So, where did our quiet summer go?
Posted on May 29th, 2010 | 138 Comments |
All the signs had suggested that Mike Ashley may have been learning a thing or two about this whole running a football club malarkey. The general feeling was of optimism, fuelled by an unexpected yet seamless transfer window back in January in which the team was strengthened sufficiently to ensure we finished top of the pile, and in some style.
But just a few short weeks after the end of a season that has given us so many memories, earned us so many plaudits, and broken so many records, that feeling of optimism has been dampened somewhat with the release of that sodding statement. Fans that were, for once, starting to sing from the same optimistic hymn-sheet, have now been pulled apart again, which is leading to trouble, confusion and, in some cases, anger. I can understand the frustration, although as many of you know I have a ‘wait and see’ philosphy and will wait until the at least the new season gets underway before making a judgement, others may not be so patient, which of course is their right.
So what went wrong then? The one thing that has moved to dampen sprits is that sodding statement, and the amazing lack of clarity and uncertaintly it has produced. Up until that point, the season just gone was very much a job well done from an Ashley perspective, and that left staunch opposition to the Ashley regime with very little room to castigate him. I’m not saying acceptance was on the cards, not by a long shot. But there was certainly a more wide-spread feeling of just letting Ashley get on with it, mainly because it looked like the bumbling and tomfoolery at our club had stopped.
But now this latest episode has undone all that work, and the accusations and insults are flying around again, not only regarding Ashley, but also between fans. Their has been a re-emergence of two camps, one pro-Ashley, one anti-Ashley again, with being called ‘pro-Ashley’ or an ‘Ashley apologist’ being deemed as an insult that gets slung around quite a lot.
But can I suggest a new camp? The camp where I, and I am sure some others, stand. The pro-Newcastle brigade. This is the club where nothing else really matters. Not cantankerous, molly-coddled footballers. Not owners. Not what other teams are doing. It’s about us supporting the team, promoting a region, the way it used to be. And after 41 years without a major trophy you have to ask; why has it changed?
In days gone by we weren’t so obsessed with money. We followed this team because we chose to, because it’s in the blood of some of us, or because one day an individual decided to buy into following us for whatever reason. Sure we all want our team to be performing at the top, thats only natural. But does it matter if it isn’t?
Will YOUR support wane just because we finish 17th rather than 4th? I have a newsflash for everyone, aside from a few flirts with the top of the league, we have been an average Premier League team with a big stadium and a lot of fans for the rest of the time.
These have been called dark days for Newcastle, seriously, howay man! As someone who witnessed us nearly slip into the 3rd (yes third) tier of English of football less than twenty years ago, I can assure anyone that times have been worse, and that is just in my lifetime.
So.. Pro-Newcastle then? Who is with me?
howay!