Toon old boy puts the record straight!
It's amazing what the internet has done for this planet when you think about it.
I mean when I set off for work this morning I didn't expect to be having a telephone conversation with former Toon forward Lee Payne for instance!
Once upon the Tyne as a 12-year-old heading up to St James's Park during the torrid 1988/89 season - that resulted in United being relegated from the Old First Division under Jim Smith - I soon realised there was no shortage of stick flying around with the club in real turmoil.
And unfortunately during that time not many players escaped that stick not least Payne.
But in response to a entry on Blog on The Tyne way back in May when Antoine Sibierski left Toon to join Wigan - I referred to Payne - and the former Magpie tracked me down to chew the fat!
Payne - who United signed from Barnet for just ã25,000 - was placed on a list of players who never made an impact for the Toon when Blog on the Tyne reported back in May: "A contract wrangle in which Sibi wanted two years and United could only offer the 32-year-old just one, means it's all over for the tall striker who cost us nowt!
OK, he never did and never was going to hit the heights of Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand or even Craig Bellamy.
But when he arrived he appeared destined to join the same infamous list as Silvio Maric, Fumaca. Rob McDonald or Lee Payne."
However, I have to admit I was stunned when Payne took the time out of his day to tell me: "I was heartbroken when I read that piece on Blog on the Tyne.
"I loved my time in Newcastle and when Jim Smith told me I had been sold to Reading, I cried all of the way down there because I didn't want to leave Newcastle.
"I felt like the proudest man on the planet when I pulled on the black and white shirt.
"To be honest I think I was Willy McFaul's last signing at Newcastle but when Jim Smith arrived he changed everything.
"Looking back I didn't do that badly as a Newcastle player, I played a few games and would love to have stayed at the club, I remember going off in one game and the fans were chanting my name - there the best fans.
"I loved it and I appreciate what a great club it is.
"It breaks my heart when I look at the players that come here, leave with loads of money and then head back overseas and just don't care.
"But I did care and I just wish that some of the overseas players who come here these days appreciate it as much as I did because it goes a long, long way.
"Looking back I should have refused to leave because I had two years on my contract but when Jim Smith tells you that as a 20-year-old, what do you do?
"It was just gutting but I went to Reading but then I played in Holland for a while and then decided to be a players agent.
"But looking back at my days at Newcastle I ran my heart out and never wanted to go.
"One great memory I have was that I used to go to St James's Park late at night, pull my hood over my head and run around the pitch - just to try to take it all in and imagine what could be achieved at this great club.
"On the other hand a certain player in my time used to sit in the jacuzzi and drink champagne after training!
"Fans don't see that but that's what happened."
Perhaps a bit of the same attitude as Payne from some of the expensive overseas players in recent history wouldn't go a miss these days eh?
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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He wasnâÂÂt as bad as some make out, which is always the way- you could say he didnâÂÂt a fair crack of the whip with his poor appearance total by the time he left- not the way he would have wanted to leave IâÂÂm sure.
There have been countless players who have been on Newcastle UnitedâÂÂs books who should never have been allowed to leave- Steve Watson, Aaron Hughes, Les Ferdinand and as far back as Paul Gascoigne (Surely it wasnâÂÂt him in the Jacuzzi with the Champagne??)
Sibierski would have been a better option to keep than Shola Ameobi- he has a record of around 8 goals in 25 starts, which isnâÂÂt too bad, just the fact that he has started 25 games in one season buts him as a more viable option than Mr Owen at present.
A lot of fans- myself included- are guilty of demanding instant success too often and wanting drive, determination, work-rate and above all else- desire, but you have to add quality into the mix as well, in the current squad of Newcastle United players, thereâÂÂs quite an abundance of talent and skill, but very little desire- Maybe a Lee Payne type mindset wouldnâÂÂt go a-miss?
Paul.
Traditionally, we attract average players and grant them generous contracts. Of course there are exceptions to this rule but they are few and far between.Good players, make a good team and win trophies; our level of success reflects the quality of our playing staff. Yes our recent managers have,nt helped the situation, coupled with the inglorious Shepherd era, the club is now way behind the top 6 in the Prem.and we must rely on Allardyce to stem the tide but his new signings are taking a long time to settle down. Could we be lumbered with yet another batch of very average players.We have,nt got the makings of a top 6 side, we are mid-table at best. DONT EXPECT TOO MUCH AT XMAS !!! Santa has lost our address.
Yes, I will ageed with John Best that we are not a top 5 team at the moment.Sacking big Sam isn't going to solve any problem.Our performance as a team does not end just at the manager level. It's start with the chairman and goes all the way down. The rebuilting process has already begin and sit tight for the roller coaster ride! We might not win at Fulham but this are better time for Newcastle's fan.
Having just watched the Fulham game the ONLY thing that Sam got right was the result.It could be a long hard winter if the dross that was served up today is to take the place of football
I've lived in the USA for the last 27 years. I was a season ticket holder in the Gorden Lee era. After watching the Fulham
match today on the TV, I think Big Sam is doing OK. We all knew it would not be quick rebuild, and with the new owners we can only hope for a great new year with a always improving team.
Merry Christmas from Vegas
Lee Payne was a hero in his time by Veendam (Holland) The fast left winger was a player where the people come's to the stadium , i like to come in contact whit him for a interview for my website www.veendam4-ever.nl if you know how i can contact him let me please know!