Sports

OPINION: A sign of the times

Published

1 year ago

December 6, 2021

The Sports Direct signs are being removed in St. James' Park...

The much-anticipated removal of the Sport Direct signs around St James’ Park started on Monday morning following Newcastle’s first win of the season over Burnley.

At the last count, around 150 different logos filled the ground. There are even more hoardings at Darsley Park, Whitley Park and Little Benton.

The signs represent a 14-year past under Mike Ashley which has starved the football club of excitement, ambition and progress.

To people far away from the club, it’s just a few signs that are being taken down, but to the Geordie faithful it’s a massively important moment as they have lived in the shadow of Ashley for what seems forever. His reign signified inertia, frustration and eventually the stifling of all hope.

THE START OF A NEW ERA… AT LAST

Linguistic experts call it semiotics – the study of signs, symbols and how meaning is created. The removal of these signs have very significant meaning for Newcastle United fans around the globe. It’s far deeper than the physical act of taking down the Sport Direct advertising. It represents a complete shift of thinking towards a new era for the football Club.

An era of hope, entertainment and expectation.

Whatever else happens in the next weeks, months and years, Magpie fans have a different view of the world and the removal of these offending signs is a massive moment.

The club has been irrelevant for years.

It has too often entered transfer windows with no plans to improve…with no plan all together. The Saudi-led takeover means the club that’s been in the darkness for years, can once again challenge the Premier League big boys.

Yes, it will take time. But times like these need to be enjoyed and the importance of this day can’t and shouldn’t be overlooked.

For too long, Newcastle have been looked down upon and the fans ridiculed but there are only so many more occasions that the ‘top six’ can ride the wave before the sleeping giant makes up for lost time.

The first objective is of course avoiding relegation and retaining the club’s Premier League status.

Let’s not get carried away after our first win against a poor Burnley side but it is about time fans got excited for a brighter future… at last.

THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE

To some, the Sports Direct brand was a metaphor for the football club and is associated with second-rate, inadequate and cheap quality.

Yes, Ashley made money as a businessman but his failure to understand or respect the culture of the city was baffling…

There has been more communication in the last 14 weeks than there has been in the last 14 years and long may it continue.

It seems that Stavely and co. have quickly got to grips with the importance of the club and surrounding City which is still buzzing after the 1-0 win on Saturday at SJP, courtesy of Callum Wilson’s well-taken strike.

While there is a long way to go, Eddie Howe has brought some much-needed momentum and impetus to performances on the pitch and the fans have reacted well to that. They certainly helped to drag the team over the line last time out.

Joelinton’s game has transformed under the 44-year-old as Jonjo Shelvey has also impressed.

However, there are still significant issues at the back and despite getting their first clean sheet of the season, improvement is needed and fast.

January presents an opportunity to add some much-needed quality and stability to the side. With a very challenging festive period ahead, you may watch the next month unfold through your fingertips as the Magpies face: Leicester (A), Liverpool (A), Manchester City (H) and Manchester United (H) in the next four games.

It may be wise to remain patient and harness expectations for just a bit longer. Let’s keep a grip on reality while being excited for what the future may hold.

A new era has officially begun. HWTL.

Thoughts?

What does the removal of the signs mean to you? Can Newcastle survive the drop this season? How will Howe’s side fare in the festive period?

Join in the conversation and have your say…

Related Topics:Football newcastle nufc Sport Direct

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Featured

Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

Published

1 week ago

March 13, 2023

Chris Tubman

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.

They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’

Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..

Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.

What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.

You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter

Featured

Amazon filming Newcastle United for “All or Nothing” style documentary

Published

1 month ago

February 8, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Amazon Prime are currently filming behind-the-scenes footage at Newcastle United for a new documentary.

The docu-series will provide an insight into the club and its efforts to secure a top-four finish and a piece of silverware in the 2022-23 season.

Reports today revealed that camera crews have been filming a four-part documentary for their All or Nothing series. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirmed that the series will cover the club and the new owners as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League and win a trophy.

The All or Nothing series has previously documented other Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Spurs as well as the Brazilian national team, Juventus, and the All Blacks of rugby.

Something I mentioned last night on @tfNUFC: Camera crews have been filming behind-the-scenes at Newcastle United for a four-part documentary to be shown on Amazon.
The series will chart the club & its owners as they attempt to win a trophy & qualify for The Champ League #NUFC

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 8, 2023

Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 at Wembley.

🗓️ 26.02.23@ManUtd 🆚 @NUFC #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/V23zWPDoxP

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 1, 2023

The Magpies have featured three times in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Most recently in the 2003-04 season as they reached the third qualifying round, eventually losing on penalties to Serbian side FK Partizan.

The season before the Toon finished third in the 2002-03 Champions League group stages, winning twice against Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Inter Milan 2-2 at the San Siro. The lineup that night; Given, Solano, O’Brien, Dyer, Shearer (C), Bellamy, Speed, Griffin, Hughes, Dabizas and Viana.

The series is expected to air later this year and will be available on Amazon Prime.

Based on previous seasons, you can expect exclusive access to training sessions, team meetings and match days, giving fans an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis at Newcastle United.

It is set to be an incredible storyline and one that should provide fans with some real insight into what it takes to compete at the top level of professional football.

What do you think Newcastle fans?

Does this excite you or do you stand more with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who once said the cameras could be intrusive to the dressing room when he turned down the offer from Amazon In 2018?

Join the conversation on our Facebook page…

Sports

Newcastle target rejects Everton move following £45m bid.

Published

2 months ago

January 30, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Everton have made a £40million bid with £5m in add-ons to sign Connor Gallagher from Chelsea.

This comes after Newcastle completed the signing of Anthony Gordon, the club’s second most expensive transfer behind Alexander Isak.

Everton received an initial fee of £40m plus add-ons that could increase the deal to £45m.

EXCL: Everton have submitted a bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. It’s £40m proposal plus £5m add ons. 🚨🔵 #EFC

Chelsea will make a decision soon as there are also other clubs interested in Gallagher — and player has to decide his future too. pic.twitter.com/xZeuGqaR01

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023

The Toffees currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are looking to reinvest the money from the Gordon deal to sign much-needed players under newly appointed manager Sean Dyche.

But, multiple sources have reported today that Gallagher is not actively pushing for a move and has no intention of going to Goodison Park. However, with Chelsea having met the record-breaking €120m release clause for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher may be forced to leave the club if the transfer is complete.

🚨| Conor Gallagher is not interested in a move to Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CYzXjBoBd

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 30, 2023

This leaves Newcastle an option as the player would prefer a move to a top-six club.

This morning, Eddie Howe said, “We’ll see what we can do to try & bring a player in. There’s no guarantees. In terms of permanent signings, it will be very difficult. We’ll look at a potential loan. But it’s got to be the right player & not one for the sake of it”.

Due to financial fair play, the only way Newcastle could sign the player is through a loan, with an obligation to buy the player for at least £45m, the same price they paid for Anthony Gordon.

Gallagher has been playing regular Premier League football over the last two seasons. Since returning to his parent club Chelsea, the 22-year-old has been linked with a move away to numerous Premier League clubs.

Last season he was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season by their fans. He also won the Player of the Month award twice, Goal of the Month once, and was awarded the Young Player of Year at the 2022 London Football Awards.

In the same season, he made 36 appearances scoring eight goals and registering three assists that earned Palace a 12th-place finish, one point behind Newcastle.