Shepherd Out I Hear You Cry? He’s Gone!
By Jonny Hall On Tue 24 Jul 2007 |
Freddy Shepherd has been removed from his post by Newcastle Owner Mike Ashley, and has been replaced by the Billionaire’s own man Christopher Mort.
A statement on the club’s Official Site, nufc.co.uk, read:
FOLLOWING completion of the takeover of Newcastle United PLC by St James Holdings Limited, Newcastle United PLC announces today that Chris Mort has replaced Freddy Shepherd as Chairman of the Company.
The change will no doubt be met with delight by the majority of United fans who have been waiting since Ashley first took over the club for Shepherd to be relieved of his duties.
For many, it will be seen as the final remains of the previous regime being removed from the club and the start of a brighter future for the Magpies.
Mort himself said of the change in the Toon ranks:
“I am delighted to become Chairman of such a fabulous club. Since arriving at St. James’ Park I have been hugely encouraged by the warm welcome I have received from so many supporters.
“The strategic review of the Club is going well and, with the new season fast approaching, we feel the time is right to make the change.
“I would like to thank Freddy Shepherd for all he has done for the Club over the last 15 years.”
So what do you think of this further development? Will Shepherd be missed? What were his highlights as Newcastle chairman? What about the future, is this the start of something good?
Tell us this and more, we want to hear from YOU!
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OK Here goes
Start of a new era and all that crap.
The saying goes ” better the Devil you know….”
Lets not forget that Fred was where he was because 15 years ago he had the balls to put a few million of his own cash into the club.
Contrary to what’s been said the cash is not being splashed, and the big names are not queueing up at the door.
Sam has already said that the incoming boards lack of knowledge in the field has cost us a few targets.
Fred was not that bad. In the last couple of years alone he got us Owen and then when he was crocked he went out and got us Martins. OK, so it took release clauses to do it, but they both came.
If you look at the size of the club and the revenue generated, as chairman was his remuneration any different to those holding similar position in other comparable organisations?
Is it really his problem that the majority of fans can’t comprehend the amount of money he’s made from the club?
Let the bloke go in peace and with a bit of dignity.
Sent in on: July 30th, 2007 at 7:12 am
In agreement with just about everything. Just happy that the fat thieving pikey has had his hand forcibly removed from the till and escorted off the premises.
I would though take issue with the doom and gloom merchant that is Dodds. Give Chris Mort a chance he has only been in for two minutes. Besides they would have had longer to sort things out if the useless Fat F##k had not tried to hang on by his finger nails - you can’t make me sell etc.
winning football matches is the business of the club, but it is never the less a business. Wouldn’t you want a full review of everything if you had just paid £134M for it? We have a long way to go but this is a rebuild situation, and therefore one in which we will need to take full advantage of the January window.
It seems to me that we have professional business men now running the business side of things and professional football men running the football side of things. Let’s give them a chance and get behind the lads, as after all as the old chant tells us - Newcastle United will never be defeated!
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Ding Dong The Fatman’s gone
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I think the delay in signings is because of the shambles Freddie had made of things by the end of last season. I dont think there was anything in the kitty and thats why we’ve spent virtually no money so far. Despite this Allerdyce seems to be doing a decent job, building a decent back room team and improving the quality of the squad.
Ashley and Mort are doing the sensible thing and reviewing everything at the club before investing even more of their money, sorry to those of you that expected Abramovich type spending but Ashleys here to make money - fortunately for us for him to make the most money we’ve got to be successful on the pitch and that will involve investment in the playing squad
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
yay finally
i guess after tis there is no problem w signings,
i bet the delay in our transfers was becoz of this.
finally, the end of seasons of underachieving
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Excellent news and long overdue.
Funny though, had Shepherd actually recruited decent managers and they were successful with the cash they would have received, the Fat One might have got away with it, despite his ridiculous statements and antics.
Still, he’s gone and it’s the best thing for the club. Chris Mort may not have experience as a football chairman but the fact is to him and Mike Ashley this is a business investment first and foremost. They are good businessmen and I feel more comfortable with that than a “heart on his sleeve” fool like Shepherd. Yes it’s a football club to us but remember we’re a business too - and now we’ve got real businessmen looking after it. Rejoice!
What would really be the icing on the cake is seeing the back of the diabolical Alan Oliver. The guy might be totally decent for all I know, and a genuine fan, but his writing is an embarrassment to his newspaper, makes the club and the region look parochial, and he has constantly deflected the real issues while sticking up for Shepherd. No journalist in their right mind would write in such a way as “and when I asked Owen about the captain’s armband…”, “told ME today…” and “it is my understanding…” etc. Not even gutter press journos looking to stir crap. Pathetic.
But anyway, now for four more defenders and maybe even more new faces. Let’s really get this revolution started!
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Likely Shepherd quotes:
“I was never afraid to get the chequebook out” - shame it was our hard earned cash in his bank account!
“I’ve always backed the manager” - He repeatedly picked the wrong manager, and then proceeded to ignore them and buy the players he wanted
“Im a proper hard Geordie, like” - must’ve missed you taking on the mob outside the stadium chanting for your head last season
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Finally the club won’t be embarrased by this silly little man any longer. The list of his mistakes is huge, enjoy your £37 million and stay out of football as you are a soory excuse of a chairman.
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 10:27 am
One single message in support of Freddy, and its from a Boro fan with the usual inferiority issues! Class!
(Assuming its genuine and not irony, that is!)
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 10:17 am
The moment he sacked Robson he was on a ticking timebomb. He always backed his managers Owen Martins Luque but ultimally chose the wrong managers! I have no sympathy for the man but im not exactly dancing in the streets we need at least 5 more players(Deco) but lets watch what happens
HOWAY THE LADS
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Toongate proved his heart was not in the right place and the signing of Souness proved his head wasnt either.
Should have gone years ago but better late than never.
Sent in on: July 25th, 2007 at 7:56 am
Fantastic news. I thought this day would never come.
Now Mike, get your cash out mate.
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Bye bye, you stupid, stupid, stupid, greedy, stupid, incompetent, stupid, patronising little fat stupid man.
PS. You’re going down
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Hooray! The fat Clown has gone! I find it very ironic that he called the Women of Newcastle Dogs yet this is a Man so ugly he actually has to PAY for Sex! One embarressment after the other, as bad as Westwood & McKeag for me.
Bye Bye Weeble and if there’s such a thing as reincarnation then I hope you’re born in PENNYWELL!
Oh yes and by the way I hope you get sent down!
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Yes its great news something that we’v been waiting for years, however now the real work starts Ashley has control of the club whats his plan? in reality we’v spent the Scott Parker money nothing else, theres a great article on true faith about this, the king is dead long live the king the clock is ticking the new hartley mags are waiting………………………………………………………………….
gareth
new hartley mags
chairman
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Well I’m glad for years I’ve said the hierarchy at Newcastle needed a revamp and I think the best thing that happened is the takeover.
Not really a fan of Big Sam but really believe in the systems and the technology used by him is a great step forward, it’ll interesting to see if he wants to stick to British coaches or will be be prepared to recruit European or even South American flavour coaches to expand the Newcastle master plan, I think it’ll be on the cards in the next year or so as to succeed in Europe you need a different game.
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
To be honnest freddy shepherd was a idiot but i liked him for one reason and that he really messed the toon up.
im a boro fan and its been good watching them drop slowly.
hopefully next martins and owens release causes will be met by a team and they will go because welll champions league will soon turn into championship sound similar but i know what suits newcastle the most.
well all i can say is i hope many follow barton [to the injury room] and the new chairman is just as good as freddy ;]]
as a boro fan would say
WE LOVE YOU FREDDY WE DO!!! ;]]
thanks.
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Iam delighted freddy has gone but iam seriously concerned about mort been chairman, he has no experience been a football chairman and ashley / mort have already shown they are not capable of doing the job.
Allardyce warned them about taking ther time in the transfer market they ignored him and now were desperatly close to the new season and needing at least 8 - 10 players signed ! to have even a remotly decent size squad.
I just think its kind of damped this revolution although reddy exit is good news and things yes need to be considerd and this checking out the club thing, but with the likes of owen and martins on stupid contracts they could leave at any min !
i think that a ,more experience person should of ben in charge someone who no’s the game properly
[ i did hear they were after david dean and he turned us down ] but still mort isnt the right man for chairman job.
i didnt wnt to sound so negative but with the current squad so small i seriously doubt we can dget into europe this year unless were seriously lucky with injuries, and with joey barton out alrdy amongst others i think its going tobe a long season.
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Goodbye will never forget what you did to us Toongate was great ripping us of for a fiver a shirt and calling all our women dogs not to mention calling Alan Shearer Mary Poppins now roll over and die with your son with his handout for your inheritance and say hello to Dougie at the gates of Hell
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Well it’s good to get new blood in the boardroom and with the police coming to the club I think he had to go
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
With the news the we finally have got rid of the fat one I have a feeling that we will see a flurry of transfer activity now Mr Mort has taken over and the reason we have waited these weeks is they will have known this was going to happen and know there is no better PR for a new chairman than quality playing staff following close to his appointment …. well we can only hope but I feel a change in the waters we have all said for years now the club needed new direction from the top to bottom and now we have it I predict good times ahead.
I still wont relax until we have signed a quality left back
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
THANK GOD AND MIKE ASHLEY!!! Really, really good news! All that comes to mind when I think of Freddie Shepherd is bad managerial appointments, strange transfer involvements, ridiculous outbursts and in general a really bad and unprofessional running of the club. Good riddance to bad rubbish! The future certainly looks promising with Mike and his team at the helm and I am personally itching for the new season to start..the future is bright, the future’s black n’ white!!
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!! To be fleeced no longer by the greedy Shepherd.
Freddy made a mint out of our team and our support and treated people with contempt, bringing embarrasement and shame to the name of our club.
I hope Mr. Mort will bring integrety, respect and wisdomto the job. Maybe, as Terry Prachet’s namesake, he may bring us a smile or two.
Congratulations Chris. Every success and good fortune to you!
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Bye Freddie, hope you get back to full health.
I think it’s at least the start of NUFC being run professionally. We’ve got rid of the barnickels, time to steer this ship towards long term success.
Howay The Lads!
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
The dark lord has been slain.
Not a scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but the news from Newcastle United that Shepherd has gone from the club.
AT LAST!
We can now hope again.
Vive La Revolution, or something.
Howay The Toon!
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
i think it is a crying shame. yeah, so freddy wasn’t that well liked and his sons have an awful reputation around the town etc…but it’s not nice to see the big man go…saying that now he knows how Bobby felt…goodbye freddy…PS my mother says she hopes you have a heart attack on the toilet.
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
This is the best news ever.
He was dodgy to say the least. Ran the club badly, and for questionable motives in my opinion.
Shepherd once said this of a Spanish defender, and I would like to repeat it about him “Don’t say anything about anyone if you can’t say anything good about them. He’s gone. Good”.
He shall be remembered by me for dodgy deals, strange and foolish transfers, odd managerial appointments (Souness!!! Roeder!!!) and taking the club from the champions league to near relegation.
Freddy - Your departure is the best news Newcastle United could ever have.
Sent in on: July 24th, 2007 at 4:57 pm