I don’t really like taking exception to things that are written by writers like myself, as I know just how hard and time consuming it can be.
However, after perusing the latest editorial from True Faith, I feel I can take nothing apart from an exception to certain parts of it.
In a nutshell, they are usually a sound read. I may not agree with everything written, but generally speaking they are more than worth a read. In the latest editorial entitled “No capital outlay”, the writer freely admits that he thinks that adults that buy Newcastle replica shirts are “mugs, not mags”.
I understand that what is written is only the view of one person and all that, but then on the flip side of that, this is only my view on it, and it would only be fair if I had the opportunity to have my say on the whole thing and to explain just what the Newcastle shirt means to me, all in the interest of balance of course. Equally, it gives you guys and gals the opportunity to have your say on the matter. (more…)
Gathering my thoughts, my notes and my open mind, I ordered a pint of Deuchars last night and settled myself against the bar of The Strawberry at approximately 7.25pm, ready to listen to what the committee representatives of the Newcastle United Supporter’s Trust (NUST), had to say for themselves.
I was under no illusions that with a number of pressing questions sitting snugly in my pocket, that despite my ambivalence (bordering on enthusiasm), I would be seen to be playing Devil’s Advocate nonetheless. However, clearly they had been asked the same questions on a few occasions and have consider the same issues themselves. They answered my questions fairly candidly, although they could not digress on certain key aspects which will no doubt frustrate some people. Unfortunately, these same details are the ones which have led people to distrust the motives of the individuals within the Trust.
Having stood and listened to the commitee members, namely Colin Whittle of True Faith and a solicitor by profession, Mark Jensen of The Mag, Bill (unfortunately not sure of his full name or background) acting as compere. And I spoke at length to Tony Stephenson, who does a lot of the online stuff for NUST (I missed out on Ando doing his ex-player turn, and hope I didn’t put him off with my incessant chat to Ton).
This is what I gathered from the roadshow: (more…)