Newcastle Deploy A Distraction, And It’s Yellow

Much has been made this week of the attention and criticism Newcastle’s new away kit received from its fans and for the record, yes it’s disgusting, but it could yet prove to be a surprisingly shrewd move.

The usually passionate Geordie faithful failed to turn up in any numbers for the launch, with only six shirts being sold on the day of release, despite a 20% reduction in price. Scenes across the city at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light could not have been more different, as the Mackems patiently queued for the release of their new kit, probably though because it isn’t a putrid yellow colour that reminds me of egg mayonnaise that has been faded by the sun.

The release of the kit has been pounced upon by many as the nail in the coffin of a Newcastle team that are without an owner (Mike Ashley can’t and shouldn’t be considered,) a manager, or any sense of direction. However, through the mist of doom and gloom appears this yellow shirt in what I think is a piece of marketing genius, disguised in horrible clothing.

All summer a thick despairing fog has surrounded St James Park since the clubs relegation from the Premier League. The saga over who is willing to buy the club has continued with the announcement that the Singapore-based Profitable Group, which is fronted by former England midfielder Steve McMahon, has withdrawn its offer and manager Alan Shearer is still none the wiser over whether or not he will be in charge come the start of the season, but somewhere on the rudderless ship a genius has come up with the idea of releasing a bright yellow distraction from this.

With the club going nowhere and the press spouting doom and gloom for the future of the club on a regular basis, a fashion faux-pas is a welcome diversion from the nightmarish handling of the club.

A resolution to the problem is seemingly a distant dream and with no captain in charge of a ship lost at sea, things are likely to get worse before they get better and when they do I’m sure Newcastle will be turning out in their garish yellow strip to distract our attentions from off the field matters and offend our sense of good taste instead. Bravo.

Posted By Dan Mobbs - Tuesday July 28, 2009.
Tags: Newcastle United, pre-season