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Opinion

Rafa Benitez was the first to Boycott Newcastle United – We MUST follow his lead

5 years ago
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In the time since Rafa Benitez offered his services to Newcastle United three and a half years ago, time and time again he has been provoked into quitting by the heinous lying two-faced owner.

During every barren transfer window and with the help of lies spun off the back of sympathetic Sky TV PR stunts (“Rafa has my full support” “Everyone penny we earn he gets” etc etc) Rafa repeatedly, consistently, rebuked a call to boycott games.

Far from it, rather he encouraged fans to get behind the players.

He KNEW what was happening (with Ashley), he knew WE knew what was happening.

He knew there were good grounds for calling a boycott.

Not only that but he could easily have jumped ship for a better owned club with a more ambitious owner – but still he stayed on, still he asked us to keep coming and support the team. Why? Because he knew that was the one thing that would motivate the team to keep us in the top flight.

Rafa Benitez hoped, like all of us, that if we could secure a decent finish with a mediocre team, think what we could do with a united city, united fans, united team, improved training facilities etc etc! The sky was the limit. All Mike Ashley had to do was realise it. And so, the hope was, Mike would be finally true to his word and eventually see the light, realise the huge potential laid out before him with his own football club. And then……..

May 2019

Finally; after all the spin, delay, rumour and zero communication from the owner and a rare meeting in London, Rafa had to accept what he was up against.

Rafa Benitez realised, like Kevin Keegan before him, that while Ashley is owner, we are going nowhere. He knew there was no hope while it was Ashley’s club.

And so, reluctantly, he did the only thing he could do as a man who genuinely cared about Newcastle United. He stopped playing Mike Ashley’s game. He left.

Rafa boycotted Newcastle. “Yeah but isn’t the idea Rafa ‘Boycotted’ stretching it a bit?!” I hear you cry?? Well no. Let me explain.

First let’s understand what is motivating the fans to Boycott next season, these four for starters;

Absolute loss of confidence in the owner that we will ever achieve anything under him

The acceptance that the owner is nothing more than a serial liar who cannot be trusted at his word.

A still passionate and devoted love for Newcastle United but utter despair that under the current custodian there is no hope to achieve any meaningful success and growth.

A belief that once he is gone we can pick up again and continue to build and be united.

Hasn’t Rafa echoed the above beliefs, made clear since he departed?

Just like those now boycotting, he has already said he wants to return to Newcastle one day. Not just to England but to Newcastle! His affection for the club, region and fans is without question.

Yes, he could’ve continued as manager among his beloved and adoring fans…but to what end? For what?

So at last, inevitably, Rafa took a stand.

A bold, emotional and courageous stand to walk away and effectively boycott the club he has come to love, that is…until Ashley is gone. Only then will he return. Only then, will I. Only then, should you.

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