uncommon. But Wonga have been pilloried left right and centre and with good reason. Personally, like most people I distrust all banks and credit card companies etc.
51 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:31 PM
LYF…Was that one of yours? I like it.
Jesper…Ahoy! Wonga be the talk of the blog today…you can expectt some stormy weather ahead cap’n….arrggghhh.
52 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:31 PM
Ibiza I’d like to think we could have got decent money from a cleaner sponsor than Wonga though. I mean of all the brands out there, Ashley gets a money shark?
53 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Agreed Munster. I wouldn’t care but governments have asked banks to take more risks on the needy, and they have chosen by and large to ignore this. I reserve a special level of hell for bankers, estate agents, and tax men.
54 Rotonda heights // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:34 PM
2 horrible possibilities
1) Jonas keeps Benny out of the team or Benny takes a really good player’ place like goofy as Pardew can not have too many flair players on the pitch at the same time
2) Benny swaps with Carrol. That horrible rimour just won’t go away
55 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:35 PM
G…Don’t forget insurance companies and Rupert Murdoch on that list
Munster…I would have liked to think that also. But if it had to be a financial institution I can’t see getting all high and mighty about the differences between a bank and Wonga. Yes there are differences, but in essence they’re being allowed to do it and they are upfront with the costs involved. For me, it’s more a case of being disappointed in the general state of things rather than the company itself. Most companies look to exploit certain sectors and take as much money as they can.
56 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:36 PM
Rotonda, possibilities? Yes, likelihoods? No.
57 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:37 PM
G, im ok with estate agents. Its the bankers….over here we bailed them out, and still they drag their heels about lending to small businesses, whilst increasing mortgage interest rates!
58 Toon69 // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:37 PM
I think you’tre all forgetting that Virgin’s Chief Exc said in some paper that the Company wouldn’t buy the naming rights for SJP, so maybe Dickie here is getting his wires crossed & didn’t know that the shirt sponsorship wa shand in hand with the naming rights… so yeah they may have wanted to carry on sponsoring the shirts but MA & DL wanted them to also buy the naming rights as well, which they weren’t interested in!!!
59 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:38 PM
G- hope things are better now.
Banks are there to make a profit so will only lend money to those who can guarantee to pay it back.(most loans are quite high value with a low interest rate) so they need to make sure it comes back so I understand why they are more cautious…not for the good of the people but purely for the good of themselves.
Wonga though target those who are desperate and whilst can be useful in some circumstances lend to nearly anyone as it’s often a small amount (few hundred). This means the can take a few hits as they work purely on volume….the more small loans and collect the odd late payment the better for them.
60 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:38 PM
Ibiza, I suppose ambulance chasers, or indeed any lawyers should also go on the list. Possibilities also exist for supporters of certain football clubs who wear red and white, and are not geographically very far from Newcastle also exist if there’s room left in hell?
61 Phatoon // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:38 PM
Rotonda,
Can’t really see that happening. That Ben Arfa article (that lead to all these rumours) has been misquoted back to the stone age.
With Carroll coming back, we are in the power position. He’d like to be back here, Liverfool want rid. It’s just a matter of time until they lower their asking price to the right level.
62 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:38 PM
Ibiza, womga specificallt target the weaker. There’s a difference.
63 ~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~ // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:39 PM
Ugh… this carroll nonsense again.
We don’t need him. Better Value for money elsewhere. end of story.
64 toonLYF // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:41 PM
Ibiza…sadly not, would like to say it was, but i ain’t gonna claim in
it’s from another forum.
65 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:41 PM
TS, ongoing, but thanks. We could go on and on about the ethics and morality of any financial institutions, be it the parasites, or the bank of England. Theyr’e all bent in my opinion. Munster, please don’t get me started on Estate Agents delibarately pushing up house prices for years so they can line their own pockets with extra commission! I have to do some work today at some point!
66 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Solicitors are ok. My bruv is one, but he supports Man U , like every other bollocks over here.
67 Jonny // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Help please. How many tickets can you buy at once if you are a member on the club site????
68 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Carroll could do ok. If deffo shows pardew’s happiness with banging it long!
69 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:45 PM
Thankfully Munster rugby jersies are far more prevalent over here than Man Utd shirts.
70 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Jonny, you need to be a bit more specific, tickets (presumably for a match?), for a home or away game, are you a season ticket holder looking for extra tickets? As for the membership, doubt it makes any differnces. I would just email the club personnaly.
71 Mister Tuff // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:50 PM
Munster -I agreed with just about everything you have posted -until you got to the bit saying solicitors are ok. Over the years I have known many solicitors and a good proportion were dodgy/bent (but too clever to get caught).
72 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:51 PM
G…I thought when you referred to hell you meant Sunderland as it is a proven location which I would consider the closest thing to what we perceive as hell?
Munster…I’m really not trying to say they are ethically sound or that they are on an even level with your every day bank, more that as a stand alone business they aren’t really doing anything they shouldn’t be. If I wanted to lend my money to people who really probably shouldn’t be allowed to, then i would want a decent return for what is a high risk loan. After that it’s really down to the government to do their job, govern.
My point is that these poor souls who are in trouble, for whatever reason, should have better alternatives available to them and that is not the responsibility of Wonga.
73 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:54 PM
“My point is that these poor souls who are in trouble, for whatever reason, should have better alternatives available to them and that is not the responsibility of Wonga.”
Crikey, that’s the most profound thing I’ve read on the blog today! The only surprise is that it’s come from Ibiza!
74 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:55 PM
Soz Ibiza, couldn’t resist it!
75 Magpie Myles // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:57 PM
G
I’m an Estate Agent and on a daily basis i hear the same old bollocks “Estate Agents pushing house prices up”. I work in this business and can safely say if you do your research and comparables properly then you can put a property on at the right price. Also, if people do their research properly then they will know if they are overpaying for a property (my company is proud to say that we always work on realistic prices).
76 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:58 PM
G….Not sure whether to take that as an insult or not
77 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM
G….Quite alright, not like I’m a stranger to taking such opportunities on the blog.
78 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:02 PM
What company Myles, I’m in the market? Incidentally, isn’t the Estate Agent’s pushing the prices up ‘boll**s’ the very reason the government had to intervene in 99 and actually regulate mortgage advisors? Bit of commission back-handing going on wasn’t there? Can’t remember who the government blamed at the end of the enquiry? Can you?
79 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:06 PM
ooo…an agents debate
Quite simple really, agents are brokers in the deal and clearly would want as much as they can get. It needs to be regulated, but if both parties are happy to do the deal then that’s the end of it.
Greed isn’t solely applicable to the middle men and agents cannot operate without the agreement of all involved individuals.
Saying that, there are a fair few agents who i’d like to hang off the tyne bridge
80 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Sorry Miles, I’m sure there is the odd Estate Agent who is not guilty of the above, and I’m also sure some people who work in banks really are not bad people. There may even be a lawyer who doesn’t deserve being force fed his own excrement (unlikely though it is), but you must realise within your chosen profession there is lot of corruption.
81 Magpie Myles // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:21 PM
To be fair to you, i wasn’t in this business in 99, but as of right now my company won’t overprice a property and we will only use independent mortgage advisors.
‘Sherringtons Estate Agents’ based in Harrogate. Nothing more detrimental to your reputation than overcharging someone for the sale of their property. We usually charge 0.75% but were very happy to allow 0.5% and also a flat 999 + VAT. Commission then becomes very small and to run the business you have to sell more than 5/6 properties a month. No one will put their property on with you if you over charge of hike the price of the property up too high. Its all about the research and selling yourself as a justifiable agent to use.
You also have to remember that people like ‘william h brown’ and ‘hunters’ for example are chain based companies. Smaller private firms wont rip you off because they need the money to survive and the return of custom.
To be honest im not suprised 99′ was a year in which banks had to regulate mortgage advisors, its typical Labour to not have a grip on the banks in the first place.
82 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Harrogate? Lovely town, spent some time there in the 80′s. Fairly ‘old-people’ style town, but I enjoyed my tea and cakes in Betty’s, and nights out in Carringtons night club back then. I take it you don’t have too much in your Newcastle porfolio then?
83 Magpie Myles // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:39 PM
G
Ye it’s a very strange place, it’s a wierd haven of wealthy investors and buisnessmen. Most of the centre is converted victorian houses to apartments and some of the areas (especially the south side) is mostly big detached properties. Compared to Leeds (where i live) it’s just a different kettle of fish.
Whats Newcastle like for prices and work? I imagine it’s got quite a bit of stock available?
84 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:43 PM
Prices appear to be marginally below the national average, yet still inflated. Work-wise, in almost every sector it’s fairly desparate, but I haven’t seen any estate agents being boarded up yet, I really couldn’t say within your sector mate. Leeds isn’t a bad place, it’s just not as pleasant a town as Harrogate. Over-rated night-life though.
85 Magpie Myles // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Harrogate night life is pretty much non existent, so Leeds was a better shout for living. Very big fan of the Leeds Brewery and the real ale pubs but wouldn’t recommend city centre. Most in the city centre drag their knuckles on the floor now, near enough have to be trained to fight.
Mostly private companies in Harrogate now with good 180-250 stock. A lot of the chain companies are starting to dither away a bit. We only opened 8 months ago, so we are still building but have a stock of about 50 now excluding sold.
Always loved Newcastle as a city. Thought about moving up at one point.
86 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:09 PM
Like any city in the world, there are good parts, and there are bad parts. I was brought up in some of the bad parts, but live in middle suburbia these days. I like it, but it’s home.
87 Magpie Myles // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:23 PM
Very true mate. Been in bad parts of Leeds, pretty sure i lived down drug dealer alley in Leeds at one point. Always an interesting day. Live on the north side of Leeds now, which ive always liked as a place.
88 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:38 PM
I quite like Bradford too, not far away, and some of the best spicy food in the country. Last time I was in Bradford I ate at a resteraunt called ‘The Three Singh’s’. If it’s still there, look it up, top notch, resonable prices too.
89 Marty-Toon // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Must say I’d much rather Virgin Money on my shirt than Wonga…must get a new shirt before they change.
90 Corny74 // Feb 27, 2013 at 11:27 PM
Couldnt give a toss who our shirt sponsor is…..as long as it benefits N.U.F.C and takes us onwards & upwards.
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