McFaul

The £96m was enhanced by Champions League money, but with Sky TV revenues going up over that period it was offset somewhat.

Stevie is one of the posters who actually has an idea what he is talking about I'll give you that, which is why I don't disagree with him so much. But I stick by what I've been saying for almost 4 years now. Mike Ashley will NEVER, EVER match the champions league and european qualifications of his predecessors, he is running the football club like Netto, the limit of his ambition is premiership survival [confirmed yesterday by Llambias for those who incredibly STILL disagree], and he will sell our best players to make up for revenue losses brought about by his own so called "prudency and financial wizardry" and turning this club from a top club into also rans constantly flirting with relegation, while making a couple of million profit if he can which will either not be invested back into the club or disappear down a black hole, not that a few million quid amounts to anything more than peanuts in premiership terms or the stature that a club like NUFC has enjoyed under the previous regime and should always enjoy. People can "disagree" as much as they like, some have been doing it for a long time now, but the longer it goes on, the more the club is sinking and declining. It will NEVER recover to what it was with 3rd rate ambitions like it has now. Personalities have absolutely nothing to do with it, which I pity those who allow their hatred for the ex-owners to come between them and their judgement and the absolute facts of what they achieved. I'll leave this, I really hope someone like Toonpack or skidders doesn't come back and spout more absolute garbage. I don't disagree with a word of that, not one word. Plenty do, we've got no chance of getting back in the CL with him. We were a self sufficient club under FFS, a top 2 club for a few years in the 90's and a top 4 club for 3 or 4 years in the 2000's. I think regardless of how well FFS did, if we could turn back time now, we could probably compete with Liverpool just about as we did then, but if Chelsea and Man City had the money then they do now, we'd be behind them too. You could get the best businessman in the world in without being a sugar daddy and the best we can ever hope to be without Asian billions, is what Tottenham are now. That's no slight on FFS it's just a fact of life in modern football. If every club had to rely on being self sufficient and no borrowing or major external investment allowed we'd have as good a chance as almost anyone. The only thing I disagreed with in the main was that the club wasn't in decline prior to Ashley acquiring it, it was and it centred on one man, Graeme Souness, and obviously Freddy appointed him.

Class. Only seen that a few times, there's been some right thickos on and I'm crap at football trivia myself. When I've seen it, not being big headed but I always shout you total mug how did you not know that's Marseille's strip!??!?! If I got 15 right, they normally get 6-8 right, I'd still do double or bust. Pressures on after that post Stevie, better get practising the cocky chip peno and all can't be any bog standard effort. Do you read people's minds as well I swear I've been thinking either that or the top left like Shearer used to, with power.

I don't agree. A few years of league positions considered to be not good enough, resulting in the managerial changes for that very reason ie the aim was to do better and the backup being in place, does not equal decline. It can be put back on course again. However, a change in policies, ambitions, resulting in big revenue losses, unhappy players, an acceptance of not qualifying for top league placings or europe by supporters, and a stated aim by the club that they will be happy to finish 10th, is most definitely a club in decline. The club will be relegated Stevie, its just a matter of time, just like the days of McKeag etc. Whenever we were promoted, the only question was how long would we stay there ? Getting rid of a world wide proven legend (albeit I thought getting someone younger in could be a good thing at the time but the right bloke), and replacing him with a failed, paranoid, bigoted, vengeful, unsociable cunt like Souness is almost unforgivable. I like Shepherd, I thought he was a class chairman up to August 2004. He spent next to nowt apart from the summer of 2001, between 2000 and 2004. What annoyed me with Shepherd is how much he vilified Robson for wasting £8.5m on Viana and the likes of Gavilan, when he found little gems for us too. That one decision employing Graeme Souness letting him have £50m to spend, put the club in decline, it doesn't matter what way you look at it, it's an undeniable fact. The be all and end all of a club going forward or declining in my eyes, is the squad and what goes on on the pitch. Souness turned our assets in to absolute shite. Bellamy would've been worth £10m+ if he was happy without any problems etc.. Souness treatment of him and the stigma that followed him halfed his value, and there were loads of examples like that. A happy Robert would've had 3 more years here, things could've been different for Bernard. Shepherd employed Souness, Souness fucked the club up, so responsibility for that has to lie at Shepherd's feet. It was his only major mistake as chairman, and ultimately cost him everything. Prime minister's ruin nations, and managers ruin football clubs. Because of Shepherd's mistake in the space of 2 years we went from looking at Kluivert (international pedigree) in 2004 to looking at Sibierski in 2006, that is a decline off the pitch and it stems from the decision to employ Souness because all of the cash we had without borrowing was gone because of Souness' idiotic signings and dealings with what we had originally. There isn't one logical view to contradict that imo. You know I'm not anti-FFS never will be, but without any doubt the club were in decline from Robson leaving, to the point we had to get the likes of Martin's on the provvy, instead of generating our own transfer income which is what FFS had skillfully done for 7 years from 97 to 2004. Absolutely spot on, to say we werent in decline in the later years of Shepherd's reign is sheer ignorance. No doubt Ashley needs to bare the brunt of the blame, but to totally lay the blame at his door is wrong, yes Ashley fucked the club up royally, but we were in no means the club we were under Bobby Robson and to use the Uefa cup qualification in the last year or so of shepherds reign and use at as a shining beacon of light that all was well with us is wrong too. I hate Ashley, I don't hate FFS. Souness was our anti-christ though, and the reason we got back in to Europe was nowt to do with anything remarkable Shepherd had done, we got back in to Europe, because Souness left in the Feb, and we had the core of a basic side who were there before, who could win at home with players like Bowyer, Shearer, Shola and Nobby. Even Roeder made a success of it. By the way getting rid of Milner on loan to Villa just about summed up the whole Souness thing, I realise it was part of the Nobby deal, but still pathetic.

I don't agree. A few years of league positions considered to be not good enough, resulting in the managerial changes for that very reason ie the aim was to do better and the backup being in place, does not equal decline. It can be put back on course again. However, a change in policies, ambitions, resulting in big revenue losses, unhappy players, an acceptance of not qualifying for top league placings or europe by supporters, and a stated aim by the club that they will be happy to finish 10th, is most definitely a club in decline. The club will be relegated Stevie, its just a matter of time, just like the days of McKeag etc. Whenever we were promoted, the only question was how long would we stay there ? Getting rid of a world wide proven legend (albeit I thought getting someone younger in could be a good thing at the time but the right bloke), and replacing him with a failed, paranoid, bigoted, vengeful, unsociable cunt like Souness is almost unforgivable. I like Shepherd, I thought he was a class chairman up to August 2004. He spent next to nowt apart from the summer of 2001, between 2000 and 2004. What annoyed me with Shepherd is how much he vilified Robson for wasting £8.5m on Viana and the likes of Gavilan, when he found little gems for us too. That one decision employing Graeme Souness letting him have £50m to spend, put the club in decline, it doesn't matter what way you look at it, it's an undeniable fact. The be all and end all of a club going forward or declining in my eyes, is the squad and what goes on on the pitch. Souness turned our assets in to absolute shite. Bellamy would've been worth £10m+ if he was happy without any problems etc.. Souness treatment of him and the stigma that followed him halfed his value, and there were loads of examples like that. A happy Robert would've had 3 more years here, things could've been different for Bernard. Shepherd employed Souness, Souness fucked the club up, so responsibility for that has to lie at Shepherd's feet. It was his only major mistake as chairman, and ultimately cost him everything. Prime minister's ruin nations, and managers ruin football clubs. Because of Shepherd's mistake in the space of 2 years we went from looking at Kluivert (international pedigree) in 2004 to looking at Sibierski in 2006, that is a decline off the pitch and it stems from the decision to employ Souness because all of the cash we had without borrowing was gone because of Souness' idiotic signings and dealings with what we had originally. There isn't one logical view to contradict that imo. You know I'm not anti-FFS never will be, but without any doubt the club were in decline from Robson leaving, to the point we had to get the likes of Martin's on the provvy, instead of generating our own transfer income which is what FFS had skillfully done for 7 years from 97 to 2004.

When kids shout at you and address you as "How mista..."

You ridiculed Mike Ashley's policy of blooding in youngsters. Criticised Carroll for not making the grade, claimed Beckford was a better player and then kicked up a fuss when Carroll was sold as one of the most expensive players in the history of football. "You really couldn't make this up". Fucking idiot. all sense of reason goes out the window with pricks like you and Toonpack, when there is something you can think of to attempt to discredit a board of owners who achieved for this club, what Mike Ashley will only ever match in his dreams. The aim is 10th is it Dekka ? And arseholes like you are actually accepting such lowering of expectations.....that was the aim of the people who ran the club for decades, and eventually left it with one foot in the 3rd division, sub 20000 crowds, losing our best players, a failed share issue that couldn't raise 1.25m quid, a cow shed of a stadium [at least the revamped stadium can't be taken away even if it will be only half full by the time they are finished], no sponsors to name, no shirt sales etc. The club is in decline. Fucking idiot. You really couldn't make it up. That bit in bold. Quote me, or find me any sort of quote which suggests my 'acceptance' of such expectations. Otherwise you're just making stuff up AGAIN. YOU really COULD make it up wtf are you wittering about man You ARE accepting it. If not, accept that your man might not reach the league positions, champions league and european qualifications, and bring the players to the club that his predecessors did ? He won't do it The club is in decline. Expectations are down, revenues are down, ambitions are down. Your man Dekka has just said so......10th is the aim To be fair the club has been in decline for 7 years, speeded up by Ashley of course, and while it's not moving forward at a great rate of knots, we reached our rock bottom last year, so we haven't declined from that point, we have a better team now than then, and are financially much better than then cos Ashley took us to oblivion so being in the Premiership we're better off. I wouldn't say we're in decline now, just sort of stagnant as a non-entity Premiership side.

Got a message off the lad, all will be revealed tonight and its positive news for all those effected.

You can still see what he's saying it's just he's said fuck all since March 10th, apart from last neet.

Fair play to Robbie Savage, I asked him to raise awareness of little Jack Marshall's situation and he did.

Class. Only seen that a few times, there's been some right thickos on and I'm crap at football trivia myself. When I've seen it, not being big headed but I always shout you total mug how did you not know that's Marseille's strip!??!?! If I got 15 right, they normally get 6-8 right, I'd still do double or bust.

My gut is quite flat though. I'll get my 1999 toon shirt stick it on, and get PAUL WYN NO. 1 WRONGUN on the back, would only cost 7 or 8 quid. I promise I'll do it if Fenners picks me. He's choosing tomorrow.

Get in. Just spoke to Fenners off Take It Like a fan on Sky, got a chance of being on telly at the weekend at SJP on the pitch, answering questions about football for 500 quid, and taking a pen he said he's sorting it out tomorrow. Fingers crossed

Alex James hit the nail on the head when he said you celebrate your 20th with alcohol, your 30th with drugs and your 40th with food. Spot on that like. Also pretty sad affair that I can relate to most of the comments here. Apart from the LM one I think everyone over the age of say 27 unless you're a lass, can relate to my Horizon comment. Funny how lasses just are (mostly) not into that kinda stuff? Wor lass pretty much never watches any of that stuff I like. Though she is into the crime and investigation stuff that I'm not that fussed on. Aye regardless what age I get to, I'll never be old enough to watch Wycliffe Investigates, Ruth Rendall Sorts It oot, or Wexford PI or whatever, load of pish, same with that programme with Del Boy and Neville in years ago.

Alex James hit the nail on the head when he said you celebrate your 20th with alcohol, your 30th with drugs and your 40th with food. Spot on that like. Also pretty sad affair that I can relate to most of the comments here. Apart from the LM one I think everyone over the age of say 27 unless you're a lass, can relate to my Horizon comment.

Look like they've just stolen the drawings from the McAlipne.

What's that based on though? If we've accounted for TV money and player wages without showing that kind of profit, where do you see it coming from? 23 * 43000 = 989K bums on seats last year. 19*47000 = 893K bums on seats this year So there's less matchday revenue being generated this season. I've not seen any major announcements for sponsoership or new major kit deals. You're ignoring something there as well regarding the ticket revenue. When we got relegated we made £15.6m from ST sales £11m last season, but some are reporting gate receipts went up, which is true from £5.5m to £6.5m which is true, but the overall money's generated from ticket sales regardless of ST/our pay as you go went down from £21.1m to £17.5m. This season our average has gone up, it will be 5,000 higher than last season ticket prices have went through the roof £43 cheapest v Sunderland/Man Utd etc...while the ST sales only went up 1,000, so we should get back near the £21m gate receipts money we had in 2009, another example of it going up. I think that's all negated by having 10% more people coming through the gates (paying the same for pies pints crisps and pop) in the championship than we have in the PL. Point is, it's debateable, and J69's £50m figure is cloud cuckoo land. Gans without saying.

Well I donno what you bamps without season tickets pay man I just go off what my mates whinge about. Anyway I thought they charged you £1.50 Ashley Tax (admin charge).

Nar that was in the Premiership that game. Lost 1-0 to a David May volley.

What's that based on though? If we've accounted for TV money and player wages without showing that kind of profit, where do you see it coming from? 23 * 43000 = 989K bums on seats last year. 19*47000 = 893K bums on seats this year So there's less matchday revenue being generated this season. I've not seen any major announcements for sponsoership or new major kit deals. You're ignoring something there as well regarding the ticket revenue. When we got relegated we made £15.6m from ST sales £11m last season, but some are reporting gate receipts went up, which is true from £5.5m to £6.5m which is true, but the overall money's generated from ticket sales regardless of ST/our pay as you go went down from £21.1m to £17.5m. This season our average has gone up, it will be 5,000 higher than last season ticket prices have went through the roof £43 cheapest v Sunderland/Man Utd etc...while the ST sales only went up 1,000, so we should get back near the £21m gate receipts money we had in 2009, another example of it going up.

What's that based on though? If we've accounted for TV money and player wages without showing that kind of profit, where do you see it coming from? 23 * 43000 = 989K bums on seats last year. 19*47000 = 893K bums on seats this year So there's less matchday revenue being generated this season. I've not seen any major announcements for sponsoership or new major kit deals. There's much nearer the £6.5m corporate facility figure this year £2.9m last year. You will see.

The old Darwen end was amongst the favourites of many a Newcastle fan in days gone, it was always a well attended game. (by us, anyway ) Two things always stand out for me about the old end, Liam O'Brien scoring a belting last minute winner and the Mags chanting the tune to 'Toms Diner' for ages afterwards on the way out of the ground, and the stick David Speedie took where 'We've all shagged your wife, Speedie, Speedie' rang out a good few times and Speedie baiting us as he scored his hat-trick as bottles, pies and coins bounced off the grass in front of the dirty, hacking, cheating little bastard. (I was a big fan). I was there for the Speedie game, most mental celebration ever, when Kelly scored, can still picture the goal, Clarkie, to Stevie, to Kelly \o/ \o/o/ \o/\o/. Went the year Wegerle scored last minute to put us out the cup too, and the only thing different from 3-1 game in that vid, was they'd built the Walker Steel stand which is the shit one opposite the TV camera's rest of the ground was like that youtube clip. Was a proper ground Ewood. How times change, me and my pal got up at half three and got a taxi over to the ground at about four-ish to queue for tickets for the cup game at Ewood where Wegerle got the winner, there were already loads queuing and we still didn't get a ticket. I remember it being cold and misty and someone had set a mattress alight. All this for an early cup round tie at Blackburn! Thats what used to set us apart from supporters of most other clubs in my opinion. Aye 12,000 they reckon were there before they opened the gates at 4am. It was 2 per person, so me mate agreed to get the Blackburn tickets if a got the QF ones.

The old Darwen end was amongst the favourites of many a Newcastle fan in days gone, it was always a well attended game. (by us, anyway ) Two things always stand out for me about the old end, Liam O'Brien scoring a belting last minute winner and the Mags chanting the tune to 'Toms Diner' for ages afterwards on the way out of the ground, and the stick David Speedie took where 'We've all shagged your wife, Speedie, Speedie' rang out a good few times and Speedie baiting us as he scored his hat-trick as bottles, pies and coins bounced off the grass in front of the dirty, hacking, cheating little bastard. (I was a big fan). I was there for the Speedie game, most mental celebration ever, when Kelly scored, can still picture the goal, Clarkie, to Stevie, to Kelly \o/ \o/o/ \o/\o/. Went the year Wegerle scored last minute to put us out the cup too, and the only thing different from 3-1 game in that vid, was they'd built the Walker Steel stand which is the shit one opposite the TV camera's rest of the ground was like that youtube clip. Was a proper ground Ewood.

You tell everyone Pop Idol, Pop Factors and X Factor is shit telly for the thick masses, while sitting watching Horizon on BBC2

Who would've thought the thread would've take this direction........