News today that 22 year-old Shane Ferguson will get plenty of games next season, as he has signed up on loan for the season at Lee Clark’s Birmingham City.
Shane Ferguson – in Birmingham’s colors last season
The only surprise there is that it’s for the full season, but next summer Shane will have a chance to come to Newcastle’s pre-season, and show that he should be part of Newcastle’s first team.
But Shane turned 22 this month, so he’s hardly a youngster any more but he will be able to get a full season in with Birmingham in the Championship and that should do him the world of good.
Wolverhampton Wanderers also wanted to sign the player on loan, but Wolves, who have been relegated in successive seasons missed out, as Shane went for Championship level football..
Lee Clark had this to say about the loan deal:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be able to bring Shane in. It’s taken the longest of all the deals, but he was one I wasn’t going to give up on.” “He did really well for us last season and I’m sure the fans are very happy to have him back.”
“I think it will be a good move for him playing week in and week out, which he hasn’t really done at a first-team level, because he’ll get stronger and stronger.” “I also want to thank my old club Newcastle, who have done really well for us in terms of the way they’ve structured the deal financially for us.”
Ferguson should help Birmingham go for promotion in the coming season, and Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill will be happy enough.
Michael had urged the player to get first team football this season, which is what will now happen.
It seems that it’s a good deal for everyone involved, and we;ll be following Shane’s progress next season.
Last season Shane played 11 times on loan at Birmingham with one great goal, and he’s played 32 times for the Newcastle first team, and 8 times with one goal for Northern Ireland.
We expect more Newcastle youngsters to be farmed out on local for next season.
NOTE: We are trying to help Ingo Hagemann who is an International student at Northumbria University studying for an MSc in Sports Marketing, and he’s doing a survey as part of his Masters dissertation. The survey is on the controversial sponsorship between Wonga and Newcastle and it takes only five to ten minutes to complete.
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203 comments so far
LooneyToon41
Jul 24, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Comment #201Just a reminder to all that Ed posted only this week about avoiding personal abuse,religion,politics on the blog!
Either we sign up for that, or we go elsewhere was the message!
It’s up to us all to police that message……. imo.
Now, i’ll run and hide! 😉
brian kilclines pony tail
Jul 24, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Comment #202@Lilongwe – no, but people are people and that will never change, so it is up to the club to manage the expectations of the fans and to communicate when problems arise, but they don’t.
It happens that often its as if they plan it this way.
the club has a lot to explain and until they start managing situations better this will continue.
At present there is a lack of trust between fans and the board/owner for many reasons, between fans and the players over performances and commitment, a lack of fans confidence in the managers coaching and tactical ability. there is friction between management and board (kinnear), there is friction on transfer targets which has caused a lack of activity, there are issues between a key player and the board.
NUFC at present do not look like a happy ship to be part of. it’s no wonder fans are in a ‘batten down the hatches’ frame of mind and this is being shown by ‘well if he dosnt want to play for us, get rid’ attitude towards cisse.
LooneyToon41
Jul 24, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Comment #203Ruddy,
Fair enough. On a positive note, we DID bid £10m for Remy in January, so we know the cash is there to spend.