Congratulations Lee Charnley. The club has a new Managing Director with Ashley himself joining the board. Is it time for change or a case of “plus ca change, plus c`est la meme chose”?
When analysing a press release, it is often more informative to start at the end:
“The purpose of this statement is to communicate with our supporters in an open and transparent manner and we hope that it provides a clear outline of our intentions.”
We have had transparent communication before, the Fans` Forum having been told ‘While several other clubs had recently suffered relegation after winning a domestic cup, NUFC still put out a strong team against Cardiff City which was capable of progressing into the next round of the FA Cup.’
Lee Charnley was one of those representing the club at that forum, defending selection of a team with 7 changes from the previous league game, the Premier League being our priority. Definitions of transparency are clearly not always transparent.
Charnley has of course stepped up from his position as Football Secretary. To clarify, this is the person who in the past has been responsible, in his manager`s words, failing to get signings over the line. It has already been commented, in light of what has gone on in the past that perhaps his title should be Sales Director.
At least some things remain the same: “Looking ahead to future seasons, our primary focus will remain the Premier League.” Presumably, that means survival and milking the cash cow since no other objectives are transparent.
He also highlights that “It is also important that we don’t over-promise and under-deliver for our supporters”. On that basis it is something of a surprise that the services of Pardew are retained, a manager who consistently, in the view of many supporters, does both.
An artists impression of the board next season
Charnley himself points out that “I have been with the Club for almost 15 years and have seen a great many changes in my time here”. That takes us back to the appointment of a principled manager playing attractive football, in the shape of Sir Bobby.
With his view of 15 years from within the club, he will have seen the transition from a deep and talented squad, regular competitors in Europe including the Champions League and UEFA Cup to one which sees the Europa League as an inconvenience.
He will have noted the calibre of people appointed by the club`s current owner. Joe F`Kinnear has been here twice. Dennis Wise commented that his time under Ashley`s stewardship “has all had a damaging effect on my career”. The list goes on to include Derek “you don`t know how horrible we can be” Llambias. Now he has been appointed at a senior level himself.
In his previous role, he has been complicit in the sale of players who Pardew would not be sold, not at any price. He has been responsible for not replacing players who Pardew suggested would be replaced.
Like the club`s owner, Charnley has yet to give a press interview, such is his commitment to transparency. He has chosen to be part of a regime that the Keegan tribunal found to have deliberately misled.
It makes one wonder who the press release was written for. Perhaps the clues are in the second half of his reported statements which have several references to the financial side of the club.
He is “delighted” to work with Wonga, many will suspect that this says much about the man. He recognises the frailties of commercial income but isn`t that due in part to having totally free advertising around the ground?
He talks about investing in the club, he talks about this “business” without recognising that net DISinvestment on the playing side has been to the tune of £45m over the last 5 years.
“There is however still a lot of work to be done to ensure we are maximising every commercial opportunity available to us”. Who are the “us” Mr Charnley, you and Ashley or “us” the club, its loyal supporters, the ones who saw this club through hard times, the ones you recognise make this the 3rd best supported club in the country?
The sting is in the tail: “I can assure supporters that the board and everyone associated with the Club aim to make Newcastle United the best it can be, pound for pound.” The best for who? Pound for Pound? (Proper noun, Wendy)
Take out the spelling mistakes and this could be a decent piece of propaganda. None of it stands up to scrutiny.
Mr Charnley, you have a lot to live down to under Ashley. Let`s see this transparency from a man who has never given a press interview. Let`s see if you are genuine or another traitor to the supporters of a club who have provided you with a very healthy career.
We would love a club to be proud of. Will you provide it, or will you continue to support the demeaning of a proud tradition that has been spat on by your boss over the last 5 years?
You have the right of reply and we would welcome your transparency.
reproduced by kind permission of toontoon.co.uk
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