Marine engineer Joseph Roy’s first memories of Newcastle was watching them lose a match. It was also when he fell in love with the Magpies.
That was nearly 30 years ago, and he has stayed faithful despite the “joyless” reign of Mike Ashley.
He shares his thoughts with Twentytwo13 on Ashley, the new owners, the Champions League, and Zinedine Zidane.
Complete this sentence. Mike Ashley is …
Roy: A drainer of joy. We watch football as we want something more exciting in our daily lives. Newcastle are entertainers, but were the opposite during the 14 years that Ashley owned the club.
Without resorting to using colourful words, I would say he is a businessman, pure and simple. He is someone who has no passion for sports and football. He looked at the club only as an investment, without any long-term plans to grow the team.
If he realised the potential of investing in the team, and taking more risks, he could have made a lot more money than he did by selling it to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Your thoughts on Public Investment Fund? Champions League within three years?
Roy: Most Newcastle fans are euphoric that Ashley has finally left, and not because we have the wealthiest owners in world football. There is no guarantee they would splurge on the team. We are just happy Ashley is gone.
I love the Champions League and still remember getting up at 3am, hearing the tournament’s anthem and seeing Newcastle rub shoulders with the elite teams. Goosebumps.
Ashley left the club in a mess. We may need five or more years before we can think of the Champions League.
The competition to qualify is tough, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United among the favourites. Even Arsenal cannot break their dominance.
I would be happy if we could win the League Cup or even the FA Cup. (Newcastle’s last major trophy was the 1955 FA Cup, although they did win the 2006 Inter-Toto Cup and were Championship winner in 2017).
My biggest wish is for the new owners to pay more attention to the academy. We missed out on many talented youngsters under Ashley as he did not see the importance of a good academy.
What is wrong with the team? (It is 19th after seven matches)
Roy: I would say it is a combination of the lack of ambition of the former owner, the quality of the team’s tactics and players, and the ‘just survive’ mentality.
I can understand being defensive against the top clubs, but it is the same style against every team. It could put you to sleep.
Where do you think Newcastle will finish this season?
Roy: In the lower regions of mid-table, but start building for the following season. Despite the wealthy new owners, it will not be easy attracting players until we show some promise.
So, lower mid-table this season, higher mid-table, the next. And then, slowly climb up until we can dream of the Champions League.
If, or when, Steve Bruce gets the sack, who would you like as manager?
Roy: I feel Brendan Rodgers would be a perfect fit as he likes to play attacking football. Antonio Conte is available, but I do not think he is suitable for a rebuilding project.
A long shot, but why not Zinedine Zidane? Just pretend he is coaching Juventus due to the similarities in our jerseys!
When and why did you support Newcastle?
Roy: It was in 1992. I cannot remember the match, but I know Newcastle lost. What caught my attention was the way the fans saluted them for their performance.
It was the first time I had seen a team being applauded after a defeat. I wanted to be cheering for a side that brought joy to their supporters.
It was the start of the Kevin Keegan years. He got the team up to the Premier League the following season. And they could have won the Premiership in 1996.
Have you been to St James’ Park?
Roy: I was there with my family in 2018, but we lost 2-0 to Leicester. It was an uninspiring game. I am just glad the match did not kill my son’s enthusiasm for that year’s World Cup!
I also watched Newcastle when they were in Malaysia for the 2003 Premier League Asia Trophy.
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Watford vs Liverpool (7.30pm)
Southampton vs Leeds (10pm)
Norwich vs Brighton (10pm)
Aston Villa vs Wolves (10pm)
Leicester vs Manchester United (10pm)
Manchester City vs Burnley (10pm)
SUNDAY
Brentford vs Chelsea (12.30am)
Everton vs West Ham (9pm)
Newcastle vs Tottenham (11.30pm)
TUESDAY
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (3am)
