As a lifelong Newcastle fan there is delight that the Mike Ashley era is over but a new owner does not always lead to successAbout 15 years ago, a young girl wrote my mother a beautiful poem for Christmas, talking about how she hoped the new year would bring an end to famine, war, and generally make the world a better place. Coming from one Tyneside family to another, the message ended with the plaintive line “Hope for Newcastle”.Fans have been hoping ever since. But although they have packed out St James’ Park every other week, all they’ve been given is hopelessness. Although that young girl didn’t intend it, the line in that poem has become a cruel joke, mocking...
Premier League allowing deal shows money and international reputation laundering can trump concerns about the regimeThe great game of football has always been an expression of the country and times in which it is played, so the takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi Arabian investment fund radiates the widest of reflections about the state that England is in.On the very same day that the prime minister hailed the collapse of the European Super League breakaway as a triumph for our moral sporting values, the Premier League was preparing to approve a fund financed by the super-rich, murderous Saudi state as a fit and proper owner for one of our great clubs. Continue reading...
Premier League has become a soft power tool, but is it sensible to sell that capacity to whichever state happens to be passing?Welcome, Mohammed bin Salman, to the billionaire boys club. No need to wipe your feet. Although maybe, on reflection, do wash your hands. Those damned spots, eh? In the meantime pull up a chair, deploy the comms team, fire up the transfer multiplier. We’ve been expecting you. And for quite some time as it happens.It is worth noting that the arrival of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund as owner of Newcastle United is by no means the kingdom’s first involvement with English football. That came during the black gold rush of the late 1970s, as Saudi was transformed...
Returning star gave fans their money’s worth in 4-1 win over Newcastle but club would have been wiser investing in midfieldThey had come to celebrate Cristiano Ronaldo and they got what they had come for: not one, but two opportunities to shout “Si!” as he celebrated goals with that characteristic spread of the arms and thrust of the groin, a sort of macho version of Lionel Blair indicating he’s miming the title of a song. Everything else, for the moment, could take a back seat: the king has returned.The announcement of Ronaldo’s name when the teams were read out at around 2.25pm was greeted by a great roar. When he jogged out to warm up, cleverly maximising his exposure by...
Steve Bruce broke owner Mike Ashley’s unwritten rule that managers on Tyneside are best seen but not heardMike Ashley is often described as brass-necked but behind the brash and brazen exterior Newcastle’s owner can also be extremely thin-skinned.A prime example of this paradox is to be found between the lines of the club’s recent 768-word statement attempting to justify a transfer window featuring one senior signing and a slashing of the wage bill. Continue reading...