The top outlets are usually filled with headlines only about Manchester City, Chelsea, or Arsenal etc. Sometimes it feels like the Premier League consists of only six bloody teams.
However, Brian Reade in the Mirror had a magnificent article on Wednesday that was pitch perfect in describing Mike Ashley’s ru(i)nning of Newcastle United.
There needs to be more of this. And it should be continuous and unrelenting. It should mirror Mike Ashley’s disdain for the supporters of this club and be as brutal as possible. And it would be the truth.
Here is an excerpt from Brian Reade’s article:
Yet in the 12 years since Ashley picked up Newcastle for £135million, on a whim, he has messed with their heads on such an illogical, unparalleled scale that a psychiatrist would surely conclude he gets off on it.
He sacked well-loved managers Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and Chris Hughton, and imposed Joe Kinnear, Dennis Wise and John Carver on them.
He renamed their hallowed ground after his sports-gear firm and sold their iconic shirts to Wonga.
He wrote off all cup competitions, gave Alan Pardew an eight-year contract and has just priced the new replica home shirt at £65, making it the most expensive in English football.
We find Brian to be spot on in this and his article reads as if was written by a Newcastle supporter.
We could add to Brian’s list but the examples would be endless. However, two come to mind that are perfect representations of how to peg Mike Ashley. They are the sale of Andy Carroll and his disgraceful treatment of Jonas Gutierrez while he was stricken with cancer.
While the sale of Andy Carroll is not in itself devious. His assertions that the money was already spent the next summer was. There was no evidence of the Andy Carroll money being invested in the club.
These two incidents are all you need to know about Mike Ashley. They are two examples that deal with two distinct aspects of his character – greed and lack of empathy – that boil down to one glaring discovery.
Mike Ashley is a sociopath. He does not care about people at all. He cares about himself and his money. That is it. This needs to be exposed. Mike Ashley cannot continue to run this club. He is unfit as an owner and a representative of Newcastle United. The Premier League, the FA, and the media need to act accordingly.
Brian continues in his article:
And through all those bizarre decisions, he imposed a Stalinist black-out on all information about the goings-on at St James’ Park.
It’s seemed deliberately vindictive.
As Keegan revealed last year, he was hurt at being “treated like dirt” by Ashley and his henchmen, and was appalled at their “disregard for people”.
The media need to do more of this but they have yet to act in accordance with Ashley’s depravity.
This is an environment where #Glazersout is trending in the UK while Manchester United are about to seal a £50M on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a genius of a player.
Why is Ashley Out not everywhere? His discretions are deliberate and depraved.
Mike Ashley’s treatment of Newcastle United fans needs to be exposed. And it must be continuous and unrelenting!
168 comments so far
one fine day
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:25 AM
Comment #41florida toon
Yes seeing a half empty st James park would send a message but this is Ashley .
I would not put it past him to bus in half of Poland with a sports direct voucher and free match day ticket to fill out the ground.
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:25 AM
Comment #42Florida,
Maybe, I don’t know….but as you know NBC broadcasts every single match (I don’t believe that’ll change, it may get more expensive to subscribe to them all)
Sky has to pick and choose (so they’ll always go with the most popular, mainly the big teams)….so it would have an impact in the UK, but I don’t believe the UK market is what Ashley is targeting.
one fine day
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:31 AM
Comment #43NY MAG
Was put about last weekend he had bolted state side (as everyone wondered about the constant no comment )was being well reported but who knows.
Good to hear mickey is dusting of his chopper:)
A trip to liverpool ? so he is either trying to get his fat arse over rafas hedge without the dogs having a go or (luke edwards will report )he is sounding out jurgan lol ?
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:32 AM
Comment #44I think you are wrong Florida Toon. First, NBC have that full PL pass for $39 a year when you see any game on demand. Then they show a minimum of 5, often 6 games a weekend so we are bound to be selected as they obviously only have 10 to choose from. Then, NUFC are still a big draw. You can see that by who we always get on Boxing Day and New Year – Man U and Liverpool. Next, it won’t be a half empty stadium. Maybe 10,000 no-shows if we are doing really badly.
I don’t know where this stuff about Sky needing full stadiums comes from. Man City have a half full ground for almost all of their Champions League Group games. Big FA Cup games are not always sell outs.
Its another one of those things that gets repeated so many times on this blog that a lot have accepted it as fact. Probably don’t want an argument. Whenever a boycott is brought up to Bobbybee there ensues a back and forth for 100 pages.
Prestonmag66
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:32 AM
Comment #45Here’s a thought…..the stadium is closed to the public for three days soon. How long to put in electrics to run new digital signs? Oh sh1t!
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:38 AM
Comment #46Whatever happens with the takeover, I think this is the last we will ever see Ashley at SJP.
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:40 AM
Comment #47OFD,
Far be it from me to start a new rumour….but I did wonder what business he had in scouse land 😀
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:40 AM
Comment #48NY
Yes but you have to subscribe to their “gold package” not sure the price. This is where fans all around the world can help. Don’t pay for that crap. And even if the match is shown maybe people asking why a stadium is half empty could help. Just thinking of anything to rid NUFC from his greedy stubby fingers.
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:41 AM
Comment #49Tony,
I agree with that….he’s never gonna rock up at SJP again
beefman13
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:42 AM
Comment #50Come on Ed, we finished 5th in the Premiership, maybe the biggest achievement in the prem outside of what Leicester did?
This season will be our 11th in 13 years!
Yea I know mediocre but true, add the fact we did not build on that 5th place, very disappointing but not easy to maintain those high levels, ask Leicester.
We have had quite few very decent players come to the toon and sold of course but that’s the way he runs the club as a business and every manager knows that when they sign on the dotted line. But then they try to move the goalposts and its adios.
So yes Ed we have been the talk of the toon these near 13 years and everywhere else, not always great though as we know.
But we are still in the game, we’ve had many a kicking, but it’s maybe our turn to kick some butt, not just Mikes!
13 can be lucky for us.
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:45 AM
Comment #51Tony
Should have included you with my message to NY. Wrong maybe….but if we as fans don’t do something after this then nothing MA does will unite us.
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:45 AM
Comment #52Florida,
Fair comment….although I have to be honest I pay the $49.99 a season for the gold pass and I won’t be cancelling it.
If that’s makes me then so be it. I’ll take it on the chin.
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:45 AM
Comment #53The ground will not be half empty though and most of that will be dictated by results. I had to sneak this in during the night shift because if I mentioned that a boycott would have no effect on Sky during the day there would be hell on.
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:48 AM
Comment #54NY
That’s your choice, its not mine or anyone elses right to tell you what to do. I don’t pay for it and never will, I will watch the toon when its one of the TV channels or stream it.
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:50 AM
Comment #55Florida Toon: I have no idea what we could do as fans here or even in Newcastle. I am convinced that a boycott would not have any effect on Sky. Only results would have an effect. If we are doing well more people tune in because we will probably be shown against the big 6 and they will expect a good game. If we are doing badly they might pick another game, but Watford and Norwich are never going to be the draw NUFC are. We may be a sleeping giant but we are still a bigger draw than most of these former small clubs that are newly in the PL money.
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:50 AM
Comment #56Tony
I respect you opinion but how do we know the ground wont be half empty on match day? That decision falls on those lifelong fans so very far away from me and again not for me to tell anyone what to do…..but if you don’t try?
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:52 AM
Comment #57Florida,
Again, fair comment – each to their own.
I have absolutely no problem with what each invidual chooses to do, I would happily “help” from afar with any protests if I could. But I’m still gonna watch the games (there’s no point in me lying about that)
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:52 AM
Comment #58Is it $50? I must have got the discounted pass for signing up later. I usually watch at home on the free service or go down to a pub that shows all of our games. Usually costs me $50 at the pub which would pay for the full pass 🙂
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:55 AM
Comment #59Tony,
It’s been $49.99 per season for the last two years, maybe they’ll increase it this year – who knows
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:55 AM
Comment #60Florida Toon opinions aren’t usually shouted down on the night shift. It is easier to say something slightly controversial or at least not widely accepted – that a boycott will make very little difference.
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:56 AM
Comment #61NY
I agree. to each their own. I don’t know if empty stadiums would even effect MA. I have no idea what will, but I think once the aggravation of owning NUFC outweighs any money he can get from it he will leave which is what all (i hope all) want.
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:58 AM
Comment #62NY & Tony
That’s what we are here for….listen and debate. Boring if we all have the same opinion.
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:00 AM
Comment #63As if this week hasn’t been bad enough I am going to watch a bit of the USMNT match. I had thought that with the world cup coming they would throw a lot of money at it. They will need to.
I saw the average, AVERAGE price for a WC game here will be $437. it was on one of the previous US games. Some ex-player explaining that he would have to start saving now to take his family of 4 to a few games.
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:02 AM
Comment #64Tony
Don’t post updates. I’m recording it and will watch when I get home.
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:05 AM
Comment #65Ok Florida Toon.
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:06 AM
Comment #66Thanks
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:08 AM
Comment #67Florida, tony,
I’m not against any boycotts or protests…..it’s just that not being present in the UK and obviously not being a matchgoer, I find it hypocritical to have a strong opinion on this – I’ll support whatever happens and I think that any boycotts/protests will happen spontaneously and not by pre-planning.
There is so many people come on this blog and give it rock-all from behind a keyboard, who I’m convinced don’t put their ‘money where their mouth is’.
Our amphibious friend is one of them, goes on and on and on, and yet when there was planned protests at shirebrook last year (ok, it never happened)…I asked him if he was going and he said he couldn’t make it.
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:10 AM
Comment #68The boycott is a very touchy subject. You get shouted down if you agree and if you don’t agree.
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:14 AM
Comment #69Tony,
I remember reading that NY/New Jersey was being considered for the 2026 World Cup final?
I’m assuming the Red Bull’s stadium in New Jersey
No confirmation yet…
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:16 AM
Comment #70NY
If MA doesn’t sell lets hope its the spark that sets something off in mass proportions.
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:17 AM
Comment #71Florida Toon: you may not have been on earlier but one of the suggestions was to put rotting fish in various garments at Sports Direct Stores.
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:19 AM
Comment #72Florida,
I think it will, I just don’t think it will come from twitter or the mag or this blog……I think it will be a spark from something that happens (or doesn’t happen) on the the pitch
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:20 AM
Comment #73Aren’t you moving to Michigan though NYMag?
FloridaToon
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:21 AM
Comment #74I spent the last two days catching up…hoping for a bit of good news. Read all kinds of stuff. To each their own not sure of the legal ramifications of such actions. I would just say to all to stay away from any threats or violence. I still like my idea of bombarding NUFC and SD with thousands of emails every day just to be a pain.
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:22 AM
Comment #75How big is Red Bull? I saw England/USA here and it was in Soldier Field which I think is like 75k.
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:23 AM
Comment #76Tony,
Yes, I am (officially)
I have an apartment there now,which unfortunately I won’t be visiting fo the next month due to travel schedules.
NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:25 AM
Comment #77Tony,
I’ve never been to Red Bull stadium – I know where it’s at, I drive past it on the way to Newark airport….but other than that, I know nothing
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:25 AM
Comment #78I am not paranoid or anything but I am still careful of what I say on the internet.
one fine day
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:26 AM
Comment #79NY Mag
Jun 27, 2019 at 1:40 AM
Comment #46
We all know sports direct Liverpool is the only one that has an “evening wear” section lol
Maybe they are launching a more formal wedding shellsuit ? 🙂
Tony Baloney
Jun 27, 2019 at 2:27 AM
Comment #80I have actually been to Ann Arbor. 25 years ago.