NUFC_Mag

...and Kammy of course

Ji Sung Park - Couldnt ask for more in a footballer. Model professional, fantastic graft and energy levels, doesnt give the ball away and technically solid. Bullard, Wenger (despite his whinging I admire his pro-football attitude) and Shearer.

We have one though, I dont see the logic in creating another. The idea is that we have an entire level set aside for those that want to sing, creating another section would either bomb miserably (imho) or would result in a number of those from L7 moving to the new one thereby reducing the numbers in L7 and the subsequent noise created. In turn that would mean more "non-singing" fans would be placed in L7 which would result in more trouble from those who think they're going to be able to sit and watch the match without people standing up around them. As far as I can see, what needs to be done is increase L7's voice, not dissapate it into smaller groups elsewhere, increase that, get them singing a wider range of songs with some good oldies in there and try to motivate the rest of the ground to join in. SJP is not designed for banners (unfortunately), there are no areas where a banner could logically be placed, other than L7 and hanging over the balcony which, if memory serves me has already been tried and battered down by the stewards although Im sure the likes of HF and the lads from the Ultras will be able to confirm/ refute. Edit: And Im in the NE corner, the atmosphere is fairly quiet although when a song does get going theres plenty of us joining in, but I refuse to join the bloke 3 rows in front who permanently tries for Toon Toon, Black n White Army.... Good points. I am aware of clubs with numerous singing sections that work well (Jungle Boys, Green Brigade at Celtic etc) although it does seem a bit risky, and could be counter productive. Ive hassled the Ultras forum a bit with banner ideas and there seemed some positive responses, although a general lack of manpower/money. The area in the picture looks a good start yet there can always be halftime/prematch displays which can take place within the crowd. For example; http://media.photobucket.com/image/celtic%...bs/DSC_0170.jpg http://luketraynor.merseyblogs.co.uk/kopinbloom.jpg http://www.unitedonfire.co.uk/wp-content/u...d_city_fans.jpg Dont know what people thinks of this? I know Stoke have a one of the clubs logo which is paraded before every home game.

Is there no desire upon the forum to create another singing section with banners etc? The lack of noise is tragic at times and some clubs have had a high degree of success with it. (Youtube -Celtics "Green Brigade" who are particulary outstanding)

Quick question for everyone, whereabouts do you regulary sit in St James and what are the noise levels like in that area? I'm a big fan of the singing section in Level 7 which is outstanding, but the noise from the majority of the rest of the ground can be dissapointing at times. What are your thoughts? would you embrace two singing areas to pump up the noise? is there the desire and ability to do that on this site?

Matt, I think I am finally with you, although I think we will have to agree to disagree on whether this is 'standard practice' or not. I concur that the implications would be catastrohpic for Newcastle United if we were in a position of debt to him, however, we have seen what a ruthless capitalist Ashley is, and the official finance books published in 2008 say in writing that this £100 is transferable to the new owners. Consider that a drastically reduced wage bill will ameliorate the level of debt relative to turnover, yet whether or not this is at a level which is deemed acceptable remains to be seen. Perhaps Ashley will be willing to negiotiate upon these figures or perhaps he will opt to run the club on threadbare cost levels and gradually recoup that £100m. Hopefully next year we will be able to shed more light on this debate.

These loans do exist...they reflect the true cost of Newcastle United following a regime of excentric spending followed by relegation and after such patterns of behaviour one would expect a high degree of debt. Ashley loaned the £100m into the club to pay Shepherds debts and understandably wishes this to be transfered in the case of a new owner; it is unrealistic to expect him to pay the financial burden of our club alone and accept a lower label price. It is probably the reason he couldnt find a buyer last time round and I predict if he cant find anyone wishing to inherit such debt, then we will be with him for sometime. Although negotiations around this £100m figure are possible, to expect him to write it fully off are naive. Also, can you elaborate on what you mean by "control factor," investors will indeed look at potential financial gains (present through TV and commerical channels) and if run correctly, a football club is a potentially lucrative, if risky business. Claiming that Newcastle will be purchased simply on controlling egoistic grounds is simply not true. You view is idealistic and does not consider Mike Ashleys capitalist, self interested motivations

Agreed almost entirely, but £100million in debt may not neccesarily be paid in a lump sum, in which case the interest rate is indeed an important consideration as it is repaid in installments.

So prospective buyers are going to expect Ashley to write off 100million? unfortunately that is the true cost of Newcastle United, Shepherds overspending followed by relegation doesn't come cheap. When/if we are bought out we will have large debts to MA.

So Ashley shouldn't have loaned any money to the club? As I said, the bit about the interest rate has no effect on future owners, it's about what he can charge the club now. Plus the LIBOR is not the base rate (as most of us know it). Your not following my argument, I'm not saying Ashley shouldnt have loaned money to the club, it was obviously a requirement, however, he will wish to recoup this investment and therefore it remains a hurdle for potential buyers; he is not simply going to write of 100million. Also, your simply incorrect in regards to the future owners, they inherit the debt and conseqeuntly the interest rate attached to this. Although Ashley can charge the interest rate now, the books show: "no interest has been charged in the year to 30 June 2008." We will find out in the 09 books whether this has changed although I doubt it. If a buyout takes place then the circumstances change significantly. It is costly for Ashley to loan £100 million, as this could of been invested elsewhere to attain higher profits, therefore the additional 0.5% is compensating him for this. It all makes financial sense yet remains a burden on any new owners; the 100million and attached interest remain an issue. On a sidenote, the LIBOR is one of the most common benchmark interest rate indexes

Any buyer would take the loan amount into account when deciding the purchase price. The bit about the interest rate means that Ashley could effectively charge the club interest on the loans he has made to the club, it doesn't affect future owners. Naturally any buyer would take the loan amount into account, but it makes a takeover more expensive/less attractive and so remains a stumbling block. If Ashley can charge the club interest on the loans he has made, above that of the base rate, it then makes this debt even more costly. I don't understand how you can argue this has no effect upon future owners?

Unfortunately Ashley is indeed expecting his money back. Although he has injected a £100 million 'gift loan' into the club, the clubs debts are only effectively cleared because he is lending his own money to a company he owns. However, if a change of ownership takes place, this debt is transferable to whoever takes over. Its all in writing from the 2008 financial books: "There is a change of control clause in the £100million loan agreement, meaning the full amount becomes repayable on demand should a change occur.' "A loan of £100m from Mr J W Ashley is unsecured. The loan agreement is that interest can be charged at a rate of LIBOR + 0.5%" This last quote means that the interest rate Ashley can charge may rest 0.5% above the base rate. It is these two factors that are the biggest stumbling block in a potential takeover. However, if we are loosing 500k a week, we can probaby take some positives from this as we should be in a secure profit (when/if) we are promoted back to the Prem.