There is nothing more glorious to our ears than a proper Northumbrian accent. The rolling guttural North Northumberland, the unique Ashington twang, the swooping machine gun rhythm of urban Tyneside; all of them make your heart soar - as you listen to the wisdom of Albert from Wooler on Total Sport after a 2-0 win.

Our accent has been our identity for centuries. George MacDonald Fraser, a Cumbrian Scot avers that Shakespeare wrote his Harry Hotspur lines with his famous Northumbrian accent in mind. He quotes (in his book “The Steel Bonnets”, the history of the border reivers) one of the Tyneside Marcher-Lords saying “I never sold none” (concerning some disputed missing horses) and points out that southerners would confuse a Northumbrian with a Scot out of ignorance and prejudice, not because we have the same accent. A 19th Century Parliamentary Committee claimed not to understand George Stephenson, the man from Tyneside who transformed the world with his instinctive engineering genius. The developments necessary to make life better, food cheaper and manufacturing more efficient were delayed by their stupid snobbery. The posh Sir Humphrey Davy could not believe that George Stephenson’s pitman’s lamp was better than his. How could an ignorant northerner be cleverer than him? He was though. In the 1970’s a Benfield School kid was rejected by an Oxbridge College as they claimed “we thought he said he was getting 3 E’s”; instead of the “A’s” that he said, and subsequently got, but didn’t go there. This cultural aggression is from the same dark place that saw kilts banned, Gaelic banned, natives “civilised” and imperial gin and tonic snobbery reign to this day.

Another Benfield School kid who left in the 1970’s didn’t get the chance to be rejected by an Oxbridge College; he played football. Despite his own doubts about his ability and physique; despite his homesickness and the 300 mile distance; he knew it was the shipyards or football. He chose football, even if it was Gillingham, even if he missed his mam and dad, missed the familiar voices and home, he started his career as a little quiet kid a long way from home. George Caulkin has a fine article in “The Athletic” about this. Steve Bruce’s career took him from Gillingham to Norwich to Manchester then, as a manager, to Sheffield, Birmingham, London, Sunderland, Wigan, Hull and Sheffield again. Those places all have a distinct accent. He is perhaps, Benfield Schools highest achieving footballer in terms of medals, cups and titles. His Man Utd. shirt is on their wall as another one who got away. Then he got the chance to come home to Newcastle. He admits he dropped Sheffield Wednesday in the clarts for that chance. Despite following Rafa, despite working for Ashley, despite the warnings from people who knew what he was walking into, he came home. The call of his homeland was more important than the morality of keeping a contract of employment in Yorkshire. I agree with that. It’s called loyalty. 
​
Many of us had to move away from home for work, education or family. That separation affects us all in different ways. Your Gran would send the Sunday Sun down, you’d treasure a familiar accent when you heard one. But you couldn’t shake the feeling that either your city wasn’t good enough to keep you, or you weren’t good enough to stay. It’s the same feeling that can overpower any emigrant, especially in the pre-internet, social media days. Then you’d never see Newcastle on the telly unless “The Likely Lads” was being repeated. Emigration can make you more “whey ye bugger exhibitionist” or smooth off your accent so you can communicate with their new workmates, friends, partners or even your own children. Accents are not inherited, your kids will learn theirs in the playground, wherever that is, and some parents (like the Donald brothers from Viz) will force their kids into “elocution” to unlearn their native tongue. A mother tells her daughter off for saying “ah man stobbitt” (stop it), not because she is any way ashamed of any facet of her city and people but because she “didn’t want people to think she was ignorant in the future” Because she knows ignorant people judge you on your accent. Still, to this very day…

I don’t know Steve Bruce at all. I’ve never met him or been in his company. The people who have that I’ve met all say what a “nice feller” or lovely lad” he is; he doesn’t seem to have the savage temper or alpha-male intimidation or inscrutable scowl that other managers have had here (most of them useless). But I’ve no doubt Steve Bruce had to moderate his accent over the years to be understood. His job entails communication; as a centre-half you spend your time shouting and organising; as a manager it’s the same. You don’t have time to be doing the “yer what?” as someone doesn’t clear the ball, or track back, or fetch a cup of tea.

So I get that people may not rate him professionally. They have that right, although I’d say that luck, decency and hard work will always deliver something positive – and he seems to have all of those last season. I get that they look at his record at smaller clubs than Newcastle United and don’t see a plethora of success, although we’ve had title-winning managers who failed, local heroes who failed, ex and future England managers who failed (not Bobby like!) and far worse men, who’ve had more credit given. I understand the Rafa context; we all do. But I met Rafa; he described his team as “we”, but he didn’t mean Newcastle United his then employer. He meant “his team of coaches and assistants” that had been together for decades. Rafa’s football team is maybe Real Madrid. Steve Bruce’s team is Newcastle United. The team he supported as a boy, the team he was a ballboy for at the League Cup Final in 1976. His team, his people; us.

Of course he doesn’t have the same profile, fame, and experience as Rafa. The insults we all learned when he was Sunderland manager are easy to remember. I get that he has a broken nose and carries a bit of weight. George says he always worried about his physicality. He doesn’t have the same ability to march us into battle like Keegan; he doesn’t inspire like Bobby, he doesn’t project implacable obsession like Rafa, but…. maybe we should support him a bit though? We didn’t have the choice of who our “Head Coach” would be; Rafa chose us, his contract was not renewed, and someone had to do it. Am I saying it should be Klopp, or Pep Guardiola? Of course, but they wouldn’t come. Again, read George Caulkin’s brilliant article, “Riding the black and white tiger” for a professional insight into what managing Newcastle United is and remember Richard Dinnis, John Carver, Joe Kinnear, and Steve “Schteeve” MacLaren ,(maybe some justifiable accent mockery there..). Might we try to support one of our own whilst acknowledging he’s not everyone’s favourite…like Jack Charlton, another local favourite who didn’t fit everyone’s vision of good football. No one complained about Jack’s accent though…

Attacking his accent though, it’s one for the psychiatrists maybe….Is it his Geordie accent they don’t like? Don’t people understand that it’s changed cos he’s worked away for 40 odd years? Do they conflate his accent with his intellect? Do they think he’s tried to polish his elocution up to appeal to “polite society”? Are they seriously telling us that they believe his own “working-class East-End Newcastle shipyard origins that’s picked up various bits over the years” in many different parts of England is wrong? Would they prefer he get lessons from Albert in Wooler instead of looking for a centre-half? Are they falling into the age-old trap that believes some expert from the south must be clever because he talks cockney/posh? Is this a manifestation of self-hatred? From angry men who have been complaining for decades whilst nothing has changed. From people who “want success” but don’t invest positivity in their own community’s football team - Newcastle United. Who claim that not going to the match, (or going to non-league with pitchside pints), makes them “better supporters” than the people who dutifully continue to turn up at Gallowgate with no expectation except hope that things can change. The truth is that Newcastle United have seen this summer that the entire Premier League, the government, the media and all other football clubs and their fans are our enemies. We have enemies aplenty. We keep saying we need to unite; to stick together in adversity….then we clobber our own managers accent? Seriously?

Seriously, give over man. If you must, criticise the mans words and deeds, go after his record, his methods and his personnel, but leave his accent and appearance alone. Both are authentic and show the man’s scars; his origins, history, work and loyalty to Newcastle. We should respect that at least. And we should stop criticising working men’s accents. It’s not fair.

​Dear Mr Driscoll,

You will appreciate that many of us voted you into your current post of Regional Mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority and looked forward to seeing the Authority under your leadership succeed in a role that could coordinate a positive promotion of the region in the UK, Europe and the world. 

Your campaign emphasised change and improvement in ethical, environmental, and economic policies that would bring fairness and prosperity. 

It is our view that due to your work in attempting to bring investment and jobs to the region you should be integral in supporting the inward investment plans of the consortium that has been put together recently to purchase Newcastle United Football Club and it is our understanding that one group within the consortium The Reuben Brothers plan (according to Private Eye) a £200m plus development in the Pilgrim Street and surrounding South-Central area of Newcastle city centre. 

This Development could prove to be the first of many investments in the area as the consortium that make up the potential new owners would look to develop relationships with the “movers and shakers” in the region; attracting further development and showcasing the north east as an ambitious region with so much more to offer.

The same article in Private Eye avers that the Northumberland and Newcastle Society have opposed the Pilgrim Street development; feeling that it isn’t in keeping with the Georgian splendour of Newcastle’s architecture... surely you could help here? 

As the Reubens are well known supporters of the Tory Party and Boris Johnson, you could provide some political balance...? As a Mayor with a demonstrably successful record in attracting hundreds of jobs you and your Authority should be at the table providing a regional perspective on the opportunities inherent in inward investment.

Obviously these opportunities exist whether or not Newcastle United are part of the Consortium's plan, but if that is what it takes to bring yet more jobs, firms, fairness and prosperity to this region it seems obvious that you and your fellow cabinet members would advocate for successful and engaged owners of a premier league football club on the doorstep.

To date we are aware that only one member of the North of Tyne Combined Authority Cabinet, in their capacity as Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council publicly voiced support for the takeover of Newcastle United by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PIF, and the intended investment opportunities that they and their fellow consortium members were offering the region as part of their plans. 

With a petition signed by over 110,000 people backing the proposed takeover by the PIF/PCP/Reubens consortium there is a perception building that some in the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s Cabinet are not interested in three pillars that support the North East economy; long term development, job creation and retention and a successful Premier League football club on Tyneside!

We look forward to an open and positive response from yourself and your fellow Cabinet Members showing a united and positive front from the Authority that we can share with our 22,000+ twitter followers, the regular 6,000+ audience whom we interact with weekly on YouTube, our local press and media and the dozens of other Newcastle United Supporters Groups and influencers who continue to enthusiastically await a successful takeover of the football club and support the Saudi Sovereign Wealth fund and their highly ambitious consortium partners in bringing dreams of long term on field and off field success to Tyneside and the wider region.


Yours in anticipation

NUFC FANS UTD 

www.nufcfansutd.com

​The 2020/21 season kicks off on 12 September but supporters will be forced to wait a little bit longer before they can return to stadiums and when they do, it will be at a reduced capacity.

With both the Government and the Premier League pencilling in the weekend of 3rd October as the earliest date for fans to be admitted to stadia in England the key concerns for clubs and supporters now turns to social distancing, the guidelines that need to be introduced and how they can ensure fans follow the guidelines before, during and after games.

Newcastle United is now planning for the proposed re-introduction albeit in limited numbers and are planning to meet with supporter group representatives and members of the Fans Forum to share and discuss their proposals and seek consensus.

The views of supporters are integral to the ongoing and very relevant planning that is taking place to ensure that safety is being addressed, that available seating allocated in a fair and equitable manner and that plans and proposals are adaptable to the ever changing situation that this pandemic presents.

We will have a presence in the video-conference that takes place on Tuesday 8th September where we will take forward any supporters thoughts and concerns. Please email them to nufcfansutd AT gmail.com or use our twitter account @NUFCFansUtd either on our timeline or by DM.

Check out the Lads talking about it below.

To:

H.E. Yasir Othman Al-Rumayyan (Governor);
AND the Board of The Public Investment Fund;
PCP Capital Partners;
Reuben Brothers,

 
Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, Sirs and Madame,

There is an old saying that things happen for a reason and that was certainly how we felt when the news broke back in January that, as governors of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia you were interested in purchasing our football club, Newcastle United.

For years our club has languished in the doldrums; starved of success despite an appetite for football second to none. Now we could start to dream again. Owners that matched our desire for success were coming and those dreams might just turn into reality!

We hold the vision of a partnership between supporters and owners that will bring with it the first real hope and prospect in many years of rejuvenating one of the most storied clubs in England. With The Public Investment Fund's wealth and experience in business matched by the supporter’s passion and devotion to their club we might finally be in possession of the winning ticket.

PIF is the engine behind economic diversity in the KSA. It also develops high focus strategic sectors by growing and maximizing the impact of the fund’s investments, making it the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world. Moreover, we know that the program establishes strong economic partnerships that help deepen the KSA’s impact and role both regionally and globally.

As supporters we were delighted to hear that the Club’s Football Academy and youth development would be put centre stage for investment. We believe that such an investment provides far more than football development. It gives young players the opportunity for an education and pastoral care that supports them not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.

These aspects are often overlooked in many areas of the game of professional football and are aptitudes that young people need to help them be successful in whatever career path they choose. The age of talent drain from the region with something like this in place would finally be over. Planned investment in community relations and the Foundation shows how PIF understood the importance of growing the Club alongside and in partnership with the local community.

The city and surrounding communities have a long and famous history. Indeed one of Newcastle United’s unique synergies is that of a club that sits at the very heart of the city, a fan base that turns up in numbers week in week out to support the team and a city, wider region and community that the club very much represents. It is often said that when Newcastle United win on Saturday, productivity rises in the region by 30% the next week. Whilst this may be anecdotal it is very hard to disagree.

Investment in the City and the region (by both PIF and from the multiplier effect) is badly needed and just as importantly would be a welcome interface.

The feeling of many in the North East is that we are overlooked with regard to investment in the UK therefore the mooted levels of investment that a PIF backed takeover of Newcastle United would generate would be viewed as a massive opportunity missed if the bid doesn't go ahead.

In many ways this is about renewed hope not just for the football club, but the city and the region as a whole.By declaring an interest in Newcastle United you have demonstrated to fans that PIF is a forward thinking and genuine long-term investor. What PIF and their partners had in mind for regional investment, coupled with a developing Saudi Arabia prepared to partner with and share economic and cultural growth alongside the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, would be spectacular for the region and mutually beneficial to us all in many diverse and exciting ways.

It is clear that PIF has thought its bid through very carefully and has assembled a leadership team that Newcastle fans can certainly believe in. Leadership has been sadly lacking at Newcastle United for many years. The Club is perceived like a ghost ship with a skeleton crew.

We are crying out for a leadership team that cares, will nurture the club and one which values the club in the same way that we, as fans, do. We remain convinced that the team assembled, including PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben brothers would do this and very much more with the backing and expertise of PIF.

As you will no doubt be aware, the Newcastle fans and the local community are deeply concerned about how the English Premier League conducted its Owners’ and Directors’ Test in regard to your bid and we have written to them demanding answers.

A petition calling for an investigation into the English Premier League has already exceeded 92,000 signatures at the time of writing this letter to you. Numerous Members of Parliament have also written to the League to seek answers for their prolonged and highly unsatisfactory process as a result of thousands of their constituents writing to them.

Yes; things happen for a reason and we hope that as a governor of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and potential investors in Newcastle United FC you can once again be energised by the opportunities of being part of something special.

We urge you, with every fibre we can muster, to consider bringing back your bid, and together we can make our hopes and dreams a reality for everyone who wishes to be part of this truly momentous opportunity.

Yours faithfully,

A coalition of Newcastle United Supporters Groups

The North East of England has recently missed out on potentially hundreds of millions of
pounds of investment from a consortium of investors who have recently tried to buy
Newcastle United.

This region has long been starved of the kind of investment in infrastructure and housing
that other parts of the United Kingdom have benefited from. The collapse of the purchase of
Newcastle United has potentially robbed the North East of a huge opportunity.

PCP, PIF and the Reuben Brothers have publicly commented on large scale plans for
investment in the whole region, not just the city of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The supporters of Newcastle United have been ignored by the Premier League. The people
of the North East have been ignored by the Premier League. The Premier League may have
sound reasons for drawing out the takeover process for more than four months and the
Premier League may have done everything they needed to do to protect their business and
Newcastle United.

However, there must be transparency after the process has completed. Answers must be
provided about decisions which affect millions of people in our region.

So far, the silence from the Premier League suggests they believe the people of the North
East don't matter and that we don't deserve answers. The Trust has over 14,000 paying
members across the North East and we are calling on local politicians to come together to
request that the Premier League provide answers to supporters about this process.

​This is not about Newcastle United or even just the Tyneside region. The economy of the
whole North East would have benefited from this investment.

The aim is to better understand a process that has denied this region of investment when it
needs it most.

The people of this region shouldn't be kept in the dark about decisions that affect them the
most.
​
Web: www.nufctrust.co.uk Email: board@nufctrust.co.uk Twitter: @nufctrust
Registered office: Draper’s Cottage, Slaley, Northumberland, NE47 0AA

The intention of this feed - and website was always to share a lot of supporter generated content and opinion. Below is a letter composed by @timmay2606 to the Premier League re the #NUFCTakeover

Dear Jason,

I have read, bought and valued the New Statesman all of my adult life. I remember Duncan Campbell's reports, the combination of wit and fact, the proper journalism that would inspire BBC and "World in Action" documentaries. How it was part of an agenda that wanted to change the world for the better; and sometimes succeeded.

Maybe the world is beyond changing and now all media (yourselves included) is content with cementing its own identity into a recurring revenue stream on the matrix of opinion that doesn't seek to enlighten, just to damn their opponent.

Unfortunately, your recent article about Newcastle United and the Saudi takeover was so devoid of any merit, nuance and any semblance of fairness that my only response can be that I no longer trust anything you write in your periodical - unless I can validate it with my own experience. I don't buy a subscription for that.

You tolerated a terrible, insulting and lazy article about NUFC Fans. You missed how the KSA and the whole ME situation could be changed by leisure, engagement and diversification. How maybe the State Dept. would rather Saudi money was spent on "overpaid footballers" rather than religious-political causes. How Qatar, Iran, Israel and the entire world may argue about everything, except football. You didn't point out that one former energy producing economy (coals to Newcastle!) is being potentially influenced by a soon-to-be former energy producer (when oil runs out); how a leisure economy is one of the few places the NE of England can still have any influence. How the fight for that influence between active football fans and owners and sponsors has been going on for decades with Virgin, Brown Ale and Wonga on our shirts, Sports Direct on our ground, and money going everywhere except where it's needed.
I'm not a specialist; this stuff is general reading and the work we've done setting up one of the most active and successful football supporters foodbanks in the UK and working with fans since 2007 informs my experience.

So, I conclude that if you misinform and insult when I know something about the subject, your journalism must be unreliable when I don't know the subject. Accordingly, I hope you change, improve and become what you should. 

I'll watch from a distance but there's no way I'll contribute to a periodical that insults me, my mother and our great people. 

The Hell with you,

Bill Corcoran

Fans Supporting Foodbanks go cross-country this weekend in solidarity mission to deliver life-saving PPE to the nation’s key workers
​
Five thousand life-saving visors made by Merseyside PPE Hub volunteers for doctors, nurses, paramedics, ambulance workers and care workers will be delivered by Liverpool-based Fans Supporting Foodbanks to its sister organisations from Newcastle, Huddersfield, Leeds, Manchester and London for distribution across the country this weekend.

In addition to continuing its core work of collecting food donations for North Liverpool foodbanks and setting up a food supply hub to serve the whole of Liverpool during the Covid-19 crisis, over the last 5 weeks Fans Supporting Foodbanks has also been busy working in collaboration with local businesses and educators as part of the voluntary Merseyside PPE Hub partnership.

Merseyside PPE Hub’s production operation is spearheaded by Lydiate Learning Trust (LLT), working out of Studio@Deyes at Wavertree Technology Park in Liverpool and comprising staff from specialist engineering college Studio@Deyes, Deyes High School and Childwall Sport and Science Academy.

The Merseyside PPE Hub partnership produces and distribute life-saving Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for health and social care workers on the front line of the fight against Covid-19. Since the crisis began, the partnership has produced and distributed more than 25,000 visors, hundreds of scrubs and more than 3000 face masks around the region.

Fans Supporting Foodbanks works closely with Lydiate Learning Trust and other Merseyside PPE Hub partners to support with fundraising, logistics and distribution requirements.

Urgent requests for face visors for key workers around the country reached Fans Supporting Foodbanks this week and now the organisation is responding to that call with a cross-country solidarity mission this weekend to deliver five thousand visors produced by the Merseyside PPE Hub to Fans Supporting Foodbanks sister organisations in areas where visors are required.

The local arm of the Fans Supporting Foodbanks network in Newcastle, Huddersfield, Leeds, Manchester and London respectively will on Saturday 9 May take delivery of a large batch of visors and ensure they reach the frontline workers who desperately need them in the coming days.

Fans Supporting Foodbanks co-founder Ian Byrne says: “We are delighted once again to work with our comrades from Fans Supporting Foodbanks across the country, but this time supplying PPE to frontline workers created in solidarity from across Liverpool.

 “Many thanks to LLT-PPE for pulling together the magnificent donation of 5000 visors to go to workers across the region who scandalously are being left short of PPE when working to protect our communities. This really is a true example of solidarity not charity between communities.”

Fans Supporting Foodbanks co-founder Dave Kelly says: “Fans Supporting Foodbanks have always promoted harmony and aimed to be inclusive, not exclusive. Our ethos is to adopt a collaborative approach with other fan groups and in life generally. So, when fan groups from various regions asked us how they could order PPE from our Merseyside PPE Hub partnership, it became clear that the demand for PPE is a national one and we felt it our duty to respond.

“I can’t think of a better example of working-class solidarity than our fan groups and working-class communities coming together in this way to keep the nation’s workers safe. This weekend’s solidarity mission by the Fans Supporting Foodbanks network to deliver and distribute vital PPE across the country is exactly what fan activism is all about.”

John Parry of Lydiate Learning Trust (LLT) says: “At the beginning of April I was approached by colleagues in the Lydiate Learning Trust to make some PPE visors in response to the shortages in hospitals and other settings being widely reported. At first we made 100 visors and posted photos of these on social media. We were overwhelmed by the response and that day LLT-PPE was born.

“We raised £10,000 in 4 weeks and came together with Fans Supporting Foodbanks to develop the Merseyside PPE Hub partnership. This developed quickly and also includes partners such as Dave Connor from Optimum group, seventeen schools, small businesses including That 3D and local volunteers with their own 3D Printers and laser cutters. With the funding we raise we can supply our affiliates with the materials they need to manufacture PPE visors. Merseyside PPE Hub distributes these to key workers in hospitals, care homes, paramedics and elsewhere as needed.

“This project has brought together people from all walks of life that may have never crossed paths before and injected energy into a community who want to help make and deliver PPE. This city always pulls together in a time of need and shows that unity is strength.”

Also a key partner in the Merseyside PPE Hub is Optimum Group, which runs franchises of Costa Coffee and Kaspa’s branches in Merseyside and is currently working around the clock to produce vital PPE for frontline NHS staff and other key workers. Samantha Taylor, a teacher of Textiles/MA Fashion Design and co-founder of Scrub Hub Liverpool is also on board, producing scrubs for healthcare workers across Merseyside during the crisis.

More details on the work of the Merseyside PPE Hub partnership can be found here: http://www.merseysideppehub.co.uk/. Anyone who would like to donate towards the work of the Merseyside PPE Hub partnership can do so via either of these two online donation pages: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dave-kelly-5 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/lltppe
   

Geopolitics. Not a word I thought likely to use very often and certainly not one I would ever thought to use in relation to NUFC. However, here we are. 

Over the last few weeks as the PCP/PiF bid for Newcastle United has been ongoing if you've heard me on some of the podcasts I've done of late or seen me on Twitter, one of the over riding messages I've been trying to get across is to think about the Geopolitics of the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region when you read or hear coverage, both positive and negative, on the proposed Saudi majority takeover. 

The history of this divide is complex and long in the making. It transcends politics and goes deep into religious schism and years of tribalism and social discord. It is certainly far too deep to go into here but it all came to a head when in June 2017 Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates and other states severed diplomatic relations with Qatar and banned Qatari airplanes and ships from utilising their airspace and sea routes along with Saudi Arabia closing the only land border, effectively cutting Qatar off from the rest of the Gulf region. What has existed since is effectively a Gulf cold war; the two states engaged in proxy conflict in various parts of the MENA region and a very active media and electronic based propaganda campaign of information and disinformation that works on many levels.

Being immersed in the region gives you a very acute awareness of this and it's not unusual to question news stories, certainly not to take them always at face value or become very aware of how a story is presented depending on the point of view or agenda of the outlet. Put simply, you aren’t likely to find a good news story about Saudi Arabia on the Qatari Al Jazeera News Network, the parent company of BeIn Sports, and vice versa for the Saudi networks. Which - for some - explains a lot. 

As news of the PCP/PiF takeover bid gathered pace it was very clear to those of us based in the MENA region one of the things that would go with this would be seeing Newcastle United thrust into the middle of this battle for hearts and minds. However for those of you back home explaining just how this works was sometimes tricky. Why would you be bothered even? The digital “Toon Town Hall” organised by MP Chi Onwurah has, however, given a wonderful opportunity and example to show just how things can be manipulated within this ongoing situation.

The event, which we’ll talk more of later, was certainly a success in my opinion. A great example how Newcastle fans can interact, civilly and intelligently, and grasp matters beyond those on field and the overriding feeling afterwards was that Newcastle United supporters are, in the vast majority, welcoming of investment from Saudi Arabia, whilst being aware of the wider discussion around human rights and broadcast piracy, and not ignorant of them. Anyone who watched the whole event or has seen the recording on YouTube could clearly see this was the takeaway message. The next day a report of the event from Al Jazeera in Qatar showed quite the opposite. Carefully selecting the comments and individuals speaking with concerns about the takeover and translating and presenting them only, the Al Jazeera report painted an entirely different narrative, much to the displeasure of the Arabic speaking supporters I know in this region. In one moment as a fanbase we can see very clearly how this will play out going forward, I suddenly don’t have to do much else to give a perfect example of this and you all know why the word geopolitics has been coming out of my mouth so frequently.

I can also see other examples of activities on both sides of the divide and Twitter is another place to look. It is quite clear to me that fans of Newcastle United who use Twitter  are interacting quite frequently with government controlled accounts. Designed to pass information and disinformation and to sway the narrative, what stands out for me is how quickly these accounts started to interact and how swiftly they can jump into a thread to try and shape it.  Amazing and, in my opinion, another thing pointing to how important the purchase of Newcastle United has suddenly become in the MENA region and beyond. 

It was an honour to be asked to contribute to the Digital Town Hall. I think as an example of the depth of intelligence and understanding of the potential issues, as fans, we could be dealing with as the PCP/PiF takeover progresses. Like “crossing the pond by walking on the water lilies” as Bill Corcoran, who many know from the Fans’ Foodbank and helped to pull it together, said to me in the run up to it. Delicate yes but I think well achieved. It was good to hear from Steve Hastie too, we go back a long way since founding NUSC, being involved in turning it into the trust and then creating NUFC Fans United and, of course, Steve was also key in setting up the foodbank along with Colin Whittle. Steve remains passionate about communication with the club and that was certainly a running theme. Steve Wraith, someone I have always enjoyed debating matters NUFC with through the years mentioned it too, along with other insights and I’m quite sure, if he could, he would have said much more. I certainly believe if he could have ensured this event was seen in the right places he would. Also banging the communication drum well were Greg Tomlinson and Alex Hurst of NUST, among quite a few others associated with the Trust. 

I had a few friends and fans via social media express concern that the Town Hall eventually turned into an advert for NUST and I can understand why - however as they were co-hosting - it makes sense that members would be lined up, prepared and ready to speak. As  founding member and first (interim) chairman, the principles behind NUST remain something close to my heart. As long as they keep reaching out to their membership, trust the membership to shape their decisions, lead where appropriate but always be guided by the members and principally their members, they will remain an important voice and critical friend of the club. NUST however can not and should not be the only voice. Even as the membership grows there many more who are not and some who will never be members. Therefore they can not be the sole method of interaction or point of contact between club and fanbase. 

I served on Fans Forums chaired by Derek Llambias when we eventually were able to gatecrash them, thanks to the intelligence of Bill Corocran, no less. The original ones were very hand picked and genuine lip service, discussing the temperature of chips and graffiti in the toilets. Eventually we did get Mr Llambias to listen in many ways, especially as the threat of relegation in 2008 became real. He took on board ways to get the fanbase right behind the team. If you remember the scarves for the Boro home game for example, that came from the Fans Forum, with a big shove from Steve Hastie and myself. However they thought they had done the job, didn’t follow it up, we lost the crucial home game against Fulham and the rest is sadly history. From the end of that season the shutters came down in terms of open communication. Subsequent attempts to get the Fans Forum running properly again fraught with mistrust and mistakes on both sides and suspicion abounds. Lee Marshall at the club has done a lot but I genuinely believe he could and would have done so much more but was repeatedly hamstrung by the management above him, directly answering to Mike Ashley. This is a shame and an opportunity lost. Discrediting the Fans Forum in the way it has been recently is unfair on the fans who give their time and try to interact properly, in spite of starting from a position of mutual disharmony. 

The ever knowledgeable and respected George Caulkin, who did an excellent job of hosting the Town Hall, expressed his pleasure at the way it went and suggested that a Zoom type meeting could be a way to interact going forward. Certainly if it went like this with the right host, tone and level of mutual respect it certainly would be one way I have no doubt. We need to look at as many options as we can, especially in the digital age where, as the Town Hall demonstrated, people could attend world wide.

Communication and interaction on many levels and in as many ways as possible will be the key for any new owner. Something I know Bin Zayed Group had considered at length viewing the Man City model and I am certain PCP/PiF will be looking at this too. They will have a long honeymoon period I’m sure and must take advantage of this to get communication with the fanbase right in as many ways so everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, who holds NUFC dear can feel that their voice can be heard, feel included and listened to. Meeting many fans all over the region during the NUST roadshows after its formation showed me this clearly. Newcastle fans will never be told what to do or how to think but they will interact, listen and engage and even when you agree to disagree be happy if they believe their voice has been heard. The cats can be herded, but only on their terms. This is healthy and part of our uniqueness as a club I believe. 

Someone else at the meeting mentioned healing. This is something we very much need. Divisions within the fanbase need to be repaired and mutual respect and trust between our own fans reestablished. The Club, City, Community synergy that exists when the club runs well needs to be properly reconnected and taken advantage of for all to benefit. A buoyant NUFC makes the community thrive and the City buzz. A partnership, and I believe this is what it very much could be, with the financial clout of Saudi Arabia brings so many opportunities not just for the club but for the city, region and fanbase globally. We can’t, and indeed won’t, ignore the concerns of the world when entering into this partnership however. We must constantly be wise to the wider geopolitical games at play and always be ready to question any negative association that the club could be brought into. That said if we are prepared to embrace and welcome the opportunity at the same time we could eventually also be part of Saudi Arabia’s growth and development. Regionally, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is  known to look to the UAE for inspiration and things are changing, albeit slowly.  Why not then give him the opportunity to look to the North East of England for this too?  The fanbase of Newcastle United stands with the potential to be more than just critical friends of the club and become a beacon not just for the city but something so much more. I certainly would never have thought this after my first Fans Forum meeting with a red faced and angry Derek Llambias. We stand on the cusp of something potentially game changing in every way imaginable. Keep the cans (olab in Arabic) chilled lads and lasses, the passing of the Ashley years deserves a celebration. 

While most Newcastle United supporters view any takeover as simply the removal of Mike Ashley as owner and chief provocateur, it is inevitable that the moment a takeover is announced, attention will turn to what plans new owners have for the club.

It is no co-incidence that for the last 15 years fans have been filled with anguish as the club has slipped from its vaulted position as the entertainers of the premier league to cannon fodder for relegation.

15 years ago Newcastle United made their last appearance in an FA Cup semi final. Move forward four years and Mike Ashley’s actions became the defining moment for many as the club effectively closed the door on any hope or desire they may had for success.

Yes, Ashley’s arrival was seen by many as a new beginning but the brief honeymoon period extended by the return of Kevin Keegan was quickly expunged and from the moment Keegan’s tenure ended, the club has found it lurching from one crisis to another. For many, that was the moment Ashley’s relationship with supporters became so toxic that his every action was viewed with distain and despair in equal measure.

To those not steeped in the daily and ongoing machinations of supporters versus Mike Ashley, this must seem odd at best crazy as worst. To get a sense of it all you have to understand Newcastle United supporters; their pride, their passion; their love for the club; their love for their City and their pride in the region.
Earlier this year The Chronicle and their online presence Chronicle Live, announced that they were reviving the “Passionate People, Passionate Places” campaign to highlight and celebrate all that is great about the North East.
The previous “Passionate People, Passionate Places” campaign ran for six years after being launched in 2005 by the regional development agency One NorthEast. It was widely praised around the region for presenting a positive image of the North East to the rest of the country.

But the campaign was shelved in 2011 when One NorthEast was abolished, since when the region has become fragmented and to Newcastle United supporters Mike Ashley did nothing to reach out to heal that fragmentation. Indeed, he actively encouraged this fragmentation through his inaction towards the football club.

Move forward nine years and new owners of Newcastle United would certainly benefit from adopting the Passionate People Passionate Places mantra; helping fire the campaign into the minds and bodies of partners around the world. Their message should be “We Are Here; We have arrived to share your passion”.

At the top level this brings the owners and the region together, sharing a vision for success. The next important aspect however has to be building a sound relationship with the supporter base world wide; acknowledging the role that supporters play in wanting to be a part of a united club, city and region with a common goal; a Newcastle United.

Yes, there would be a huge and immediate benefit in kind being gained by replacing Mike Ashley, but the big question they will have to face up to will be what do Newcastle United supporters expect of those who take over the corridors of power at their club?

Yes, there are quick wins out there but it is not simply a case of coming armed with outlandish statements, throwing out plaudits and brandishing ideas that are old, out of date or deemed unrealistic or unnecessary.

A coherent and cohesive strategy worked out, analysed and future proofed in advance by people who know the club, the region and the fan base will be vital in making the journey a smooth one.

Property development opportunities within the wider city will arise and possession of the keys of the city’s crown jewels will put new owners in an excellent position to build on its new gained exalted position.

Newcastle United supporters come from a “broad church” with a multitude of opinions, some wacky, some political. But no matter how wacky they may appear they all deserve to be listened to if we are to move from the almost permanent “herding cats” position that has pervaded at the club these past 13 seasons and in some instances even longer.

Undoubtedly there will be problems to overcome and issues encountered that will require careful handling. Newcastle United supporters may well be drawn into discussions on topics and themes way beyond those previously considered as normal safe spaces for the average sports fan. Political commentary that mixes sport and human rights will inevitably be a hot topic that supporters will need to approach both sympathetically and with appropriate due courtesy.

As a city Newcastle and its people are known throughout the world for their position on human rights and the freedoms and obligations that human rights demand. From Martin Luther King to Nelson Mandela the people of Tyneside have stood shoulder to shoulder with those who have led the struggle and will continue to do so!
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We also know that with the right team in place, new owners whomever they are wherever they are from will be welcomed in a strong and fair light by all as we all work together for the benefit of a united Newcastle.