Jinky Jim Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 With a change of thread title, from “Futile optimism-Saudi Takeover Edition” and the various in depth discussions about Morals etc now going on, there might be a need to start a new thread titled “Positive Optimism-Saudi Takeover Edition”.....Not wanting to prevent anyone from viewing the thread....it would be nice if only tweets were of a positive and not controversial nature....Outlandish twitter reports, positive media hype and interesting sports stars take on our situation could be a good starting point. This thread is meant to be lighthearted and warming towards our potential takeover...after all there’s not much else positive it the worlds ATM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest reefatoon Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Love it Jinky, back on track! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjb Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Thank fuck its back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Mike Ashley’s exit will herald rebirth of Newcastle’s soul Henry Winter A Saudi takeover comes with its own questions but at least supporters will be able to enjoy their club again hen Mike Ashley finally leaves, and the party starts, it will not take long for Newcastle United’s soul to be re-found, eventually restored. It is there in the Strawberry pub, in the tweets of Alan Shearer, in fans like Bill Corcoran manning the food bank by the Gallowgate, and in the pre-match gatherings over a Guinness upstairs in the Tyneside Irish Centre. It’s everywhere. Newcastle’s true spirit is there in the statue of the late, great Sir Bobby Robson at the corner where the Gallowgate and Milburn Stand embrace, in the memory of what Sir Bobby stood for: football from the heart that lifted the soul. Newcastle’s essence is there in the greeting from the smiling Malcolm Macdonald in the press room, Supermac always courteous to visitors slightly awestruck at meeting the athletic destroyer of so many opposing defences during five prolific years on Tyneside. The wonderful Kath Cassidy, legendary dispenser of tea and quiet wisdom, has sadly passed on, but her spirit lives on in the staff, in the stewards who talk passionately about the Toon, drawing on a life time of watching them. Ask staff about Newcastle, and they reply as if discussing family, voicing occasional frustration but overwhelming warmth and pride. The soul of Newcastle is there in the reality that St James’ remains a cathedral with a loyal congregation, who kept marching up the hill and filling the pews, even when under the heavy-handed occupation of the forces of Ashley. There were frequent protests, anti-Ashley banners and chants, often no-shows, but the club are so central to people’s lives, it would be like cutting off oxygen not to attend a game. The essence of Newcastle is there in their love for former players, in the memory of a city mourning Pavel Srnicek when their old goalkeeper passed away tragically in 2015 and in the images of a packed St Andrew’s church at the service to commemorate his life. “Pavel is a Geordie”, they would sing, so quick to welcome and cherish those who wore the Newcastle shirt with pride and passion. The obsession with the team is seen in the local Chronicle making a video feverishly entitled “a closer look at the new paintwork at St James’ Park”. It is there in The Back Page in the shadow of the Gallowgate, this endless celebration of the Geordie nation, in the Barry Venison match-worn shirt from the 1993-94 season, in the Alan Shearer match-worn shirt from 2005-06 (£995), in Kevin Keegan’s personal jumper (signed) and in the 1974 FA Cup final programmes for sale (Liverpool v Newcastle). It is the type of shop that Ashley probably cannot understand, because it is all about love of a team, not just about the love of ringing tills. It is there in the keenly-followed online fanzine The Mag and in campaigners like the Magpie Group, raging against Ashley for furloughing staff, another billionaire owner raiding the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. John W Henry at Liverpool realised his ethical and reputational mistake over furloughing. Daniel Levy at Tottenham Hotspur recanted. But Ashley? Nobody held their breath. Ashley even kept his Sports Direct stores open, meaning staff had to report for duty, even after the government ordered the lockdown, until he was forced into a humiliating climbdown. Everything that Ashley stands for in the public perception, cash and coldness, contrasts with traits the fans espouse. Maybe Ashley just saw that famous black-and-white-striped shirt as one big barcode. The proposed takeover will feel like a liberation. The club’s soul remains in the Newcastle United Foundation staff taking PE sessions to children of key workers at five schools in Wallsend and Whitley Bay, delivering food supplies to disadvantaged children and working with the NHS on mental health initiatives. They care. They represent the true Newcastle United essence, not the passing Ashley strategy. The spirit is there in the pictures of fans in the players’ tunnel and the sign proclaiming the ancient cry of “Howay the lads”. It’s there in the photo on the wall of the Milburn stand of Philippe Albert, who so memorably strolled into space against Manchester United in 1996 before effortlessly chipping Peter Schmeichel. And afterwards Eric Cantona walking past Keegan, and saying to the Newcastle manager “f***ing good team you have here”. All on a remarkable sun-dappled Sunday afternoon resulting in a best-selling video inevitably called “Howay 5-Oh”. And that is the essence of Newcastle, attacking, entertaining. David Ginola. Shearer. Albert. And that is what the new owners, whenever they do arrive, have to do to restore the faith. Be open. Don’t allow careless or cynical comments leading to hysterical headlines about Kylian Mbappé signing. Play it straight. Basically look at what Ashley has done and do the opposite. First of all, re-open lines of communication with fans, especially explaining motives. Newcastle supporters will simply be delighted that Ashley has gone and that they have their club back, but they will also have legitimate questions to ask of what it entails for their club being inextricably associated with Saudi Arabia. Is it simply sportswashing? Last year’s Amnesty International report into Saudi Arabia makes deeply unsettling reading, with talk of repression and torture. And how long will Amanda Staveley keep her stake before selling? These people are not Newcastle fans, they are investors for financial or reputational reasons. These are significant concerns, ones that the Premier League is too money-fixated to care about, but the moral guardians of a great institution, the Newcastle United fans, should contemplate. Newcastle’s soul will be restored but with a few caveats. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c431b654-7e67-11ea-af15-2abf27a967e9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinky Jim Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 ELP’s Greg Lake back at it again:- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collage Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 ELP’s Greg Lake back at it again:- I’ll have what he’s having Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penn Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I actually can't wait for this. Good football, high-profile stars, regularly challenging for silverware, European nights, unprecedented investment in the local area bringing new, high-paying jobs. Will lead to a complete rebirth of Tyneside. The good times are well and truly back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. Yimentov Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Bale's game was his pace and now he's in his 30s. It makes no economic or strategic sense. I'd like to think we're going to plan things better than that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 ELP’s Greg Lake back at it again:- I’ll have what he’s having Probably believes in Father Christmas too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjb Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 https://twitter.com/AmandaStaveley2/status/1250441909446696964 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robster Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 #HesFromCorbridge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelphish Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I hope that's the same person that runs the MA account Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjb Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Plane watch continuing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Facundo Ferreyra Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Last time Jinky Jim made an optimism thread, everything went batshit mental within 24 hours. Now that he's done it again, I can only imagine that tomorrow the takeover will be confirmed, Messi and Mbappe will be unveiled via live stream from St James', Ashley, Bruce and Charnley will be fired out of a cannon into the sun and Sunderland will go bankrupt. Don't let me down, Jinky. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Little Waster Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Bring it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Bale's game was his pace and now he's in his 30s. It makes no economic or strategic sense. I'd like to think we're going to plan things better than that. Bring him on as a sub to take the free kicks. #remainpositive Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Jinky Jim is my favorite poster of all time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinky Jim Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 One of the largest Middle-East Websites has the following info:- https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/4/15/saudi-closes-in-on-newcastle-football-club-takeover-deal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Very emotional at the thought of this happening and not because I'm desperate for some Man City esq payload but just at the thought of the club one day stepping out to the champions league theme. That's where we belong and always have done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderson Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Imagine competing again. Looking forward to match day. Actually watching the game in a pub. It would be joyous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggys First Goal Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Seems a good place to start. Bring in Campos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaus Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Isn't that the UAE flag? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggys First Goal Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Isn't that the UAE flag? I think that video was made during the previous attempted takeover. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chopey Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I would rather Rafa was allowed to grow the club on his terms Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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