Benwell Lad

thats the point, we dont know what the talks were about (well publicised are you kidding Edd!), what we do know are the clear contradictions in Ashleys employment terms towards Keegan, the rest is pure speculation. So, assuming Keegan was happy to work within the clubs structure, are you saying he still couldn't have come back for legal reasons? It looks like the terms offered were unreasonable to Keegan and were not to the terms of his employment, thus being a constructive dismissal and so engaging the legal stand-off. His walking has been supported by other managers responses, saying they it would not be acceptable to them including, Curbishley, ONeill, Ferguson, Wenger, Benitez, etc. Well that's lovely to hear, but is completely irrelevant to the question which you've ignored as I suspected you would. You said "he couldnt because of the legal implications, even if he wanted to." and I'm saying bullshit. Keegan isn't here because, for whatever reasons, he doesn't want to be. True or false? the question itself is irrelevant and inapplicable because of the legal implications, Keegan and NUFC could not work together because of the legal impasse. How is that so difficult to understand? Do you do divorce stuff as well ? never back down eh, even when owned. Is that more legal jargon cos I don't really understand what you mean ?

Spot on Lenny.

thats the point, we dont know what the talks were about (well publicised are you kidding Edd!), what we do know are the clear contradictions in Ashleys employment terms towards Keegan, the rest is pure speculation. So, assuming Keegan was happy to work within the clubs structure, are you saying he still couldn't have come back for legal reasons? It looks like the terms offered were unreasonable to Keegan and were not to the terms of his employment, thus being a constructive dismissal and so engaging the legal stand-off. His walking has been supported by other managers responses, saying they it would not be acceptable to them including, Curbishley, ONeill, Ferguson, Wenger, Benitez, etc. Well that's lovely to hear, but is completely irrelevant to the question which you've ignored as I suspected you would. You said "he couldnt because of the legal implications, even if he wanted to." and I'm saying bullshit. Keegan isn't here because, for whatever reasons, he doesn't want to be. True or false? the question itself is irrelevant and inapplicable because of the legal implications, Keegan and NUFC could not work together because of the legal impasse. How is that so difficult to understand? Do you do divorce stuff as well ?

Money will talk, but if he does go for a deal which has the club's best interests at heart does that mean he wishes to maintain some sort of relationship with us - even just attending matches ? Anyway it's going to be Arabs. You heard it here first (or maybe not).

thats the point, we dont know what the talks were about (well publicised are you kidding Edd!), what we do know are the clear contradictions in Ashleys employment terms towards Keegan, the rest is pure speculation. So, assuming Keegan was happy to work within the clubs structure, are you saying he still couldn't have come back for legal reasons? It looks like the terms offered were unreasonable to Keegan and were not to the terms of his employment, thus being a constructive dismissal and so engaging the legal stand-off. His walking has been supported by other managers responses, saying they it would not be acceptable to them including, Curbishley, ONeill, Ferguson, Wenger, Benitez, etc. I'd stick to hurling insults Muck, because when you delve into employment law, frankly you sound like a bit of an idiot.

Once again Bob you've got it spot on. I loved KK and hoped it would work out, but his appointment was Ashley's big mistake. I will now never forgive Keegan for the way he walked out, sure things didn't suit him but he could have been man enough to stay with the team and fans he allegedly loved while a sensible resolution was worked on. It appears that in the days following his walkout Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise but Keegans only concern was attempting to preserve his pay off. Hence King Kev has said nothing to enlighten those he supposedly loved. “Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise” in your mind yes, to the vast majority Ashley didn’t compromise rather he refused to limit the mess caused by Derek Llambias (and possibly from Dennis Wise), putting Keegan in a situation most managers would have walked from – if you don’t know , then your are a deluded idiot.the many supporting facts by now that substantiate this Others are keeping an open mind until they hear the facts – which in your case you don’t have any facts to back your argument other than: you support Ashley who is walking out – and you hate Keegan for walking out. Keegan (nor should Ashley but he tried and failed) can’t “enlighten” anyone because of the legal complications, so why chastise him for that until you know the facts? The question that is still to be answered is why did Keegan leave? Until you post your opinions based on any facts you just end up looking like you’re just blindly kissing Ashley’s arse. If you really know "the many supporting facts by now that substantiate this" then please enlighten us. "Others are keeping an open mind until they hear the facts" does this include the mob who gathered outside SJP for days in the immediate aftermath of Keegan's departure to the embarrassment of Geordies everywhere, and the pie boycotters club. As for the "idiot" and arse kissing remarks I'll not respond although I'm sure I could, but seeing the "dwarf" "cockney" "fat b@stard" etc type slogans being displayed by the angry mob recently it seems hurling gratuitious insults has become your level of debating.

Newspapers reporting the news without bias. Whatever next ?

From The Telegraph and posted elsewhere but relevant to this discussion. Seems pretty much like he was doing a good job overall and had done what any good management team would try to do first i.e. stabilise the business and provide a strong platform from which to move forward. I guess the debate is would success on the field have followed. I think it would. Yet despite the universal derision being heaped at Newcastle's door, an undeniable fact is emerging from the smoke generated by Mike Ashley's fire sale: the club remain an attractive investment attracting genuine interest. Since Ashley announced his intention to sell the club on Sept 14 several overseas investors have expressed serious interest in becoming the club's third owners in 16 months. (The anonymous Nigerian consortium fronted by Chris Nathaniel, an agent who handles media rights for Rio Ferdinand and John Terry among others, is not among them despite their claim, refuted by sources with knowledge of the negotiations, to have lodged a £300 million bid last week.) Yesterday the seven genuine bidders received a sales prospectus detailing the club's financial position from Seymour Pierce, the investment bankers engaged to handle the sale, having signed confidentiality agreements. Inside Sport understands that the document sets out details of a club who, thanks to Ashley's investment, are far healthier than the debt-laden unprofitable hulk he walked into last summer. The audit reveals Newcastle are debt-free apart from an overdraft that fluctuates in line with the receipt of season-ticket income. They also own their own stadium and training facilities as well as significant commercial property holdings in the city. The prospectus values the squad at about £100 million, and crucially for the medium term, despite the frantic transfer activity of the last two seasons, the club are owed more in transfer fees than they are scheduled to pay out. The new owners will also have access to the £50 million overdraft facility that is not subject to a change-of-control clause. Add the fact that Ashley is, in the apposite euphemism employed by one City analyst, a "distressed seller", and there is every chance that the eventual buyer may consider they have a bargain. Having distributed their assessment of the club's real financial position, Seymour Pierce will now await valuations from potential buyers in what is effectively a sealed-bid auction. Contrary to reports circulating, no target figure has been set. Having spent £134 million buying the club and another £110 million in clearing debts, he will be hoping for a figure north of £250 million, and his advisers are confident that will be achieved. That said, Ashley is unlikely to achieve anything like the £400 million-plus price-tag mooted when the 'For Sale' signs went up. The club are a proven source of revenue, generating close to £90 million in the year to June 2007 and returning a modest profit of £3.5 million, a figure that is said to have increased marginally in the first full year under Ashley's control. That said, a reduction in the huge wage bill, which accounted for close to 70 per cent of income last year, will be a priority for any new owner. Should Ashley walk away with any sort of profit from his disastrous tenure he will doubtless be pilloried, but he will not be the first millionaire to enrich himself courtesy of Newcastle United. Sir John, Douglas and Cameron Hall, who used the club to drive their vision of the "Geordie Nation", earned more than £36 million from sales of shares, salaries and dividends during their time at the club, and Sir John received £55 million from Ashley for his 41 per cent share last year. Former chairman Freddy Shepherd and the company run by his son, Douglas Shepherd Offshore, meanwhile, were paid more than £10 million in wages, share sales and dividends during their time at the club, and accepted £37 million of Ashley's fortune for their 28 per cent when they handed over the keys to St James' Park. As these figures demonstrate, the problem at Newcastle has never been generating income, but ensuring that it gets ploughed back into the club. * £100m: The prospectus’ value of the Newcastle squad £90m: The amount of revenue generated last year £3.5m: Newcastle returned this modest profit in the year to June 2007

Once again Bob you've got it spot on. I loved KK and hoped it would work out, but his appointment was Ashley's big mistake. I will now never forgive Keegan for the way he walked out, sure things didn't suit him but he could have been man enough to stay with the team and fans he allegedly loved while a sensible resolution was worked on. It appears that in the days following his walkout Ashley tried everything possible to find a compromise but Keegans only concern was attempting to preserve his pay off. Hence King Kev has said nothing to enlighten those he supposedly loved.

He's obsessed with the past. The title of this thread was intended to be provocative and make us think about the post Ashley era now he has been hounded out. Even NE5 has to realise that whether FFS and Co gave us courageous and successful leadership or whether they gave reckless leadership leading towards oblivion, it doesn't really matter any more. They are not coming back. It would be good if he could tell us what he wants post Ashley in specific real world terms rather than continuously using abstract expressions such as its gaining success on the field that matters, and thats his main requirement which he must do to the best of his ability. We ALL know that and we ALL want that, it's just that a lot of us thought that's what Ashley was doing until Keegan walked and he may just still be our best chance. If you want him out then specify what will improve our situation, but with specifics please not just "Ashley's s****, Keegan's a messiah, the old board were great" type remarks which frankly any retard can spout. no, I'm not obsessed with the past. But you should learn from the past. I only used ex directors of the club to try and point out that showing ambition for the club was a matter of choice and not automatic, which appeared to be what many people thought. Sadly, they have found out the hard way re recent events and witnessing new people running the club who have not chosen to take this route. Looking forward, we need owners of the club who have the desire to succeed and the understanding of how to do it in terms of running one of the biggest clubs in the country. Until that happens, we won't match the european qualifications and the champions League run etc, and that is not looking in the past at all, its pointing out the blatantly obvious that many people chose to ignore and sadly STILL choose to ignore. The conclusion being - in keeping with your thread title - that any suggestion that Ashley is anywhere near being better than even the Halls and Shepherd, never mind the best ever, is ridiculous and utter nonsense. It was fairly easy for me [and one or two others] to see the signs of the direction the club was going by the way, having seen it before. All it takes is to open your eyes. Fine. But the only names you ever mention are from the past. So WHO do you suggest is willing to buy the club and better placed than Ashley to do that in the future ? . well, that is the same question as "who will buy the club that will do better than the Halls and Shepherd". Sadly, the answer from most people appeared to be "anybody". Wrong. All I know, is that I realised early on that Ashley was getting it wrong and wasn't the bloke for us. And I only realised it, because of seeing similar actions from previous owners and didn't have blinkers on. So we can shout about the problem but can't come up with a viable solution. We should hound Ashley out but we have no idea who can replace him and do better. Fine. isn't this what lots of people have said about the Halls and Shepherd over the past few years, apart from the absurd notion that anybody could ? Ashley has only himself to blame, but don't worry about him if he walks away with more money than the Halls and Shepherd ever did and got slaughtered for too. I give up ! I don't know what you mean when you say "we have no idea who could do better"? Who do you have in mind ? Who do you know is interested in buying a football club ? The bloke who owns Sage ? Maybe he isn't bothered ? I don't know the answer to that, who does ? The subtle difference is I don't want Ashley out. I think given time his ideas and structure would be our best chance to progress.

He's obsessed with the past. The title of this thread was intended to be provocative and make us think about the post Ashley era now he has been hounded out. Even NE5 has to realise that whether FFS and Co gave us courageous and successful leadership or whether they gave reckless leadership leading towards oblivion, it doesn't really matter any more. They are not coming back. It would be good if he could tell us what he wants post Ashley in specific real world terms rather than continuously using abstract expressions such as its gaining success on the field that matters, and thats his main requirement which he must do to the best of his ability. We ALL know that and we ALL want that, it's just that a lot of us thought that's what Ashley was doing until Keegan walked and he may just still be our best chance. If you want him out then specify what will improve our situation, but with specifics please not just "Ashley's s****, Keegan's a messiah, the old board were great" type remarks which frankly any retard can spout. no, I'm not obsessed with the past. But you should learn from the past. I only used ex directors of the club to try and point out that showing ambition for the club was a matter of choice and not automatic, which appeared to be what many people thought. Sadly, they have found out the hard way re recent events and witnessing new people running the club who have not chosen to take this route. Looking forward, we need owners of the club who have the desire to succeed and the understanding of how to do it in terms of running one of the biggest clubs in the country. Until that happens, we won't match the european qualifications and the champions League run etc, and that is not looking in the past at all, its pointing out the blatantly obvious that many people chose to ignore and sadly STILL choose to ignore. The conclusion being - in keeping with your thread title - that any suggestion that Ashley is anywhere near being better than even the Halls and Shepherd, never mind the best ever, is ridiculous and utter nonsense. It was fairly easy for me [and one or two others] to see the signs of the direction the club was going by the way, having seen it before. All it takes is to open your eyes. Fine. But the only names you ever mention are from the past. So WHO do you suggest is willing to buy the club and better placed than Ashley to do that in the future ? . well, that is the same question as "who will buy the club that will do better than the Halls and Shepherd". Sadly, the answer from most people appeared to be "anybody". Wrong. All I know, is that I realised early on that Ashley was getting it wrong and wasn't the bloke for us. And I only realised it, because of seeing similar actions from previous owners and didn't have blinkers on. So we can shout about the problem but can't come up with a viable solution. We should hound Ashley out but we have no idea who can replace him and do better. Fine. isn't this what lots of people have said about the Halls and Shepherd over the past few years, apart from the absurd notion that anybody could ? Ashley has only himself to blame, but don't worry about him if he walks away with more money than the Halls and Shepherd ever did and got slaughtered for too. I give up !

He's obsessed with the past. The title of this thread was intended to be provocative and make us think about the post Ashley era now he has been hounded out. Even NE5 has to realise that whether FFS and Co gave us courageous and successful leadership or whether they gave reckless leadership leading towards oblivion, it doesn't really matter any more. They are not coming back. It would be good if he could tell us what he wants post Ashley in specific real world terms rather than continuously using abstract expressions such as its gaining success on the field that matters, and thats his main requirement which he must do to the best of his ability. We ALL know that and we ALL want that, it's just that a lot of us thought that's what Ashley was doing until Keegan walked and he may just still be our best chance. If you want him out then specify what will improve our situation, but with specifics please not just "Ashley's s****, Keegan's a messiah, the old board were great" type remarks which frankly any retard can spout. no, I'm not obsessed with the past. But you should learn from the past. I only used ex directors of the club to try and point out that showing ambition for the club was a matter of choice and not automatic, which appeared to be what many people thought. Sadly, they have found out the hard way re recent events and witnessing new people running the club who have not chosen to take this route. Looking forward, we need owners of the club who have the desire to succeed and the understanding of how to do it in terms of running one of the biggest clubs in the country. Until that happens, we won't match the european qualifications and the champions League run etc, and that is not looking in the past at all, its pointing out the blatantly obvious that many people chose to ignore and sadly STILL choose to ignore. The conclusion being - in keeping with your thread title - that any suggestion that Ashley is anywhere near being better than even the Halls and Shepherd, never mind the best ever, is ridiculous and utter nonsense. It was fairly easy for me [and one or two others] to see the signs of the direction the club was going by the way, having seen it before. All it takes is to open your eyes. Fine. But the only names you ever mention are from the past. So WHO do you suggest is willing to buy the club and better placed than Ashley to do that in the future ? . well, that is the same question as "who will buy the club that will do better than the Halls and Shepherd". Sadly, the answer from most people appeared to be "anybody". Wrong. All I know, is that I realised early on that Ashley was getting it wrong and wasn't the bloke for us. And I only realised it, because of seeing similar actions from previous owners and didn't have blinkers on. So we can shout about the problem but can't come up with a viable solution. We should hound Ashley out but we have no idea who can replace him and do better. Fine.

He's obsessed with the past. The title of this thread was intended to be provocative and make us think about the post Ashley era now he has been hounded out. Even NE5 has to realise that whether FFS and Co gave us courageous and successful leadership or whether they gave reckless leadership leading towards oblivion, it doesn't really matter any more. They are not coming back. It would be good if he could tell us what he wants post Ashley in specific real world terms rather than continuously using abstract expressions such as its gaining success on the field that matters, and thats his main requirement which he must do to the best of his ability. We ALL know that and we ALL want that, it's just that a lot of us thought that's what Ashley was doing until Keegan walked and he may just still be our best chance. If you want him out then specify what will improve our situation, but with specifics please not just "Ashley's s****, Keegan's a messiah, the old board were great" type remarks which frankly any retard can spout. no, I'm not obsessed with the past. But you should learn from the past. I only used ex directors of the club to try and point out that showing ambition for the club was a matter of choice and not automatic, which appeared to be what many people thought. Sadly, they have found out the hard way re recent events and witnessing new people running the club who have not chosen to take this route. Looking forward, we need owners of the club who have the desire to succeed and the understanding of how to do it in terms of running one of the biggest clubs in the country. Until that happens, we won't match the european qualifications and the champions League run etc, and that is not looking in the past at all, its pointing out the blatantly obvious that many people chose to ignore and sadly STILL choose to ignore. The conclusion being - in keeping with your thread title - that any suggestion that Ashley is anywhere near being better than even the Halls and Shepherd, never mind the best ever, is ridiculous and utter nonsense. It was fairly easy for me [and one or two others] to see the signs of the direction the club was going by the way, having seen it before. All it takes is to open your eyes. Fine. But the only names you ever mention are from the past. So WHO do you suggest is willing to buy the club and better placed than Ashley to do that in the future ? .

Very level headed. You'll NEVER get on Sky Sports with views like that, incidentaly they were re-running the "shoes off if you.........." protest outside SJP again on their lunch time bulletin. How embarrassing is that to most Geordies ? Actually the two great turmoils in Wall Street and Newcastle have a common theme, theirs caused by sub prime lending and ours by sub prime supporter protests.

Sad to say but he'd have done a job in the last 4 games. And he's available. What about Solano ?

He's obsessed with the past. The title of this thread was intended to be provocative and make us think about the post Ashley era now he has been hounded out. Even NE5 has to realise that whether FFS and Co gave us courageous and successful leadership or whether they gave reckless leadership leading towards oblivion, it doesn't really matter any more. They are not coming back. It would be good if he could tell us what he wants post Ashley in specific real world terms rather than continuously using abstract expressions such as its gaining success on the field that matters, and thats his main requirement which he must do to the best of his ability. We ALL know that and we ALL want that, it's just that a lot of us thought that's what Ashley was doing until Keegan walked and he may just still be our best chance. If you want him out then specify what will improve our situation, but with specifics please not just "Ashley's s****, Keegan's a messiah, the old board were great" type remarks which frankly any retard can spout. Even if you think he might have been our best chance there's no way he's going to do anything positive with the club now. He will sell to the highest bidder (as yet unknown) and will try to tick it along keeping losses at a minimum until that happens. A quick sale has to be preferable since at least there's some chance of something constructive happening. In terms of what I would like to see - something along the lines of what Lerner has done at Villa would do for me. Sadly that's exactly what I was thinking as I watched all the insults and threats about his roots, body size etc being gratuitiously hurled post Keegan's walkout and during the Hull game. The mob got what they wanted and now we'll all suffer. P.S. With the present financial turmoil do you think there's any chance of a Lerner being out there and ready to invest ? There's still plenty of money about. It depends on the buyers motives. I'm really not sure you can buy a lower midtable Premiership club and achieve success on the pitch as well as run it along what might be called normal best financial practice. To get a competitive squad together there has to be speculation and if the investor isn't in it for the love of the game the risks of the speculation not coming off can be a total turn off. If the investor gets a kick out of the club and hasn't extended himself too far in buying the club then there's a chance the fans will get what they want. As for Ashley, apart from a failure to fully understand exactly what he'd bought and how to run it, he simply isn't rich enough to own a Premiership club and make it work. He would have been better off buying someone like Brentford or MK Dons and he could have implemented his strategy of targetting bargain young foreign talent and implementing the continental management structure and no one would have given a toss. I'd have thought Ashley was about as close as you're gonna get to that description right now. I was led to believe he was rich enough, indeed one of very few Brits who would be rich enough and inclined to own a Premiership team.

He's obsessed with the past. The title of this thread was intended to be provocative and make us think about the post Ashley era now he has been hounded out. Even NE5 has to realise that whether FFS and Co gave us courageous and successful leadership or whether they gave reckless leadership leading towards oblivion, it doesn't really matter any more. They are not coming back. It would be good if he could tell us what he wants post Ashley in specific real world terms rather than continuously using abstract expressions such as its gaining success on the field that matters, and thats his main requirement which he must do to the best of his ability. We ALL know that and we ALL want that, it's just that a lot of us thought that's what Ashley was doing until Keegan walked and he may just still be our best chance. If you want him out then specify what will improve our situation, but with specifics please not just "Ashley's s****, Keegan's a messiah, the old board were great" type remarks which frankly any retard can spout. Even if you think he might have been our best chance there's no way he's going to do anything positive with the club now. He will sell to the highest bidder (as yet unknown) and will try to tick it along keeping losses at a minimum until that happens. A quick sale has to be preferable since at least there's some chance of something constructive happening. In terms of what I would like to see - something along the lines of what Lerner has done at Villa would do for me. Villa have Martin O'Neal and you can be certain O'Neill would have not stuck around if he was treated the way Keegan was. Not sure about that. I love KK's style and have little time for O'Niell but he is a lot stronger mentally than Keegan and far less impetuous. He may have stuck around and fought his corner, unlike Keegan.

Good article in general, but the bit in bold is exactly how I feel. f***ing furious at the lack of fight in our players and using the situation as an excuse to not bother turning up. I didn't see Liverpool's players capitulate during their turmoil last season. Quality article. Wish the "activists" who think they always know what is best for Newcastle could adopt such a real world mentality.

He's obsessed with the past. The title of this thread was intended to be provocative and make us think about the post Ashley era now he has been hounded out. Even NE5 has to realise that whether FFS and Co gave us courageous and successful leadership or whether they gave reckless leadership leading towards oblivion, it doesn't really matter any more. They are not coming back. It would be good if he could tell us what he wants post Ashley in specific real world terms rather than continuously using abstract expressions such as its gaining success on the field that matters, and thats his main requirement which he must do to the best of his ability. We ALL know that and we ALL want that, it's just that a lot of us thought that's what Ashley was doing until Keegan walked and he may just still be our best chance. If you want him out then specify what will improve our situation, but with specifics please not just "Ashley's s****, Keegan's a messiah, the old board were great" type remarks which frankly any retard can spout. Even if you think he might have been our best chance there's no way he's going to do anything positive with the club now. He will sell to the highest bidder (as yet unknown) and will try to tick it along keeping losses at a minimum until that happens. A quick sale has to be preferable since at least there's some chance of something constructive happening. In terms of what I would like to see - something along the lines of what Lerner has done at Villa would do for me. Sadly that's exactly what I was thinking as I watched all the insults and threats about his roots, body size etc being gratuitiously hurled post Keegan's walkout and during the Hull game. The mob got what they wanted and now we'll all suffer. P.S. With the present financial turmoil do you think there's any chance of a Lerner being out there and ready to invest ?

Well, that's a point that was also discussed. What stance should NUSC take on the new owners (whoever they may be)? That the new owners may be no better than Ashley, or (heaven help us) even worse was recognised. Basically, the stance taken is a 'guarded welcome' in that if they are here to genuinely build the club up then NUSC welcomes them, but if they're just aboput exploiting the club/supporters, obviously NUSC is going to be critical. So they've decided on a 'stance' before the club is sold to a party they don't even know? f*** me. Says it all really.

You're right it's very difficult. It always was a difficult step from reserve level to first team, nowadays it's a huge gap to cross. Stephen Taylor was probably the best reserve player we've had in ten years but at senior level looks Championship standard at best. Maybe thats why he was handed a long term contract.

He's obsessed with the past. The title of this thread was intended to be provocative and make us think about the post Ashley era now he has been hounded out. Even NE5 has to realise that whether FFS and Co gave us courageous and successful leadership or whether they gave reckless leadership leading towards oblivion, it doesn't really matter any more. They are not coming back. It would be good if he could tell us what he wants post Ashley in specific real world terms rather than continuously using abstract expressions such as its gaining success on the field that matters, and thats his main requirement which he must do to the best of his ability. We ALL know that and we ALL want that, it's just that a lot of us thought that's what Ashley was doing until Keegan walked and he may just still be our best chance. If you want him out then specify what will improve our situation, but with specifics please not just "Ashley's s****, Keegan's a messiah, the old board were great" type remarks which frankly any retard can spout.

And what are you proposing to do about the biggest problem at the club? Considering he's on his way out... .............. to be replaced by a bigger problem no doubt. The pie boycotters have taken over the asylum.

Best leader?!?! He appointed: Chris Mort (Loan-Chariman) the fucker could not even get him on a full time deal & Steve Hayward (non-executive Director) & they went out & got Dennis Wise (Executive Director (Football)), Tony Jimenez (Vice President (Player Recruitment)), Jeff Vetere (Technical Co-ordinator), David Williamson (Executive Director (Operations)), John Irving (Financial Controller) & Derek Llambias (Managing Director & Chairman). That crew ran/led or currently run/lead Newcastle United. Elsewhere mid 2007 the Chairman of Sports Direct left after a boardroom wrangle (I f***ing KID YOU NOT!!), Mike could not get anyone in (REALLY I AM NOT SHITTING YOU), so he went back to running the SportDirect as Chairman from Dec 2007. He leads SportsDirect, he owns Newcastle United Football. When I get the urge I will look at the rest of your post Don't bother. If you get as excited as you did about that one line you may have a heart attack or spontaneously combust or something. Anyway now that you and the rest of the pie boycotters have got what you want we can look forward to a better plan for the future and better leadership than Ashley gave us. Can't we ?

A couple of points. Many say Ashley did not put money in to the team. Is there any evidence that he vetoed any realistic possible signing on that basis ? He said when top level players were identified AND wanted to play for Newcastle he would sanction the deal, trying of course to avoid any more Luque, Boumsong, Babayaro and Duff type signings. Once Ashley is forced out who are the better alternatives ? Anyone still lamenting the passing of the Sherherd/Hall era must realise that that level of wealth wouldn't get near the Premiership nowadays. Ashleys successor will most likely be a faceless investment organisation with no interest whatsoever in football and if the markets continue going south no money either. Realistically he may have been our best option by far.