HANDS OFF WOR BOBBY, TOON TELL TURKS

By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

Newcastle issued a hands-off warning to UEFA Cup finalists Galatasaray amid claims that the Turks want Bobby Robson as their new manager.

United chairman Freddy Shepherd told the Istanbul club they would be wasting their time trying to tempt the 67-year-old to Istanbul as a replacement for Fatih Terim.

Galatasaray, who meet Arsenal in the UEFA Cup Final in Copenhagen next Wednesday night, are said to be ready to offer Robson a #1million-a-year deal in a bid to lure him away from St James' Park.

But Shepherd is adamant the man who has dragged the club out of the relegation mire is going nowhere.

"There has been no approach from Galatasaray, and they know they're wasting their time ringing us," he said.

"Bobby is doing a great job for us, and nobody appreciates this more than the board.

"In addition, the players love him and so do the fans - so why would he even think about leaving here?"

Shepherd's endorsement of the manager is hardly surprising after the turn-around he has engineered since replacing Ruud Gullit last September - but neither is the reported interest from Turkey, despite the former England coach's age.

Robson enjoyed successful spells with Ipswich Town and England before heading for the Continent to make a name for himself in Portugal, Holland and Spain, although he admitted on his return to the north-east that he was coming home to his dream job.

He was initially handed a contract to take him only up to the end of the season and charged with the task of revitalising a demoralised side, avoiding relegation and undertaking a fundamental review of the club's football operations.

But the atmosphere within the club changed for the better almost from day one, and from the moment an Alan Shearer-inspired United blasted eight without reply past Sheffield Wednesday in his first home game the belief that relegation was not really an issue began to grow.

Safety was assured with almost two months of the season remaining, and while even victory over Arsenal in Sunday's final game of the season would leave Newcastle only in mid-table they have already amassed their highest points total for three seasons.

That has given the board, the players and the fans genuine hope for the 2000-01 season, and any thought of allowing the manager to leave would be greeted by a general outcry.

"The signs are very, very encouraging; there's no doubt about that," said captain Shearer.

"With the manager here, it can only be good and only be of benefit to everyone concerned with Newcastle because he's second to none."

Robson's reward for his rescue mission was a rolling 12-month contract which effectively gives him the job for as long as he wants it - and he has made little secret of the affection in which he holds the club he supported as a boy.

In addition, loyalty is an attribute in which he places great store, and indeed he once turned down the Newcastle job because he was still under contract at Barcelona - so even the most lucrative of offers would probably be met with a firm rejection.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2000

Answers

I would eat my hat and my grandma's hat and my grandma if there was any substance to this. or, more accurately, if YBR left.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2000

>>>>>I would eat my hat and my grandma's hat and my grandma if there was any substance to this. or, more accurately, if YBR left.

I can see the headlines now :-

"Robson off to Turkey"

Chased off the front page in the later editions by :-

"North East man eats Grandma"

(I reckon your Grandma is fairly safe Beardo but if not, do make sure you take out the hat-pin first.).

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2000

HOW DO YOU SERVE A TURK:

1) Take a large metal skewer 2) Shove it firmly up his @rse 3) Hang him up in front of a gas bruner in a shop window for six weeks. 4) When charcoal broan on the outside, cut slices off the edge with a very sharp knife. 5) Put the slices into the pocket of a slices pitta bread 6) Garnish with salad and lemon juice.

That's how to serve a Turk!

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2000