Dear tf,

Since our good-natured little E-mail fight I've tried to discover a little more about Polygon Investment Partners, apparently started in 2003, with Reade Griffith, Alex Jackson, Paddy Dear, Andrew Farquhar, Byron Knief, Greville Ward and Luke Pontifell as partners or directors (the "dark" people who have put in a bid for Sir John Hall's Newcastle United shares). What I have learned does not bode well for the club in my opinion.

The Polygon Co had investments in a lot of mainly blue chip companies at the time that they recorded a SEC filing some 2 years ago but none of them had overtly anything to do with sports. I have not come across another filing but that's not surprising since they appear to be part of the Hedge Fund world of smoke and mirrors (which also reminds me of Newcastle United as it is currently run)

In that same filing, in Nov 2004, they reported they had approx $650 million in investments (you got to think that 10% extra of that is liquid). I cannot see it being double of that after their recent supposed "catastrophes" (that's when they had a reported 5% or more stock price drop in British Energy in 2005), although energy has made quite a rally in prices since then. The track record for such Hedge fund company's is said to be pretty mixed, but generally they have lots of single rich years followed immediately by poor ones (heavy accent on the lean at Newcastle in terms of trophy success) so that the mid-level managers make a healthy bonus at least once in their useful economic lives.

I've tried Googling Reade Griffith, a former European hedge fund manager of US based Citadel, but other than he is approximately 44 and seems exceedingly rich, I've come up with absolutely nothing to suggest a Tyneside connection. The same for the others mentioned above.

These guys also litigate and apparently employ the best (although they lost that particular round with British Energy, mentioned above, in so much they didn't get the full price they were fighting for).

Since they are a Hedge fund they are not covered by many of the UK and US financing rules. Some steps in getting the SEC to regulate these Hedge Fund cowboys have been previously mooted and as a result of SEC proposed rule changes (which never were enforced) in 2005, certain hedge funds tended to take a publicized stake in a company to get around the threatened issues involved. This may be the reason for the repeated bids but, in my opinion, no serious intent from Polygon.

So as I see it there is absolutely no benefit for yer typical Mag supporter in this particular deal with this particular company whatsoever. It seems that if the deal we change a very distant shareholder of recent times with one much more distant but willing to stamp on fingers and toes to get what they want .

In my personal opinion they do not have the financial depth required to get us to the next level we are all looking for and on this basis alone I say no.

I still do not object, however, to the principle of having someone come in to Newcastle United on the basis of Structural Capitalism rather than a socialist lovey-dovey Model.

Mark Walsh

Ed: Thanks for that Mark, does the socialist lovey-dovey model look like the one Barcelona have? Or loads of clubs in Germany’s Bundeslegia who have brilliant stadiums where the attendances are much bigger than in England and where you can stand at the match in a great atmosphere and where admission isn’t extortionate? Is the lovey-dovey socialist model the one that has rescued several lower league clubs in England following the grotesque mismanagement of business geniuses? Who said allowing supporters to have a say in the running of run their football clubs was “socialist”. Just seems a good idea to me.


Dear tf,

As the sun tries to haul itself out from behind the clouds on a daily basis during what can only be described as a very quite transfer window so far. Most of the Toon fans are still in the dark as to who will make up our squad in preparation for the Inter too bob cup and beyond that the 2006/7 Premiership season.

Before my rant continues I would like to highlight a couple of issues that may not have sprung to the mind of the Toon faithful.

Forwards -

Q. Shearer (Retired) Owen (Injured) Bamby (Sick note & not the future goal king we need) Luque (Didn’t have a great 1st season) Chopra (Wales bound) Finnigan (great prospect but not ready) Milner (Not entirely a striker)

A. Two forwards available for the only hope we have of getting into the EUFA cup this season and one is a Spanish guy severely lacking in confidence and the other really is a make-do striker... In my eyes we need a minimum of two proven goals scorers that can last through a very congested season which will include an early start, 38 Prem games, League & FA cup games and hopefully the EUFA Cup. (Govou, Ibrahimovic, Saviola, Kone, Muntari, Kloser, Trezeguet, Koller)

Defenders -

Q. Even though Fat Fred took great pleasure in telling us that we didn’t need to strengthen our defensive options I am inclined to disagree. Carr isn’t at the level we need anymore, Babayoyo's heart isn’t in it anymore and what can I say about J-A-B that hasn’t already been mentioned.

A. In my eyes we are pretty much up to a good standard with out central defenders with Taylor, Moore, Ramage, Elliott & Bramble all looking like they could do a job. We just need a quality left back and right back..... Who would I be bidding for Del Horno, Glen Johnson, Yobo, Lahm, Andre Ooijer, Khalid Boulahrouz need I go on.

Midfield -

Q. When we bring Milner back and we don’t get any major issues between now and the window closing... I'm finding it difficult to say but Souness & Robson has built the foundations of a great midfield.

Why are we waiting??

Q. Why is it taking so long for the board and Roeder to get their men. The likes of Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been strengthening prior and during the world cup, the money issues have been raised again but again I have to disagree we have known that we need to strengthen since we finished last season and the rubbish that FFS is a shrewd businessman if he waits until the start of the season he will save on wages??? WHAT. The money hungry chairman and his gimp are expecting every hard working Geordie and some that choose not to...to delve deep again this summer and buy there season tickets and another change of strip. For what you are asking yourself, a thread bear small squad, another season of heart ache, another season of near misses or heaven forbid another season of headlines in the Chronicle "Shepherd sacks another manager".

A. That one is down to you lot to help me there!!!!! Please, please fill me with confidence we won’t be welcoming a bunch journey men players, old fellas or foreigners that are in it for the money to our beloved club this summer. Come on Roeder make us proud again!

Ewan (Geordie Manc) S


Dear tf,

I’ve just been reading the 'viva hate' archives and although I’ve already had the pleasure, right after they were published on the website, I’ve just been pissing myself laughing again. Top draw. Cheers

Daniel, Jarrow.


Dear tf,

So we kick off our Inter Toto cup game on Saturday and so far no strikers have been signed. All the ones we have been associated with have either been informed are going nowhere, or look set for pastures abroad. But how, and more importantly why, has it come to this? Was it not two seasons ago when we first thought we were to loose the Lion of Gosforth to retirement? Why wasn’t a suitable candidate found during that season to at least train with the great man and learn from him prior to his departure? Then we got one more season with the great man, why was his replacement not recruited then? No planning, no vision, springs to mind, and now two days away from our opening salvo in the 06/07 season we have Shola and little else. But take hear dear readers, I think I have sussed FS's great plan. He is waiting for all the controversy in Italy to come to a head, then when Juve, AC, Lazio & Fiorentina are banished he will strike like a cobra, and within a few weeks we will be seeing Toni, Gilardino, Gatusso and Del Piero at the Toon. See alls well. And I wonder why people think I’m mad. Ha. Cheers and keep the faith

John Langan, North Shields.


Dear tf,

What the frig is going on with Steed or should I say the Journal and Chronicle?

In the last few days Alan Oliver has gone from, We're in pole position to sign him, Boro are poised to swoop as we've given up on him and now back to we're monitoring the situation. Why doesn't he try writing a story about how we're fucking skint (coz he gave all the fucking cash and overdrafts to the fucking Man's man who' can look himself in the mirror, to spunk up the wall) and Fat Fred won't sign anyone until next financial year so the losses don't look as bad? Allegedly.

Glenn


Dear tf,

Just thought I would vent my spleen – I am honestly trying to be upbeat about this season but my natural scepticism and despair at FFS leaves me cold. I am even worried about Lillestrom for fook’s sake! Will something or someone please give me some hope? Ah bollocks, it’s nearly the weekend and I can just get pissed instead.

Dave Edwards


Dear tf,

Since Sunday evening the whole World has been debating what Italian defender Marco Materazzi said to Zinedine Zidane to make the retiring Frenchman react in the way he did. The French captain, in his last ever professional game, thrust his head into Materezzi's chest in Sunday's World Cup Final resulting in a red card and shame for Zidane. Today, with the help of Italian lip-reader Arturo Belladini, we can reveal what drove Zidane to self destruct; Materazzi was seen to hold Zidane's shirt on the edge of the penalty box in extra-time at which point Zidane said; "if you want my shirt so bad you can have it". Materazzi responded I don't want your shirt you m***** f*****. you're a f****** old man". As they jog away Zidane is seen to laugh at this and it is unclear how he responded due to him having his back to the TV camera Materazzi then hit a volley of abuse "you should've quit 2 years ago, you're a f****** has-been" "m***** f*****! your mum is a f****** muslim terrorist and you are to, f*** you old man f*** you" "old man, this arena is not for you anymore m***** f****. Your sister is a whore and the whole Italian team has f***** her" "f*** off you bald c*nt". Zidane carries on jogging away "you are only good enough for Sunderland" It's at this very point Zidane turned and head-butted him.

Daniel Wilson


Dear tf,

I can’t wait for ‘Voice your Choice’. Despite scoring, I thought Luque was a donkey. What a man of that lack of ability is doing at NUFC I cant begin to imagine. Terrible. I thought Shola was class. Every time a ball came into the box he was there (unfortunate in that they were almost all intercepted by the keeper). He is looking like he might be able to match his aim of taking on the clubs main striker role. Lets hope so.

The purpose of my email though is this, THE BASTARDS WHO WERE BOOING OUR TEAM AT HALF TIME SHOULD BE BANNED FOR LIFE. Or shot, preferably.

It’s the first game back, Lillestrom were a surprisingly good side and we should have got behind the team. Instead the support was disgraceful and I for one was ashamed. I took my wife for the first time since she was 11 and I was embarrassed. I never want to hear that again. Please publish this letter as I believe that Newcastle United, its players and its true supporters deserve better.

Keep on keeping on, particularly the small group of singing lads in the Gallowgate end - ‘Why’s the corner full of shit?’

Why indeed.

Jim Beaton.