Obafemi - Why I had to leave NUFC

Aug 9 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

But Martins maintains he has no regrets over joining United from Inter Milan three years ago.

“Newcastle was a great move for me,” he added.

“But things became more difficult because of Michael Owen’s injuries.

“It meant I had to take a lot of responsibility up front on my own.

“The players were hoping that Alan Shearer would get the manager’s job, but the people supposedly running the club didn’t seeem capable of making a decision.

“And with no manager, no new owner and most of the top players wanting out I felt I had no future there.

“It was a pity because I enjoyed most of my time there. When the previous chairman Freddy Shepherd persuaded me to join Newcastle from Inter Milan three years ago I thought it was a great move.

“I love the city and the fans but the situation at the club is ridiculous.

“As players, of course we feel guilty about relegation. But what has happened this summer is crazy, with the club not sold and no coach in place.

“It is sad to see how the club has gone downhill in the last couple of years.

“There is absolutely no direction.The players are demoralised by the lack of leadership and I just can’t see things getting better.

“You hope for the sake of the fans that they will attract a top new coach and an owner who will invest in the club but the longer this goes on then the more you fear for the future.”