Why I won’t celebrate if Newcastle get promoted

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.

Follow Simon Bird on Twitter



Which classic football manager are you? Take our test

Follow MirrorFootball on Twitter for breaking news, the latest opinions and fun stuff throughout the day

Get the best priced tickets to the best games at Mirror Tickets.

Win two tickets to see Fulham vs Man City with Mirror Football.

Your comments

Related content

Sunderland fans need to be patient with Bruce and his team. And that's for sure...
    Why Newcastle need a No.9 fit to wear the shirt
      Strachan getting Bhoys to do a man's job
        Why all football fans should worry about Mike Ashley sweatshop allegations
          Is Mike Ashley finally listening and making sensible decisions? The Simon Bird column
            Why Steve Bruce is the Harry Redknapp of the north and why managers tell porkies in the transfer window - The Simon Bird column
              Why Mike Ashley has one week to save Newcastle United
                Why did Steve McClaren never get the credit he deserved for taking unfashionable Middlesbrough so far?
                  Why the last six weeks have been miserable and depressing for North East football fans
                    Why Newcastle's Northern Rock sponsorship deal must be defended

                      Latest opinions

                      Blog

                      Is this the longest long-range goal of all-time?

                      Football Banter 15:34 09/02/10

                          David Beckham's scored from his own half. So has ex-Liverpool star Xabi Alonso. In fact, he's done i... Read More+

                          Blog

                          3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, February 9

                          Football Banter 15:00 09/02/10

                              Almost hometime, and here we are again with another selection of good stuff we've found on the web..... Read More+

                              Column

                              West Ham's players should tell Sullivan and Gold where they can stick their pay cuts

                              Darren Lewis 14:54 09/02/10

                                  Personally, I’m getting a bit fed up of David Gold and David Sullivan using the media to justify boo... Read More+

                                  Column

                                  Why the Merseyside derby did football no favours

                                  Darren Lewis 14:32 09/02/10

                                      The only things missing from the Battle of Anfield on Saturday were baseball bats and bomber jackets... Read More+

                                      Column

                                      Why Tottenham's players need to show as much ambition as their manager

                                      Darren Lewis 14:28 09/02/10

                                          One win in their last five Premier League games and just three goals since the start of 2010.Tottenh... Read More+

                                          Column

                                          Liverpool remain on course to be third among equals

                                          David Maddock 11:49 09/02/10

                                              What did we learn from the Merseyside derby, apart from the now obvious fact that it is the most vio... Read More+

                                              Column

                                              I'm quite happy with my Mersey derbies having a bit of extra punch

                                              David Maddock 11:42 09/02/10

                                                  I'm not adverse to a little violence in football, at the right times, as it happens.Let’s face it, t... Read More+

                                                  Blog

                                                  On your marks, get set, go... the race is on for the Premier League finish line - Martin Lipton's big lunchtime read

                                                  Laptop with Martin Lipton 11:19 09/02/10

                                                      The run-in begins now, the fight to the finish, all or nothing at both ends.And while nobody would t... Read More+

                                                      Column

                                                      Brace yourselves Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season is here

                                                      David Maddock 11:18 09/02/10

                                                          Here's a warning to all Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season has started.By that, I mean brac... Read More+

                                                          Column

                                                          Why two wins this week would be the perfect Valentine's gift for fans in love with the Blues

                                                          Birmingham City 10:58 09/02/10

                                                              So... 37 points in February, is it time to crack out the champagne?Following a fantastic win against... Read More+

                                                              Blog

                                                              Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers

                                                              Football Spy 09:56 09/02/10

                                                                  From today's Daily MirrorArsenal loan star holds showdown talks after QPR axe - ExclusiveBaggies tie... Read More+

                                                                  Blog

                                                                  Arsenal's descent could lead to madness if Fabregas calls it a day

                                                                  Laptop with Martin Lipton 23:00 08/02/10

                                                                      The descent has been steep and dramatic, a seemingly endless battle against gravity.But while Arsene... Read More+

                                                                      Who should replace John Terry as England captain?

                                                                      Latest columnists

                                                                      Darren Lewis

                                                                      Darren Lewis Read more from Darren Lewis

                                                                      David Maddock

                                                                      David Maddock Read more from David Maddock

                                                                      Simon Bird

                                                                      Simon Bird Read more from Simon Bird

                                                                      Matt Lawrence

                                                                      Matt Lawrence Read more from Matt Lawrence

                                                                      Stan Collymore

                                                                      Stan Collymore Read more from Stan Collymore

                                                                      Latest blogs

                                                                      Is this the longest long-range goal of all-time? - Football Banter
                                                                        3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, February 9 - Football Banter
                                                                          On your marks, get set, go... the race is on for the Premier League finish line - Martin Lipton's big lunchtime read - Laptop with Martin Lipton
                                                                            Why two wins this week would be the perfect Valentine's gift for fans in love with the Blues - Birmingham City
                                                                              Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers - Football Spy
                                                                                Arsenal's descent could lead to madness if Fabregas calls it a day - Laptop with Martin Lipton
                                                                                  Don't bet on Avram Grant or Portsmouth being around next season - Betting Blog
                                                                                    Merk my words, Rio and England can't go wrong in Euro qualifiers - Betting Blog