Jimbo

Emre Belozoglu has bid his farewells to the Toon Army and embraced the Turkish army. It is almost three weeks since the midfield player was given permission to discuss personal terms with Fenerbahce, but his £3 million transfer from Newcastle United has been postponed while he unravels the complexities of his country’s system of compulsory national service. With neither club announcing the completion of the deal, concerns had been raised that the 27-year-old, who had a dreadful record with injuries on Tyneside, had failed a medical. Since being pictured wearing a Fenerbahce shirt, the Turkey captain injured his hamstring during his side’s Group A fixture against Portugal and has not subsequently played, but those fears have now been allayed. Instead, a senior figure at St James’ Park has told The Times that Emre “will have national service obligations if he gets the timing of his return to Turkey wrong and that is the only reason for the delay.” He added that he “would still expect (the transfer) to go through,” but it appears the formalities may not be finalised until next month. A spokesman for Fenerbahce confirmed last night Emre would undertake 21 days of military training once Turkey’s participation at Euro 2008 comes to a close. “We will send him for national service after the European Championships, but there is no problem with the transfer,” he said. Related Links All Turkish men between the ages of 21 and 40 are required to serve up to 15 months in the military, although there are some exceptions. Citizens who have worked outside the country for at least three consecutive years can pay a fee of Euros 5112 and undergo basic training for three weeks; while Emre played for Inter Milan prior to joining Newcastle, the three-year anniversary of his transfer falls on July 14. Newcastle have been informed that the price for Arda Turan, a longstanding target, has now increased following his heroics for Turkey. The club’s new-look recruitment department had initially hoped to push through a deal before the championship began, but with Arsenal also interested, Galatasaray now value him at almost £16 million.

It seems an easy way out, she should have faced the crowd on Friday night and felt the hatred towards her.

Just getting my coat on now....

not quite sure, think it will be in tomorrow nights episode. Big Brother contestant Alexandra De-Gale was tonight thrown off the show for intimidating other housemates. As a result, the first eviction of the ninth series - due to take place on Friday - has been cancelled. Channel 4 said that during her nomination for this week's eviction, De-Gale allegedly threatened her fellow housemates with punishment from "gangster friends". Alexandra allegedly made the comment about gangsters while speaking to albino contestant Darnell last night, while a number of other housemates were in proximity. According to Channel 4's transcript, while discussing the fact that she had been nominated, Alexandra told Darnell: "I'm not throwing water at anyone. It's bigger than that ... personal offence is never forgotten. Do you know what I mean? "We are just inside the house. I've got a very, very, very, very, very strong team outside the house". She added: "I just can't wait to see my mans and them and see what their plans are, who they got ... I'm not talking about those mans, I'm talking about my gangster friends. They got some instructions to follow out." She added later: "I get to go out, see everyone's friends, I get to see their family. I get to do the shit that I wanna do. Pow, pow, pow." Angela Jain, Head of E4 and Big Brother at Channel 4, said: "Alex's comments will be widely interpreted as having been intended to intimidate. Other housemates have said they found her comments to be threatening and we believe that is the reasonable conclusion for them to have reached given the way Alex has behaved previously. "Big Brother has very clear rules about housemates' conduct and that kind of behaviour is not acceptable. "She has already been spoken to twice about her behaviour, and, like all housemates, was clearly informed before entering the house that she faced eviction if she acted in an unacceptable manner."

By the throat ?

The Daily Mail: Ameobi on brink of £3.5m deal to leave Newcastle for Norwich Norwich are on the verge of signing Newcastle forward Shola Ameobi in a deal that could ultimately be worth £3.5million. The former England U21 striker has knocked back moves to Ipswich and Stoke this summer but is keen to link up with his former St James’ Park manager Glenn Roeder, who is believed to have persuaded his board to find the finance for the deal.

In your life, maybe.

I'm expecting a finish between 6th and 10th, a few ups, a few downs, but more ups than last season.

He got off lightly Craig, imagine if he'd said: "Hi, I'm Ash from Scotland....."

If I did have it, it would be stained.

A mechanical "improvement" would have to alter the performance of the car... which a spoiler on the back of a Punto, does not. You thick knows-nothing retard. Paint does serve a purpose so no, I wouldn't stop them painting them. as for people who get their names on the back of their shirt, I don't really care. I got my name on the back of my shirt when I was a kid and don't hold it against any kid who does the same. It's when you see 40 yr old blokes with "Geordies 4 Eva" that brings on an attack of the cringe. Charvzilla iyam but please, tell me how cool it is to have a personalised plate, on your dead cool Astra, listening to a Kid Rock/James Blunt/Coldplay megamix wearing your "Fuk tha mackems" football shirt. I tingle with anticipation. ffs, top marque sportscars have spoilers to keep them on the road, when was the last time you heard of a chav in a Nova taking off ? *mind you it might do mankind a favour if they did !

SWOS wasn't as good as SS. Too much management. Of course this is better than both of them put together... Sensi all the way for me.

Where is SWOS ffs ??

I had one of those ! Some games took so long to load up that they had mini games that you could play while you waited ! and then you had to rewind the tape when you'd finished ! My personal favourite was the Amiga, Sensible Soccer, Another World, Shuffle Puck, legendary games.

30,000 posts, you should be ashamed of yourself

He'd have been a canny signing then tbf. Better than who we got instead anyway. Certainly better than who we got, but that's not saying much, and whilst I'll concede he was better then than he is now, we'd still had paid several million on a player who has proven he is on the slide. A fortunate miss in my opinion.

I'll be honest, I use those kind of sites all the time, but from a board point of view its just a matter of being safe than sorry, feel free to PM content like that, but don't put it on the board. ta.

The fact Souness wanted to sign him should be enough to warn the club away.

I deleted it, and I'm sure you know why.

I'm not moved by either of them, but I'd take Kapo out of the two of them.

I liked this one Shay Guevara

NEWCASTLE United will have a new-look executive management team in place next season following confirmation that Chris Mort has stepped down from his role as Chairman. Deputy Chairman Derek Llambias has a new title of Managing Director and will head up the boardroom structure at St. James' Park, supported by David Williamson, Executive Director (Operations) and Dennis Wise, Executive Director (Football). Mr Llambias said: "Since coming to work at Newcastle United I have quickly begun to appreciate the passion people have for the Football Club. "I firmly believe we have the right people with the right expertise, with Kevin Keegan back as manager and being fully supported by Mike Ashley and the directors, to take the Club forward again. "At the same time, I'd like to pay tribute to all of the hard work done by Chris during his time at St. James' Park and wish him every success for the future." Chris Mort was appointed Chairman of Newcastle United in the summer of 2007, following Mike Ashley's purchase of the Club. During his time at the helm, Mr Mort undertook a full strategic review of the Club and helped bring in a number of new personnel in key positions, as well as significantly enhancing relationships with supporters and overseeing the creation of the Newcastle United Foundation, which will further strengthen the Club's presence in the local community. Mr Mort, who will be returning to his work as a partner at London law firm Freshfields, said: "I've enjoyed my time immensely as Chairman of Newcastle United but with high quality individuals recruited for each of the key management roles at the club, and the club heading in the right direction following the strategic review, the time feels right for me to return to Freshfields. "From the moment I arrived in the north east, I received the warmest of welcomes and I must thank the people of Newcastle for that. "Having experienced the unique atmosphere generated at St. James' Park on matchdays, and also by the Newcastle United supporters on our travels away, I look forward to supporting the team next season and will continue to get to as many matches as I can."

Bastard

From Truefaith: LEADERS OF MEN Monday 16th June 2008 Well, according to those in the media who reckon they know, there are changes afoot this week at NUFC! First off, the Chairman, that nice man, Chris Mort is tipped to step down from his position and return to his day job as a London hotshot lawyer with Freshfields and some big job they have on the go at the minute. There is some patter he may return as director in October but nothing is confirmed. Its widely expected the newly appointed deputy Chairman, Derek Llambias will step into the space vacated by Mort and become Shy Mike Ashley’s main man in NE1. There has also been some patter that at the request of Kevin Keegan, Shy Mike will assume a greater level of management in the day to day running of the good ship Newcastle United. This must include the handling of transfers. Another week goes by and another few thousand players are linked with NUFC. The overwhelming majority of these stories are complete bunkum – we know it, the press know it and the press know we know it. But it just rolls on because their bosses think it sells newspapers. Who knows, it might - but one thing is absolutely certain – no-one has come through the door just yet and there are whispers circulating that against a backdrop of cost-cutting, particularly regarding players wages, no-one really knows what Shy Mike’s real intentions are regarding the club and certainly anyone so minded could start making a strong case that NUFC is being prepared for sale. Or perhaps we’re just getting used to the club being run properly? I don’t know but like many of you reading this piffle, I’ve never seen a well-run NUFC so it’ll take some recognising when it comes into view. If the club is for sale well, it will need a buyer and there don’t seem to be many of them knocking about in these less certain economic times. So far the tales have been we’ve done no business because Kevin Keegan is still on holiday as are agents and EURO 08 is what is occupying football’s minds right now. The hints have been dropped that we’ll be active in the transfer market – as buyers – when KK is back from his jollies. I guess we’ll see if that is true in the fullness of time as well as just what Dennis Wise has been up to earn his massive salary and how much wedge there is available for players. We’re being linked with all insundry but some more than others – some of the names discussed are well fancied players and it will take some doing getting them to SJP but that is what Wise is paid for and if he doesn’t get top players in then he is a waste of space. The cause for optimism however is it would be mental for Ashley to have Wise on big money as a director charged with bringing players in and Kevin Keegan the fourth highest paid manager in the world (Sunday Times) if he was going to skimp on new players. * On the subject of players and wages and all of that palaver we’re told there was a meeting with club officials and Barton’s agent, Willie McKay last week in HMP Liverpool (seems like he wasn’t transferred to a porridge-dome in East Anglia anyway) with the general offshoot being the club want him to take a 50% cut in his pay in order to stay at the club. You can look at this several ways and whilst I’m all for giving Barton support, like other Mags, it is a matter of supreme indifference to me whether an average Premier League player is on £30K p.w. rather than £60K p.w. – both sums are on the wrong side of indecency anyway. Some might accuse NUFC of exploiting Barton’s situation for financial reasons but frankly I don’t expect to hear this from Barton or his agent given Joey’s behaviour last summer when he more or less held NUFC to ransom regarding his “loyalty” (sic) payment of £300K from Man City – which it looks like was paid by Newcastle United. What goes around comes around. For all of the talk about supporting Barton etc this desire to press for a re-negotiation of his contract is also an opportunity for the player to offer a cut in pay as a genuine, tangible act of contrition for his wrong-doing. Don’t hold your breath. The smart money is on the outcome of the Dabo case being critical to Barton’s future with Newcastle United but there is something in the air hinting our incarcerated Scouser won’t be at NUFC next season. * The season ticket renewal packs slid through our letter boxes last week and whilst this humble publication intends to cover the changes to season tickets and ticket pricing at the club in some great depth in the first issue of the coming season, let’s get one thing on the record, absolutely crystal clear and transparent – the ticket prices in the corporate sections of SJP i.e. The Platinum Club, Club 1892 and anywhere else can go through the roof as far as I am concerned and I have absolutely no sympathy whatsoever with the whoppers running to The Comical last week to whinge their dials off at hefty price hikes. Many of those seats were procured by the current occupants on the back of the clearances of The Milburn and Leazes which prompted the Save Our Seats campaign following the extension of SJP eight years ago of which this humble fanzine was proud to support and counts amongst its number some of its doughtiest campaigners. As ever, The Comical and the rest of the Thomson House lot completely ignored this reality and ploughed on with their ill-informed inanities. I’ve always felt those who took the places of those who had been evicted were not given enough criticism for their moral bankruptcy and it was galling some of them now coping with price hikes should seek to portray themselves as poor down-trodden rank and file Mags being taken to the cleaners by NUFC. They are far from that and if the prices are now too much, they can join the rest of the hoi-polloi in areas of the ground more suited to their wedge. Corporate sections of NUFC are now a necessary evil and the club owes it to itself to raise as much money as possible from them and should seek to get the greatest market value for them as possible. * Its always a landmark moment in the close season when the new fixtures are released and we’ll be getting our peepers on them tomorrow (Monday). The comrades at nufc.com will have them online as well the official site and most other local media people but as we’re tight-fisted bastards and won’t pay the fee we won’t have them here. There is no shortage of outlets with them but like you we’ll be looking at first game of the season, the Christmas and New Year programme, when we play the Mackems and the run in. Just when we get it fixed in our tiny minds it will all be shifted around at the behest of SKY and SETANTA so we won’t be getting that excited – well, we don’t do excited any more in the procession-like non-competitive competition that is the Premier League. Sorry, I was forgetting it was the best league in the world. Getting into the top ten is the peak of our ambition these days and whilst we’ll always be there and we’ll always love the club and all that, it’s not exactly got the pulses racing has it? Keep On, Keepin’ On …

Thanks mate. Trying to say something? Well my knowledge of Kurdish history is kind of sketchy, but from what I remember you guys usually end up at the wrong end of things. Are you from the Kurdish area of Iraq or one of bits in other countries? Poor bastards there certainly had a hard time of it. He's from Suffolk I think.