Toon Army North America e-News     Number 1: August 2002

Welcome to the e-newsletter of the NUFC, North America, Supporters Club - also known as Harry's Rant

Our aim is to:

We'd like to send a newsletter out at least every month. For current information there are far better sources such as the official NUFC website at their new address www.toonsms.co.uk ; your genial hosts, Biffa and Niall, at www.nufc.com, as well as BBC, ITN, Skysports and so on.

If you come across any interesting items you'd like to pass on to other Toon Army supporters, send them to Gary.

What a great goal!!

Actually there have been five altogether. A grand start to the season by the Toon both in the Champions League and in the Premiership. Alan Shearer said it was the first time in five seasons that he'd scored in the opening match. And Lua Lua may have to practice his gymnastics as much as his football this season.

Return of the Home Guard
The appointment of Terry Venables as Leeds manager completes the set of former England managers now plying their trade in the Premiership. El Tel joins Sir Bobby Robson, Graham Taylor, Glenn Hoddle, and Kevin Keegan at the top table of English football. All five took their lumps in the England hotseat, but each has recovered to secure their professional reputations.

Showing the way has been Sir Bobby, who left the national side after leading them to the brink of the 1990 World Cup final. (Remember Gazza's tears?). After hugely successful spells at PSV Eindhoven, Porto and Barcelona, Robson took over a Toon bereft of team-spirit and close to relegation. With some astute signings, tactical know-how, and excellent man-management, he has led the Magpies into the Champions league.

(Graham Taylor is now at Aston Villa; Hoddle transformed Southampton before returning to Spurs; and former Toon boss Keegan has led Manchester City back into the Premiership).
Excerpted from BBC Sports Online
Gazza - will he or won't he? Finally, NO!

Ray Hudson, the Geordie coach of DC United had been flirting with signing Gazza as a midfielder for his team - which has had a disappointing season so far. (Both of them are Dunston lads). It's been an on-again off-again situation. Aside from MLS's concerns about Gazza's past "gannins on", Hudson's main concern is to get some strikers up front. Signing Gazza was not in the club's best interests right now. Hudson's last comment was [Gazza] "hasn't been Snow White and he never will be, but he has been a tremendous breath of fresh air." It seems likely that Hudson will go for a goal-moocher rather than a ball-bender. This saga is the unfortunate swansong of a player who showed such remarkable talent in the 1990 World Cup. Several teams in England are looking at Gazza, including Exeter City which is reportedly prepared to offer £10K a week, and Dundee United.

Can I carry your bags, Sir?

Quote from a Sarajevo sports writer about the first leg clash between Zeljo and the Toon, "Their star striker, Alan Shearer, is probably worth more money than all the hotels in Sarajevo put together."

Winning one for the Gipper

On his 70th birthday celebration the other week, Sir Bobby said he'll turn somersaults if Newcastle repeat last season's fourth place finish. No word on what he proposes to do if they finish higher.

That Ozzy. You gotta love him.

After the Jubilee Party at the Palace, Ozzy Osbourne was asked by Prince William why he hadn't played more Black Sabbath numbers. Replied Oz, "If I had done Black Sabbath, the effing Royal Box would have turned to stone and the Archbishop of Canterbury would have had to douse them in holy water." (There were probably a few more 'effings' in there somewhere).