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Opinion

Now clear what Bobby Moncur role is in new Newcastle United set-up

9 years ago
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When Steve McClaren was unveiled (behind closed doors) as Newcastle United’s new Manager/Head Coach, it also coincided with a new look board that included Bobby Moncur.

Whilst Bobby Moncur had a formidable reputation as a player, recent times have seen him become a club ‘ambassador’ and working for Mike Ashley, coinciding with regular columns in the Chronicle becoming ever more embarrassing in toeing the Ashley line and disappointed so many supporters who had loved him as a player.

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John Irving left the board due to a new job at Newcastle Airport, whilst Mike Ashley also pulled out with no explanation put in the public domain.

The newly formed board has four members: Managing Director Lee Charnley, Chief Scout Graham Carr, Head Coach Steve McClaren and Bobby Moncur.

The new formation was announced with claims that it would help Newcastle United to deliver on the transfer front, along with other areas of the club.

The reality for many fans is that they see it as just more window dressing, with no belief that the club really has a proper board in the sense other clubs have, as in one that has regular meetings and decides strategy/policy etc.

Do you really believe that Mike Ashley held ‘board meetings’ with Irving and Charnley?

As for Bobby Moncur….it is quickly becoming apparent just what his real job is, in this glorious new future under Mike Ashley.

Moncur’s appearances in the media have increased since his board appointment and McClaren’s arrival. With his quotes getting ever more publicity in the absence of much else from the club.

Steve McClaren has had some quotes pushed out by the club after the initial flurry from NUFC’s ‘preferred media partners’ but these have been minimal from what we had in the past from Alan Pardew.

With Lee Charnley adopting his usual pose of hiding under the table when it comes to dealing with the media, I think Bobby Moncur has in reality taking on quite a major role now, one that is possibly key to how Mike Ashley wants to see things done.

I think the club are going to be using Bobby Moncur as a kind of surrogate spokesman for Newcastle United, not in an official role but by the back door.

It looks like an attempt by Mike Ashley and his PR guru Keith Bishop to present Moncur making statements as a fan and popular ex-player, rather than the reality of a paid employee of the Newcastle United owner.

No wonder then that we are presented with cringeworthy quotes from Bobby Moncur such as the ones below in the Chronicle today, presented under a headline of ‘Ashley Will Deliver’.

Bobby Moncur:

“The starting point for that final day was the owner going on TV. That was great. All the (corporate) lounges, everything stopped when he went on the telly. I think that was great, even last week I was speaking to people saying it’s given them a lift.

“People have this image of Mike Ashley but I’m fortunate that when I go to away games I sometimes speak to him, he is nothing like he is painted to be.”

He’s hilarious:

“He (Ashley) is quite a funny bloke, honest and up front, he has got a passion, I know people say he has got no passion for the club but he has.

“The fact he went on TV and said he’s got a passion for the club and he wants success was good. I have known that for some time but the problem you have is when you try to tell people who don’t know what he’s like, it’s hard to convince them.”

Honesty the best policy:

“If you were sat next to him he is down to earth and a good bloke…if I didn’t think that was the case, I wouldn’t go on the board.”

“I can’t tell what will happen but I will be honest, that’s what I can offer. I’ve got a bit of experience, I’ve been there and seen it and if I’m asked my opinion I will give it. If people accept that and pay attention to it, only time will tell.”

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