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Opinion

11 years of Keegan and Sir Bobby era saw 7 European campaigns 7 top 6 finishes – Compared to 11 years of Mike Ashley

6 years ago
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The question of how quickly does time go by with Mike Ashley as Newcastle United’s owner, has two very polarised answers.

Most of the seasons have felt endless at the time but as I sit here now, I can’t believe that already we have endured 11 seasons under this disaster of an owner.

I checked back and found that another 11 year spell at Newcastle United was very different.

An 11 year stretch that ended only three years before Mike Ashley walked into St James Park.

From 1993 to 2004, we had a right adventure, what a time to be a Newcastle fan.

I can only sympathise with any younger Newcastle fans who have only experienced these 11 years under Mike Ashley.

Each season of the two 11 year periods is mapped out below but these are the highlights:

1993 to 2004

Seven European campaigns (plus the Intertoto ones) in 11 years.

Seven top six finishes in the Premier League, including five finishes in the top four, two of those as runners up.

Two FA Cup finals and four semi final appearances (including the two seasons we got to the final), plus a semi final appearance in UEFA Cup.

2007 to 2018

One top nine finish in the Premier League (though hopefully Rafa can add another this season).

Two relegations.

Two seasons in the second tier.

One European campaign (and afterwards Alan Pardew said ‘Thank God we aren’t in the Europa League next season!’

Not even a cup semi final appearance and never passed the fourth round of the FA Cup.

I make these comparisons not to depress everyone but to remind Newcastle fans that we can aspire to far better than what Mike Ashley has subjected us to.

There is no future with him remaining as owner. The only possible way going forward is Rafa Benitez staying AND new owners coming in.

It is only when Rafa Benitez has had enough of Mike Ashley, not if.

1993/94

Kevin Keegan Manager, finished 3rd in the Premier League.

1994/95

Kevin Keegan Manager, finished 6th in the Premier League. Competed in the UEFA Cup.

1995/96

Kevin Keegan Manager, finished 2nd in the Premier League.

1996/97

Kevin Keegan Manager and then Kenny Dalglish from January 1997, finished 2nd in the Premier League. Competed in the UEFA Cup.

1997/98

Kenny Dalglish Manager, finished 13th in the Premier League. Competed in the Champions League. Got to FA Cup fnal.

1998/99

Kenny Dalglish Manager and then Ruud Gullit took over in August 1998, finished 13th in the Premier League. Competed in the European Cup Winners Cup. Got to FA Cup final.

1999/2000

Ruud Gullit Manager and then Sir Bobby Robson took over in September 1999, finished 11th in the Premier League. Competed in the UEFA Cup. Trip to Wembley for FA Cup sem-final.

2000/01

Sir Bobby Manager, finished 11th in the Premier League.

2001/02

Sir Bobby Manager, finished fourth in the Premier League.

2002/03

Sir Bobby Manager, finished third in the Premier League. Competed in the Champions League.

2003/04

Sir Bobby Manager, finished fifth in the Premier League. Competed in Champions League (qualifiers) and UEFA Cup (got to semi-finals).

UNDER MIKE ASHLEY

2007/08

Sam Allardyce Manager and then Kevin Keegan from January 2008. Finished 11th in the Premier League.

2008/09

Kevin Keegan Manager and then Chris Hughton from (start of) September, then Joe Kinnear from (end of) September, then Chris Hughton from February, then Alan Shearer from April. Finished 18th and relegated.

2009/10

Chris Hughton Manager. Season in Championship, promoted as champions.

2010/11

Chris Hughton Manager and then Alan Pardew from December 2010. Finished 12th in the Premier League.

2011/12

Alan Pardew Manager. Finished fifth in the Premier League.

2012/13

Alan Pardew Manager. Finished 16th in the Premier League. Competed in the Europa League.

2013/14

Alan Pardew Manager. Finished 10th in the Premier League.

2014/15

Alan Pardew Manager and then John Carver from January 2015. Finished 15th in the Premier League.

2015/16                

Steve McClaren Manager and then Rafa Benitez from March 2016. Finished 18th in the Premier League and relegated.

2016/17

Rafa Benitez Manager. Season in Championship, promoted as champions.

2017/18

Rafa Benitez Manager. Currently 10th in Premier League.
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