Crunch time as Toon's old guard depart.Byline: By John Gibson John Gibson is a common name, shared by:
So Bobby's going, Big Al's going, probably Gary Speed Gary Speed (born September 8, 1969 in Mancot, Flintshire) is a Welsh footballer, who plays in midfield. He is currently playing for Bolton Wanderers, after a £750,000 switch from Newcastle United in July 2004. as well. I mustn't forget to check on Uncle Tom Cobleigh et al! It's all change at station St James' at the end of next season and that means the speculation, the pressure, the assumptions right and wrong, are about to consume us every day. A club can face no greater a trial than when both their manager and skipper - who just happens to be their top scorer too - go off into retirement hand in hand. Monumental decisions have to be made - first by chairman Freddy Shepherd Freddy Shepherd (born 1942) is an English businessman and the former chairman of Newcastle United Football Club. During his time at Newcastle, both as an active assistant to and later replacement of Sir John Hall as Chairman for ten years, Shepherd proved an often outspoken over the new boss, then by him over the centre-forward position. Of course, there are those who think the deed is already done - Shearer simply moves up into Robson's chair and Shola Ameobi Foluwashola "Shola" Ameobi (born October 12, 1981 in Zaria, Nigeria) is an Anglo-Nigerian football player. He currently plays for Newcastle United in the English Premiership as a centre forward. He has spent his entire career at the club. steps up into Shearer's boots. We can all follow that, but football, indeed life, is rarely so simple. Every road has a twist and turn and some end in cul-de-sacs. Shearer, like the Iron Lady, is not for turning, of course. He'll have those boots gold-plated and hung on a nail for certain. Bobby? Well, he might fancy staying yet again but it is unlikely to pan out like that unless Newcastle suddenly win a cupboard-full of silverware. Robert will be 72 and a half come that particular summer and will have greatly earned a retirement he doesn't particularly want. He will go with a career record of survival and achievement which has rightly earned him his title of Sir. Shepherd is the man who is now thrust into the hottest seat in the house. If it was plugged into the electricity circuit it wouldn't be more hazardous. What he and his directors decide is best for the future of a great club will determine short-term growth or long-term failure. Shepherd says he has the stomach for the challenge of decision-making and that is necessary because he'll be flooded with requests for employment, most dross but hopefully a few rich in quality. Joe Harvey Joe Harvey (November 6, 1918 - February 1989) was an English football player and later manager. He spent much of his career at Newcastle United; he was the club's longest serving captain, manager and as of 2007 the last to win a major trophy. , the last manager to actually win something apart from hearts, did it in 1969 and is sadly long departed this earth. Harvey never received the accolades he justly deserved, but with the passing of every barren year his place in history becomes more revered. Wouldn't it be nice if Bobby and Al ended The Long Wait next season before being carried out of town on a golden chariot? Geordies are, by nature, optimists as well as patient and we'll live in hope of a fond farewell which, if it happened, would require the good Earl to move over on top of Grey's Monument and make way for new residents. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion