We are still waiting for some announcement about Alan Shearer, one way or the other, as the Newcastle club virtually hangs in limbo with no manager in charge, and 150 people having just been laid off yesterday.
David Wiiliamson – highest paid casualty at Newcastle – so far
And we should just mention we cannot be the only fans to notice there has not been a word said about Joe Kinnear, in all of this. The last we heard about Joe, he was going to lead a team including Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood, but now all three will probably leave Newcastle in the summer.
If Joe hadn’t had his heart trouble we feel sure we would have survived, and if Joe had come back for the final 8 games we also feel sure he would have been able to get more than 5 points. However right now there would have remained some significant uncertainty on Tyneside, since Joe was never universally accepted by Newcastle fans. But we doubt we’d be in the Championship now either.
It was noted a few weeks back that no contract would be offered to Calderwood in the summer, and his future was in doubt as soon as Alan Shearer came in on April Fool’s Day.
The Newcastle Journal is reporting today that Chesterfield chairman Barry Hubbard has confirmed the 44-year-old is one of three candidates for the vacant manager job. We assume Colin’s contract runs out on June 30th, which seems to be the norm.
And more news about the redundancies at Newcastle, that was broken by the Times and we reported on last last night. The number of redundancies is now said to be 150 (we reported 120), and some of those are part time employees.
The highest profile one, with probably the highest wage to go is Operations director David Williamson, who joined the club in April, 2008, after a successful spell as executive director of Newcastle Racecourse.
Most of those involved in the redundancies had been told in advance their likely departure if the club was relegated so last Sunday would have been a dark time for a lot of them, and the majority of the staff were told of their fate on Thursday, with the paperwork completed only yesterday.
And those who think players like Beye and Duff, who want to stay at the club, will only do so on reduced wages, should think again. We don’t believe that will happen, although the club may try it.
Usually of course, the contracts stipulate a reduced wage if the side gets relegated, and apparently Sunderland’s players would have suffered reductions of at least 40% had the Wearsiders been relegated.
But of course not at Newcastle, which is another indication of how the club has handled things – in a most unprofessional way. No such clauses are included in Newcastle players’ contracts, so now the players who stay, have every legal right to refuse a wage cut and the only way to reduce the wages is to sell the players – and it will be a fire sale – for sure.
And we hear Joey Barton still wants to stay and cause trouble at the club, (hasn’t he caused enough already?) by refusing to leave Newcastle – and that’s the last thing Alan Shearer wants to hear. The sad thing is that Joey is still a very good player, and could help us on the field next season, but he comes with enormous baggage.
We are hoping that Alan Shearer will be announced shortly and we expect Alan to go full tilt in reshaping the Newcastle side.
With all the negativity surrounding the club right now, there are a few things the club should learn from all of this this:
- Never take our place in the Premier League place for granted – ever again.
- Put those wage reduction clauses in the player’s contracts, and any other clauses we have neglected to put in, over the last several years.
- Realize like any business that fails or does badly, like Newcastle United right now, it’s the employees – and yes – usually the innocent ones, who take it on the chin.
- Only sign players who want to come and play for Newcastle, and if the high wages is the major reason they want to come – don’t bother signing them.
The hope at Newcastle right now is that Shearer can come in and turn this terrible mess around, and if he is indeed to become the great manager we are hoping for, we need to get a good start to the season (which is vital), and be challenging next May for promotion. But none of that is ever a given, with the Newcastle club continually surprising Newcastle fans – on the downside.
If Alan doesn’t turn out to be as good as we expect, this could be the start of something more sinister at Newcastle – but we have to hope there is a silver lining in the heavy clouds overhead – a light at the end of the tunnel – there’s always hope.
But there again that’s about the only things we’ve had at Newcastle for 40 years.
Comments always welcome.
57 comments so far
toontony
May 30, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Comment #1Ed we have no contracted manager at present,both shearer and kinnears contracts have expired now. just wish club would come out and say something,just even still trying to sat still trying to negotiate.
Nothing since wednesday it is only 2 weeks until fixtures come out, 4 weeks until training starts then the season starts on aug 8th come on get a move on………………….
Big Dave
May 30, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Comment #2As usual with our club the silence is deafening
Ericles
May 30, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Comment #3Disgraceful that loyal employees are going to be booted out through no fault of their own when overpaid tow rags like Owen still get paid a wedge for doing nothing. Typical market economics – blame the workers while paying the overpaid shirkers. Terrible. Shameful. This is just one more example of the carpet bagger that fat Ashley really is!
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Comment #4I am more down now than I was last sunday..the pain and frustration of staying loyal to this club is painful.
The future looks bleak,why can’t Ashley just get rid of the club,he is clearly out of his depth financially and doesn’t fill me with optimism for our future.
batty
May 30, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Comment #5sirjasontoon // May 30, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I am more down now than I was last sunday..the pain and frustration of staying loyal to this club is painful.
The future looks bleak,why can’t Ashley just get rid of the club,he is clearly out of his depth financially and doesn’t fill me with optimism for our future
<<<<same here m8 ASHLEY OOT
listie
May 30, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Comment #6I thought it was 120 people had been made redundant, is that figure now 150!
Feel for them at this time, we just need some good news now
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Comment #7Batty-I wanted the Goon out of Toon 18 months ago..he can’t afford to run a successful club and has zero Ambition,Shay Given clarified that when he left for man city.
He has continually let the fans down,made a fool out of Keegan,he must think us Geordies are a right bunch of Mugs.
Enough is Enough…I would like to see the fker hanging from Byker Bridge.
batty
May 30, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Comment #8sirjasontoon // May 30, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Batty-I wanted the Goon out of Toon 18 months ago..he can’t afford to run a successful club and has zero Ambition,Shay Given clarified that when he left for man city.
He has continually let the fans down,made a fool out of Keegan,he must think us Geordies are a right bunch of Mugs.
Enough is Enough…I would like to see the fker hanging from Byker Bridge
<<<<IDE LIKE TO SEE HIM PUT IN STOCKS ALONG WITH BENNY{OON AND THROW HOUSE BRICKS AT THEM
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Comment #9HaHa
I would pay to have a go Batty…pound a brick !
BOSH !!
batty
May 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Comment #10SJT i think ashley is gona get rid ofr the coaching staff this weekend hughton calerwood etc to make way for shearer and co m8
batty
May 30, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Comment #11SJT ware aboots in newcastle u from m8
Johno Toon
May 30, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Comment #12Im hoping no news is good news with Shearer
reetpetite
May 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Comment #13batty – thats not very nice. I thought we were getting along well.
I hope you get shearer. He would be a disaster!! Alan curbishly would be a much better choice but then again he isnt a geordie so wouldnt be accepted. Its funny to see the fans bringing the club to its knees with there demands.
nufc1818
May 30, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Comment #14surely the sacking of these 120 people is to shearers demands
so he can start again with his new backroom staff
ArtyH
May 30, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Comment #15There is no way to sugar coat the dire situation the club is in at this time, so IMHO compromises have to be made. The club are in serious financial trouble, so on the Barton issue…..he cost £6m is a good player and would probably be an asset in the fizzy league, if he could stay out of trouble. If it was possible to renegotiate his contract ( and Duffs ) to such a degree that he would accept a 40% wage reduction contingent on good behaviour I believe we could settle for that. Whoever the manager turns out to be should make a public declaration that Barton is not forgiven but is allowed to play for he club as selling would be economic stupidity. It would not be an ideal situation but for the good of everyone it could work. Notice I am not saying give the little Tw*t another chance, just moving the goalposts to suit the situation which could help us. Looking to next year if the above worked out…….and Barton played for us ……. and was half as good as we know he could be…..and the team were in the playoffs…….. 0 – 0 at full time …….extra time and Barton scores the winner…..we get promoted at the first ask……
One question…….would anyone care of his past record??? Or would anyone regret him playing the season???? Do we cut off our nose to spite our face and weaken our already crap squad????
Just a point also, in the Liverpool game I remember a few tackles that went in two footed by other Newcastle players that did not get penalised, one from Habib just outside the box as Liverpool were attacking our goal which I thought should have been a yellow, but it wasn’t, probably because it was Habib Baye who was involved.
This is IMHO trying to make a positive out of a negative, and I am sure it will not be universally popular but the best I could think of instead of loosing £3-4 million which we could ill afford at this time.
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Comment #16reetpetite // May 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM
batty – thats not very nice. I thought we were getting along well.
I hope you get shearer. He would be a disaster!! Alan curbishly would be a much better choice but then again he isnt a geordie so wouldnt be accepted. Its funny to see the fans bringing the club to its knees with there demands
<<<<lol
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Comment #17reetpetite ware aboots in london do u live m8
reetpetite
May 30, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Comment #18batty- why? do you want to come and plant a flaming cross in my front garden?
I live in leighton buzzard, not to far from where mike ashley lives. Maybe he and i could share lifts to spurs next season. Looking after the enviroment and all that.
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Comment #19reetpetite // May 30, 2009 at 11:18 AM
batty- why? do you want to come and plant a flaming cross in my front garden?
I live in leighton buzzard, not to far from where mike ashley lives. Maybe he and i could share lifts to spurs next season. Looking after the enviroment and all that<<<<i knew that was you who attended games with ashley lol
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Comment #20and when ur in the car with him try to convince him to buy your club plz with the bit of cash he has left
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Comment #21Born Howdon Batty,All my family are still round that neck of the woods.
Moved to Leighton Buzzard and live in the same squat as Benny.
reetpetite
May 30, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Comment #22batty- looks like his gamble on newcastle will clean him out. Surely he must have had advisors who would have spelled out to him the dangers of not investing in the team in january. I cant beleive he is a billionaire when it appears he is clueless about simple business matters.
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Comment #23Benny why don’t you just come on here a chat football fella…have a banter by all means but these constant wind ups and reaction hunting are just painful to read.
Start a fresh everyone deserves 2nd chances 🙂
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Comment #24reetpetite // May 30, 2009 at 11:35 AM
batty- looks like his gamble on newcastle will clean him out. Surely he must have had advisors who would have spelled out to him the dangers of not investing in the team in january. I cant beleive he is a billionaire when it appears he is clueless about simple business matters.
<<<<that the most sane thing u have ever sed on here m8
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Comment #25sirjasontoon // May 30, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Benny why don’t you just come on here a chat football fella…have a banter by all means but these constant wind ups and reaction hunting are just painful to read.
Start a fresh everyone deserves 2nd chances
<<<<ashleys had his 2nd 3rd 4th 5th and many more ASHLEY OOT
reetpetite
May 30, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Comment #26sirjasonbtoon- from this day forward i shall remain civil. Thankyou for this oppurtunity to be your friend!!
Whatever happened tto ryantoon? I said to him that he was a fair weather fan and if the club were relegated he would be off supporting chelsea. Havent seen him on here since the club went down.
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Comment #27reetpetite // May 30, 2009 at 11:41 AM
sirjasonbtoon- from this day forward i shall remain civil. Thankyou for this oppurtunity to be your friend!!
Whatever happened tto ryantoon? I said to him that he was a fair weather fan and if the club were relegated he would be off supporting chelsea. Havent seen him on here since the club went down
<<<<lol
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Comment #28Good Lad,have a banter,chill with the lads,all good.
I just mentioned our essex friend yesterday…wondered where Ed Case went and a few others 🙂
Can’t wait for Tom Toons CCC Transfer forecasts…riveting stuff.
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Comment #29Where you from batty?
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Comment #30bennytoon aidan daveis to win britain got talent
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Comment #31SJT north shiels m8 and you
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Comment #32“Operations director David Williamson, who joined the club in April, 2008, after a successful spell as executive director of Newcastle Racecourse.”
Says it all really..and Owl Head Llambias and ex pub landlord or something 🙂
reetpetite
May 30, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Comment #33sirjasontoon- tom-toons transfer window picks will be the highlight of my summer. I can picture him surfing youtube vids as i type.
batty- As long as susan boyle doesnt win! Looks like it has gone to her head. I also hope that little girl who had the breakdown last night doesnt win! That was hard to watch. It made me cringe so much i had to leave the room.
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Comment #34Know it well fella,I used to sneak in the jungle club when I was 15 🙂
What was that bar at the top of the bank Alnwick Castle (I think)used to drink there as well as a kid.
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Comment #35batty // May 30, 2009 at 11:41 AM
reetpetite // May 30, 2009 at 11:38 AM
batty- how many times have you asked for me to be banned?
<<<NEVERm8 ive been banned meself aboot 6 times lol
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Comment #36You Tube makes players look amazing…I remember seeing Albert Luque when he was at deportivio….man that was one amazing Vid…shit for us though.
batty
May 30, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Comment #37SJT move to whitley bay then doon stoke then back upto wallsend battle hill m8
reetpetite
May 30, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Comment #38batty-I am amazed i have lasted this long! I would love to know how many emails ed has got about me over the last year. Westoon was my favourite poster that hated me. He would wait religiously for me to make a post before having a 100 word rant in caps lock at me. I wouldnt be surprised if he popped his cloggs from high blood pressure such was his fury.
reetpetite
May 30, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Comment #39sirjasontoon- I wonder if youtube would work for my missus. Youtube would make her look amazing and i could pimp her out. Unfortunatly shes not to hot in the flesh.
sirjasontoon
May 30, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Comment #40Cool Batty,Lived Hadrian Park as a kid so not far away Bud.
When do you reckon the club will make a statement
everything we do takes ages zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz