Letters to true faith will be published every monday - we know we've picked a daft time to start this with the season just ending and that but we know we don't stop thinking about nufc just because the team has stopped playing football matches. The editor will compile a selection of these letters for the next issue of true faith (out for july 23 - after the world cup).

ALL LETTERS TO TRUE FAITH TO editor@true-faith.co.uk

GET SCRIBBLING!


Dear tf,

Ref: www.true-faith.co.uk - On The Level – Wigan

I've been looking at the "On Level 7" every day waiting for the Wigan report from last week to see if you picked on one of the most idiotically premature celebration chants I've ever heard. You're right about the "eas-eh" thing boiling your piss but this was even worse!

After Bullard (who I still reckon is the spitting dabs of the baddie out of Dirty Harry) had scored a canny free kick, they started singing "We beat you three times, We beat you three times, Newcastle, We beat you three times" to the same tune as Liverpool banging on about five times in Istanbul - which made it even worse. And even better when we stuck three past them. I sit just in front of the away section and heard it clear as day.

Don't know if you feel like adding this to your section, but it really made me sick at the time and made Shearer's last goal all the more sweet. KNOBS!

Johnny M, Gateshead


Dear tf,

(After the West Brom game) - Well done for a tremendous read - tf 50, long may it continue!

Shola was excellent yesterday, I loved the way he grabbed the ball for the penalty. We were convinced that Nobby would have taken it. He also showed excellent control and composure for the third.

We have been truly blessed to see a player of Alan Shearer's calibre. He comes from the last generation of kids who played out till all hours. Now they're all safe at home on the PlayStation and X-box, our society has changed for the worse, with too much television etc, meaning that kids aren't content to kick a ball around with their mates ad infinitum. The true
heartbeat of football has always been the poor and working class, perhaps the movie - Goal, is the shape of things to come? Amady Faye put in a reasonable shift yesterday but by comparison, Alan Gowling was class. Keep On Keepin’ On!

Kev Connolly


Dear tf,

The tributes to Shearer have been flooding in – and rightly so. However, I was listening to the radio the other day and heard a Blackburn fan talking about Shearer in terms of the Premiership title win they had in the mid 90’s, and to be honest it made my stomach turn a little. The reason why? Well considering all of Shearer’s accomplishments with NUFC, the absence of a trophy win that we can associate with him in terms of the history of the club is something I will think back on and say “if only…….”

Defining eras of football clubs are always associated with trophies and the players who won them (the 50’s cup finals, 69 fairs cup etc). I am not saying that we will all forget Shearer, far from it, but the fact that Blackburn have this with Shearer and we don’t hurts a little.

I may be speaking out of turn here, and they may be many who do not agree with me, but the fact that NUFC has failed to capitalize on having the most prolific goal scorer of modern times in their ranks is symbolic of the roller coaster performance and poor management we as fans are all so familiar with. I look back at our premiership, FA Cup and European exploits with Shearer and it makes me wince. So close, but in reality so far away from a success. Failure is the word. Is it poor management or are we truly cursed? Shearer lived every Toon fans dream and was well paid for it so perhaps we shouldn’t dwell too much on what might have been eh?...we should look to the future. But what lies ahead?

With Shearer leaving and the managers job up for grabs, this is the ideal opportunity for NUFC to “start fresh”, a clean slate or a new era so to speak. Something needs to change in how the club is run and managed in order to deliver sustained success. Stop the roller coaster, stop the regular manager changes, stop getting beaten as soon as we meet a half decent side in a cup competition, stop the farcical player antics, stop the bad headlines, stop the instability. Shepherd has said the next managerial appointment is critical----yes I agree with him - all appointments are bloody critical! - but are we to make the same mistakes as we have done in the past? NUFC is a prime example to illustrate that big names do not necessarily work. We have been there, done that. Is it time for another approach, or do we as the fans always demand a big name? if yes, why is that? Should we as fans take our foot of the gas a little in terms of demanding big names?

We need a strong management, coaching & medical team with a strategy, plan and tactics, not a “Souness, Gullit, Dalglish quick fix” If a big name can deliver that then yes, do it, but it may not always be the way. Souness used to say that he was no more than 2 or 3 games away from the sack. From all the shite he did say that was probably the only thing I could agree with. Ultimately he was right!. The reality is that it is not the way to run a club. Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal certainly don’t operate that way and just look where it gets them.

The next manager needs to be chosen for the right reasons and given time to take the club forward. Many are courting Roeder, some O’Neill, others Houllier. For me it is not about the who, but the “How” they are going to move NUFC forward. What’s the bloody plan and how are we going to do it? We as fans have our role to play. Instant success is unlikely to occur.

Lets hope if Owen stays for ten years, he achieves more than just breaking Alan Shearer’s goal record. Stand up if you want just more of the same. Any takers?

DC Monkseaton


Dear tf,

I have been considering the recent form shown under Glenn Roeder, tempered with the procrastination from Martin O'Neill, coupled with the rumours flying around regarding the likes of Sam Allardyce / Gerard Houllier / Tinkerman, and have come to the conclusion that in Glenn Roeder, we already have the head coach who can really take this club forward. Note that "Head Coach" was the terminology used there as I believe a total shake-up of NUFC is needed right now. FFS MUST be prepared to move this club forward and get past his over-inflated ego and appoint someone in a type of director of football role. Someone who can oversee the total operation of this football club, dissect it, put it back together and move it forward. Someone who will oversee all financial investments, all scouting, total promotion of this club within the football world. Arsenal have someone in this role, Man Utd have someone, Chelsea have someone. If we are to catch up and start competing again, we must follow their lead.

Glenn is the right man for the manager’s job. But we need a backroom/boardroom shake-up to get this club back where we belong. FFS can't pull all the strings any longer.. he's just not good enough for that. I believe his role as chairman is a good one and in all fairness he has kept this club in relatively good financial shape, but he shouldn't be making decisions that effect the football. He shouldn't be hiring/firing managers or buying players. Nor should he be the face that is negotiating with players or promoting this club. He should be doing solely what chairmen do.. telling people what they can spend, not how they spend it. He shouldn't be refusing to buy a player because he doesn't think the player is worth that money, as he did with Boa Morte. Especially when he turns around and spends millions more on a player that has had no scouting (Luque). He shouldn't be so desperate to get rid of a player he personally deems not good enough that he is sending him here, there and everywhere desperate for a sale. He should have brought Viana back and made him prove his worth. He was a hell of a lot better than the likes of Faye and more potential than Clarky and not a sick-note like Dyer. He could probably have done a job for this club given a chance. We'll never know though. He shouldn't be selling players he deems not big enough names for a pittance return (Hughes) and he shouldn't be buying players based on a name, above the managers head (Kluivert).

The power and control needs to be out of his hands and he has to be big enough, as majority stakeholder and chairman, to do what is best for the club and get past the ego and powermadpigheadedness (phew!) and appoint someone who can run a football club from Academy to First team and all that effect them. Scouting/Training Facilities/Player Negotiating/Contracts/Management.

Let's get a Director of Football at this club and move it forward. Pull us out of the rut we're currently in. Do the right thing, FFS, ffs!

Rachel McKenzie


Dear tf,

So Glenn is the man to take us forward (Allegedly). Yes he has done a great job thus far (against inferior opposition it might be added) but what success does Glenn bring to the role?

Success needed in order for our mighty club to be competing up with the top
four in the Premier League again. Success for us to attract a top calibre player to the club to bridge the currently huge gap between us and Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U and Liverpool.

Glenn's success??, The same as the last cancer that has rotted our
club....Graham Souness. None!!

Freddy Shepherd has a choice of all the managers in the world to approach and it's looking likely that we will appoint a man who's last full time managerial position relegated the team he was in charge of. Not to mention the job's he did at Watford & Gillingham.

As a former captain of NUFC and someone who understands the nature of the club, I like Glenn Roeder. But as the figurehead of our club and region, to bring us the success that we are so f*****g desperate for, Glenn just doesn't carry the credentials I'm afraid.

Here we go again. Joke of the North East. Joke of the Premier League.

And as fans what will do?. Feck all. Thanks Freddy.

Jamie Fry


Dear tf,

Recently Freddy Shepherd stated that the next managerial appoint of this club would be the most important in its history, I think every Newcastle fan would agree with that, and no fan would disagree with the sterling work Glenn Roeder has done in putting a bit of respectability into what has been a dreadful season, but lets look at the facts.

Roeder may be a decent man and a decent coach, but if he were to be picked on his record alone, surely he would be no where near even some of the rank outsiders for the job, like Steve Bruce or Paul Jewell, surely even these Two would not be serious contenders for the job in most fans eyes. Yes, Jewell has done wonders at Wigan and did well at Bradford keeping them up for a season but his overall record isn’t even up there with the so called record of Souness. He failed miserably at Sheffield Wednesday

Apart from his efforts this season Mr Bruce has a decent record on many peoples eyes, he did OK at Huddersfield and Sheffield United before taking then throwing away the job at Crystal Palace. Then he did what Trevor Francis couldn’t do and get Birmingham into the premiership then kept them there, until now of course.

Is Glenn Roeder’s record up there with those Two? Nowhere near in my opinion, he had a brief stint at Gillingham before taking over at Watford and eventually getting them relegated, not a bad feat I suppose considering the small club that they are. On to West Ham. If memory serves me correctly I do remember Roeder being ridiculed by fans and press alike for the job he was doing there before an outbreak of sympathy after his illness. I also seem to remember that sympathy disappearing as he was sacked not long into his return from his sick bed.

So what does all that prove, to me it proves that although he has done a fantastic job in steadying the ship when Souness was sacked, it didn’t take a genius to understand what was wrong with the tactics deployed by the Scottish "tactician" (tact not being his strong point). Playing with wingers that didn’t go out wide was an easy thing to rectify was it not. Of course that wasn’t all he did and to only suggest that ridicules what he has done, but I think you get my point. Who else would have come in and not changed that one aspect of play amongst other things lie trying to shore up a leaky defence and giving the fans a little bit of entertainment.

I have, therefore decided that Roeder, on paper should have no better a chance of succeeding Souness than Bruce or Jewell to name but Two, who does have the right to get his job. The fans choice ( and Mine ) is Martin O’Neill but why is that. If you look at his record compared to the likes of the 3 afore mentioned candidates what extra has he achieved. Some will point to winning titles with Celtic but Souness has already done that with their bitter rivals and frankly didn’t cut much ice with many, especially as most have the opinion that it means very little to go and win trophies in Scotland. If you join Rangers or Celtic your already half way there surely. O'Neill also guided Celtic to a UEFA cup final against Jose Mourinho’s then Porto side that later went on to win the champions league. No mean feat admittedly but other than that achievement, which lets not forget, the records books will always reflect that they lost the match, what else has he got to offer, purely based on his record. He did well with Leicester City and won the league cup, similar to Souness at Blackburn I recall. His earlier managerial career is less impressive with an unsuccessful stint at Norwich City and a half decent stab at Wycombe Wanderers.

By my reckoning that’s Five managers careers I have rode rough shod over, questioned there record at the highest level and deemed them not good enough to manage Newcastle United, well, not exactly, I’m just making a point that maybe the persons record isn’t the be all and end all. Maybe we need to look at who is best suited for the job, which can bring long term success to the club, who has the best blue print for that long term success. It may not be the man that has won the most trophies or managed the biggest stars. It might be the man that understands the demand of the fans in this part of the world. it may be the man that has lived and worked up here and understands at ground level what it means to us to see an attacking attractive football playing side with personnel that are proud to wear the shirt and will sweat blood for the cause.

Would Ottmar Hitzfeld, Guus Hiddink or Roberto Mancini know what it means for us to hammer the Mackems 4 - 1 in their back yard, maybe, but I doubt it, Gullit didn’t, but Keegan and Robson sure did, but then again Robson supported the club from a young age and Keegan was tempted here and fell in love with the place and connected with the fans. That’s what we need again, no a Keegan necessarily but a man that understands the Geordie pride, the love we have for our football team and the desire we have to be successful and win silverware.

Whilst id like to see Roeder do well if he gets the job I don’t think he would be but he has a hell of a lot to offer this club and in my opinion should be involved in the first team set up in some capacity and I think that working alongside a manager of O’Neill’s calibre could just be the ticket. Between them they just may have the ambition, the tactical know-how, determination and drive to get what all we Mags want. SUCCESS

Mark Ellison


Dear tf,

Roeder? Is it true? Before I start I would like to say that Glen Roeder has done a fantastic job with the Toon this season, motivating players to perform above expectations and possibly even mounting a challenge for a European Place. He's made no excuses with regard to the injury list and seems to play people in their proper position - a stroke of genius beyond our last boss. The bloke is sound and is exactly the type of person we want at our football club.
However, to say I'm furious with the apparent appointment of Glen Roeder is a bit of an understatement.

He may turn out to be an absolutely cracking manager, but how do we know? We've rode our luck recently and turned over a few teams who two years ago we'd have expected to walk all over. We've also been severely humped by Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool. Overall, Glen's done a great job but can you possibly make an appointment based on a couple of months of good results? Our chairman obviously feels he can. Or is he basing this appointment on Roeder's record at West Ham? One great season, one shit season resulting in relegation.

It's hardly a fantastic CV. If the club were desperate and no-one else was prepared to take the job then it's probably not a bad appointment. But if this is "one of the top eight clubs in the world" or whatever shite our chairman normally comes out with, should we not be setting our sights a bit higher? Why is no-one else wanting the job?

Personally I'm absolutely gutted O'Neil has been overlooked. He is exactly what Newcastle United needs and has a proven record of getting players to perform to the maximum of their ability. It doesn't take a genius to work out that with the money WE put into the club, we have the resources to pay fees and wages that the majority of clubs can't afford (Parker, Emre, etc..) and that coupled with a manager getting the best out of these players, getting their
attitude spot on, and generally ensuring they play with 100% commitment every week would result in a sustained period of success. (That doesn't mean trophies galore - just consistent European qualification and with a bit of luck the perhaps a cup or two - let's be realistic).

IF O'Neil did not want the job due to personal reasons then fair enough, but I've heard nothing along these lines. All indications are that once he was out of the running for England he was desperate for the job. I think the least we deserve is an explanation from our chairman as to why this hasn't happened. (And before anyone starts spouting off about the fact that if he
really wanted the Toon job he'd have knocked back England therefore we don't want him - please grow up - who wouldn't want a part time job on 3 million a year ahead of working for our clown of a chairman.)

This brings me onto my final point - why the fuck is Alan Shearer's name constantly being mentioned with the Newcastle job. The Chronicle seems convinced he's taking a year off, coming back to the Toon to help out Glenn (after we've qualified for the Champions League no doubt) before helping himself to the job and winning us everything in sight. Great plan Freddy - except that Shearer might be completely shite as a manager, as might Glen
turn out to be. Of course, we all know you get that "extra 10%" from a Geordie, which the rest of the world can't offer (Steve Bruce anyone?) Personally I think every manager should be 100% committed to their job and I doubt for a second Shearer would be any more passionate than O'Neil. They would both care 100% - end of! If it's all about how much you love Newcastle why not give it to Lee Clark?

This is a great opportunity missed and I f***ing hate reading in the Chronicle about this cosy little set up regarding an unproven manager getting the job, followed a totally unproven manager taking over the job after him simply because he was a great player. Add to this the fact that Shepherd and Hall will continue to line their pockets with the fans money, which should all be being spent on players, and I'm finally beginning to lose it with the shambolic way our club is governed. They run the club like a couple of amateurs yet with wages and dividends they've taken the club for something nearing £50 million. Newcastle have had a fantastic opportunity to put the club in the right direction and I'm fuming that they haven't -
all on the basis of our chairman's romantic notion that our greatest ever player will miraculously also become our greatest ever manager.

I'd like nothing more than for Roeder to succeed and who wouldn't like to see Shearer lift a trophy for the Toon in any capacity? The Souness appointment is one of football's worst ever decisions (although Freddy after all his research decided he had "a proven track record in the transfer market"), but at least he had an excuse that we were in a crisis and he panicked (albeit a crisis of his own making). I just feel let down that after months of planning, he's made this decision based on a series of good/ decent performances over a few weeks. He then seems determined to follow this up with a hunch that Shearer will be a great manager too. Roeder and Shearer are fantastic characters and I wish them every success, and Glenn has to take the job if offered it as these opportunities won't come around again. But this is our chairman's final decision regarding "one of the most important appointment in this club's history" - appoint the caretaker with a CV of one good season followed by relegation, then an ex player with no managerial experience.

It's a disgrace that the club has gone so far backwards in the last two years, and the least we could have expected after the inevitable sacking of Souness was the formulation of a long term plan under a proven top class manager. If we can't attract a top class manager with our resources then you don't need to look too far to find out what the problem might be.
Whether it's the threat of Shearer taking over, a lack of control over transfers, or whatever, it all comes down to the chairman and the club continues to be a joke.

What a great long term plan - cheers Fred - you are a complete wanker. Mind you, just keep counting the money eh?

Peter M (Edinburgh)

PS - Keep up the good work - top fanzine


Dear tf,

Just heard today O' Bleary rattling on about spending his summer budget on Milner. As usual nothing from NUFC, this has to be another case of Shepherd looking for some quick cash to fill the coffers. Doubtless Roeder wasn't even consulted, we cannot let the young promising talent go, just to end up spending over the odds on some over-rated agent hyped up ser.

How many times does it have to happen for Shepherd to learn something, while it is great to have Nobby back he is not getting any younger and where is the cover if he is injured?

The signal from NUFC should be - no sale! we want our young talent back.

Nothing is changing Shepherd cannot see past big name signings to sell more replica shirts, then rake in the money for his dividends - it has to stop.

I say no more dividends until there is a trophy in the cabinet.

We need a quality manager but who will come with so much interference and gerrymandering at the top?

He is taking the piss out of everyone of us - now it is time for a change, time for more fans to put the pressure FFS.

Cheers, John Carr

P.S. meant to say Roeder has done fantastic, he must stay in a prominent role but not as manager, only because I think FFS will over-rule him in the transfer stakes.


Dear tf,

The possible Roeder appointment should, under normal circumstances, have led to a massive outcry from the fans who have been calling for a big name manager, be it Hitzfeld, O'Neill or whoever. It's funny, but when, in my opinion, The Chronicle ran its fixed and rather dubious poll I don't remember Roeder's name being on it?

Is this the same crowd who got rid of McKeag and his band of morons?

It's funny, but right up until the sacking of that phoney Souness, I constantly read on message boards and in The Chronicle that he should be "given a chance", "it's down to injuries" blah blah. Where are you lot now? Do I read any defence of Souness’ rein?

Or are you the same lot who seem perfectly happy with the appointment of a man who has relegated clubs and ended up as a youth team coach?

Where is your back-bone! Are we yet again to be lambs to the slaughter at the hands of a chairman who allegedly pays himself higher wages than the chairmen of Arsenal or Liverpool? If any of you lot were a part of the "Hitzfeld for the Toon" campaign I suggest we organise one that may hopefully be more successful - a "Shepherd out" campaign.

No matter what happens he won't suddenly resign - the choice is simple, have a lame-duck chairman who no top manager will now work for, or put up with the sort of mediocre crap too many of us seem to have settled for. I for one am sick of being taken for a mug by that fat money-grabbing pig.

FAT FRED OUT NOW!

Cheers, Jamie Lisle


Dear tf,

Once again I find true faith providing candy-floss as the managerial merry go round spins. This article sums up the matter quite rightly. Let me clear one thing up first and not for effect. I am a Jock not a Geordie. I have had my season ticket for 3 years and have found that this club grows on me every day. The sheer raw passion in Newcastle for football is echoed in very few cities around the world and makes me proud to call this place my adopted home. Anyway, sentimentality aside, let me split the adjective and talk about mentality.

When Souness came, I could’ve cried. I remember watching Souness’ teams at Ibrox and knew already what to expect. Sullied the good name of headless chickens in my humble opinion. Sure enough we were promised brilliant, attacking football, trophies by the dozen, the arrival of awesome players. We got mesmerisingly dull football, no trophies, rash transfers, pleading, crying, hopeless coaching, horrendous injuries (because of the training pitch, not the lack of fitness) and more whingeing than Wenger. Souness didn’t even talk after the games, sending the woeful Alan Murray out instead. Man City away was probably one of the most inept footballing performances I have ever witnessed. Having watched Berti Vogts in charge of Scotland, believe me I know inept. Thankfully Souness was binned the next day after mentioning the unmentionable, ‘relegation’. What mentality sums up Souness? Siege mentality.

Then Roeder stepped up until the end of the season. By all accounts, and I’m inclined to believe them, Glenn Roeder has been a fantastic servant to this club. A man who proverbially bleeds Black & White. Roeder has led us on a fantastic charge up the table and until last night, almost securing us a UEFA cup spot. During this spell we have shown that the league is two tier. There are the top-four who we can’t beat and the rest who can’t beat us. Now Roeder, who previously didn’t want the job, wants the job. What mentality sums Roeder up? Change mentality.

The buck stops though with Mr Shepherd and I suspect that he may be playing political games with the fans. The Michael Owen signing being a prime example. You see Freddie couldn’t lose by signing Owen. If Souness had made a respectable job, Freddie could turn round and say, ‘I gave you the players you asked for. I’ll take the plaudits as well’. If Souness made a hash of things, Freddie could and probably did turn round and say, ‘I gave you the players you asked for and you still made a mess. You’re sacked.’ Nice one Freddie, hoodwinked again. Same with the Roeder appointment if indeed that is the case. Freddie thinks that if he appoints the fans favourite as manager then he can’t go wrong. Not my fault guvs, you wanted him. Give the guy his due, he knows how to yank our chain. Freddie protects his position at all costs. What mentality sums this up? Bunker mentality.

Then finally, there’s us, the fans. I genuinely feel for all the lads (and lassies) who support the club. Every week we chuck our hard earned in the direction of NE1, desperately looking for salvation in the form of any silver jug that will get a bigger monkey of our back than any Pete Doherty has ever carried. And what do we get? Players faffing around not even interested in justifying their Trumpesque salaries, a trophy room that would be better exhibited in Bamburgh Castle, a board that decides what’s best for them not the club and the ignominy of having the southern media finding new ways to take the Mickey (back to Liverpool?) on a daily basis. Yet when we get annoyed what do we get summed up as having? Mob mentality.

Bottom line is that all we want is a successful club and a trophy cabinet that is the highlight of a stadium tour not the room we couldn’t find the key for. We want a five-year strategy that plots our return to the very pinnacle of the game. We want (at least) bi-annual prizes, self congratulating city tours in open top buses, replica shirts with stars on to represent the trophies we’ve won and the chance to be smug. We don’t want hypocrisy, deceit, empty promises and hollow laughter. Is this too much to ask for or I am just mental?

Rod Fraser


Dear tf,

Ref: www.true-faith.co.uk - 29/Apr/006 – SUBSTITUTE

Great editorial regarding Roeder and I am sure that is the thinking of the majority of supporters. I recently e mailed The Chronicle complaining about the drivel spouted by the narcissist, in my opinion, who goes by the name of Alan Oliver. They obviously replied defending the pillock and saying that he told it "as it is" and that he had fallen out with certain players for telling the truth. Bullshit and he hasn’t fallen out with the mighty Shepherd cos that would spoil the gravy train for him and the Chronicle.

A bit late in the day for me to find your website but keep up the good work and honesty.

Ron Gray


Dear tf,

The letter below represents the opinion of the writer. It is a copy of a letter sent by Darren Gladstone. true faith neither endorses or refutes the statements therein. Editor, true faith.

Dear Mr New,

Having just heard Alan Oliver’s comments on Talk-Sport regarding the Newcastle United vacancy, I have never been so appalled at what best could be described as bizarre, bordering on xenophobic, comments. The comment I refer to is his regarding the appointment of a foreign manager and their perceived lack of feeling for NUFC. Had Mr Oliver been drinking when he said this? Can you seriously, as Sports Editor of a major regional newspaper that is read by thousands on a daily basis, stand by such comments from a reporter going on national radio and spouting such nonsense?

In my opinion, its not the first time Oliver has been found wanting on his reporting of the Newcastle United vacancy neither. His past headlines of "It's O'Neill" to the latest comment of only a week ago of "O'Neill hasn't been offered the job and never will" smacks of a man, in my opinion, who is on the NUFC payroll (or more importantly, Freddie Shepherd's payroll) and will trot out any old rubbish he is fed from his contact (most likely Freddie Shepherd in my opinion) within SJP. Indeed, his (Alan Oliver’s) comments on Mancini not speaking English and this is obviously not being in his favour, was countered by Lazio sporting director Oreste Cinquini, who stated Mancini did speak English.

Alan Oliver is becoming a laughing stock by your readers. His reporting is growing tiresome by the day, seeming, in my opinion, only to pander to the NUFC hierarchy to gain the lead story and increase his role as spokesperson for all NUFC fans when he isn't. We have other mediums now such as NUFC.com, true-faith.co.uk and a host of other sites which give, in my opinion a clearer understanding of the situation with no lies or pandering or thinking the reader is stupid and will swallow any line afforded by NUFC and Alan Oliver and in turn, The Chronicle. I suggest Mr Oliver’s comments are now more fact based and not over-zealous tripe with no facts to back up his headlines or comments.

Darren Gladstone

To which Paul New replied:

All Alan Oliver has done is express his honestly held, personal belief that Newcastle United needs a manager with a feel for the club.

He is not being racist or even xenophobic, and he is not, as some people suggest, claiming to speak for the fans, although he does mingle with fans at talk-ins every week, so he certainly gets a feel for how they are thinking at first hand.

But he doesn't need to speak for the fans as we have punters panels, text messages and fanzine columns in the Chronicle regularly to give supporters the chance to air their views.

All he is doing is simply expressing HIS opinion on what he thinks is best for the club.

Football is all about opinions, and well as reporting the facts, it is also a big part of Alan Oliver's job to express his opinion on events at St James' Park. You may or may not agree with his opinion, but he is entitled to HIS opinion, just as you are yours.

As far as the managerial situation is concerned, all Alan has done is try to give his assessment of a situation which has changed over a period of weeks. It is not long ago that Alan WAS saying that Martin O'Neill was the leading candidate for the job, but a number of factors - O'Neill's link with the England job and an apparent indecision over his future, not to
mention the way Roeder has turned things around at the club in the meantime, have put a different complexion on things.

Alan is accused of being a mouthpiece for the club but I would refute that. Of course he has good contacts within St James' Park and indeed throughout the game - he couldn't do his job if he didn't.

But we fall out with people at NUFC regularly, including Freddy Shepherd. We walk a tightrope on a daily basis in trying to make sure our coverage of the club is balanced.

You are of course, entitled to your opinion on Alan Oliver's coverage of NUFC.

But what I would say is that what he wants is what we all want - and that is to see NUFC enjoy the success which the fans crave and indeed deserve.

Paul New, Sports Editor, Evening Chronicle


Dear tf,

From two e-mails I've received today,

Didn't McFaul (caretaker manager who got the full time job) finish 7th or 8th then get us relegated?

In Glenn Roeder’s first season in charge of Watford, they finished 7th. The next season they were relegated.

In Glenn Roeder’s first season in charge of West Ham, they finished 7th. The next season they were relegated.

In Glenn Roeder’s first season in charge of Newcastle, we’re currently in 7th. The next season...

Glenn Ashcroft


Dear tf,

Reading the 50th edition of tf, you guys have come a long way since edition 1 and I’ve got every copy, some excellent features but please be a bit more stingy on the ink in the pics that are the background to some articles cos I’m 46 and my eyes ain’t what they used to be and the print is disappearing into the background. Knaa what ah mean like? I read a comment unrelated to football about the mackem hoaxer. It was on a BBC documentary and when I heard it, (the narrator said, “…the accent was un-mistakenly Geordie!”), I blew up. The Police and their language experts knew exactly where the accent was from so why did these Bigoted Bastad Cunts who take our money to watch loads of other channels on TV not. Even years after the events they still manage to come out with a shit comment like that despite the unwashed moron from the Village of the Damned being arrested. Their research was shite and they have regional divisions, didn’t they think to consult their local people or is BBC Newcastle full of clueless fuck-wit southerners / Mackems (take your pick). I was going to write to complain to the fuck-wits but found something better to do, which wasn’t hard. This is probably why the MotD coverage we get is as pathetic as the comments Mark cuntface Lawrensen comes out with. Rant over, keep the Faith, the True Faith.

Colin S


Dear tf,

What do NUFC supporters and abused wives have in common?

We both think that he will change but deep down we know that he probably won’t and the pain and anguish will continue until we finally find the strength to fight back.

This is how I feel about Freddie Shepherd – alleged, self-proclaimed man of the people and NUFC fan (please don’t laugh out loud). Having read some of the headlines over the last couple of weeks, I feel we are going down a depressing familiar route. His first choice manager has decided that we may not be the golden chalice that we think we are and we are left looking for an alternative that will appease the masses and cause as little trouble for the board as possible. Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful for the job that Glenn Roeder has done – I felt as though we were relegation fodder under Sourness and he has well and truly put that demon to bed. I am, however, a little worried that we have papered over some very large cracks. The results against Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea have shown that we are still a long way off being a good side and another season like this one will see a lot of people saying ‘that is enough’. To be fair, the league has been pretty rubbish this year and this has been illustrated by our ability to get amongst the European places even after the crap start we had. I think Shepherd has proven again, that he hasn’t got a clue what he is doing. Is he saying that the only person he has pursued since early February is Martin O’Neil? (who now apparently rates the Mackems and The Beasts as a more attractive proposition than us – that reflects well on the Chairman doesn’t it?) That shows how little he understands the concept of contingency plans. Nobody in business starts a decision making process with only one plan – it is doomed to failure because if that plan goes wrong, you have nowhere else to go. Is this where we find ourselves? Shepherd in my opinion, is now trying desperately to appoint someone who is cheap, easy and gives him a ‘get out of jail free card’ (he will blame us because ‘Roeder was appointed after pressure from the fans’) should it all go tits up. The problem is that we are at a massive cross-roads and it takes a big man with a great CV to re-build a club in the aftermath of the Lion’s departure. The other possibility is that he wants to tread water for a year until the Lion wants to come back. My concern is that the Lion was talking about taking a few years off not so long ago. Can we let our club stagnate until he is ready and then try and make up the gap to the teams at the top? I don’t think so and I reckon any other fan who doesn’t believe the hype will think the same. Ask yourself one question, ‘has Freddie Shepherd done anything, since he took over as Chairman, to make you feel confident that next season will be a successful one, no matter how you measure success?’ I personally think he has given me several reasons to think, at best, that I will be seeing another season without trophies and, maybe, a top half finish. For fooks sake, let’s demand more for our club. Let’s make sure that we are not perennial underachievers for the rest of our lives. Let’s start a campaign to get a Chairman who knows how to run a professional business and not just think about the next dividend. I suppose it’s up to each of us to judge when the season ticket renewal form lands on your doorstep – either that or therapy!

Ted, Durham


Dear tf,

Congrats on the quality of the fanzine. However, on page 25 of the latest issue (no 50) there’s a bit of a howler which has to go down as a cock-up by the ed! It says “the highest 2nd division attendances recorded until Man Utd in the 70s”. Well contrary to popular opinion Man Ure haven’t always had massive attendances. When they won the 2nd division in 1974-75 (their only season down) their average was a paltry 48,388. The Toon’s average in 1946/47 is still, to the best of my knowledge, the world record for any club outside the top flight. On the subject of Man Ure, they’ve had some shit gates relatively recently, such as:

1988/89: 23,368 v Wimbledon (average 36,847)

1992/93: 29,736 v Palace (average 35,573)

In fact, prior to 1996/97 they’d only averaged over 50,000 eight times.

Mal (www.yorkshiremags.co.uk)

Ed: stares at feet and mumbles “sorry” pathetically.


Dear tf,

Just a few thoughts on Glenn Roeder being appointed manager. Despite all the so-called big names that were in the melting pot Glen has come to the top of the pile.

I honestly couldn't make my mind up whom I thought would have been the best choice. I felt that Allardyce would have been another waste of space and O'Neill just didn't seem interested, for whatever reason, and so didn't deserve any consideration.

On reflection Roeder deserves the chance because of the way he has gone about the job. Getting the team sorted. Obviously coaching the team and actually have some sort of tactical understanding that were a great improvement on anything that was on offer from Souness and his muppet henchmen.

No matter what of the personal views of the true supporter I feel that Roeder deserves the chance to bring us some much needed silverware. He needs all the support we can give him. His results speak for themselves. Defeats to Liverpool, Man U. and Chelsea were to be expected but bring hope for next season. The right signings in the close season allied with the team spirit that now exists on the pitch can promise much.

The one thing I don’t fear is actually fear. Fear of what might go wrong (again). Fear of pathetic performances on the pitch by big singings. Fear of broken promises. Fear of failure brought about by a lack of passion and commitment from the team.

Roeder brings an understanding to the job in hand. That is the desire for success. He also brings honesty. No moaning about injuries or bad luck. This sort of thing happens to all teams or didn't Souness know this?

While I am on about his appointment what is going on with the League Management Association and their objections to him getting the job. As Club Managers what were the achievements of John Barnwell and Frank Clarke. Very little and certainly no better than anything Glenn Roeder has done. They should shut up and remember "Those who can do. Those who can't run the LMA” and not particularly well either if they can't support a member who was not qualified through a serious illness. Have they got this qualification?

Anyway lets all look forward to next season. No matter what we will be there bleeding Black & White regardless! I tell myself that next season will be the one when things start to happen but I have said that for more seasons than I care to remember but you can't change the habit of a lifetime can you. Good luck Glenn and give us what we all want.

Liam Gouldburn


Dear tf,

Far be it for me to cast aspersions but what the fuck is Alan Oliver (Evening Chronicle) doing spinning the appointment of Glenn Roeder as NUFC manager as though he works for NUFC’s PR department? Why no mention of the fact Shepherd is unable to get his No.1 target, Martin O’Neill and why no discussion of all of the top European managers who were desperate to come to NUFC. Whatever happened to objective reporting? Where is the analysis of Roeder’s record at West Ham, Watford and Gillingham. Would negative publicity at the time of the appointment be any good for the club given the season ticket renewal packs hitting the welcome mat? Then again, I recall when Souness was appointed, Oliver was dropping hints that the incompetent Scottish bastard had been in line for the Chelsea job. Utter bollocks but talking up a Shepherd appointment for reasons best known to himself. Anyone else think Shepherd is pulling Oliver’s strings?

Martin Docherty


Dear tf,

I can't be the only person who turned on the TV last night to watch the gloating, bandwagon jumping, gurning tee-siders singing some song about us being at home watching the bill whilst they go onto European triumph against Seville.

They are classless no marks and the TTTV sports presenters winding them up to sing songs about NUFC should remember which city they are employed in.

Next stop for us, Europe. For them, hopefully Terry Venables again!

Cheers, Nick Clark


Dear tf,

I think the focus needs to be on an entire new back four, and at least 1 new striker. Personally, I think Wayne Bridge would be a good acquisition at left back, and feel he could be bought for under £5m. Ok, he isn’t different class, but he performs consistently, is quick, and makes far fewer mistakes than Babayaro or Elliott. Out of these two – I’d ship on Babayaro. Boumsong also has to go. If we were to get more than 1 striker, I’d like to see us go in for Nihat (if he is still available on a Free). I’m also a fan of Darren Bent. However, the big sticking point is who/when/how the new manager is. I believe we need somebody in place before the world cup begins. It’s a good shopping window for decent players outside our league that can be picked up for a smaller fee.

Richard Mack


Dear tf,

Now I don't want to sound spiteful but, regardless of whether Martin O'Neill takes over at Sunderland, Boro or Gretna can I just be the first to heave a sigh of relief that he wont be managing Newcastle United. The way the press portray O'Neill you would think he was some untouchable genius in the mould of Shankly, Paisley and Clough but the plain truth is he is a long ball merchant, all huff and puff, balls into the box conveyor belt football manager more akin to Allardyce, Moyes and Curbishley. any manager who had Marshall and Claridge as his strike force with Savage and Lennon in his midfield while at Leicester city and then Hartson and Sutton at Celtic is only going to serve up one brand of football. I have friends who support celtic and they thought the world of him after his success up in Scotland, but now even they are saying that they are enjoying the football much more under Strachan and seem to be having the same success. Glenn Roeder may not have been a name who sprang into anyone’s mind when Souness was slung out of St James Park, but in the absence of any real outstanding candidate he has become about the best bet, he seems to have the respect and confidence of everyone who works with him and importantly for me he seems to like football played on the floor with two attacking wingers and he organises his defence better than anyone I can remember at Newcastle. like i have said before regardless of who O'Neill eventually manages he is for me nothing more than a run of the mill manager who knows only one style of football, effective as it may be, but don't let the press fill you with the notion that he is some kind of Pele of the dugout because eventually you will see he's more of a Carlton Palmer.............

Steve, Houghton-le- Spring


Dear tf,

I’ve got to say I have mixed feelings about this appointment. I have a lot of respect for Glenn, and he turned what was basically a relegation season into a chance to get into Europe. He has done this without moaning and with a quiet dignity, which Souness would do well to take note. The injury situation was just as horrendous under Glenn as it was under Souness, yet Glenn got results.

However, his track record at Gillingham, Watford and West Ham is not brilliant and my gut tells me we are going to come unstuck at Newcastle, and Glenn will be sacked. Which would be a shame as I always thought as Academy Director he could nurture young talent and bring them through the ranks and if it all goes wrong, we are going to loose that. I also hope that the pressures of being the Newcastle Manager, which is immense, does not affect him physically, especially after a Brain Tumour a few years ago.

Finally this has showed Mr Shepherd, yet again, as a man who hasn’t a clue where our club is going. What is the Mission Statement for the club? What are the Goals, and what has been implemented to achieve these aims and goals? He seems to limp from one PR stunt to another. I’m still waiting to hear who these top name managers, lining up outside St James’ Park are! The fact of the matter is, even with Glenn’s heroics, Shepherd is the reason why the club is going backwards. We used to talk of Champions League every year, now we’re elated about getting into the Intertoto Cup. If Martin O'Neill ends up at Charlton, or God forbid, Middlesbrough, what does that say about us? Newcastle United Football Club will not go forward until Douglas Hall and Freddie Shepherd are ousted from their positions at
the club.

Despite my reservations I hope I am completely wrong and Glenn is a big success. So go on Glenn make me eat my words. If there is anyone I want to prove me wrong, it is you.

Simon Clarke, Cullercoats.


Dear tf,

Ref: Shearer Online Tributes

Firstly, Congratulations on a magnificent website (www.true-faith.co.uk) .

Not sure how long you've been a fan and your level of 'historian' knowledge, but did you happen to notice one of the tributes to Shearer is from one Bruce Halliday - Australia?

Bruce is a good friend of mine, and he played about 45 games at centre back for NUFC c1980, in the McGarry / early Arthur Cox era, before moving on. He played alongside the likes of Waddle Carney, Brownlie, Boam, Withe, Walker, Shoulder, leaving soon after the arrival of King Kev (they ran short of room in the changers, due to KK's perm).

Bruce's testimony to Shearer is from a true fan, and as an ex-pro at NUFC, who merely considers himself a mortal these days- (he often is!!), this says something extra about Shearer.

You might notice Bruce's tribute, unlike many tributes ex / current pro's is totally 'cliche-free'

Could you do me a big favour, (which would add weight to the tributes to Shearer ) and give a small mention about the above on the site, over coming weeks when things are a bit quiet, between season end and hopefully some transfer activity at NUFC-

If you were generous enough to put a bit in about Bruce, please mention his wife Debbie and Joe and Scott, who are all still huge NUFC fans.

Greetings from Shawsie and all his mates back home would be excellent.

Keep the Faith

Phil Shaw, Tyne & Wear


Dear tf,

Your article (Praise Him – 17/May/06 – true-faith.co.uk) was canny up to the point about NUFC retaining Shearer. Personally, I think he is a weight around the neck of NUFC we can do without now he has retired. My reason is thus; Souness is sacked, Shepherd states publicly that there is only 8 managers in the world good enough for NUFC, we end up with Roeder (not belittling the lad, but come on, lets have some perspective here, he's a 'yes' man and a stop gap) with Shearer waiting in the wings. Answer me this:- which top manager worth his salt, was going to come in and say "OK, I'll do the job for two years then stand aside and let Shearer back in to take over what I have started". Can you imagine O'Neill, Hitzfeld, Scolari, Hiddink et al agreeing to that? Neither can I! Now please don't tell me you don't honestly think for one second that once he (Shearer) has finished his badges he won't slide into the hot seat. He will. You know it, I know it and so does every football fan in England/Europe/world. It’s set up for him and because of this, we've missed the chance to
'kick on' as someone once put it.

Take a look at Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool et al. Clubs with a far more successful past than us with players who were equally as big and in some respects, better than Shearer. We don't see them running around making any of those ex players 'Ambassador for Sport' or naming Bars after them, they move them on, leaving the past in the past and remembering them for what they were.

To say that Shearer has the best interests of NUFC at heart is debatable. For the last two seasons we saw the man stutter around the pitch when clearly we could see he should have been put out to pasture 3 years earlier (and in truth, even Shearer, if he was honest, would probably say he went on a season or two, too long). But such is the esteem he is held in at NUFC that clearly wouldn't happen under the stewardship of Shepherd. £15 million we paid for him? By god they got the £15 million back didn't they?

Now, I don't have a problem with Shearer (contrary to what I have mentioned in this letter I know) and I shall be forever proud to say "I saw Alan Shearer play and score for NUFC" to my children somewhere down the line. He is truly a legend. No debate there. But as for keeping him around at the club only to take over in 2 years time is small time mentality. The man has become bigger than NUFC and no man is bigger than the club. He's a big fish in a small pond. Where does it leave him and Shepherd (as it is all Shepherd's master plan) if it goes wrong when he takes over? Do we want to remember Shearer for the man who took over at NUFC and maybe got it wrong? Or do we want to remember Shearer banging in goals in front of an adoring crowd? I know which I prefer. As someone I know remarked "Shearer is Freddie's suit of armour". A remark which bears more fruit the more you think about. Cheers - keep it up at tf

Darren Gladstone


Dear tf,

Enough is enough. Its time I got it all off my chest and had a good rant. I live and work in N. Yorkshire with the army and despite only being on the waiting for a season ticket I manage to make it to the majority of home games, including Big Al’s testimonial. So here is where my rant begins. What happened with the programs? I know unscrupulous people were buying them by the box load but surely the club must have anticipated this and issued more, or made a ruling of one ticket two programs etc? I was in the melee surrounding the last program seller under the Millburn stand and was convinced they’d delay the kick off while the scrap went on. Fat chance. Then when I finally got out of the Gallowgate end after the match and got into the shop the queue was horrendous and I was told I probably wouldn’t get a shirt. So I went to the pub. What is pissing me off is people who weren’t even there are running around in their testimonial shirts yet I couldn’t get one. Again, there had to a better way, like showing your ticket at the counter. It devalues the shirts that anyone could get one but some of us who were there couldn’t. Now I see on the website they are re-printing the programs but with an extra 8 pages, money grabbing bastards they know full well that even those of us who got the original will want one of those too. Unbelievable. And I still won’t get a shirt!

Then it really started. Fat bloody Freddy saying that he gave us the manager we chose. Let me be clear, Roeder was my choice and I’ll stand by that choice come what may. But Freddy standing there loud and proud saying he gave us what we wanted is a down right lie (again). You only have to look at the polls run by your good selves to see that O’Neil had the majority vote, if only by 10%. So he was the fans choice. Freddy is setting Roeder up to fall already and covering his arse (no mean feat). I feel better now. All the best to Glenn. Bring back the board busters… TF keep up the good work. Keep On, Keepin’ On..

Jim, Mag on duty in Ripon.


Dear tf,

Alan Shearer epitomises everything that is great about Geordies. Loyal, committed, selfless and with a deep understanding about the pride Geordies have of Newcastle, and the part their football team plays in unifying the spirit of the City. It is with great sadness that we have witnessed the end of the Lion's career without a trophy for the Toon. The first thought that came into my head in that heady summer of '96, was that we were bound to win something with Shearer on board. The years of gross mis-management (3 years of SBR excepted) have flown by, and the huge increase in crowds and cash at the club with Shearer leading the team have counted for nothing. This must never be allowed to happen again.

The scenes at the testimonial were awesome. It wasn't sentimental bullshit, it was the Geordies recognising one of their own and showing respect for the decision Shearer made in '96. He knew there were no guarantees of winning trophies (unlike joining Man U), but he really wanted to live the dream. That fire and passion for the Toon had been with him since he was a kid, and as we all know that never burns out. He lived the dream and will never be forgotten.

The passion that burns in all Toon followers for the game and NUFC (non Geordies included, as that's why they attach themselves to us), was on display at the testimonial and created an atmosphere that couldn't be matched at most league grounds. The Geordies were showing what passionate support and pride in their unique region is all about, which is the club and city's USP (unique selling point - marketing bollocks!).

Just what would it be like if we were to win a pot (or 2 even!). Perhaps if we were to look introspectively, this very passion and collective desire is the very thing that holds us back. Some players just can't handle it. If only we could recreate last night's atmosphere without constantly fretting when the ball gets within 30 yards of Shay's goal. Our support can carry a team across the finishing line, but we need to be more relaxed about it and believe! And we need the club to be run by a Board of trustees nominated by the supporters (as Barca), and not by the latest big shot in town. This has been our undoing since the 60's and has left us light years behind the likes of Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal. We have had a complete lack of strategic thinking over this time. If different decisions had been made post the 50’s cup years, our club would not have had all these barren years.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Lion will be back to manage the Toon, but only when FFS has slung his hook and integrity is restored to the leadership of the club. Let’s just hope we’re all still alive to witness it!

Nick Young, Harpenden