Why I won’t celebrate if Newcastle get promoted

By Simon Bird

Published 13:34 23/11/09

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The last time Newcastle got promoted, back in May 1993, I recall the whole city rejoicing.

A bus parade through the city showed off the champions’ trophy, ending at the civic centre, where a sea of supporters filled the Haymarket area to hear speeches from Kevin Keegan and the team.

I remember that giant flag that became a symbol of the season when it was passed overhead before games, hanging along the route next to the university library.

I remember the toothless old bloke who became a kind of geriatric lucky charm by standing next to Keegan’s dug-out at home games and getting in every newspaper picture of the bench. He even gate-crashed the celebratory team photo on the pitch, and was up on the civic centre balcony singing with the players.

It was electric. The start of a new era full of promise.

Memories of that campaign have been stirred 17 years on because Chris Hughton’s Newcastle appear to be successfully negotiating this season’s campaign, and seem well on the way to winning promotion themselves.

There is one problem. I reckon many Geordies will find it hard to celebrate with too much wild fervour this time around.

Writing that doesn’t necessarily make me a negative grump, bashing the club even in success.

Nor will it take away from the achievement of the current crop of players who will deserve praise and respect for battling their way out of the Championship, a tough but limited division.

It simply reflects the fact Newcastle do not currently have a long-term plan on or off the pitch that will give them a credible chance of surviving.

I asked this question of Chris Hughton last week. When you are making signings this season do you have one eye on the long-term - on what the club will need if promoted?

The answer came back no, the only aim we are targeting now is promotion. I suppose that explains why a little known 29-year-old French midfielder, Fabrice Pancrate, was handed a contract at the weekend.

How would Peter Lovenkrands, handed a three-year deal in September, fare in the top-flight when he can’t get a game this season? If Sol Campbell is right, and Newcastle want to sign him, how will he do next season?

None of it seems to match up with MD Derek Llambias claiming that Newcastle want to pack the side with young promising talent. But like they found with Jermaine Beckford, the much fancied Leeds striker, that comes at a price.

Would Mike Ashley be prepared to invest in five top players to give the club a chance next summer?

Will Chris Hughton remain manager in the Premier League, and be the figurehead to attract top level players?

Will Ashley try to sell up again, leaving the club in a state of paralysis, and unable to build a squad while negotiations take place?

There are so many unanswered questions that mean winning promotion will just be the first battle in a long, confusing war to get Newcastle back to the level they were at five or six years ago.

Of course this is all hypothetical, assuming with too much confidence that promotion is on the horizon, and looking way ahead. But isn’t that what you are supposed to do when you run a club? Sunderland plan a couple of transfer windows in advance.

And if promoted, much tougher questions will be asked of the current squad than Championship rivals can muster.

Steve Harper, Steven Taylor, Jose Enrique, Alan Smith and Jonas Gutierrez should be able to do a job.

Will Fabricio Coloccini be able to? Will Nicky Butt’s legs be quick enough for the Prem? Will Ryan Taylor or Danny Guthrie have the guile? Will Shola Ameobi score goals? Will Nile Ranger live up to his unfulfilled hype?

Major investment and surgery will be needed, but for now United fans should enjoy the ride of the Championship, and the feeling of winning matches regularly again.

Trips like tonight’s visit to Preston make for a refreshing change. They feels like real football matches. Competitive, physical, raucous and a world away from the gloss of the Premier League.

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