Passion alone is just not enough

Jan 17 2010 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

Just as it is no longer viable to borrow your way to the top, passion alone will not take you there.

Beyond, at best, the bare minimum amount required to encourage Ashley to sell, what would Newcastle’s fans have to offer but passion?

Would that United boasted a squad remotely capable of cutting it in the top division in the event of promotion.

The reality is that huge investment, quite apart from Ashley’s asking price, stands to be required in the summer to bring the team up to standard.

In that climate, bringing businesses with the financial muscle to match their good intentions actively on board – rather than just pumping them for cash – does not just make sense, it is essential.

If the NUST can convey that message clearly, they should not be written off.

What the Trust should reconsider, for what my two pennorth is worth, is their tendency to bash the current Newcastle set-up at every opportunity, most recently in claiming Ashley is making significant money out of the club. That may sound rich coming from me, with this column having been a regular launching pad for anti-Ashley broadsides.

Then, I am never likely to have to sit down and talk business with the man.

The fact is the NUST no longer need to make the case for removing this regime. There is little doubting the WMDs recently unleashed at SJP.

Moreover, at some point, the NUST – and/or their business partners – are going to have to enter into dialogue with Ashley and co.

I can tell them from professional experience speaking to Ashley at the best of times is a mighty task.

The final word, albeit he is an unlikely moral compass, goes to former Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan.

“We have looked at 20 clubs since we have left Birmingham.

“The state of the finance of football is frightening, that is all I can say.”

So take courage, fans of Newcastle United. But take care.