The mot popular sport in Canada is ice hockey by far, and probably followed by Lacrosse and Canadian football, before you get to what they call soccer.
And recently Toronto FC was formed on 2006, one year before this blog was created, and they finished 7th of 10 MLS clubs last season.
And it seems strange that John Carver should compare Toronto tFC o Newcastle United, founded in 1892, 123 years ago.
Newcastle are one of the best supported football clubs in all of football, even though we haven’t won anything for 100 years, really 46 years, but it seems a lot more.
And we have to keep looking up the definition of “trophy” – just to ensure we don’t forget what one of those is.
You can only talk about you own experiences, and John Carver was manager at the Canadian club from February 2008 through April of the next year, and his record there was played 40 games, won 12 and lost 16.
John has been talking to the Chronicle today, and he was initially asked if he had any sympathy for Sunderland, since they are struggling with relegation in 4th bottom place and just one point above the drop zone.
“We’ve got none whatsoever – for anybody in the Premier League. But in particular Sunderland because they are on our doorstep.”
“A lot of people say: ‘We’d love Sunderland to stay up so we’ve got the derbies’. Yeah, that’s great – but we have to take care of ourselves and not worry about anybody else.”
“At Toronto here was a sign above the tunnel and it read ‘This is our house.’ ” “It was the main theme.” “The fans used to sing that at games.” “But that’s how it is for us as well.”
“It’s a house because it’s where the foundations are and where people come to visit you, as in watch the team, and watch you perform.”
After leaving Toronto by mutual consent his next job was assistant manager to Paul Mariner at Plymouth Argyle, and of course he was there when we beat Plymouth 2-0 down south to get promotion on Monday 19th April, 2010.
John Carver at Toronto circa 2008
John then joined Gary Speed later that year as assistant manager at Sheffield United.
So John hasn’t had a lot of experience of being the main man at the a football club and he;s having a bit of trouble this year with just two wins in 12 games.
But knowing Newcastle, and the fact that John is (very) well in with Lee Charnley, Graham Carr and owner Mike Ashley and will not rock the boat, he could still get the job in the summer, even with his poor record.
It’s not like Ashley is asking him to take Newcastle into the top six or win a trophy – or anything exciting like that – just stay in the Premier League – and preferably without being in a relegation fight.
So the way that’s said is be in the top ten in the Premier League.
That’s Mike Ashley’s manifesto at Newcastle.
It’s also why we are not compared to Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea or any other successful clubs like that.
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6 comments so far
John Tudor
Apr 4, 2015 at 8:45 AM
Comment #1carver the loon
Average_Contents
Apr 4, 2015 at 8:55 AM
Comment #2There about our current level albeit probably richer. And more ambitious. And don’t have a slug as owner. Toronto united football club. Thanks johnny boy.
John Tudor
Apr 4, 2015 at 9:17 AM
Comment #3slug owner and a cabbage coach apt marriage
banjax
Apr 4, 2015 at 9:22 AM
Comment #4This is the problem at Newcastle – we aim for the sky – other clubs aim for the stars. It’s all down to perception and ambition, of which Newcastle have none under the current regime !
lochinvar
Apr 4, 2015 at 9:40 AM
Comment #5Carver is a classless act , quote in papers “I wanted to attack Paolo Di Canio when he did his knee slide against us, admits Newcastle manager John Carver
Carver says he wanted to “take the law into my own hands” to stop the former Sunderland manager”
Well JC we know what you mean but you don’t say it in public and in talking like that only proves that you don’t have the stature to be Manager of Newcastle United and sets the club up for more ridicule. Otherwise you will end up as a candidate for the Jeremy Kyle show not Manager of NUFC. And Toronto FC comparisons – go join the Mounties !
CisseSomething
Apr 5, 2015 at 2:48 AM
Comment #6I live near Toronto and support tfc when I’m not pulling my hair out supporting nufc. Tfc has become very ambitious the past 2 seasons just to make the playoffs for the first time in club history. I gotta say Iv been enjoying tfc more then nufc lately.