I was privileged to be at the Newcastle Fairs Cup way back in 1969 in the first leg of the final at St. James’ Park.
That’s when we hammered Hungarian club Ujpest FC 6-2 on aggregate and 3-0 at home.
That’s the last time we won anything at all.
The last local trophy we won was when we took apart Manchester City 3-1 at Wembley in the FA Cup Final in 1955.
I watched the game on TV – with my parents at Wembley for the game – as my favorite player – Jackie Milburn of course – scored with a header in the very first minute of that game.
Sir John Hall – faces the reality of where Newcastle are today
With that context in mind here’s what Sir John Hall has said about the current Newcastle United team under long-term owner Mike Ashley.
And it’s a damning assessment from the former Chairman of the club published in the Chronicle today:
“The harsh reality is that today, more than at any time since 1969, we are probably further away than ever from winning something.”
“And there is no chance of doing so until there is change at the club.”
“Mike came with the best intentions. I firmly believe that.”
“He wanted to globalize Newcastle and to use the club to market his brand of goods in the Far East.”
“But he fell out with supporters pretty quickly and for too many years now, it’s been a holding operation.”
“The club is in limbo. Mike’s had enough and for everyone’s sake, the sooner he moves on the better. That’s my fervent wish for 2019.”
“But it’s imperative whoever he sells to has to have the finances to take this magnificent club forward.”
“It’s not just about coughing up £300M – and from what I hear, there’s nothing yet on the table.”
“But (it’s also) having the resources to change the whole club and buy players who can take us to we’re we should be.”
We are hoping Ashley will sell, but it could be another ruse, so he doesn’t have to spend any money this month.
He can put the club up for sale as many times as he wants to – but if he is asking too much then, Newcastle will never be sold.
That’s what’s happened in the past, and it’s looking like it may happen this time too.
Comments welcome.
170 comments so far
Mag52
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Comment #161Zele.
It’s got to be loyalty to the fans and to his squad, but also to win the stand off between himself and Ashley.
Jib
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Comment #162https://twitter.com/Optimistoon/status/1080372633538039808
Optimistic Panda
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:01 PM
Comment #163With Nebula
Optimistic Panda
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:02 PM
Comment #164I don’t have Twitter before anyone jumps to conclusions!
Zele
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Comment #165hibbit,
No problem. It’s good that people can apologise. We all fire of things we’re the finger and the brain are not in sync. Happens all the time with age, I have found !
Munster Mag
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Comment #166Zele, with all due respect to rafa, I think nufc is the best gig in town for him in terms of a sleeping giant with huge fan base etc. The top clubs don’t want him, so a club like nufc, Leeds, wolves would be attractive to him, assuming an owner who wants to invest. Nufc is perfect for all parties, we just don’t have an owner who wants to build something. If he leaves, aside from somewhere like Leicester, his best bet would be abroad where he will get a better class of club like a galatasaray etc.
Moonraker15
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Comment #167Jib
Oh silly me! I thought Chancel was being “ironic” !
Haha your such a pr1ck you could definitely be an Ashley employee !
Zele
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Comment #168Munster,
I’m not so sure about abroad.
His family is firmly entrenched in the UK. It’s very much home for his children.
Moonraker15
Jan 2, 2019 at 2:28 PM
Comment #169Munster
Rafa has stated that his home is in the UK; certainly his daughters have been brought up here. He has a beautiful pad on the Wirral so I think he much prefers the Premier League.
I think if he could build something at Newcastle it would be a great end to his career and the shame is it’s looking like 3 wasted years at the moment!
Munster Mag
Jan 2, 2019 at 3:35 PM
Comment #170Agree moonraker. That’s why I said he is not considered for jobs by spurs arsenal etc, because he is not considered to be in the very top bracket, the way potecchino is etc. Its just the way it is. That’s why I think nufc is his best gig in England. It’s what people like jail can’t accept me saying. He suits nufc to a T. If only the owner could see that. But this is the owner who reached out to Joe kinnear!!!