Freddy Shepherd's bungling has already renamed Toon's home Sid James' Park

By Brian Reade

Published 21:53 30/10/09

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Freddy Shepherd has been laying in to his successor at Newcastle after Mike Ashley contemplated selling the naming rights to St James's Park.

After painting it as another example of Ashley's atrocious management, Shepherd claims he was asked to sell the rights but refused because "there are some things money can't buy."

There are certainly things that are priceless, Freddy. Like your cheek.

Read this article from the Racing Post in July 2005. "Once again, it's cartoon time behind the scenes at Sid James Park. Looney Toons. Th..th..th..that's all folks. It certainly will be by Christmas unless Porky Freddy can bankroll a world-class striker to partner Mary Poppins up front."

I remember laughing out loud at the piece because it was the first time I'd heard St James' Park re-named after the Carry On comic. A Mackem mate told me they'd been calling it that ever since Freddy "shall I sack the manager now fellas" Shepherd, turned Newcastle into a comedy club.

The clowns had taken over the circus way before Ashley arrived. The ones who weep so loudly for the fans today, were after all, the ones who sold them down the river two years ago.

Shepherd may not go in for re-naming but he's heavily into re-writing.