Have mailed you a brilliant note of meeting with Freddy Shepherd. Too long to post here but it actually really makes you like the man and feel really optimistic about the future.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Answers

Dougal that cant be true send me a copy to kent@ncs-plc.co.uk

cheers

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Was that not the interview with Bobby Moncur on centuary radio the other night?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Soz, Kenny - it IS and no one is more surprised than me. Will just e mail to you now.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Rik, no - it was a one-off for certain supporters.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

It it the notes from last nights Audience with Freddie at SJP, I've been in touch with the guy who posted them on Londonmags and have his permission to use it on the Daily Toon site, so will be posting a lot of it there later.

I'll put up the headines as soon as possible and then Andy we will set up a page similar to the one we have for Clarky;s Liaison stuff.

I'll provide a link when it is done.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

To summarise, Bobby will shop at Harvey Nicks in the summer rather than waste money in Netto now. Training facilities at Woolsington ready by end of year. Atmosphere crap but they think it'll get better as people get used to new seats. No singing end of they are frightened of moving people again... Can't have flags because of the local fire service but the club wants them back. Ambition is still to be top three in England and top ten in Europe.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

......not to mention his thoughts on the Mackems and a "certain reporter"!! I thought he was a bit effusive about you mind tho Dougal! Aah didn't knaa ye wor lyuk that.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Dougal,

can you e-mail me a copy?

Cheers,

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

DB, done.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Dougal, why can't you just post it here rather than running a secret society?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

A lot's in tonight's Ronnie. Well, apart from the bit about the "certain reporter".

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

From the Ronnie

TALK OF THE TOON - United supremo Freddie Shepherd responds to a question from a United fan as Chronicle man John Gibson chairs the first of the debates at St James's Park last night Bobby Robson is a one-off, nobody has more enthusiasm than him."

That was Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd's accolade to his 67- year-old manager during an Evening Chronicle-sponsored fans forum at St James's Park.

Shepherd was responding to a question from Margaret Broatch of Wideopen, a Newcastle supporter for 40 years.

Ms Broatch demanded: "Will I see tangible success in my lifetime - and have you the same enthusiasm as Bobby Robson? He's looked very frustrated at times this season."

United's chairman replied: "Bobby is a one-off. Nobody has more enthusiasm than him. He lives football and it shows.

"But of course I match his dreams and his targets. I'm a Geordie and I want what every Geordie wants. We've got the best stadium in England, and probably Europe, and we're endeavouring to have a team to match it.

"Every big club is chasing success so it's difficult. However, no one should doubt our ambitions.

"At the moment we're not buying in the transfer market because its future is uncertain. I don't spend the fans' cash rashly. That would be wrong. Also right now Bobby doesn't want to sign but in the future, when it's right, of course the board will back him."

United's training facilities came under fire from Nigel Pearson of Hebburn, a season ticket holder and bond holder who began supporting the club at the age of six.

"Newcastle train on a borrowed pitch

- even Rob Lee has been critical of our facilities - while Middlesbrough have a state-of-the-art training centre," said Mr Pearson. "Do you think this contributes to our injury problems?"

In response, Shepherd revealed that United should be in their new facility at Woolsingham later this year.

"The academy is now at Walker and the first-team should be in at Woolsingham this year," said Freddie. "We originally had problems with badgers, believe it or not, which held things up.

"The go-ahead will happen this summer and it should take only six months to completion because we'll have the best of the summer weather to get going.

"As for injuries, we've had a report which reveals that 90 per cent of injuries come through playing not training. Steve Harper was a fluke but the problem generally isn't Monday to Friday but a weekend match."

The intriguing question of feeder clubs was raised by Ben Crozier, a fan of 41 years from Wallsend.

United's supremo would back the idea of United being tied to a second club but added: "Leeds tried it with Oldham and received a severe setback.

"Premier League clubs back the idea but the 72 in the Football League, apart from Fulham and Blackburn Rovers, vote against it. Smaller clubs fear being the poor relations.

"Such a thing will probably happen in two to three years but right now the climate isn't conducive."

Bill Thompson of Great Lumley, who has watched Newcastle for 62 years since 1938, wanted a reassurance on OAP concessions.

"It will happen next season," insisted Shepherd. "We'll be falling in line with the Football Charter.

"We'd already sold our season tickets for this season when this matter arose but we'll be on board in August."

Keith Kindred, who was born in the shadow of St James's Park but who has been living in Australia, pushed for Newcastle to open an academy Down Under where, he insisted, "a lot of young players like Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka are waiting to be picked up."

United's supremo replied: "We've already conducted negotiations and we're still actively interested. British clubs realise the potential - Glasgow Rangers are involved with Northern Spirit and Leeds are trying Sydney Rangers.

"The league in Australia is in trouble and looks likely to be reduced to 18 clubs but we're aware of the potential out there and we want to be in the market place."

Those lucky fans who attended the first-ever face to face with a Newcastle chairman were Ben Crozier (Wallsend), Keith Kindred (Wardley), David Edwards (Callerton), Sharon Ravenhall (Gosforth), Nigel Pearson (Hebburn), Bill Thompson (Great Lumley), Margaret Broatch (Wideopen), Norman Fletcher (Willington) and Bill Swift (Chester-le-Street).

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

I'd like to ask him how he can justify labeling the stadium as one of the best in Europe? I mean it's good but come on!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Geordie, because with attachments it's fecking long! OK? If you'd read my original posting, you'd see that was my original explanation. Don't worry, will mail you now so you needn't fear missing out.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Hiya Dougal...amenjivar@aol.com

Ta! :-)

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Your a star Dougal. The odd article/long append on here is ok.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

"As for injuries, we've had a report which reveals that 90 per cent of injuries come through playing not training. Steve Harper was a fluke but the problem generally isn't Monday to Friday but a weekend match."

Is this a quote taken out of context, or is he missing the point that proper training facilities and techniques improve player fitness so it reduces the injuries no matter when/where they occur?

And can they realistically build a new facility in 6mos? DeBuilder, what do you think? Good news that they're finally going to do it, however!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Just 'cos you weren't involved in building it DeB ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

The whole bang shoot is now on the DAILY TOON WEBSITE.

Follow the link THE DAILY TOON IS THE GREATEST WEBSITE KNOWN TO MAN and all will be revealed.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Good point Screacher but you can see my point!

Ciara,

A new facility wouldn't take that long as basically it doesn't have to be that swish and the complexity and size of it will fairly small compared to some developments. I would imagine that it would be comparable to a fairly small sized Leisure Centre and if they get the right people on board it will probably be done on time.

Most of the detailed design will be done by the summer so the Contractor just has to interpret it and build the thing.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

and the DT version INCLUDES the references to the reporter!

Don't give a sh!t and no holds barred that's us!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

BTW, thanks for sending that Dougal.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

I certainly can DeB. Makes me wonder if he ever went to the Barca match away - tho to be fair, what he might have seen behind the scenes there and what we might have at SJP are not known to me. I'd say we have one of the top 3 stadia in this country (OT and perhaps AN Other). We have a good (nay, very good) stadium. But I wouldn't say it was in the top 3 in Europe.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

OF COURSE IT'S THE BEST BLIDDY STADIUM IN EUROPE YOU TOSSERS!

IT'S IN NEWCASTLE FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!

:-)

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Well theres a turn up , Cheers Dougal.

We would have had the best in the World if bloomin do gooders didnt stop it.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Sorry Jonno. I am duly chastised (ooh, spank my @rse)!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Thanks Dougal, interesting stuff. Specially like the journo bit that's not in the Ronnie!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

I remember Sir John Hall talking about this and saying that carbuncle though SJP is, it isn't a dump like the San Siro and Nou Camp are. I think he was probably talking about things other than the romance that we attach to both these stadia.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

"He categorically assured us that once the transfer system is sorted out that Bobby Robson will be in a position to compete financially with the Man Utd's, Milan's & Real Madrid's of this world for the signatures of the very best players. When asked why Bobby Robson had been starved of transfer funds he re-iterated his opinion that the transfer system as we know it is about to be scrapped and that as such it would be irresponsible of him to spend large sums of money at this time on players who would very shortly no longer be a financial asset to the club. In fact he stated that since the signing of Acuna Robson had not asked him to sanction the signing of any other players. Bobby wants to & will shop at Harvey Nichols in the summer rather than in the bargain basement now!"

So IF the EU sort out the transfer situation in the next 4 or 5 months Bobby can buy some players. What planet is he on?

"We were also assured that club policy is and always will be to take up our full allocation of tickets for away games! When questioned why sometimes Sunderland received more tickets for certain grounds than we did he swore that this was not Newcastles fault as we never turned down any tickets offered since we were always confident of selling them and that in any case everyone at the club valued the strength and passion of our away support!"

1000 tickets for a midweek match at Chelsea! 1000 tickets for the Charlton game! Come off it Freddy you lying toerag!

If this man was a government minister he'd have been forced to do a Mandy by now.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

It's only ever 1000 for Charlton isn't it? cos of their capacity...if it's true that it's only 1000 for Chelsea then it's a disgrace...

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

When I was in rainy Barca, the Nou Camp was more reminiscent of a very big Spanish Wembley than a Stade France

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Aren't Chelsea doing some improvements to their ground? Remember we reduced our away allocation, they may be doing the same thing.

If FS is going to do a Mandy he can sort out this passport fiasco before he leaves.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

We were supposed to have been offered 5000 for Charlton! Yep, we only have 1000 for Chelsea and I must have received 150 e mails from LondonMags alone begging for tickets...

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

I can't believe we were offered that many for charlton....haven't they got 15,000 season ticket holders out of a 19,000 capacity?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Are we all now in agreement that regime at St James over the past 10 years although not perfect IS THE BEST THE CLUB HAS EVER HAD?

And are we in agreement that the NOTW, Daily mail, Sunday Sun etc are guilty of instructing the masses negatively to harm and sabbotage the clubs strengths???

---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ To me Freddie is human, and has been foolish once, by talking with drink and bravado etc. But havent 95% of the population of England done the same, but didnt mean it???

I saw this from the start and backed him through out (we have now learned the power of spin). I will also brag that I saw the SOS campaign for what it was also. But that doesnt make me a smart arse, it just means on this occassion in my life I wasnt duped. Who knows I may be the one who gets duped next time buying a dodgy car etc.

So lets get behind this club, lets push this club to what it deserves -and can obtain with its strengths- trophy, after trophy, after trophy, on the field success, after successes etc.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Have you been taking drugs young man?

bit of a rant there ;))

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Agree 100% TSmith.

FS has toughed it out against the most appalling and deceptive smear campaign from a newspaper which nobody with a modicum of intelligence respects. As regards the Toon it is very clear that his ambition is still there and he is doing his utmost for our success.

There are those who think the job could be done better and they are perfectly entitled to that view. Like so many of these arguments, it cannot be proved one way or another. Such being the case, I urge all to unite behind the club management at all times (or until such time as they become clones of Westwood/McKeag). The SOS brigade were hard done by but should have chosen other means than dragging the club name through the courts while receiving financial backing from Mackems(!).

IMHO, the business of support requires us to show a United front in favour of the current regime and against the enemies of the press who would drag us down. Let me remind you that NotW is owned by Murdoch, would-be buyer of Man Utd until prevented by the authorities. That fact alone should make you extremely wary of the campaign of destabilisation launched against our club.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

There are many people, including fans like myself, who frankly don't give a flying fig what Mr Shepherd or Mr. Hall do in the privacy of their hotel bedrooms. However, they do care about how they manage NUFC, and judge them entirely on those issues that are material to the success and future well-being of the Club we passionately care for.

Mr. Hall appears to have totally disappeared, so I will ignore him. Mr Shephard is undoubtedly a Toon fan, however in managing a football plc he has made many errors, and his performance record to date leaves much to be desired.

There is no doubt in my mind he is doing the best he possibly can to make the Club successful, and latterly appears to have recognised that it is vitally important to give some consideration to his customers. He appears to be finally making the first moves to attempt to win back the 'hearts & minds' of the supporters, and for that he should be roundly applauded - I sincerely hope he is successful, and manages to finally reunite the Club with it's greatest assets - it's supporters.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Do I note a change (albeit slight) of attitude Mr Clark? I blame your meetings with Stonehouse. Perhaps you got thru, eh?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

We can but try, Screacher! However, seeing as how you asked, I do sense Stonehouse's influence in much of what is going on at SJP these days - including initial attempts to get FS to rebuild bridges with the community, which IMO is extremely important in getting eveyone pulling in the same direction.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001