How Will History View Chris Mort?
Llambias: "Since coming to work at Newcastle United, I have quickly begun to appreciate the passion people have for the football club.
"I firmly believe we have the right people with the right expertise, with Kevin Keegan back as manager and being fully supported by Mike Ashley and the directors, to take the club forward again.
"At the same time, I would like to pay tribute to all of the hard work done by Chris during his time at St James's Park and wish him every success for the future."
Was Mort a good chairman?
Personally, seeing the back of Freddy Shepherd HAD to be change for the better, regardless who came in! But Mort was never comfortable in a job that was alien to him.
Mort is NOT a football man ... he is a business man with his roots in London, where he will return. And he always looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a car.
He forever ducked the questions that were important to the fans, either because he simply didn't know the answer, or because he was told to keep his gob shut.
The hostility towards the supposed appointment of Harry Redknapp as manager shocked Mort and Ashley, and the U-turn with Mort saying "Kevin Keegan was always our first choice" fooled no-one.
They (Mort and Ashley) knew KK would be a popular choice ... and they knew (or were told) ... that alone would get the fans off their case.
The appointment of Dennis Wise continues to be confusing, especially as Mort said KK knew about it.
I was at that press conference when KK was TOLD by the media Wise was coming to St James' Park, and KK was gobsmacked!
All we got from him was: "You'd better ask the chairman about that".
And Mort was again caught in the headlights ... not knowing what to do or what to say.
Ashley will no doubt tell us different, saying Mort was always going to be "short term", but I get the feeling a 50 ton weight has been lifted from Mort's shoulders.
Yep ... this football lark can take it out of yer!
Personally, seeing the back of Freddy Shepherd HAD to be change for the better, regardless who came in! But Mort was never comfortable in a job that was alien to him.
Mort is NOT a football man ... he is a business man with his roots in London, where he will return. And he always looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a car.
He forever ducked the questions that were important to the fans, either because he simply didn't know the answer, or because he was told to keep his gob shut.
The hostility towards the supposed appointment of Harry Redknapp as manager shocked Mort and Ashley, and the U-turn with Mort saying "Kevin Keegan was always our first choice" fooled no-one.
They (Mort and Ashley) knew KK would be a popular choice ... and they knew (or were told) ... that alone would get the fans off their case.
The appointment of Dennis Wise continues to be confusing, especially as Mort said KK knew about it.
I was at that press conference when KK was TOLD by the media Wise was coming to St James' Park, and KK was gobsmacked!
All we got from him was: "You'd better ask the chairman about that".
And Mort was again caught in the headlights ... not knowing what to do or what to say.
Ashley will no doubt tell us different, saying Mort was always going to be "short term", but I get the feeling a 50 ton weight has been lifted from Mort's shoulders.
Yep ... this football lark can take it out of yer!