The mess that is the Newcastle Jets isn’t going away.
Hot on the heels of the resignation of CEO Robbie Middleby and chairman Ray Baartz, is the re-involvement of owner Nathan Tinkler. Apparently, according to his media soundbites, Tinkler wants to steady the ship and get the Jets back on track.
But if you believe Tinkler then you believe A-League referees are world-class and that the tooth fairy is real.
Tinkler wants to make the most of the sale of the club, he wants his pound of flesh and recoup some or all of the money he’s spent. Some would say that’s fair enough.
But the simple truth is that Tinker has never been a football fan and has never had any real interest in the Jets, it was simply leverage to buy the Newcastle Knights, and that ownership has led to ruin.
He has history of unpaid debts, poor administration and business deals. He’s now running a game of chicken with FFA and it will be interesting to see who blinks first.
The Jets have been on a downward spiral for some time. Before the 2014-2015 campaign starting the writing has been on the wall.
With one win from 14 games before the A-League broke for the Asian Cup, things are pretty grim. The rot has continued with the departures of Sam Galloway and Marcos Flores in the past week, with David Carney and Andrew Hoole set to join them.
The Jets have barely re-signed anyone for next season, apart from goalkeeper Ben Kennedy.
It’s hard to see things getting better before getting worse.
I was in Newcastle last week, and was amazed of the rumours going around the town. These included talk about the player division within the club and some of the recent events.
There were some that came from sources closer to the Jets, like how the Jets’ internet bill wasn’t paid, which is why the club sent out media releases from a different email address. Or how Air Asia and QPR owner Tony Fernandes was interested in buying the club, but the crash of one his planes late last year in South East Asian scuppered the deal.
Or how Jacob Pepper could also be on his way out of the club in search of more game-time. Or how the volatile nature of Jonny Steele was well known before he signed, and that there is more to Flores’ departure than might meet the eye.
Or how former Newcastle United player Andy Roberts might be being lined up as the new CEO, or that ex-Breakers coach Lee Sterrey is being considered as the new coach.
These are all rumours, and just a few of the many that are circulating Newcastle. The list goes on and on, and it’s hard to know what to believe.
What is the clear is that the long-suffering Jets fanbase deserves better. Everyone seems to trumpet the 10,000 membership the club has, which is definitely an asset, but how many will continue their memberships with the endless bungling that is going on?
I personally know several who won’t and are fed up.
The FFA needs to get involved and sort out the situation in Newcastle. New owners need to be found as soon as possible.
The administration of the club, including the coaching staff, needs to be cleaned out. I feel for Phil Stubbins, who has largely had his hands tied for him and hasn’t had all the say in player recruitment.
Something’s got to give. Tinkler won’t put more money into the club and in the meantime Newcastle’s most promising players, including Hoole, head for the exit.
It’s terrible to see for Jets supporters.
The Asian Cup has the FFA’s attention and the tournament has been well supported by the people of the Hunter Region. The turnout for Japan vs Palestine was fantastic. It shows that football has a definite market, a strong presence, in the area.
But while the FFA fiddles Rome – aka the Jets – burns.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Squizz
Guest
Well done Brucie- you not only want to kill 1 club - you've gone for 2.
Tom
Guest
Try never making finals in a salary capped league where more than half are guaranteed finals. I'll always stick with them but my god I've never been closer to leaving a team in my life.
Tom
Guest
Don't feel sorry for stubbins! He plays players out of position, barely started Flores and neuman and was content with losses and draws. Granted our team is average, on paper though, it's actually not that bad. But with the player exodus continuing (up to 7 since mid last year) it's pretty clear; Something's gotta change.
LordBrucie
Guest
The solution is simples. The central coast Mariners must be relocated to north Sydney meaning that residents of the c coast will have to travel up to newcastle to get their a league fix. This will boost fan numbers at the jets by a few thousands. If that doesn't work then the jets can be dissolved. It isn't a major state capital anyway so it would not be the end of the world.
j binnie
Guest
madmonk - Just for your information here are the average gate figures that the Jets have enjoyed over the last 5 years. Five seasons ago they averaged 9,337 per game Four seasons ago they had jumped to 12,114 per game. Three seasons ago they peaked at 13,388 per game. Last season they had dropped to 11,982 per game. This season to date they are averaging 10,430 per game. Hope this is of some interest Cheers jb
mattq
Guest
oh well get rid a Newcastle team then. the fans don't want one. the club is more than just an owner/management you know. god aussie fans are fickle.
Towser
Guest
Cautionary maybe AR ,but in a new competition you need moolah and you need it now if you want to exist. Quickest easiest way within a limited time-frame is a wealthy private owner. Key is choosing the right private owner. Clive was dodgy in his eccentric way, Tinkler was always dodgy in his "Walking on thin ice" way. I will state then that in a way you are right it's a gamble. Maybe in a few decades time with money coming from a build up of memberships,sponsors and increased TV rights ,private ownership may not be as important,but currently it is.
AR
Guest
That's a pity. Newcastle is a rich heritage area for the sport. It's yet another cautionary tale for private ownership in sport.
C'MonJETS
Guest
5 years of purchasing 6 memberships has come to an end. I take my boys down to Bluetoungue, Alianz and hindmarsh often now to get a good football vibe. Sad, I know, am I proud of not following my club till I die, no, just the way it is, this fan has just drifted away quielty.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I was thinking the same thing. My memory of GCU is that the best indicator that it was in its death throes is that no players had been re-signed for beyond that last season. I'm not saying the Jets are also in their death throes (I personally believe the FFA will always want to retain a club in Newcastle by whatever means), but there are certainly similarities with that final year of GCU.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
What good is that if the club is making big losses and is now unsaleable? Reducing prices to the point of hopeless unviability is just incompetent management.
AR
Guest
I was a bit bemused that some people were breathing a sigh of relief when Tinkler announced he would re-commit to the Jets and assume the position of Chairman. As John points out, that was all about Tinkler trying to stem the bleeding of the Jets' brand in order to prepare it for a sale. You can't sell something with flies all over it. Tinkler has an appalling record of not paying his debts, not following through on promises, and utimately selling off assets for a tenth of what he paid for them. Jets fans, you do not want this man controlling your club.
Kingcowboy
Guest
I heard that there were certain clauses in the knights takeover by Tinkler that if he didn't fulfill certain clauses in the contract that he had to hand the club back to the members for an agreed price. Is there a similar clause for the Jets? Just by reading a few articles is sounds like the club is being gutted. If possible, I just don't understand why the governing body just wouldn't take the licence back?
Stuart John Pearson
Guest
I think that the Jets were offering cheap memberships like the Knights to get bums on seats.
madmonk
Guest
Kc, definitely. The best thing Tinkler did was to understand the value of members/season ticket holders and the membership packages have always been good value for money. I suspect what he did was convert attendees to members. The crowd numbers have not necessarily gone up but the number of members has.
Kingcowboy
Guest
MM I am not a soccer supporter but I love my Rugby League and I know that the Knights had one of the cheapest if not the cheapest members packages during the Tinkler years of ownership in the NRL. I was just wondering if the high member totals is a by product of cheap prices as well for the Jets?
madmonk
Guest
The FFA has till about June to sort this. This season is a right off. The clubs one great asset is the membership, before they start selling 2015-16 membership there needs to be a coherent way forward.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Has the same stench that was Clive Palmer. I'm sure the FFA is working in the background - for sure.
Franko
Guest
FFA should step in to assist in the sale of the club. Tinkler is perceived by many in the business world as un-trustworthy and this may be the Jets greatest hindrance. Could the fans/council/NNSWF come up with a part bid...?