Richard Buxton: "Committing the heinous crimes of eradicating almost 120 years of history in the name of commercialism and slating two living club legends would be unthinkable for any club.
"But Newcastle United’s current hierarchy appear to have turned it into an audacious artform.
"When Mike Ashley succeeded the previously infamous duo of Freddy Shepherd and Douglas Hall, the Toon Army could have not envisaged how much further on a downward spiral they would be taken.
"Hall and Shepherd were understandably despised by some fans after reportedly launching a damning broadside on the club’s fans and legendary hit-man Alan Shearer.
"But even their premiership, littered with similar controversies, seems minor by comparison to the past four years of the Ashley empire, with last week’s developments merely the tip of the iceberg.
"Rebranding St James’ Park – described by the late Sir Bobby Robson as the “cathedral on the hill” – was pure sacrilage, and not just for the diehard Tyneside devotees.
"And Shepherd attempted to offer some redemption when he stated that rebranding the stadium as the Sports Direct Arena will only deter potential investors rather than encourage.
"Little over £10m has been spent in strengthening the side since their return to the top flight, while their income has far outstripped their expenditure in all bar one season under his ownership.
"Llambias appears to have broken the first commandment in the book of the Gallowgate in allegedly ridiculing Shearer, the local lad made good player but later mediocre manager.
"Yet that was not enough to alienate himself further as he reportedly tore into fellow messiah Kevin Keegan, also considered untouchable on Tyneside, and Pardew’s predecessor Chris Hughton.
"The back-slapping old boys’ culture which resides within the corridors at what is now known as the garish Sports Direct Arena seems to dictate the direction in which the club’s future it takes.
" “You guys don’t understand how f****** horrible we can be”, Llambias is quoted as having warned fans – and if the previous four years are considered their genial approach, incurring their wrath is unthinkable."
THE TOON "Stocking Filler" BOOK FOR XMAS -
"MAGPIES IN EUROPE"
SIGNED COPY - FREE POST - FOR ANYONE WHO ORDERS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Send a cheque for £9.95 - payable to K.Fletcher - to:
Magpies In Europe
5 Dunelm
Sacriston
Durham DH7 6NU
£9.99 Available From:
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE
M&M News; 140 Northumberland St.
One Stop News; 44 Blackett St.
Blackwell Bookshop; 141 Percy St.
The Back Page; 56 St Andrews St.
Gallowgate News, Percy St.
CHESTER-LE-STREET
The Bookcase; 131 Front St
SPENNYMOOR
The Flower Shop, Front St.
ONLINE:
http://www.lulu.com/browse/search.php?fListingClass=0&fSearch=Magpies+in+Europe
"Magpies In Europe" is available NOW! It features match reports and individual features from Toon fans on the 60 'away' trips Newcastle have made in Europe. Sports Journalist Richie Everson: "At last a book that the fabulous Newcastle United fans can relate to. It's informative, all the facts and figures are there, plus the 120 match reports from all the fixtures ... but it is the articles by the supporters that amazed me. "I went to many of those games, and this is the only book I can honestly say 'hits the nail on the head'! "Yes we know the results and the scorers, but some of the facts in this book had me so wrapped up in it I couldn't put it down. "Was Benny Arentoft cup-tied when he played in the final? Big Wyn and his battle with John McGrath; McFaul scoring a penalty when the crowd had gone home; the trouble in Palermo; it is all amazing stuff. "I would honestly give this book 10 out of 10." The book is available NOW from THE BACK PAGE!