SICK SHAY HAS GIVEN UP
Keeper's off after years of Toon torment
SHAY GIVEN will quit Newcastle because of years of mismanagement that have left the club fighting for its Premier League future.
Sport of the World can reveal the true anguish the Irish goalkeeper has gone through before deciding to end his 11-year stay at St James' Park.
Given is expected to complete a £10million switch to Manchester City - despite Joe Kinnear's claims that the 32-year-old would not be sold.
The United chief insisted he had sat down with his number one keeper and been reassured he did not want to go.
Torment
But I understand Given is determined to leave and his Toon torment predates even the arrival of controversial current owner Mike Ashley - although the past 18 months of chaos has hastened his departure.
In that time Newcastle have had three different managers, put their entire first team squad up for sale on the final day of the August transfer window, and failed to find a new owner for the club.
The James Milner sale and Kevin Keegan's exit as manager infuriated Given and other senior professionals and the slide towards relegation has confirmed that the club is as far away as ever from silverware.
A source close to the player said: "Shay feels the club is a long way off at the minute. He feels the squad is too small. It's a tough time.
Silverware
He's waited a long time for success and has given everything to the club. It's been a long, long 11 and a half years for Shay.
"The club means an awful lot to him. Newcastle is his home now and he loves the area - but he desperately wants to win some silverware before he retires.
"He hoped a new backer would come in and invest in the squad and get the place rocking again and it hasn't happened.
"Nobody's spoken to the players this season. The manager has been part-time for most of the season and it's not been easy.
"He believes there are a lot of seasons left in him yet and that his best days are ahead of him.
Loyalty
"He doesn't want to finish and not have won anything. Winning silverware is definitely his aim and he doesn't think it'll happen at Newcastle."
Given's loyalty to Newcastle cannot be questioned since his £1.5million move from Blackburn in 1997. Only two men have appeared for the club more - but his patience has finally snapped.
Years spent performing miracles behind big-money flops like Jean-Alain Boumsong, Marcelino and Titus Bramble have finally taken their toll.
Given's departure will be a huge wrench to the player and a massive blow to the Magpies, although the sale will mean Ashley does not have to hand over major funds to Kinnear during the transfer window.
Market
Kinnear is expected to be handed the Given money and wants at least four new faces.
But he will be reliant on director of football Dennis Wise's contacts in the market to strengthen his squad.
Ashley intends to stay in charge until 2010, unless he receives an exceptional offer for the club, and has no plans to unload Wise from his position.
But despite renewed attempts from Kinnear to end Ashley's row with Newcastle fans, the billionaire has told friends he is still fearful for his and his family's safety and has no plans to return to St James' Park for a game.
This article has 35 comments
Laughing at the smogs banter. Total crap from them. Shay go to Boro? They couldn't afford him!!! And the reply from boro boy saying NUFC fans have an IQ of 10 - with his spelling as well!! Marvelous stuff. Funnily enough, one or two of the smogs have mentioned kids. Some things never die on the Tees, eh?
By darren Gladstone. Posted January 18 2009 at 12:47 AM.
Given is not the Ist to say he wants out of Newcastle, Owen will go and no doubt more will follow. If Man City want to pay 10 million for a goalkeeper of his age Newcastle should take the cash and invest it in outfield players, you already have a replacement keeper in Harper. Given has given Newcastle 11 years service so you cant say hes not been loyal. No one can say that Man City wont win anything in the next few years, with the money they have to spend there wont be many of the current faces left there in two years time. Look what money did for Chelsea.
By Les B. Posted January 11 2009 at 1:58 PM.
i am toon fan but toon is no longer toon after the massacare of ashley and wise taken toll at nufc ashley is in for the money noway that ashley is a football man he is a business man shay is world class he deserve better i think shay should go to man city and win something before he retires so good luck to him and we fan get ashley out of this club the sooner the better unless he puts his hand in his wallet and proof that he is the man to take the club forward
By rajthemagpie. Posted January 11 2009 at 10:07 AM.
What is makem ady doing writing into a toon story I thought he would be busy on the pinch down in pennywell!!! Well who are sunderland you are still and alway be inferior to newcastle and if shay wants to go thanks for your service all these years!
If shay does go we have the ideal replacements in harper, krul and forster!
By davey. Posted January 10 2009 at 11:17 PM.
I don't blame him. Newcastle are awful now worse then they ever was when Titus Bramble was there, so do not even know why your reporters have to mention him, I'm sure if you ask shay he would say he was happy playing with Bramble as at least they used to get into Europe every season. As usual instead of looking at the currant squad, blame the black players.
By s.cookie . Posted January 10 2009 at 10:19 PM.
Shays not gunna leave ... its just silly roumers... he loves it at newcastle... and will be there until he retires...
By adam mole. Posted January 9 2009 at 12:22 PM.
if given wants to go let him he deserves to win silverware before he hangs up his boots, he has been the toons best player 4 11 years apart from big al of course, we have a good replacement in harper if he signs his cotract we will not get relogated but it will b close.
By mick. Posted January 6 2009 at 12:28 PM.
Really sad to see what is happening at Newcastle as a West Brom fan with no bias its tragic that Ashley doesnt have the balls to face the fans to explain his actions like Keegan did when he sold Andy Cole all those years ago its evidenet it's just a toy to him. Instances like this and what has happened at Hearts is disasterous for football and the owners should be bought to book by the bodies of the game and be forced to sell when their actions are so against the majority of fans
By Dave B. Posted January 5 2009 at 3:40 PM.
As a mackem i think that it's a sad reflection on the state of the mags, that their no.1 player wants away now. Newcastle (dis)united fans deserve a whole lot better that they've had lately..... even from a mackem!
But noone can blame the premierships best keeper for wanting to try his hand behind a back 4 that might actually give him 5 mins off in a match!!
Good luck Shay, where ever you go..... you could always come back to us, but like you say, you want medals!! lol
By Steve. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:01 PM.
I have been a newcastle Fan all my life, I am a geordie and proud to be one, Its such a shame that Newcastle have ended up like this, Ashley, Wise, and others, you have done this to us... We get a good player and guess what YES you sell him, Shay has always been our best player in my books, we have such alot to thank him for, I will be gutted to lose him but I understand why he wants to go, I wish him all the very best for the rest of his career, and where ever he goes next I hope he lets all our goals in Lol...
Good Luck Shay xx
By Barbara Moulton. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:52 PM.
JBarratt... couldn't agree more,You would think that Sunderland and the smogs were riding high the way they are going on.If Shay feels he needs to go then, good luck to him.Tom thumb,what club do you support.you are probably a glory hunter,support the team that is doing well and live nowhere near them.As for boroboy what's your IQ zero.Come to the riverside lol, Stuart Downing is handing in a transfer request.So why don't you worry about what is happening at your club.Remember with all the turmoil at our club we are still managing to stay above you.
By Al. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:57 PM.
If he goes to City its for the cash, they wont win anything till hes well past retirement age. Still cant blame him though one of the best keepers in the prem wasted his time for a decade.
By ste. Posted January 4 2009 at 3:56 PM.
we,ve had some torrid years at the toon if shay decides to go milions of toon fans will still love him he is the quiet man up there putting up with numerous rubbish defenders to help him.god bless shay given a true professional
By peter simpson. Posted January 4 2009 at 2:26 PM.
it would be good for him to get away form the club and maybe a year in the lower division would be good for the club they could start again look at sunderland.
By james . Posted January 4 2009 at 10:59 AM.
@jack
There's more local lads on the pitch at middlesborough than what there is turn up to support them. nice support, and i hope you like it when downing and o'neil are away.
By Will. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:55 AM.
Given is very overrated. Great short-range shot-stopper but other areas of his game leave much to be desired. 8m for someone of his age, would be a right result for King Ashley.
By roger. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:43 AM.
If he is truly after glory and to win something why go to Man City who have a high propensity to relegation that New Castle! What a MUG! Every player can smell the money at Man City and are on the gravy train. When he heard Arsenal were possible suitors he pledged is loyalty to Newcastle because he knew he wouldn't get as much money and that Newcastle will not be paid loads! Surprise surprise Man City come calling the boy suddenly realises he is not happy at Toon and that he deserves glory, at Man City? What a JOKE!
By Alex. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:19 AM.
Shay - i dont blame you mate - since fatty and the bog eyed useless little cockney "never has been" arrived on the scene they have made Newcastle the laughing stock of the Premiership !!
By Mick. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:51 AM.
Boro Boy you are like all the Smoggies you know sweet F A I have seen Newcastle win 3 FA cups plus a Euro cup what have you lot ever won , you have not even seen a big crowd at your flea pit of a stadium with a joke of a team, and to Tom Thumb you know where to stuff your thunb you idiot
By J Barrett. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:47 AM.
You have all got it wrong !
As he is so strongly associated with Ashley it's "Joke Innear!"
With the best will in the world (his heart is in the right place) he is not, at this stage anyway, a Premier League Manager.
By Brian Leggett. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:24 AM.
fair enough leave for silverwear but why would he want to go to a boro, he wants to win things. your a joke your teams a joke and him signing for boro is a joke !!!!!
By geordie mark. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:35 AM.
Why not come to the Riverside and marvel at all of those empty red seats!!
By PEDXXX. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:28 AM.
Good luck shay we've had 100% given over 11 years. Boro boy go check the table and fill some seats yorkshire boy. True blue - what the hell is that - Wigan, Pompy, Leicester? Been down before and always bounced back.
By mark cuz. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:50 AM.
From a Sunderland fans point of view I think he should be away in a flash, the mags are getting worse and worse.
With Given and Owen on their way out and Joke Kinnear looking to sign some very average players its clear the Cartoon Army will be a laughing stock for a good while yet.
The owner is so greedy and will always treat it as a business.....you's need a real Chairman like Sir Niall. HA HA HA.
By Mackem Ady. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:44 AM.
"....but he desperately wants to win some silverware before he retires."
That takes Man City out of the equation then!
By jack. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:39 AM.
A top man and top keeper..once again..the barcodes think they are a big club..50.000 fans a week with the iq ov 10..u ever seen a geordie lift a cup ..have u xxxk..and u never will. i really feel 4 the fans when ur main man wants away,,says it all. why not come too the riverside and see a team of LOCAL lads fly the flag.
By Boro Boy. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:54 AM.
i am made up hahaha
relegation beckons then we will see were the toon army go
true blue
By true blue. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:37 AM.
Shay has given 100% to his club and country, and has been key in saving Newcastle on numerous occasions. He could pick any club he likes as he is the best keeper in the premiership. Pack your kit and go with the blessing of the fans, he will be a great loss to the club and the region. Thanks Ashley another slick move!
By Neil Sowerby. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:17 AM.
"But I understand Given is determined to leave and his Toon torment predates even the arrival of controversial current owner Mike Ashley — although the past 18 months of chaos has hastened his departure. "
lol, are you his psychotherapist by any chance?
What a load of nonsense. City will have to cough up 20 million not 10 if they want Given.
By Tim. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:31 AM.
Shay has given his all for this joke of a football club. They should flatten the whole stadium build a multi storey car park and put Souness, Shepherd and Wise underneath it. Disgusting club run by idots. I feel sorry for the players. I hope owen and the rest have the sense to leave very soon.
By tom thumb. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:29 AM.
Just go wherever you like, you don't anyone anything. Just follow your heart...........
By YNWA. Posted January 4 2009 at 5:50 AM.
GO SHAY GO YOU DESERVE TO GO SO GO ....DOESNT MATTER WHERE BUT GO
By Deluxe. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:04 AM.
You cant blame him, He reminds me of Alan Smith when he was at leeds. He could have bailed and jumped ship a few times but has stuck it out and been loyal to the team. even if it has been sinking.. But theres only so long you can do it for. Hes not getting any younger and deserves to be winning Trophys. Or atleast contending for them.
By shane.. Posted January 4 2009 at 2:46 AM.
as a Newcastle fan, i will be very sad to see given go, but he is one of the best keepers in the world and am sure that everyone in Newcastle will agree that he deserves to be given a chance to win something some where else.
By danny b. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:54 AM.
Better he goes now before relagation digs in..Winter of discontent created by the clowns at NUFC Ashley,Wise Llambias and good old Joe Kinnear,,a disgrace these people are allowed to be involved with football they are clowns ..Lets hope Newcastle beat Hull in the replay and are drawn against Hartlepool or Blyth who will beat them easily..THEN GET THE FANS TOGETHER AGAIN AND MOVE ASHLEY AND HIS PARASITES OUT
By steve thompson. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:25 AM.