Noelie

It was like this Paddock Lad; Clyde Best and a lot of players came over to the States to play in the then NASL(North American Soccer League) and quite a few stayed after the league collapsed. I got to meet Clyde when he came to play for the California Surf whose home field was at Angel Stadium in Anaheim where I live, and he also played for the indoor Los Angeles Lazers along with Mike Mahoney who I also knew quite well. When his pro career ended Clyde started turning out for the British & Dominion Soccer Club for who I played and we became good friends. He and Mahoney started a janitorial business which Clyde kept going but Mike got a job as a beer delivery truck driver. I got them an interview where I worked to see if they could get the office cleaning job, but they didn't. The team was in an over 35 league(mind you I was in my 50's) and along with Clyde off and on the team were Peter Wall(Liverpool-Crystal Palace), Paul Cahill(Portsmouth), Gerry Ingram(Blackpool- Preston-Bradford), Jimmy Hinch(Plymouth- Tranmere-York City-Sheffield Weds), John Craven(Blackpool- Crystal Palace) all players who stayed after the Pro-league went kaput. Peter Wall actually became manager of the California Surf and then manager of the LA Lazers. Clyde eventually went back to Bermuda, Peter Wall, Gerry Ingram, and Mike Mahoney went back to England. I believe Jimmy Hinch is living in France. Paul Cahill is still here and runs an egg supplier business. John Craven died here a few years back. I have a photograph of the team with Clyde, Gerry, and me, on it but I don't know how to post it. I could send it to an email address if anyone's interested.

Quite frankly I always liked Saylor and I think if it hadn't been for his numerous injuries he would have been a great asset to our team. The fact he was once on the fringe of playing for England tells you he had something to shout about. I wish him luck in Portland. A good friend of mine some years back played for Portland, Clyde Best, some of you younger ones probably never heard of the former West Ham striker.

It was time for Bobby to go, he was losing it and you can put that down to his age, his workload, and his continuing battles with health issues. Thing is, he should never have been sacked, he should have been moved upstairs from where he could have helped the new manager, the team, and the Club. Occasionally I would go to Roker Park but the attraction was who was on the visiting team. I remember going to Roker once just to see George Best, Dennis Law, and Bobby Charlton.

It's a MUST win situation. If we lose, all the pre-season positive talk and hype about the signings, the team, and Benitez, will gan doon the netty. I know if we lose I'll be as sick as a chip.

Gini the ratfink's aspirations weren't totally successful, yup he's done a bunk, yup he's staying in the Premier League, yup he's gone to a bigger club, but NOPE, there's no Champions league for him this season.

Whoopee! Fulham match is scheduled to be televised here in California on the BEIN channel which is part of my DishNetwork package. Former Newcastle player "Rocky' Hudson does a lot of commentating on that channel so it wouldn't surprise me if he does this one.

Hate to say this but ........................ can't help but think I'll be hoping England lose their games under Allah-dice management showing his true winning ways.

To be honest .......................... I can't believe he was actually considered for the job. His record as a Premier League manager does not include any successes unless you count been saved from relegation. For the sake of England I hope he can find a winning way, but I certainly don't have high hopes.

They're non swimmers, that's why rats desert sinking ships. I wonder how many will follow Townsend down the ratlines in their escape mode.

I don't think we got, and will never get the real scoop on what triggered his suicide be it accidental or on purpose.. His job with Wales was apparently going well and I couldn't see that being a factor in regards to depression. I think it had to be in his personal life at home that played a part in what happened. We know he had a tiff with his wife and she left the house that night and it was never fully explained what the issue was.

Perhaps 'loyalty' is the wrong word. Character, merit, and moral fibre are probably more appropriate words. Someone involved in somewhat of a disaster who decides to stay rather than run away to better his own personal circumstances is my kind on man. It will be interesting to see who actually does stay aboard to refloat the sunken ship based on their decision alone.

As far as Townsend concerned, I'm old school, real old school where deserters weren't highly thought of. Play up, play up, and play the game. The boy stood on the burning deck when all but he had fled. I would have got in the boat with Bligh(NUFC), not become a mutineer with Fletcher(Pardew).

Not for a minute did I think Townsend would stay when I knew he had a cop-out clause in his contract. Just another egotistical mercenary, no loyalty to a club that rescued him from the Tottenham bench and paid him good money to come. No loyalty to a club that he was part of their relegation battle, and not concerned about helping them to get Premier league status back. Going to join Pardew at Palace is not much of a step up, certainly not Champions League in view, and certainly not a team in the top half. I don't wish him luck, I hope he gets Pardewed, and I hope Palace gets relegated next season and he doesn't have another cop-out clause.

When I saw Hodgson was starting Sterling AGAIN, coupled with Sturridge & Kane, I figured he had to be in the first stages of dementia. Nobody in their right mind would have started 3 players who had already shown poor performances in previous games. Hodgson resigned after the defeat to Iceland but I think he did it to beat the sacking which was undoubtedly on the horizon. Wasn't waiting for 'mutual agreements' or any of that shit.

Too bad Wales & N. Ireland are playing each other, sadly it's the last game for one of them. If Ireland play like they did to beat the Wops they can beat the Frogs too.(politically incorrect I know so sue me) If Hodgson fucks it up again Iceland will win and make Scotland and many others happy.

Townsend would have been a much better option for Hodgson after seeing Sterling's 2 woeful showings against Russia & Wales. Does Shelvey have a get-out clause too?

Against Russia Sterling & Kane were woeful, can't believe Hodgson started them against Wales, and they were woeful again. Deli Ali got a great build-up but for the most part was anonymous, and Dier not much better. Why doesn't he play Wilshire. Smalling is out of his class. Walker is very good but too often he brings the game to a halt when he gets in the corner and doesn't put a first time cross over. Rooney put in a good shift.

It's very sad, but trying to help, cure, rehab Gazza is like flogging a dead horse. I'm afraid I'm fed up with Gazza's antics. Difference between George Best and Gazza is that Bestie knew what he was doing, Gazza hasn't a clue.

Question is ............. will Townsend pull a Rafa and stay with us? Rafa came in on a 3 year contract with a get-out clause which he didn't exercise. His 3 year wages would be based on being in the Premiership and I doubt there has been any increase motivating him to stay. I think his pride and the amount of power over things would be the key, plus fan support. Townsend signed his contract on Premiership wages which probably won't change if he stays. He might exercise his get-out clause through wanting to play in the Premiership but he'd probably only be wanted by team wanting to climb in the League. I can't see any of the top teams having a need for him.

I like Saylor, always have. WHY? Well because......... Foreign born self proclaimed Geordie. Loves Newcastle and proud to be one of us. Always tried his best. Never gave up in any battle. Someone to have in the trenches. Value over the years he has spent with us far out-weighs his flawed performances. Potential ruined by so many injuries.

WOE IS ENGLAND!! 55 minutes against 10 men and can only come up with a late goal scored by a central defender. WHOA FOR FUCKS SAKE, Varney, Kane, Rooney, Sturridge, Stirling, and nary a goal. Dismal display, total disarray.

Credit where credits due lads, during his tenure with us he has put in a lot of good shifts, let's not forget that and wish him well wherever he goes. Od soldiers never die, they just fade away.

Thank you for the Welcome Back posts. Gemmel, must admit I missed me bird watching. Ewerk, I'll settle for 20/25 which it was before, right now 20/40. Rayvin, I know, but maybe I can find it on U-Tube later. Looney Toony, possibly the scope went too far up me bum and scratched me eye-balls. Ginger Quiff, Wilson didn't help the healing process.

Anyone think I'd left the planet cos I wasn't posting? Had a problem with nasty abrasions on the cornea of both eyes and could hardly see for a month and not quite %100 yet. Missed seeing the Villa and Spurs matches cos I couldn't see, and could only listen to the commentators who don't give you much to go on how the game is going.

Didn't expect Blunderland to get anything from Arse n'all but they got a point which in essence is another nail in our coffin. They are out of the bottom 3 and will probably end up there if we don't perform a miracle and get 9 points, which is very doubtful.