We have had a number of complaints recently about the comments on The Newcastle United Blog, and we’d like to bring you attention to the rules we have in place when you comment on the blog.
My wife Madeline and I in sunny Newcastle a few years ago
Here is what’s already on the blog relating to the comments:
“The purpose of the comments is simply to allow Newcastle supporters around the world to express their views on the news of the day regarding Newcastle United.”
“Please respect the views of others, even when those views are completely opposite to what you think and believe.”
“And please keep the language respectable, as we are proud to have young supporters reading this blog, and finally there’s no place for religion or politics in these discussions.”
I created this blog over six years ago and it was principally for people like myself, who are now away from home base, but we can all follow Newcastle on TV and over the internet, and a blog like this wouldn’t have been possible even a short ten years ago.
Please refrain from comments on religion and politics, and be respectful of other people’s views – be civil to other readers.
The comments have been the biggest problem we’ve had on the blog, but it’s not unique to this blog although we tend to get a lot of comments, and it’s always difficult when people leave comments on the Internet.
We try to monitor bad language and the like, but there’s only so much we can do, and I’ve even been asked to close down the blog because of some of the comments – but I don’t want to do that.
Please be responsible when you leave your comments – and keep them on the news of the day about the great Newcastle United Football Club.
Thanks very much for your help on this – and let’s hope we can make a major comeback next season and shock people big time. đ
Dr. Ed Harrison.
101 comments so far
cyprus
Jul 19, 2013 at 5:52 AM
Comment #41Good call Ed.
Still, I must say that this blog is generally populated by well meaning die hard fans who want what’s good for this, well, wee team which should not be so.
The thing is, it is easy from the safety of one’s room to become a bully. Thankfully, most posters quickly put that person in his place.
Such blogs are about opinions and it would be boring if all agreed.
Congrats Ed
jeff
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:02 AM
Comment #42some big phonies on this site, thats for sure
Toon_Tom
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:05 AM
Comment #43@41 – coming from the 13 year old living in India who speaks with Pardew’s receptionist on a daily basis?
Krul To Be Kind
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:08 AM
Comment #44ED = LEGEND
Klatoon
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:10 AM
Comment #45I live in Uganda and ve only ever met one other NUFC fan so this blog is a big big part of my life. Thanks Ed!
Toon_Tom
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:13 AM
Comment #46This place is too important to us Ed!
TADS, where do you go when your wife changes the locks?
TADS
“NUFC BLOG”
ToonTom
“Right – Jeff, Ibiza, what are you going to do if NUFC BLOG closes? You gonna work at the airport again?
Ibiza
Say what? I ain’t working at no airport!
ToonTom
No, ’cause you hated it! Jeff, Where is it you go to do… whatever it is that you do?
Jeff
Garrr! NUFC BLOG be the only place for Jeff!
jeff
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:16 AM
Comment #47I don’t talk to Claire. My mate does.
Santon03
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:17 AM
Comment #48religion is a very sensitive issue, people with different religion might have wrong perception and could get offended even if you don’t mean anything in what you said. The best way is never talk about it or mention it especially using it as an excuse publicly.
Ed, I think you need to be more careful with your articles especially involving religions. I know there is a thing called freedom of press or speech, but you need to be responsible and considerate. If it contain sensitive matters such as religion, don’t put it up.
We are here to discuss football, not footballer’s religion.
There is always some people in society with extreme attitudes toward race, religion, ethnic, etc. The best way is not to respond, you can’t make it dissapear by responding to it.
Regarding Cisse with Wonga,
I think Cisse has made things worse for himself, if his motive was trying to force a move then he is taking very bad move by using religon as an excuse.
NUFC right now is in bad situation, whatever steps they take regarding Cisse, it will be bad for the club unless Cisse can make good statements for the club.
Wonga sponsorship was announce in January if I’m not mistaken, why Cisse react now when the transfer window is open? It’s what I don’t understand and virginmoney is pretty much the same thing with wonga.
cornishman
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:29 AM
Comment #49Thanks Ed. The threats to named people should go the same way as the swearing too. If you can,t be civil don,t bother.
The Arizona Geordie Pizzicato
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:32 AM
Comment #50Hey Ed, you are doing a great great job. We will behave for sure. I have said that I would leave again and again after seeing the abusing comments, but I love this place so much that I would keep coming back again and again.
As for the Cisse situation, we haven’t actually heard anything from the club or Cisse. Just a couple headless journalists? Forget about it.
Owldman
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:35 AM
Comment #51@26 Seems to me that you are against any sponsoreship by companys that exploit people, it is the choice of the indvidual as to weather they use Wonga or not, is gambling not destructive betting shops are now more like mini casinos than somewhere you could go to have a wager gambling is strictly against the laws of Islam, yet the FA have just signed a long deal with Sky Bet, does this now mean that every muslim player in the football league will stop playing in protest at this sponsorship.Newcastle are now in a very awkward situation, perhaps in hindsight the deal with Wonga wasn’t very wise but no one could have foreseen the problems it has caused.It will be interesting to see if any muslim teams refuse to player England because we are sponsored by a gambling firm, and another point I dont recall any of our other muslim players refusing to wear the Wonga shirt, another point which I believe is valid, does it now mean that when a muslim footballer signs for a club that his agent must now check to see that the club is not connected with or supplies the club with services or goods that run contrary to his players faith.Cisse may well have opened a can of worms.
sidecutter
Jul 19, 2013 at 6:39 AM
Comment #52Wow,just watched the video link providede by sazzer with boudebouz in it,this lad looks good,strong,fast feet,tricky and tall are we after him? I certainly hope so!!!!!
Thank you ed for the reminder,let’s all act responsibly……
Jamiemac
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:05 AM
Comment #53Good post Ed. It really is petty seeing grown men argue.
jimmysmith
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:10 AM
Comment #54Yes, its true, sometimes we go too far, but really, we`re only human and our club, and to some extent our very lives, have been hijacked by an absolute lunatic, quite possibly even a psychopath. Little wonder we occasionally start to fray around the edges from the duress. Even so, I am determined to do better and resolve to watch me p`s and q`s from now on. Sorry Guv!
(dips lid, doffs cap, tugs forelock, berates whippet….sorry, sorry, I`m forgettng myself again)
Paps
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:11 AM
Comment #55What is a prickley pear?
Santon03
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Comment #56I think the best solution is to sell Cisse and it has nothing to do with religion or belief or whatever. Because it will bite us in the arse later on if he is not sold.
Let’s say the club and wonga agreed to let Cisse not to wear wonga kits, his form dropped and other strikers are in good form, but if you bench him then there will be stories like Cisse is being bench because he doesn’t want to wear wonga, then religious issue will come out again and we will be forced to play out of form striker just for good publicity. There is no win win for the club in this situation. We may have bad publicity now if we sell him, but it will go away eventually but if we keep him, this will go on.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:17 AM
Comment #57Prickly pear
Its a fruit of a type of cactus – tried one in Tenerife – quite nice.
But the audio ad for peeling a prickly pear is driving me nuts every time I log on
cyprus
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Comment #58Is this an impressive business man?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jul/18/sports-direct-staff-bonus-mike-ashley
FatmanJoe
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:30 AM
Comment #59Ed, I’ve been commenting on this blog since the beginning (I hadn’t realised that until recently – I didn’t realise the blog was so young!) and I have to say a lot of these comments could have been nipped in the bud so to speak if you also commented on here like you used to.
I’ve been sitting back observing without commenting for quite a while now and some of the comments have been dreadful. I’ve kept waiting for Ed to come in and put a stop to it but alas no.
I don’t know why you don’t comment anymore but this is your blog and I think you could have done a better job of policing it personally.
magpie6699
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:31 AM
Comment #60Cheers Ed – couldn’t agree more. But even if I disagreed surely we can agree to disagree!
beddersmag
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Comment #61Owldman
If this is true there is no way its down to religion. It would be total hypocracy given other lenders, alchohol sponsorship etc. Its simply money and he wants more of it, here or probably elsewhere. For all those who cite his moral compass and the fact he gives half his money to his village- well then money is even more of a driver for him as he has many mouths to feed. You might even accept that if it was the reason provided but im not buying the one we are getting. As i say, might all be made up im stil waiting on a direct quote from someone of importance.
On the bad comments. I dont know who is worse the idiots writing them or the people telling Ed to close the blog. For crying out loud this is a global problem with online media why would you shut a good blog for a few idiots comments? Get a grip, idiots will always find a place to spout off. Lets ban Facebook and twitter eh?
Ian Toon
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Comment #62Ed – As we’ve discussed before contributors can make multiple incursions. This can be fairly light touch ; tolerant of vituperation,
tedious repetition, obvious inaccuracy and babble of every kind.
It is appealingly democratic like the walls in communist China which
became the place for subversive posters by anonymous citizens.
A place for a thousand flowers to bloom . If a few malodorous weeds appear among the flowers , that’s the price of free speech. Whilst I am an enthusiast for liberty of expression this is a football blog. It has unfortunately become a reminder why the less time spent reading clueless drivel the more enriched lives will become. In a glorious summer it is hard for one who dips in and out to appreciate those wanting to be forever entering the fray on line.
I have spent a large part of the summer on a working holiday and I editorially filter the online posts into a slimmed down digest of the thoughtful from the embittered mutters. The wheat from the chaff.
The football wise and the football foolish.
Anonymity brings out many contributors most unpleasant side with sheer nastiness unaccompanied by any argument just a boring read.
These people are not representative of toon fans around the world who have much to contribute to the football debate.
Ian Toon
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:34 AM
Comment #63For mutters read nutters- LOL
Spoof
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:45 AM
Comment #64Nice post Ed, hopefully people will take heed and be civil and respectful from now on.
woodsee
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Comment #65Read this blog daily,dont post that often,best toon blog by a country mile,you should be very proud ED of what you’ve produced.
Incidentally the swearing on the blog seemed to coincide with the appointment of Joe f……n Kinnear
Jail for Ashley
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:49 AM
Comment #66Ian,
Go and boil ya heed !
Jail for Ashley
Jul 19, 2013 at 7:55 AM
Comment #67A lot of people are saying we need two strikers, so if Cisse leaves we’d need three surely if we had three strikers on our radar then we’d have at least one of them over the line by now.
Slank
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:00 AM
Comment #68Ed,
Well said. There is no need for bad language. I was always told by my great aunt that politics, religion and sex shouldn’t be discussed in public as there would always be arguments. But why sex, what’s there to argue against.
I’ve noticed that almost all the comments before 0800 GMT (and therefore I presume exiled fans like myself) tend to be quite civil. Anybody else notice that?
Slank
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:04 AM
Comment #69Ian @ 60
The beauty of the Internet is that everyone can contribute.
The downside is that some who contribute you wouldn’t be seen dead with.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:04 AM
Comment #70Jail,
Agreed, if Cisse leaves, which I think i beginning to look more likely, unless Danno is right and he flies out tomorrow, then we need 3 strikers. Haven’t they been saying we would have one in by the weekend? That means someone will be arriving today, or is that a bit hopeful?
elpaso_geordie
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Comment #71Gomis and Gignac donât get me to excited id rather have Bent.
We are crying out for pace in the team and Gomis and Gignac are anything but
f**king depressing man
Rotonda heights
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Comment #72ah pseudo intellectuals don’t you just love em.
Spoof
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:09 AM
Comment #73Slank
I was told the same thing by my gran, sadly she used a few choice words when she was telling me, so the message never really got home.
Sex, whats that again, can someone remind me, I’ve been married to long to remember what it is lol.
Seriously though, like yourself I try to keep away from certain subjects because they are a tinder box which is a shame, as all subjects could be discussed if respect and self discipline were used, sadly I cannot see that happening with some people.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Comment #74Sissoko’s position has been a bit of a topic for debate, but he seems to think that he is a No.10.
âFor me, my position is No10,â said Sissoko. âBut if the manager says I must play in midfield, no problem for me”
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle-utd/moussa-sissoko-wants-no-10-role-for-newcastle-united-1-5870496
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Comment #75Elpaso,
I doubt Bent has pace anymore. He certainly didn’t show it in his brief outings last year. But agreed, I don’t think either of the French lads are top drawer or 20 goal a year strikers.
If they were they would cost a lot more then what is being reported.
John Tudor
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:14 AM
Comment #76its friday, is this a day to sign any players
John Tudor
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:16 AM
Comment #77lilo these two lads could be a feint for the real target
martoon
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:16 AM
Comment #78Well said Ed – I don’t post very often now because of some of the idiots on here – especially the ones who use ex NUFC footballer names!!!
Spoof
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:17 AM
Comment #79John Tudor
Today is a good day to sign a player, but I’m not too sure whether it will be a good day for us to sign one though !!!
Jail for Ashley
Jul 19, 2013 at 8:19 AM
Comment #80JT,
Friday is as good a day as any, but it looks like we’ve got a real mess on our hands with the Cisse affair, the only reasom Mikey splashed out a whopping 9M is it was because he was valued at 17M a few months earlier, I can’t see anybody paying that and Mikey won’t want to sell for less so if he refuses to play we’re screwed.