OTF 7485 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) There is nothing wrong with wanting to have board representation, but most people (including supporters direct) will tell you that this is unlikely without having a signifigant shareholding. After a year from hell its hard enough getting fans to part with a tenner to join NUSC never mind hoping to raise a few million to buy a sateke in the club (Thats if any owner wanted to sell us a stake). Board representation would be great, noone could really argue against that. To have a voice (or at the very least an ear) of the supporters involved in the happenings within the club would put to an end much of the mystery and smoke-screening that has been a key factor in the unease amongst the supporters during Ashley's tenure (and indeed previous owners as well). I honestly think that the difficulty in gaining members is owing the disconnect between the outwards intentions of NUSC and those of the majority of supporters. It seems that too much is wanted in too little time, that trust is implicit rather than earned and that the actions of 'demanding' changes and expressing anger and discontent will bring about positive results and a better future. Personally I think all of the unrest and anger resulting from the Kevin Keegan incident has had a vastly negative effect on all facets of the club. The media has of course played a large part in overplaying this, but NUSC has contributed to the unrest as well. The owner and his cohorts were shocked further into their shells. Even though it clearly pains to do so, sometimes the best action is to throw your support behind the club instead of cause further unrest. I plainly believe that if the reaction of the supporters had been to do as their name suggests and support that we would have remained in the Premier League. It wouldn't have been pretty, but we would still be in the top league in the country and the club would be vastly more economically viable. I couldn't understand the motives behind calling for boycotts of games and merchandice/food on one hand whilst calling for money to be spent on improving the playing roster from the other. At the same time the clear unrest serves to make the club a less attractive proposition for potential buyers, who won't want to find themselves potentially in the same situation down the track. Whilst we sit here hoping for an end to the misery of the Ashley era we have to accept that some of the blame for the situation lies with us. Or we can continue to point the finger of blame and carry on and keep going the same way that we are now. Edited August 11, 2009 by OzToonFan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitman 2207 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I plainly believe that if the reaction of the supporters had been to do as their name suggests and support that we would have remained in the Premier League. I know this isn't the main point of your post but personally I don't subscribe to this statement. The main reason we went down was our esteemed owner gambled on the existing squad and temporary management being good enough throughout the majoirty of the season, and he only tried to do something about it when it was way way too late. It's true we were only one point short, but I don't think a general lack of support was the reason we didn't get that extra point. I would put the owner, club/team management and players well ahead of the supporters in that sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeazesMag 0 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 He was a hero when he bought everybody a pint down the quayside and didn't embarrass us anymore though. Gullible or what ........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeazesMag 0 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Supporters should have by law a rep on the board (who has a vote). It will happen in the near future as football more and more moves out of the reach of the common man. yes. Hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 7485 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 What is clear is that Mike Ashley is not acting quickly enough to end his disastrous relationship with our club. The NUSC, with a fast growing membership, will soon be writing to the club's main sponsors and advertisers to request that they end their business relationship with a Mike Ashley owned Newcastle United. If the nightmare scenario of an Ashley owned Newcastle United continues to next summer, then we will organise a highly visible and energetic campaign amongst supporters to boycott any new kit and merchandise being sold by Adidas. In the meantime NUSC repeats its call to supporters to continue to boycott all club merchandise and Sports Direct outlets until we are rid of Mike Ashley!" Boycotts have clearly worked a charm thus far. Club's spend money on players when they can afford to. Ultimately it's a business. If one of the primary revenue streams is severely reduced the amount of money that the club can afford to spend is likewise reduced. When potential buyers are looking at the books before determining whether to buy the club the figures that are plainly apparent before their eyes will be the influencing factors on their decision. The reasons behind any perceived reduced numbers will be FAR less important that the actual numbers themselves. If the opposite effect happened and the numbers in the books were more healthy then it's more likely that prospective buyers will go the next step. There's a difference between wanting to inflict further personal financial ruin on Mike Ashley and wanting the club to be sold. It's unchartered territory for all involved. Thinking that increasing the losses that Ashley is already suffering will result in a faster sale of the club is to look at it from only one angle. Sure, Ashley may become more keen to sell but at the same time buyers will be less keen to buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 7485 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) I plainly believe that if the reaction of the supporters had been to do as their name suggests and support that we would have remained in the Premier League. I know this isn't the main point of your post but personally I don't subscribe to this statement. The main reason we went down was our esteemed owner gambled on the existing squad and temporary management being good enough throughout the majoirty of the season, and he only tried to do something about it when it was way way too late. It's true we were only one point short, but I don't think a general lack of support was the reason we didn't get that extra point. I would put the owner, club/team management and players well ahead of the supporters in that sense. We still would have been shit, that's for sure. But would we have lost at home to a pathetic Hull side? (just to name one match that was VASTLY influenced by the turmoil and unrest at the club). I know it's pointless to speculate but I truly think that if there wasn't so much hatred, blame and finger pointing then the general improved atmosphere at the club would have translated to better performances on the field, and may also have meant that Ashley and his cronies didn't go into hiding, whilst taking virtually no action to stop the rot. Edited August 11, 2009 by OzToonFan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitman 2207 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I honestly think that the difficulty in gaining members is owing the disconnect between the outwards intentions of NUSC and those of the majority of supporters. It seems that too much is wanted in too little time, that trust is implicit rather than earned and that the actions of 'demanding' changes and expressing anger and discontent will bring about positive results and a better future. It's interesting that the initial reaction of a lot of folk to NUSC on the internet was one of distrust and antipathy. "They don't speak for me etc". I'm not sure how representative they were of the rank and file, certainly there was no support for Ashley's behaviour from Keegan onwards amongst the matchgoing support according to the matchgoers in my family. I'm not going to criticise people for reacting passionately. A football club is deeply personal and if Ashley didn't appreciate what he was doing would get a big rise, he's a total idiot and we shouldn't make excuses for him imo. Personally I think the history of our club has shown that if you don't protest against something you'll just get walked over. I think the NUSC is a great idea and I can't imagine why anybody would rather not have a supporters interest group. If people don't like the way they go about things they should get involved. I'm not a member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottish Mag 3 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I plainly believe that if the reaction of the supporters had been to do as their name suggests and support that we would have remained in the Premier League. I know this isn't the main point of your post but personally I don't subscribe to this statement. The main reason we went down was our esteemed owner gambled on the existing squad and temporary management being good enough throughout the majoirty of the season, and he only tried to do something about it when it was way way too late. It's true we were only one point short, but I don't think a general lack of support was the reason we didn't get that extra point. I would put the owner, club/team management and players well ahead of the supporters in that sense. We still would have been shit, that's for sure. But would we have lost at home to a pathetic Hull side? (just to name one match that was VASTLY influenced by the turmoil and unrest at the club). I know it's pointless to speculate but I truly think that if there wasn't so much hatred, blame and finger pointing then the general improved atmosphere at the club would have translated to better performances on the field, and may also have meant that Ashley and his cronies didn't go into hiding, whilst taking virtually no action to stop the rot. Aye its us fuckers that go to the games fault we went down.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 7485 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Aye its us fuckers that go to the games fault we went down.. I'm trying to get away from the blame game here and just look at the interests of the club (irrespective of the owner). We can't rely on Ashley for anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeazesMag 0 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I plainly believe that if the reaction of the supporters had been to do as their name suggests and support that we would have remained in the Premier League. I know this isn't the main point of your post but personally I don't subscribe to this statement. The main reason we went down was our esteemed owner gambled on the existing squad and temporary management being good enough throughout the majoirty of the season, and he only tried to do something about it when it was way way too late. It's true we were only one point short, but I don't think a general lack of support was the reason we didn't get that extra point. I would put the owner, club/team management and players well ahead of the supporters in that sense. We still would have been shit, that's for sure. But would we have lost at home to a pathetic Hull side? (just to name one match that was VASTLY influenced by the turmoil and unrest at the club). I know it's pointless to speculate but I truly think that if there wasn't so much hatred, blame and finger pointing then the general improved atmosphere at the club would have translated to better performances on the field, and may also have meant that Ashley and his cronies didn't go into hiding, whilst taking virtually no action to stop the rot. Aye its us fuckers that go to the games fault we went down.. yes, it misses the point. Some of us WILL go to games and some of us WILL stop going to games........the point is why do you stop going to games ? If you stop "because they are shite" then you are a Keegan bandwagon jumper type, attracted back to the club by the people who appointed him and put the club on the map again. However, if you stop going because you are trying to force change but wanting to go, then I can understand that, I did it myself for a short while after the club lost Gordon Lee to Everton. Sadly, the current owner of the club also seems hell bent on going down the same road but I have no intention of boycotting again, although I would not criticise those who do this for the reasons I've mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitman 2207 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I plainly believe that if the reaction of the supporters had been to do as their name suggests and support that we would have remained in the Premier League. I know this isn't the main point of your post but personally I don't subscribe to this statement. The main reason we went down was our esteemed owner gambled on the existing squad and temporary management being good enough throughout the majoirty of the season, and he only tried to do something about it when it was way way too late. It's true we were only one point short, but I don't think a general lack of support was the reason we didn't get that extra point. I would put the owner, club/team management and players well ahead of the supporters in that sense. We still would have been shit, that's for sure. But would we have lost at home to a pathetic Hull side? (just to name one match that was VASTLY influenced by the turmoil and unrest at the club). I know it's pointless to speculate but I truly think that if there wasn't so much hatred, blame and finger pointing then the general improved atmosphere at the club would have translated to better performances on the field. Granted but the turmoil and unrest was really down to Ashley & co. The situation could have been managed so much better, they did absolutely nothing to placate the fans and there was no communication with anybody. Let's face it, if they'd appointed a decent successor to KK and promised some limited investment in January the grumbling would have died down pretty quickly. Instead they chose to stick up 2 fingers to everyone with their 'IT IS A FACT' statement, left Hughton in charge and the rest is history. The fan reaction was utterly predictable, hwo they reacted to it was unforgivable imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 7485 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Granted but the turmoil and unrest was really down to Ashley & co. The situation could have been managed so much better, they did absolutely nothing to placate the fans and there was no communication with anybody. Let's face it, if they'd appointed a decent successor to KK and promised some limited investment in January the grumbling would have died down pretty quickly. Instead they chose to stick up 2 fingers to everyone with their 'IT IS A FACT' statement, left Hughton in charge and the rest is history. The fan reaction was utterly predictable, hwo they reacted to it was unforgivable imo. I don't disagree with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 (edited) There is nothing wrong with wanting to have board representation, but most people (including supporters direct) will tell you that this is unlikely without having a signifigant shareholding. After a year from hell its hard enough getting fans to part with a tenner to join NUSC never mind hoping to raise a few million to buy a sateke in the club (Thats if any owner wanted to sell us a stake). Board representation would be great, noone could really argue against that. To have a voice (or at the very least an ear) of the supporters involved in the happenings within the club would put to an end much of the mystery and smoke-screening that has been a key factor in the unease amongst the supporters during Ashley's tenure (and indeed previous owners as well). I honestly think that the difficulty in gaining members is owing the disconnect between the outwards intentions of NUSC and those of the majority of supporters. It seems that too much is wanted in too little time, that trust is implicit rather than earned and that the actions of 'demanding' changes and expressing anger and discontent will bring about positive results and a better future. Personally I think all of the unrest and anger resulting from the Kevin Keegan incident has had a vastly negative effect on all facets of the club. The media has of course played a large part in overplaying this, but NUSC has contributed to the unrest as well. The owner and his cohorts were shocked further into their shells. Even though it clearly pains to do so, sometimes the best action is to throw your support behind the club instead of cause further unrest. I plainly believe that if the reaction of the supporters had been to do as their name suggests and support that we would have remained in the Premier League. It wouldn't have been pretty, but we would still be in the top league in the country and the club would be vastly more economically viable. I couldn't understand the motives behind calling for boycotts of games and merchandice/food on one hand whilst calling for money to be spent on improving the playing roster from the other. At the same time the clear unrest serves to make the club a less attractive proposition for potential buyers, who won't want to find themselves potentially in the same situation down the track. Whilst we sit here hoping for an end to the misery of the Ashley era we have to accept that some of the blame for the situation lies with us. Or we can continue to point the finger of blame and carry on and keep going the same way that we are now. I refuse to take that like. Having a go at the supporters' behaviour when you're some kid living on the other side of the world. Especially when it's unadulterated bollocks. You have no idea what you're talking about. Edited August 12, 2009 by alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 10963 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 So you're syaing if the supporters had laped up the utter bilge on display, we'd have stayed up? Have a fucking word mate. Those 11 players are not my club, that owner is not my club. We, the Fans, we are my club, and those players should pop a ventricle for the shirt of my club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peasepud 59 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 If only people hadn't kicked up a fuss when Poland was invaded eh? If we'd had a little less name calling and blame then who knows what.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoog 0 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 /facepalm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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