BUJ

We lost Cunzo yesterday. Shields stalwart and great lad to boot.

He was blatantly not well from day 1. One the most despicable acts Ashley performed in his tenure. RIP

Annoys the fuck out of me when they cross straight to the keeper. I mean when they should be cutting it back to the penalty spot from the goal line. Murphy (not just him TBF) did it a few times v WHU.

There was 20 local business met at the Spring Gardens. Each pledged £500 each with the sole intention of helping the club. It was made abundantly clear it wasn't a take over. The plan was put forward that (while riding the crest of the post Vase popularity) to ask fans to commit to a £1 a week direct debit to run alongside the £10k raised. Some of the businessmen involved probably could quite easily have put in a substantial amount more. They met with the committee and laid out the plan to help the club move forward and Alan Mathews quite simply said "NO!" And that was that. At present there is very little trust in the present committee - most, not all, you couldn't trust as far as you could throw them. Alan Mathews has (supposedly) stepped down but I think he's still there pulling the strings for his lackies. They've rode the current storm (unless the weather turns bad again) so the supporters group will need to bide their time til it goes tits up again. Crowds are about 180 after the initial upturn when they asked the locals to help them out and set a target of 1,000 fans for the first two home games. They actually got 999 but I'll take responsibility for them failing to hit their target by 1 as I wasn't in the best health and couldn't attend either or they would have got there 1k I get the feeling as long as Alan Mathews has a heartbeat nothing will change. Sad really.

Looking likely the NSFC despite being "bust" only weeks ago aren't going to allow fan input to the running of things and the financial input that comes with it.

Can't report them to anyone. A law unto themselves.

I think Toney would come. He has family up here he might want to be closer to.

Just a quick reminder/info. El Coastico is this coming Tuesday. Whitley Bay v North Shields. Can't see Shields getting anything from this unfortunately. But, survival is the name of the game this season. Just hope they can grab something. The turnstiles are now inside the ground. Not fitted as yet. The Clubhouse are doing their best to push events and if their twitter feed is to be believed they have a fair few events booked in in the coming month or two. The supporters association have only just emailed the Club in the last few days to request a meet up. I've not heard anything as yet as to how the request will be received by the committee. I don't think they can refuse with their current predicament being fairly piss poor and if they're arrogant enough to refuse fan involvement it'll be, in my opinion, a huge nail in the Clubs coffin. We'll come again if everyone is together moving forward. Let's just hope they are more receptive than the last attempt at getting the supporters involved.

7,200 fans through 8 turnstiles. Queues were massive at 7.20 when I went in.

There are none so blind....

Disgraceful and embarrassing performance. It wouldn't surprise me if Howe isn't manager next season. Not just on the back of last night either.

Anyone else just randomly started getting pop up ads on NUFC.com?

I know folk have always left early. But I suggested exodus because I believe there's loads now leaving earlier than before. I'd guess a lot of Cat2 ballot tickets (in the Gallowgate ) will be in the higher part of the Gallowgate Upper - the top 6/7 rows mainly. It looks empty towards the end.

Have, in my opinion, led to the 85th minute exodus. From my perch in block S of the Gallowgate Upper I note that on 85 minutes an absolute exodus pass me on the stairwell. Yesterday, everything to play for, and out they go. 10 mins of injury time, an equaliser and the Toon chasing the game. EVERYTHING TO STAY FOR. When we played Arsenal - 85 minutes and an absolute exodus. Exciting game. Why? Need to stop these ballots and get back to the old system. At least get folk in their who'll want to be there and not holidaymakers.

Good win for Shields. 187att. Up against a 3pm toon KO.