GeordieT

Given that Liverpool are in the Far East anyway, one would assume that him getting on the plane is not going to suppress rumours.

Just back, turgid result and mood not helped by Howes comments on Isak. However compelled to share a moment of incredible humanity that I was privileged enough to bare witness to pre-match. Was loitering around near the statue of Jock Stein where I saw a gentleman stop a young Newcastle family for a chat. The boy was perhaps six or seven and his parents explained it was his first ever away game. The gentleman handed him a Shearer Testimonial scarf, and explained that what whilst his family had always been die-hard Celtic fans, this scarf was his daughters, who had been a massive Newcastle fan and who had unfortunately passed away. He wanted to give it to someone deserving. Talked effusively about how he jumped for joy for her when Burn buried that headed in March. Not a dry eye around as a couple of people watch this go on. Sure at that age the significance of the gesture was slightly lost on the young boy but not his mum who was also in tears and at pains to ask if the man really wanted to give up this prized possession.

I’m typically between a medium and large, went large - Jesus you aren’t wrong… not flattering.

Get down to JD on Northumberland Street, got about 20 of the pink strip in all sizes.

Goodbye sweet prince.

There’s a maturity on display in the interview that I wasn’t expecting. Considered and reflective.

Always had Gordon down as a Plato reader.

Looking forward to all three being knocked back.

That makes sense if his fitness was the only doubt, however it’s his contributions on the pitch that are as much the issue.

As someone that’s only lived with this crest, for those that have seen the other iterations come and go - does this news provoke less of a visceral reaction?

The Design & Access statement is worth flicking through, the scale of the change is larger than the initial refurbishment. Very little of the existing facilities remain untouched.

https://idoxpublicaccess.northtyneside.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SUCQKKBHH3I00&activeTab=summary

East Stand, oddly given its far from an a architectural masterpiece even amongst those who admire brutalism features on the C20 at Risk List “10 outstanding twentieth and twenty-first century buildings across the UK threatened with demolition, dereliction, or neglect”. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/apr/09/its-unjust-charity-fights-to-save-uks-at-risk-modern-buildings

Frustratingly can’t be there today, images already look epochal. I know of a couple of potential sponsors that are being courted today (Rooftops, VIP area at Moor and then Vermont for the after party), hopefully the scenes on show affirm that they want to be involved in the club. Have a brilliant day boys and girls.

Hate everything about it. Feels like a homage to commercialism as opposed to catering to the average match going fan.

£29m of income from related party transactions (PIF stable sponsors).

Guessing it’ll be: Season Ticket Holders Cup Scheme +2 Away Cup Fixtures Season Ticket Holders Cup Scheme +1 Away Cup Fixture Season Ticket Holders Cup Scheme Season Ticket Holders Mags+ Unless there is a loyalty points tier (25+) again at the onset. I’d have thought very few season ticket holders are not in the cup scheme, but that’s purely empirically based on people who sit around me.

Update on this - on offer for as little as £5m per year, which feels surprisingly low, but appreciative it’s often rolled into a broader sponsorship of the training ground. Looking at some benchmarks where it’s merely the kit: Spurs (Bet MGM £10m); City (Asahi £20m); Man United (Tezos £20m); Chelsea (BingX £12m).

Absolutely abhorrent. That week has the potential to be a transport nightmare.

https://x.com/skysports_keith/status/1882726873798439140?s=46&t=x_gwvtxKMs0B7zGA7uNbvA Just get it done.