The Mike Ashley era is slowly creeping towards its end. For me a very dark chapter in my clubs history but for some all they have ever known!The controversial custodian of Newcastle United first arrived at our club in 2007, and during his time in charge, he has overseen a embarrassing, pitiful hand to mouth existence at our club that includes two relegations. Not good enough.
But trying to discuss with supporters of ‘The Ashley Generation’ as they’ve been dubbed on countless debates, social media exchanges and radio shows that this club deserves more than a Burnley type mere existence and you get back phrases like: ‘pound for pound investment’ ‘being self-sustainable’ and other corporate talk. You won’t hear talk like that from myself you’ll hear raw passion and emotion. I was brought up on a diet of Keegan and aspiration and it’s rubbed off! Do the Ashley generation have an idea of what the cub can do in the right hands? Because it’s exciting and the sky really can be the limit. I grew up and spent my formative years just as Keegan returned and so on and experienced what it is to eat at the top table. Dining on European adventures to Zagreb, Barcelona and Juventus. Narrowly missing out in high profile slobber-knocker style games against the heavyweights of the Premier League.
I was in the crowd that witnessed Newcastle United break the world transfer record for Alan Shearer, that set the wheels in motion for the influx of money from ever richer owners who now dominate the shark tank that is modern football. I talk about reaching for the stars and then if you reach the moon you’re happy, but this generation look at me like I’m talking French! It’s possible! We can! Don’t believe all of the press!
I feel so sorry for this lost generation. The words they say, the sights they have had to witness for supporting a traditional powerhouse club like ours rot and crumble away is awful. I can close my eyes and almost taste the atmosphere before Ashley; I wish I could bottle it as it was infectious. I can feel St James Park be built up around me, whilst this generation see decay. I can hold on to them experiences and use that as a blue print on how to plan for the future with a sense of optimism for better times. To put it in to context I can remember a time when Spurs were well below us, Leicester too and look at them now; Champions League finalists and Premier League winners respectively.
So I guess my message to the Ashley generation is two-fold. Firstly, for those he has pushed away - open your hearts and minds and become intoxicated in everything around the city. Secondly, to those that have been there; bad times don’t last but Geordies do, and we can be better then teams like Leicester and Spurs – we’ve been there before and can be there again. Nothing is impossible with a plan, passion and love for our UNITED. I feel sorry for which ever club that man turns up at next and drains the life force out of, but Mike I knew it all along that you would never beat us. Go enjoy counting your cash.