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 Friday
2 September 2005 By Howaythetoon The great thing about the last few days on Tyneside has not been the signings of Michael Owen himself or the return of wor Nobby in particular, as great as they are and as welcome as they have been. Not the sight of thousands of Toon fans with smiles plastered across there faces wider than the Tyne itself either. Nor the buzz and excitement around the City which has reached Shearer coming hyem proportions. Oh no, for me personally the biggest single thing that has made these last few days a real joy as a Mag, has been what I can only describe as a truly United front from both the club and fans. A coming together as one collective force which if reports are to be believed, 60 million people the world over bore witness to. The last few days has seen the air of doom and gloom lifted, the cynicism and doubts evaporate into the ether and with it the weight of pressure on everyone connected with Newcastle United. Even if it's to be fleeting, for the time being at least, we are all drunk on happiness. We are all smiling and at peace with one another and isn't it about bloody time? I don't know about you but I'm still in shock. I woke up this morning with the following thoughts spinning through my heed: 'We signed Owen, Nobby's back - fucking hell.' What a joy this week has been on all levels. To see the under-fire pair of Graeme Souness and Freddy Shepherd do an impromptu Laurel and Hardy act live on telly was heartwarming to say the least. With doubts existing as to whether the two are as supportive of one another as they claim to be, I got a sense of relief when the pair made light of some tricky questions during the Owen press conference. In particular Reporter: "Any news on anymore signings?" Souness: "Chairman? (Looks over at Shepherd) Shepherd: Says nothing (giggles like a school girl) Souness: "Chairman's busy" There was a sense of camaraderie there, a sense that the two aren't just Chairman and manager respectively but good mates who after the conference would be off to the bar to get pissed. There was a chemistry there, a spark between the two. It reminded me of the double act that was Kevin Keegan and Sir John Hall for a brief moment. We aren't used to seeing Souey and Freddy together and being so un businessman like in front of the cameras. And Shepherd himself, well he's comedy gold that man and I doubt he even realises it either. When asked if he would like to say something to one fan who apparently got the name "Shepherd No.1" printed on the back of a shirt, he responded with "he should be reported to the Health and Safety Board, the guy is probably in an asylum now". Or words to that effect... Health and safety? Freddy clearly meant 'Mental Health Board' and I think he even realised it but hided it with a good old chuckle to himself as if to say 'Freddy ya daft bugger'. By that stage I was pissing myself laughing. And the jokes didn't end there. Speaking some few hours after the Owen press conference (again live on Sky Sports News), Shepherd when asked whether the Solano deal was really dead chipped in with: "The offer is still on the table, but at the moment it doesn't look like it will happen, but I said I loved my wife this morning, so you never really know." A strange and bizarre comment to make, followed up with a wry smirk and a little chuckle to himself. The man is a lunatic I swear. Looking in on the outside I was embarrassed for him but I also laughed along with him, not so much at him. Aye, Wednesday the 31st of August was a surreal day on Tyneside alright, one of the craziest and most enjoyable days in the club's history, surely? Not quite up there with Big Al's signing of course but damn close. To hear Shepherd try to crack a joke or two live on telly was priceless, regardless of how cringe worthy it was. Admit it, you laughed and for a moment you liked the man. He reminded you of your dad. Ok maybe that was just me, then... To also hear the fans chanting Souness' name, then Nobby's before Souness took a few steps back from Shepherd and behind his bosses back, urged the crowd to sing it louder. Brilliant. There was a connection there between the unloved and unwanted manager and hard to please, unforgiving crowd. Perhaps for the first time since his appointment and maybe a turning point? To see Owen look bewildered and excited was another plus, a great player wearing the Black & White shirt is what we all dream of. He's had his moments and even at the tender age of 25 he has seen an awful lot in his time but I doubt he's experienced anything like his official unveiling. To look at every NUFC message board or website and detect no hint of pessimism or doom or gloom whatsoever was alos bliss. Just sheer happiness. It's as if each site had been merged for the day, because they all read and looked the same. Close your eyes and all is well. Close your eyes and Souness is a top bloke, Shepherd is a character, a loveable rogue and Newcastle United are great again. For a few hours Souness wasn't this poor manager that he is who had presided over our lowest League finish since we won promotion to the Premiership, the man who got rid of Bellamy and Robert. Shepherd wasn't this evil dictator whose mismanagement of the club has set us back years, the man who pulled the trigger on Bambi, the man who against everyones wishes appointed Souness. They were heroes for the day, and we were proud of them. We cheered and clapped in their presence. We all wanted to shake their hand, pat them on the back and say a big fat "well done". For a few hours the two warring fractions (club & fans) called a truce, put down their weapons and embraced each other in celebration of what we are - Newcastle United Football Club. And we are United. We joined forces to show a United front and that's what was so special about the day. I'm sure many outsiders watching Sky looked on in embarrassment and poked a laugh or two our way amid bouts of vomiting, I mean it was a bit of a circus act and how many club's greet the signing of a player as if they had just won the League, like we have done twice now with first Shearer and now Owen? Man Utd signed Wayne Rooney for £30m, one of the game's hottest talents, and there was no big song and dance about it or mad fanfare. Imagine he if had of chosen us instead... But do we care? Do we really care what others think of us? I don't. This is what makes our club special. Stuff monotonous normality and banality. Give me the past few days every time. We are a crazy club, we live in a crazy City and we are crazy people. We have a crazy Chairman and a crazy manager and our new No.10 must also be crazy to come and want to play for wor lot. Beats being mundane and lifeless, limping along at the pace of treacle though doesn't it? As someone once said "it's never dull at Newcastle". We've had a ceasefire in front of goal and for the time being the two sides - club and fans - are locked in a ceasefire of their own. And isn't it great? Lets hope it can last (the pact that is, not the barren run in front of goal) and let the good times roll. Then maybe we can actually turn out in our thousands to cheer on a trophy or two instead of a trophy player. Well done Newcastle and the Toon faithful. © Howaythetoon
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Peace At Last As Warring Fractions Join Forces In United Front
