McFaul

You say that but he fought tooth and nail to keep the club, till he realised he was in an untenable position. Newcastle averaged 30,000 in 1984 in Division Two third highest in the country, our average attendances were amongst the best in the country, often better than Everton and Tottenham, yet they'd go out and spend £5m on players in one summer, and we'd fucking flog our best players to them. Seymour was chairman in 84, but even so McKeag was his right hand man and they couldn't even give Arthur Cox a new contract after 4 years of steady improvement, after promises were made, so he left as a matter of principle. When the FA Cup draw was ever on there wasn't various football figures on doing it, it was always McKeag and that fat cunt Bert Millichip, and I used to snarl at the telly. We were a disgrace of a club and he was the main one to blame. He was a clueless disgrace of a chairman, him and the likes of Stan Seymour are the reason we stagnated from the 50's to the 90's, and saw the likes of NOTTINGHAM FUCKING FOREST leave us in their trail with a fanbase not even a quarter the size. None of them had a clue how to run a football club. I'm not defending what he did, but I think it was out of ignorance rather than anything malicious. You're right, they were wrong to promise something to Cox and then renage on it. But to have carried on and offered what they'd have promised would have been doubly wrong. The summer you're referring to when we spend £5m on players and flogged our best players to Spurs and Everton is 1988 I presume and you're referring to Gascoigne & McDonald specifically? It's easy to say with hindsight that it was a fuck-up but at the time there was a hell of a lot of belief that summer IIRC. Gazza was going and there was nothing we were going to be able to do to stop that. Watching the Piers Morgan thing the other night should cement that fact in your mind - whatever he asked for, Spurs would give him but then Scholar had more money than sense and just kept emptying his pockets time and time again. Wasn't long before he was having to sell the club to Sugar and Venables (kind of)... But back to the summer of '88 and with us, we bought Beasant (at the time considered one of the best keepers in England who'd just captained Wimbledon to FA Cup victory), Robertson who was McFaul's long admired vision as a replacement for Pedro, Andy Thorn & John Hendrie. Neutrals were tipping us to push higher than the 8th we'd achieved the previous year and maybe even chance a cup. But it didn't work - Beasant was a disaster, Thorn average & Robertson only a shadow of the player he was in Scotland. The only bright spark was Hendrie who showed glimpses here and there but in a team in disarray, was often suppressed. McKeag may have backed those purchases, but I can't blame him for them - they were footballing decisions that McFaul got wrong. And that summer the club re-invested the money from the sales of Gascoigne, McDonald &Goddard (who was the biggest loss of all) and some.... Did they have a clue how to run a club? Nope, not really but I believe that his heart was in the right place and as a fan, he wanted the best for the club. A stubborn man would have looked at what SJH achieved and suggested that it was easy now that Sky money was at the table - McKeag never did though, he was simply delighted that his club were where they ought to be. We could've done everything to stop Gazza leaving, he and Beardsley both said they'd have stayed had an ounce of ambition been shown, all of Beasant, Thorn and Robertson were disasters, and Hendrie fucked off after 5 months to Leeds. The 8th place finish should've been enough to entice them to keep the best players and build on what we already had. Not lose our best three players and have a punt at replacing them with four from lesser clubs. At the end of the day, that season would've seen us average 31 or 32,000 had we had a reasonable season. It would as well, the average gate when we were bottom with three games to go was an astonishing 26,000 four wins all season, the last three games had 14,000 there each time cos we were as good as down which effected it, but that level of support shows you what it would've been had they had a tiny bit ambition in holding our best players and building on it, but it was the same old story. As for his attitude to what SJH did, what else could he say, "well we came 8th but finished below Wimbledon?". He couldn't say anything other.

aye Either him or Rt Hon Rev Iain Paisley

You say that but he fought tooth and nail to keep the club, till he realised he was in an untenable position. Newcastle averaged 30,000 in 1984 in Division Two third highest in the country, our average attendances were amongst the best in the country, often better than Everton and Tottenham, yet they'd go out and spend £5m on players in one summer, and we'd fucking flog our best players to them. Seymour was chairman in 84, but even so McKeag was his right hand man and they couldn't even give Arthur Cox a new contract after 4 years of steady improvement, after promises were made, so he left as a matter of principle. When the FA Cup draw was ever on there wasn't various football figures on doing it, it was always McKeag and that fat cunt Bert Millichip, and I used to snarl at the telly. We were a disgrace of a club and he was the main one to blame. He was a clueless disgrace of a chairman, him and the likes of Stan Seymour are the reason we stagnated from the 50's to the 90's, and saw the likes of NOTTINGHAM FUCKING FOREST leave us in their trail with a fanbase not even a quarter the size. None of them had a clue how to run a football club.

I'm fairly sure that you know much more about Gazza than I do so I'm not going to argue with you. Comparing him to Cantona is foolish though, they were completely different characters with different problems. From what I understand, Venables tolerated Gazza's indiscipline and imo that is what contributed to his problems worsening in later years. How's it foolish when you concede they both had problems. Being a manager is being a problem solver. There's so many myths about Gazza it's untrue. Not one British manager had any major problem with him as a player. Be it McFaul, Venables, Taylor, SBR, Walter Smith or Bryan Robson. The only one who ever had any major problems with him was Dino Zoff and he had problems with every fucka him. He was regarded as a fantastic trainer, committed player, fantastic stamina, and a born winner. Things like what happened with Sheryl when he twatted her, were isolated incidents which hardly effected his football considering he won jock player of the year, and was along with Laudrup their best player of the 90's. They were few and far between anyway, so in a football sense, I don't see what he would've done in his core years that would've given Ferguson such a massive problem.

I think the difference there with McGrath was he was a 30 year old man who was set in his ways, whereas Gazza was a 20 year old boy. Lets not forget Paul Ince was a little cunt when he signed him so was Keane, often in trouble off the pitch. He's always liked em young when he can make a difference. You're not going to change seasoned internationals like Strachan, McGrath and Bryan Robson from the drinking culture they'd been in to all their adult lives. I'm no Gazza expert but it seems to me like his problems go a lot deeper than alcoholism and Fergie giving him a kick up the arse wouldn't have sorted him out. Fergie would've been perfect for Gazza. His problem was nothing to do with seeing his pal killed, he had a securish childhood at home, he had plenty siblings, my feeling is lack of discipline is and was his main problem in life. From 1986 to 1991, he never had any problems at all. Not one, because he was happy and he was playing absolutely brilliant football. Surely if his problems were that deep they would've surfaced then. Fergie would've had him from 1988, and without doubt in my mind would've moulded him as a man and a player. The guy clearly isn't right in the head now and hasn't been for quite a while. It's a lot easier to hide the problems when things are going well and you're the nation's sweetheart. He's had OCD, gambling problems and drinking problems for most of his life. I reckon Fergie would've gotten fed up with him after a while and shipped up out like he did with the others he couldn't control - McGrath, Whiteside, Sharpe etc. He's always had OCD, lots of people have it. He never used to bet during his career, he'd drink while he played but he wasn't a huge drinker till he retired football. Fergie would've persevered with him the same way he did Cantona, for all the arsehole things Cantona did, he knew a heavy handed approach wouldn't have worked, and that's the beauty of Fergie, he knew what was needed individually to get the best out of specific players. Why would Fergie have had a problem with him up till 1991. Terry Venables said he was a dream to manage, a committed player, and in those years he was rarely in trouble. The point you're making is completely invalid in my view as someone who's followed Gazza closely since I was 7 years of age.

I think the difference there with McGrath was he was a 30 year old man who was set in his ways, whereas Gazza was a 20 year old boy. Lets not forget Paul Ince was a little cunt when he signed him so was Keane, often in trouble off the pitch. He's always liked em young when he can make a difference. You're not going to change seasoned internationals like Strachan, McGrath and Bryan Robson from the drinking culture they'd been in to all their adult lives. I'm no Gazza expert but it seems to me like his problems go a lot deeper than alcoholism and Fergie giving him a kick up the arse wouldn't have sorted him out. Fergie would've been perfect for Gazza. His problem was nothing to do with seeing his pal killed, he had a securish childhood at home, he had plenty siblings, my feeling is lack of discipline is and was his main problem in life. From 1986 to 1991, he never had any problems at all. Not one, because he was happy and he was playing absolutely brilliant football. Surely if his problems were that deep they would've surfaced then. Fergie would've had him from 1988, and without doubt in my mind would've moulded him as a man and a player.

He should fuck off! His fatha was a cunt who held Newcastle back in an era where a tiny bit of ambition would've seen us win a boat load of trophies.

To be fair though Tottenham were new cash at the time. They had the share option and they were the club spending big money. Obviously then, they weren't a quarter the size of Man Utd or Liverpool, while we should've been bigger, their board was hugely ambitious at the time, and they signed Paul Stewart for more than we received for Gazza the same month (Man City must've been mint negotiators), so Gazza must've seen that and thought fuck it. To be fair on paper they were alright as well they had Waddle, a strong defence, and Lineker came the year after. It amazes me how many genuinely good players have played for a nothing club like Tottenham down the years.

I think the difference there with McGrath was he was a 30 year old man who was set in his ways, whereas Gazza was a 20 year old boy. Lets not forget Paul Ince was a little cunt when he signed him so was Keane, often in trouble off the pitch. He's always liked em young when he can make a difference. You're not going to change seasoned internationals like Strachan, McGrath and Bryan Robson from the drinking culture they'd been in to all their adult lives.

As long he's not the new Harald Brattbakk that's the main thing.

Aye discipline was always top of SAFs agenda. Imagine his reaction to Gazza crashing a £250,000 team bus in to a wall.

Exactly! He could be taking pics for Wrongun Monthly for aal he knaas.

there's nee way he's went 11 month without having a drink. He touched his nose when he said it too. Also the shit in pie story, wasn't his shit, it was cat shit. His fatha made me laugh the most. Ye could tell they've said "John we'd like to meet up and for you to say something about Paul." So he's chucked his ASDA suit on beside the Millennium Bridge, and all he could think of saying was "Ah fink the worrrrr-ld of him ye nar" and that was it pmsl. Such a workin mans club type of bloke.

Haha no she's from Lemington. And sush about our little deal ok?! And hurry up with that paypal transfer! There's a model works in the Asian shop keepers beside the middle club, but she's got nee tits at all, and she's a mug. Is that her? Haha no What age is she? No idea mate but need to find out before the shoot just to avoid any dodgy situations if she's under 18 lol ffs, have you never met her?

Haha no she's from Lemington. And sush about our little deal ok?! And hurry up with that paypal transfer! There's a model works in the Asian shop keepers beside the middle club, but she's got nee tits at all, and she's a mug. Is that her? Haha no What age is she?

Haha no she's from Lemington. And sush about our little deal ok?! And hurry up with that paypal transfer! There's a model works in the Asian shop keepers beside the middle club, but she's got nee tits at all, and she's a mug. Is that her?

Completely agree about the family, all happy to live off his name but slag him off at every chance just to keep themselves in the spotlight and get every last quid out of him. He was obviously going to go off the rails but if he didn't end up with her he could have sorted himself out. Leaches is spot on, can't help someone with his problems to have a family like that as much as he didn't treat them right but they will get all the sympathy while he gets all the shit. Aye, there's no defence for knocking a woman around but if you're going to do it then it couldn't have happened to a nicer lady. It's the first time I've watched one of these Piers Morgan interviews, it's also the last. One thing I've always admired about you, and always will admire about you, is just how positive and happy you come across as.

That's beyond a piss take. Man City's crowds were down to 35,000 cheap seats in the prem under Sven we averaged 44,000 in the CCC the fucking idiots. I'm sure that's a collective average rating, and I have to say it emphasises the Newcastle jealousy in this country. Leeds fans aren't passionate they're arseholes, I've been so many times. The whole country knows who is the most loyal fans in the world let alone this country. I won't be buying it.

1-0 down 2-1 up fuckin Jonas wrapped it up with a nik nak paddy wack give the dog a bone all the mackems fucked off home. 45,000 the mackems couldn't even sell out. Still in two minds whether to buy it or not. Only had one decent game on FM2011, and don't have much time to really get in to a game as I would like. I'll buy it if there's new features probably, but serious question how old is too old to play FM. 33 year old man.

Watched it tonight, he's definitely shown signs of improving his attitude and life. I think any man who raises their hand is a coward and should be made to remember what they did, but taking that out of the equasion, Sheryl is a fucking leach and a cunt who has never helped him, and it's quite clear to me that part of his problems stem from her. All you've had in the press from her is oh what a cunt Paul is, Paul this, Paul that, and that slag of a step daughter who does nothing but bad mouth him while (for no apparent reason) keeping his surname. They've made millions off him, and I sense that part of his problem is he would like to really get a lot off his chest about the lot of them, but can't and it's eating him up. I'm convinced about it. I thought the story of him piloting the plane was quality he turned it too far right and they ended up 3 miles off course and Chris Woods was going to chin him

It's a tough one though, all the players Ryder arselicks won't be able to speak to him anymore. He'd literally have no sources, and what would he do every day? I agree 100% but that's how the Chronicle would look at it. Having said that there's never nee interesting exclusives these days, even compared to what Anal used to unearth.

I think even he'd give that a miss.

How is it? Hate to say it, but maybe what he's supposedly said has an element of truth in it? As someone already said, maybe for once he's being honest. He doesn't attack the fans, Shepherd did. Saying that Hughton struggled with decisions for example is not as bad as saying that all Geordie women are dogs etc. Nothing he's supposedly said comes close to be perfectly honest, that "horrible" remark aside. Again, I have to encourage people not to take this too seriously since it could well be fabricated. The Shepherd/Hall thing was done by one man, a journalist, who recorded the conversation. This was supposedly said to a bunch of fans, all of whom have something against the guy I'm sure, and I've yet to hear of any recordings existing. Or photos of the encounter. I think the "you don't know how faakin narrrrsty we can be" line, is far far far farrrrrrrrrr worse than Shepherd's comments about toon fans. FFS claims he said it about mackem women anyway, but regardless, that incident was about FFS talking pure shite to get additional investment in for the benefit of the club. Explain to me what benefit there is by basically saying we can reach new depths in being cunts if people don't pipe down. Look at the comment from every angle and that's what it amounts to. My mate rang me 20 minutes ago and I didn't know what the fuck he was on about till he told me and now I've read this and he's astonishingly saying it'll make them even more insular by the fact that they've been stitched up, COMPLETELY irrelevant in comparison to the content of what's been said if anyone on here wants to go down that route.

It's about three or four years but watched The Sentinel through the week. Canny enough show about a plot within the secret service of America, to kill the president. The secret service know someone inside want him dead, and Michael Douglas get framed for it. The wrongun in the SS is working for some rogue former Soviet organisation, but what fucks me off is you don't ever find out the reason they want the president dead. Michael Douglas has been humping the presidents wife as well, but anyway I won't spoil the end, it's a decent show, and fuck me Kim Basinger is unbelievable for 55, a gilf of epic proportions. 7/10

Do you think any Macedonian could name Ireland's midfield. Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan ffs. Sean St Ledger at the back. Talk about limited resources.