"A lot of time has elapsed since Toongate and we've probably all adjusted our opinions a bit. However, I think that Freddie Shepherd is to be admired as he has fronted it out (unlike Doug, apparently) and is still a smitten fool about the club. The way he reacted to Bob Murray's risible suggestion that Sunderland were bigger and the lovestruck look on his face when unveiling the ground last week and his look of pride when he unveiled the new signings all suggest that he probably IS the club's biggest fan". Discuss.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2000

Answers

As I've said before we all look at it from an outsiders point of view. But I have been impressed in the way he seems to have forged a good understanding with Bobby Robson. Stubborn in transfer dealings this summer has got a fair amount of money for some talentless tossers.

He's a fan, no mistake. Geordie Chairman, Geordie Manager, Geordie Captain.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2000

My opinion of The Good Shepherd wavered only briefly during the appalling subterfuge by a newspaper I despise anyway and it was my fault for being blown off course by a shameful rag which would not be bought by a single person in an educated and civilised society.

Shepherd is an out and out fan. So is Doug. It was Doug who wanted Shearer. Indeed, Fred says that he was slightly alarmed at the time and it seems as if he was dragged along somewhat into finally agreeing to pay the World record fee.

I don't think we could have two more committed guys at the top. They have been badly let down by two managers whose track records suggested that they would perform much better than they actually did. Now they have the right man in YBR and although our circumstances are slightly more restricted than they were, I'm sure we are on our way back to the top.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2000

Oh they are a lovely pair, make no mistake. They've shown NUFC fans and the folk of the North East nothing but respect. They've led by example, hiring top managers on a regular basis, spending our money wisely on quality players and building us the most expensive ground in the country.

We are indeed lucky that young Doug and his dad gave up their Sunderland season tickets and became loyal fans of Newcastle United plc. They have given us so much of their time for such little recompense.

I personally never believed a word printed in the News of the World. Those lovely lads are committed and hard working, when would they have time to waste in a brothel? Married men paying teenage lasses to shag in front of them, come off it!

Now is the time to rally round Doug 'n' Fred, they have shown us the way forward. Before they came along NUFC used to underperform on a regular basis, stuck in midtable, flirting with relegation. We used to employ dodgy foreign managers and buy clapped out Scottish players. Now we have shares on the stock market, something only dreamed about in my day.

At the helm we now have two thrusting businessmen with an eye for young talent. They need our support and that of our daughters. With Doug 'n' Fred we can go all the way.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2000

Of course, if you'd prefer McKeag back...

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2000

PET BEEF

Why is it that whenever anyone on here dares to criticise the Board of NUFC, the cry is ALWAYS - "well you can have McKeag/Lord Westwood/George Forbes back if you'd prefer them"?

Does anyone really expect us to believe that is the only choice? Of course, the reality is that there is NO choice for us.

I'm not getting dragged into another slanging match over the merits or demerits of Lord Douglass Lucan & Fred, especially in the relative optimism of pre-season dreams - but PLEASE don't insult my intelligence by asking to accept that the only alternative to Tony Blair is Groucho Marx.

EXITS, STAGE LEFT, MUTTERING DARKLY.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2000

No, Clarky but we are lazy gets who won't form a proper Shareholders United to get some real fan muscle going. Of course the only alternative isn't McKeag but I'm afraid his ilk is. I challenge you to go and find a chairman with business background who wouldn't piss us off even more.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2000

Quite a challenge Dougal - and I accept the point you're making.

If I had the necessary financial muscle I'd do the job - but on further consideration, I seem to do a pretty good job of pissing poeple off on here already.

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2000

Like myself Clarky, you lived through the full horror of the Westwood, McKeag years. What we have now is surely a huge improvement while many would say it's far from perfect.

After so many years in the wilderness I'm just glad we have people who do care about the success of the club at the top. They may or may not be good enough (I don't want to get into that debate either) but they have done better than anything since the 1950's.

There is a limited choice of people with the financial clout who could/would want to do the job. We certainly can't get Groucho because A) he's dead and B) he would never have joined a club that would want him as a member. (-;

(And I do realise that you weren't suggesting him)

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2000

at least we may become 'the entertainers' again with Groucho Marx....

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2000

Agreed on ALL points Jonno.
10/10 for your points on Groucho - touche.

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2000