As more than 20,000 Novocastrians crowded into Hunter Stadium to watch Newcastle’s biggest moment in world sport on Tuesday night, little did they know that their beloved Newcastle Jets were being dragged into further turmoil.
It started with a mini-revolt in the morning, as the club’s players confronted manager Phil Stubbins with a vote of no confidence.
Stubbins fled to Brisbane to meet controversial owner Nathan Tinkler, and from there the mess descended into complete chaos.
While the Socceroos were dismantling a United Arab Emirates side in the Asian Cup semi-finals, Tinkler’s temporary press officer (they still haven’t replaced the last one) was hastily readying two statements to accompany news of a raft of sackings.
First to go on Wednesday were three esteemed coaches – Clayton Zane, Andrew Packer and Neil Young – before the playing contracts of captain Kew Jaliens, vice-captain Joel Griffiths and elder statesmen David Carney, Billy Celeski and Adrian Madaschi were also terminated.
Tinkler signalled his intention to “change the culture of the club”. Ironic given that Tinkler himself is almost solely responsible for the deteriorating atmosphere at the A-League franchise.
Stubbins has bizarrely won out in a struggle for power at the club, with the players and coaching staff made the scapegoat for a poor 2014-15 season where the club has garnered just one win in 15 games.
Instead of sacking a coach he personally hired, and admitting fault, Tinkler has taken the novel approach of clearing out the playing stocks. If it were anyone but Tinkler, this move would look brave. Instead of sticking with the norm and ejecting a coach for poor performances, he’s flipped the table and decided to change the playing roster. Given some of the performances dished out this season, Tinkler has fair reason to do so.
Far too often football witnesses managers ejected due to player power. Andre Villas-Boas is one of the most notable casualties, shafted from Chelsea reportedly due to player revolt. Paolo Di Canio suffered the same fate at Sunderland.
It’s a massive vote of confidence in Stubbins, but more so represents Tinkler’s unwillingness to concede he picked the wrong man to lead his club on the sidelines. Because if a manager can’t hold the respect of his players, then is he really the right man for the job?
Tinkler certainly thinks so, and so too Stubbins.
The players are in no way innocent in this debacle, however. They’re professionals, and to contemplate strike action or to even try and force an owner’s hand in casting a manager aside is out of order. But it simply details the hopelessness of their situation.
Players have been discarded, pushed out or forced to jump what looks like a sinking ship. Bizarre tactics and line-ups have confused experts, fans and players alike, contract renewals appeared unlikely for most. Marco Flores, Mark Birighitti, Jonny Steele and Sam Gallaway have all vanished in the past month, Andrew Hoole will soon join them.
So where does this leave Stubbins? Madaschi and Celeski were his signings, as were Steele and Flores. If he introduced them, and they have contributed to the current destructive culture, it’s partly down to him. The manager is steadfast in his self-belief but at the moment it’s a case of at least eight guys in the wrong and one man in the right. That doesn’t add up.
A move to butter up Tinkler could also hurt Stubbins’ reputation in the long term.
One win in 15 represents a failure, and hardly puts him in the shop window for future jobs. This could be his last opportunity in charge of an A-League club, so it’s understandable that he’s desperate to prove his credentials. But if you can’t get the best out of your players, you’ve failed to adequately manage.
Some of his comments have also been out of turn, especially following the 7-0 mauling at the hands of Adelaide United last weekend.
“If they [the players] want me to just cave in – if that’s their agenda – then they are going to be disappointed,” he said.
“There are certain players here on decent coin, who I won’t name, who are giving no value for money to this club.”
Stubbins is also likely on decent coin, probably why he refuses to resign despite overwhelming evidence that his tenure isn’t working. His position has become untenable in the eyes of most, but not Tinkler, who’s determined to create his own trend.
“We are not going to let a bunch of players, some of whom have 10 games or so left in their Jets careers, dictate the future of the coach and the club,” Tinkler told The World Game.
“The coach is staying, and as for the players, they are playing for their spots.”
But like the players and coaching staff, Stubbins shouldn’t be made the scapegoat either. Because this debacle isn’t directly the fault of the players, the coaching staff or even Stubbins.
There’s only one villain in this saga, and that’s Tinkler. This whole mess is entirely his poisonous concoction.
Hopefully the FFA step in and take back his license soon, whether due to the unfair dismissal of club staff, or through a failure to pay his well-documented debts. Once he stumbles, and breaches his license, FFA have to pounce.
The Newcastle Herald has revealed Tinkler owes $140,000 to Northern NSW Football, $30,000 in rent for training ground Ray Watt Oval, and he’s also failed to pay players’ superannuation benefits for the past six months. FFA have given him until January 31 – Tinkler claims he has until mid-February – to settle the debts.
Con Constantine was stripped of his A-League license after similar failures to ensure the financial viability of the club, hopefully FFA mirror that move come February 1. This is not a good look for Australian football, especially after the raging success of the Asian Cup on home soil.
Newcastle fans are also in a tough position. Do they vote with their feet and boycott the Jets’ next home match on February 6? It would be a clear sign of intent that the public has lost faith in Hunter Sports Group. Or should they continue to barrack their team, a team that doesn’t currently deserve their unconditional love? The Squadron, the club’s supporter group, are planning to wear gold shirts in protest of the current regime, as a throwback to the Jets’ original colours and its ‘golden years’.
The team that Stubbins sends out at Hunter Stadium will be made up of just 13 senior players following the departures of the sacked five. Olyroos forward Travis Cooper could join them pending a successful medical. The similarities with Gold Coast United are depressing.
For too long loyal Jets fans have turned out in their thousands, blindly supporting a sinking club. They’ve proven their worth as a football city, and shown the support is there for a viable A-League side.
All that is needed is adequate ownership, and it’s down to FFA to give it to them. The governing body brought Tinkler into the club, it’s their job to weed him out.
Greg
Guest
Yep, no denying the cash flow issue. But Con loved football and was passionate about the town and team. People also forget how much Con put his neck out to highlight issues with the Knights having management rights to the ground and the Jets getting screwed over. He played a massive role in the fairer recognition of football in the Hunter. The guy's legacy on football in Newcastle is massive, it is such a shame many supporters (including some of the most vocal in local media) whinged about him - what I would do to have an owner that cared now!
Bondy
Guest
I'm exhausted and frustrated reading this and the posts . The Con C and C Palmer situations were worse than this but not by much . The Newcastle Jets are a resilient and hardened FC and will rise above this . Ps Janek we dont barrack in football it's a term for the Vics for AFL ...
Griffo
Roar Guru
Tinkler wants $5million that FFA owe him.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Clayton Zane article in the Newcastle Herald.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Priceless. "Obviously not winning games brings discontent,'' Stubbins said. "Josep bravely says that in general he's happy with everything but I'm not so sure on that. "The team just doesn't appear to have the mettle in their play presently. "You can't win games without a strong resolve and strong winning mentality among the group. "I believe Adelaide United has a gifted squad technically but I would certainly seek more of a galvanised team effort when they're really being challenged. "They've led games that have turned into draws or losses and without a stronger assembled game plan and a clear winning mentality as part of their identity things won't reverse." Stubbins :arrow: :oops:
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yep - entire upper eastern grandstand was shut down for the season. Still wonder why a serious front-of-shirt sponsor wasn't saught for the outside income it would bring into the club instead of another Tinkler entity that was barely functional and is under administration, and unlikely to have brought one red-cent into the club.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yep. Player revolts are never a good thing. A few were past it and perhaps already looked at as surplus to requirements for next season. I don't buy the quote further down that Stubbins inherited an unmaliable squad and staff. While coaches often bring in their own team, often they work with what is there - they are in charge supposingly. And the club has been poorly run for a few seasons. Tinkler was a hands off owner for the most part. Troy Palmer (ex-CEO of HSG) was making the decisions on spend; Middleby and to some extent Baartz, were recruiting and interviewing. All implying some grand philosophy and club vision of what they were going to represent for club and region. Clayton Zane had no recruiting input; van Egmond was in part opperating under a youth and local policy (debatable). It seems Stubbins has come in with a bit more control of recruitment of players but did not have sole control. Tinkler's done some good things, like reversing the trend in upping membership prices by doing the opposite so stands would be filled, merchandise snapped up. He did bring a lot more professionalism compared with what Con was doing or planning. Online stores, social media usage, combining Novocastrian clubs when he owned both had good intent written around it. But it was all hinged on his paper fortune being maintained and accounting magic keeping various parties paid. When Tinkler has come in to 'sort things out', the proverbial has usually hit the fan - the Culina Saga is but one - and the latest perhaps reflects more his style. But he has been hands-off mostly. Money was yesterdays dream. The beginning of the season was slash and burn, run the club as close to the bone as possible. Upper Eastern Grandstand was completely shut for cost cutting and members moved elsewhere; players needing second chances or just off 100% fitness recruited; inexperienced backroom staff potentially all meant whatever club philosophy and vision was in Middleby's top drawer, was no where near capable of being implemented in reality with the funds no longer there. Tinkler may be back but what has he got to do what needs to be done at a minimum level? (Don't get me started on how the Emerging Jets have been left unfunded for next year by the Jets). Stubbins hiring was probably in line with getting someone who said they knew what to do, and how to bring a culture to the club, but not as much coin as say an Arnold (who I think could see another lean club that couldn't afford him). Steele's departure was a mystery but more between the lines could be seen of what Stubbins was bringing in the man management front by calling into question Steele's professionalism as a player. Well he left soon after. As have others. Like van Egmond, it seems Stubbins will get his team, and staff, and his chance of competing under his own steam. While Stubbins may have cut his teeth in dealing with interfering Thai owners and found a more pliable one in Australia, I wonder if he has thought for a moment of how he is going to pay for his grand plan. Tinkler may be back and now in direct control, but if he doesn't have the funds, then I think Stubbins will get a rude shock one day next season when he finds himself out the door when little has changed. Of course, Stubbins could well take the Premiership a la Perth Glory and surprise everyone. Jets fans I think have seen a lot over 10 years. They know what's coming in season 11.
RIP_Enke
Guest
Also, according to Clayton Zane interview on radio, the player unrest started during pre season, about seven weeks into Stubbins time there. Looks like the players thought if they performed badly enough the coach would get sacked, because that’s what usually happens, don't tell me with the way they played against AU they had much spirit, then trying to force the clubs hand with their mini strike is coincidence. Maybe this time Tinkler is no muggins, the players bluff just backfired in their faces.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Sorry fellas but again... Con had cash flow problems - his businesses weren't bringing it in, he had debts owing around town and creditors circling (sound familiar) and so asked for an advance on the quarter wage bill. Just to keep things ticking over. Never mind wages hadn't been payed from previous installments. Never mind he couldn't guarantee wages would be payed with the advance to the club itself and not other areas. This at a time when the media deal wasn't covering all the salary cap. And... ...of coures FFA had no money - Roar and Adelaide were being propped up - and the decision had already been made at the time to cut the league from 11 to 10 clubs. It was either the Jets or NQ Fury. Jets were the first to go critical. FFA were in town, in front of the media, saying as much - unless someone stepped forward, the Jets were gone. FFA had no more money to prop another club up. It is possible that today NQ Fury could have still been an A-League club, perhaps part-community owned; Newcastle chasing another entry back into the A-League. But someone came through and took over ownership of the licence of the Jets. IIRC it was Jody McKay who suggested TInkler to FFA. Of course, the weight of zeros on the paper bond was heavy, but out went the Jets flaking paint offices of the old Store in Newcastle West and in went new, refurbished offices... Con kept national club football going in Newcastle during the NSL when the Breakers morphed into Newcastle United, who became the Jets in the A-League. No doubting Con's passion, committment, and love of football and community. We do not forget. Just be careful of the tint of the glasses your looking through when reminiscing...
AR
Guest
Enke, Tinkler hasn't been paying the players' superannuation. Committed?
Cpaaa
Guest
How does any of this make sense? He could have replaced DUDins with a premiership winning coach like Mike Mulvey, and some faith would have been restored. But my theory is that Tinkler is burning the ship for as long as he can and then will try to sink it. Ego dosnt like to lose and a billionaires ego is at play here. An ego will find more joy to leave a path of destruction and have someone else clean up the mess. FFA the longer this goes on the uglier its going to get. Tinkler has to go.
RIP_Enke
Guest
I personally know nothing about him really, or his history, I'm just a guy from Melbourne who can sympathise. The thing that was the worst at Heart was the mediocrity and little action, at least something is happening at the Jets. You may or may not agree with it, but I think it would be a lot better than inaction.
RIP_Enke
Guest
haha, only time will tell.
RIP_Enke
Guest
Fair enough, it just sounded like conjecture. No, I know nothing on the subject.
Janek Speight
Expert
Glowing reports? This sums up Phil Stubbins. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/josep-gombaus-plans-not-working-for-adelaide-united/story-fnii0g1d-1226767694901
fadida
Guest
I guess my point with Heskey is he was on a large whack of cash. No marquee means this is money being saved. They got fees for Taggart and Brillante, again pocketed by the owner. Serious cost cutting is undeniable surely.
fadida
Guest
Lord Brucie you are a royal bellend. Jets average 10k despite 4 years of mediocrity. Only SFC and MV could have such crowds in those circumstances
fadida
Guest
Or is the coincidence that Tinkler is now involved again?
LordBrucie
Guest
Fine - let's have a 7 team league then- not much worse than the current 10. The simple truth is there is not enough support for association football outside the bigger cities anyway - hence the terrible attentance at the Phoenix, Mariners, jets and the previous regional flops of Townsville and Gold Coast.
Towser
Guest
Actually when I think about it Fadida there's more than a sniff of the Blieberg/Palmer combo in this with Stubbins & Tinkler. Owner knows Sweet FA about football, coach who thinks he does whispers sweet nothings in his ear. Difference was that in the end even Clive sussed out that Miron was much better at laying carpets than managing a football team.