NUFC 'Old Pal's Act'

There's an 'Old Pal's Act' between directors at Newcastle, just as there has been since the 1950's. And was it any surprise Sir John Hall has defended his old mate Freddy Shepherd in the wake of supporter unrest.



Shepherd has officially denied the club have received a formal takeover bid, as widely reported in the newspapers this morning. So, as usual, it's 'Corrie' and 'East Enders' all rolled into one at St James' Park. Such a shame we never make the news for actions ON the field!

Sir John Hall: 'I am very surprised and disappointed with what has happened at Sunday's defeat when, as I understand, a small group of fans chanted for a short time. I believe it has been blown out of all proportion by sections of the media.

'Like I did before him, Freddy Shepherd has backed every Newcastle United manager in the transfer market to the limit of the club's resources. And, like me, he cannot legislate for what happens on the field. That is up to the manager and the players.

'It is clear to me and everyone that some of the players brought by previous managers simply have not been good enough. In fact, our fans must look in amazement at some of the vast sums of money paid out for players who are not good enough for this football club.

'Since the Halls and the Shepherds took over the club, we have spent over £200million on players as well as making St James' Park one of the best stadia in Europe, so none of our managers can say that we have not backed them.

'Now we will get it right again. We know we have to get it right. Like every other fan, I am disappointed that we are not winning games at the moment and not scoring goals.

'We have been unlucky with injuries this season to Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer and Shay Given and our other goalkeeper Steve Harper could hardly walk the other night against Fenerbahce. No team can really cope with losing this calibre of player, and all this has happened as Alan Shearer retired.'

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