Congratulations to Newcastle United

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Tin hat on but surely as long suffering fans starved of success whilst maintaining a passion for the club home and away we can relate to the undoubted euphoria that will have engulfed all things Newcastle.

My best man is from Northshields / Whitley Bay and I’m chuffed for him.

Anyway prepared to be shot down in flames but I know there’s a few followers of the toon here too.

i appreciate the club is also controversial with the sportswashing element. And for that I can see why folks would not touch this with a barge pole. It’s hard to imagine what ordinary fans without much influence could do. My mate is very principled and was torn on this aspect. It’s your team. I’m looking beyond to the die hards. Can’t have been easy even seeing Sunderland take a bit of the limelight.

[Keepthefaith]

was brought up a toon fan and supported them through the pre premier league dark days before moving to Edinburgh.

I'm like your mate - hugely conflicted with the sports washing but they were my no 1 team (the hires have now taken this mantle I have to say!). fundamentally I look at this team with admiration, mostly due to Howe and the existence of players like Burn and Murphy who are true Newcastle supporters. due to FFP they haven't "bought the cup" in the same way you could argue Forest look to have bought a Champions league place!

so yeah, I celebrated today and think there are some good people at the club who deserve every bit of this.

[SteveHFC]

Not a Newcastle fan but being down in Newcastle today to watch the final and seeing all the emotion from everyone in the pub when the full time whistle went was something else.

[Cat Stanton]

Congratulations Saudi Arabian blood money.

Horrible league.

[Donegal Hibby]

Newcastle Utd are my English team , absolutely delighted to see them end 70 years without a trophy. The fans are right up there as the best in England . Enjoying a beer and watching the highlights of the game . Brilliant day 🏁🏆🏁…
https://youtu.be/ZoOpRZi6dPs?si=tL-LOHEwXDS9-FVW

[McHibby]

I've never been particularly fond of Newcastle United (even before the Saudi nonsense), but it's hard not to feel some affinity for the fans with this win.

I think we all have some idea of how they feel tonight.

(it's just a pity their odious owners benefit from the reflected glory)

[Donegal Hibby]

:rockin::party: …

https://youtu.be/WOTBR-AU82s?si=tQYON8Cs3uaLXONi

[SHODAN]

Congrats to Newcastle but it's a real shame it took Saudi blood money to finally do it.

I called myself a fan of them, and had some merchandise and had been to a game or two, before the takeover. Couldn't bring myself to keep following them after.

[Donegal Hibby]

Nothing can dampen Newcastle Utd’s achievement under Eddie Howe 🏆…

https://youtu.be/vRE6n99FQ-U?si=IXXx3FHCmb9tNJww

[babahibs]

My mum's a Geordie, all my Uncles, Aunties and Cousins on that side are Toon fans, I'm absolutely delighted for them as I know what it means to them, though a couple of them are a little conflicted since the takeover.

I wouldn't call myself a fan, my teams are Hibs and Scotland, but I've got a connection to the area and have been to a few games over the years and look out for their scores.

Had a few quid on them too.

[MKHIBEE]

They beat Liverpool. What’s not to like?

[Musselbound]

Pleased for the long suffering fans but not something I feel is a general cause for celebration under the club's current ownership.

[Coco Bryce]

I'm down in London at the moment.

It's been absolute carnage down here all weekend with Newcastle fans!

There is about 3x more of them down here than had tickets for the game, they are everywhere!!

[worcesterhibby]

I’m happy for their fans, I’ve always enjoyed a trip to Newcastle.

[Since452]

Their cup win is more tainted than Hearts win under Romanov.

[He's here!]

Their cup win is more tainted than Hearts win under Romanov.

Problem is because it's football most fans turn a blind eye to where the funding is coming from. Just as long as the team wins. That trumps any concerns over human rights.

If Hibs were taken over by the Saudi regime I'd stop going.

[He's here!]

Pleased for the long suffering fans but not something I feel is a general cause for celebration under the club's current ownership.

The celebrating fans will mostly claim they're simply helpless pawns when it comes to the ownership, but that needn't be the case. Concerted protests/boycotts to make clear that they wanted no truck with the incoming regime shouldn't have been beyond them.

There was sympathy for the fans when the narrative was that Mike Ashley was shafting them in the same way he was with his workers, but the reality is that they mostly hated him because the club wasn't successful. Had they won trophies under his tenure they'd have had no problem with him.

It really just comes down to where your priorities lie and for most football fans that's a winning team, no questions asked. If you asked Hearts fans if they'd have the Romanov years back most would probably say yes.

[NAE NOOKIE]

At the end I almost felt a bit emotional for the Newcastle fans. There would have been folk in their support who have stuck with them through thick and mostly thin for decades ... without doubt one of the most loyal supports in UK football and a region to be admired for it's dedication to supporting it's local club.

I made a joke to my brother before the game that if NUFC won they would probably pardon half of the folk on death row in Saudi Arabia ... the fact I could make such a joke sums up what football has become in England sadly.

[basehibby]

Problem is because it's football most fans turn a blind eye to where the funding is coming from. Just as long as the team wins. That trumps any concerns over human rights.

If Hibs were taken over by the Saudi regime I'd stop going.

I remember watching on the tele with some distaste as Newcastle fans danced in the streets of the Bigg market when the news came through of the Saudi takeover - which effectively means the fans know fine well who their backers are, and by extension what they represent.

The other side of the coin is that we all know what a long suffering and faithful support Newcastle have - and that they would still all be there supporting their side with or without being owned by an oil rich nation state and with or without this, their first trophy in gawd knows how long. With that in mind I can't help but be chuffed for the Newcastle fans. If we want to get all haughty about Saudi's human rights record then I'd say we take it up with the shower of spineless hypocrites that run our country and consistently support Saudi along with other countries that perpetually show scorn for human rights, rather than the long suffering Newcastle Utd fan base.

[NAE NOOKIE]

I remember watching on the tele with some distaste as Newcastle fans danced in the streets of the Bigg market when the news came through of the Saudi takeover - which effectively means the fans know fine well who their backers are, and by extension what they represent.

The other side of the coin is that we all know what a long suffering and faithful support Newcastle have - and that they would still all be there supporting their side with or without being owned by an oil rich nation state and with or without this, their first trophy in gawd knows how long. With that in mind I can't help but be chuffed for the Newcastle fans. If we want to get all haughty about Saudi's human rights record then I'd say we take it up with the shower of spineless hypocrites that run our country and consistently support Saudi along with other countries that perpetually show scorn for human rights, rather than the long suffering Newcastle Utd fan base.

Indeed. And lest we forget the world governing body are just as culpable here having awarded the world cup finals to them. A country where after the top 5 clubs the clubs average attendances barely match up to the Scottish premiership and in many cases worse, a hotbed of football it aint and a country where if it was subjected to UEFA's FFP rules every club in it would be banned from European football.

When the world governing body is happy to sup frae the Deil's cup in pursuit of money this is definitely a fish rotting from the head down.

[Scouse Hibee]

Fair play to Newcastle, the far better team won on the day. I couldn’t care less about the ownership of the club, on days like yesterday it’s all about the joy it brings to the fans.

[FilipinoHibs]

Their cup win is more tainted than Hearts win under Romanov.

At least the Saudi's had the money but there is the argument that it actually belongs to the Saudi people. But to see the glory hunters eleven beaten.

[Since452]

Their cup win feels a bit grubby. Their fans won't care one bit as Hearts fans didn't care one but when they scudded us with dodgy ownership.

Hibernian 2016. Nothing will ever come close.

[djw80!]

Newcastle Utd are my English team , absolutely delighted to see them end 70 years without a trophy. The fans are right up there as the best in England . Enjoying a beer and watching the highlights of the game . Brilliant day 🏁🏆🏁…
https://youtu.be/ZoOpRZi6dPs?si=tL-LOHEwXDS9-FVW

As they are mine also!! Absoloutly fantastic result, hopefully can kick on for remainder of season and get champions league spot.

[Donegal Hibby]

As they are mine also!! Absoloutly fantastic result, hopefully can kick on for remainder of season and get champions league spot.

That has to aim now . Have the silverware in the bag and really need to push on in giving it a go , with the fixtures Newcastle Utd have I think there’s a good possibility of it too …

https://youtu.be/HTpFauryiPI?si=9S8gX-zqyEiqQogu

[hibbie02]

Left Edinburgh when I was 20 to work in Newcastle for a couple of years. Worked in an office on the Bigg Market and used to go to see the Toon regularly. John Brownlie was still playing for them then. They were in the old Division 2 and only had 2 stands and the Gallowgate End. Leazes end was practically non-existent then. Had some great times there and have always followed them since. The passion in Newcastle for their team is probably unrivalled, being a one team town. That passion gets into your blood.

[Pretty Boy]

You obviously can't just ignore the sportswashing thing but from a purely business and football perspective it's hard to deny these Arab owners get a hell of a lot right.

If you were to compare the 2 Manchester clubs as an example. You have the City Group who have invested heavily in developing the stadium, somewhat ironically spending a lot on developing a top class women's team and building them a stadium of their own, developing top class training facilities, a global scouting network and world leading analytics and on top of that playing a big part in a pretty major regeneration of the locality to the Etihad. On the other hand you have the Glazers who were late to the party with women's football, have let their stadium fall into ruin, have saddled the club with a crippling debt and have shown repeatedly they have no real recruitment strategy or workable structures and processes throughout the club.

There is plenty that is unpalatable and I'd rather Hibs were never involved with anyone with links to Saudi et al but there are definitely lessons to be learned in how they run their clubs.

[JimBHibees]

Fair play to Newcastle, the far better team won on the day. I couldn’t care less about the ownership of the club, on days like yesterday it’s all about the joy it brings to the fans.

Couldn’t agree more. Their fans definitely deserve it

[Pagan Hibernia]

Now that Newcastle have that monkey off their backs there can't be many proper Big Clubs left that haven't won a league cup for more than six decades.... :lolyam:

[Paulie Walnuts]

You obviously can't just ignore the sportswashing thing but from a purely business and football perspective it's hard to deny these Arab owners get a hell of a lot right.

If you were to compare the 2 Manchester clubs as an example. You have the City Group who have invested heavily in developing the stadium, somewhat ironically spending a lot on developing a top class women's team and building them a stadium of their own, developing top class training facilities, a global scouting network and world leading analytics and on top of that playing a big part in a pretty major regeneration of the locality to the Etihad. On the other hand you have the Glazers who were late to the party with women's football, have let their stadium fall into ruin, have saddled the club with a crippling debt and have shown repeatedly they have no real recruitment strategy or workable structures and processes throughout the club.

There is plenty that is unpalatable and I'd rather Hibs were never involved with anyone with links to Saudi et al but there are definitely lessons to be learned in how they run their clubs.

Aston Villa are Arab owned as well.

[Yorkshire HFC]

Aston Villa are Arab owned as well.

And I'm sure a lot more clubs will be in the future. That is where the money is and they seem to spend it well from what I can see - they know how to build things - cities, investment in technology, lifestyles etc. not just sport.

The UK and Europe are great places to live but I'm afraid that I think that we've had our day as the world leader - history shows us that nothing stays the same for ever. We've spent the last 50 years selling off our biggest companies, industries and properties to foreign investors, and that will just continue.

[JimBHibees]

Now that Newcastle have that monkey off their backs there can't be many proper Big Clubs left that haven't won a league cup for more than six decades.... :lolyam:

Proper big club :hmmm:

[jacomo]

Problem is because it's football most fans turn a blind eye to where the funding is coming from. Just as long as the team wins. That trumps any concerns over human rights.

If Hibs were taken over by the Saudi regime I'd stop going.


We're now part-owned by a Trump supporter.

My only hope is that Hibs never, ever make the Black Knights any money.

[Onceinawhile]

You obviously can't just ignore the sportswashing thing but from a purely business and football perspective it's hard to deny these Arab owners get a hell of a lot right.

If you were to compare the 2 Manchester clubs as an example. You have the City Group who have invested heavily in developing the stadium, somewhat ironically spending a lot on developing a top class women's team and building them a stadium of their own, developing top class training facilities, a global scouting network and world leading analytics and on top of that playing a big part in a pretty major regeneration of the locality to the Etihad. On the other hand you have the Glazers who were late to the party with women's football, have let their stadium fall into ruin, have saddled the club with a crippling debt and have shown repeatedly they have no real recruitment strategy or workable structures and processes throughout the club.

There is plenty that is unpalatable and I'd rather Hibs were never involved with anyone with links to Saudi et al but there are definitely lessons to be learned in how they run their clubs.

They have to run their clubs well, otherwise the sportswashing doesn't work.

[Thatdayinmay16]

We're now part-owned by a Trump supporter.

My only hope is that Hibs never, ever make the Black Knights any money.

Who genuinely cares? If the black knights brought us great sporting success, I couldn't care if we were part owned by Idi Amin.

[Mcbizz1998]

We're now part-owned by a Trump supporter.

My only hope is that Hibs never, ever make the Black Knights any money.

Oh really? Never knew that, I’m even more pleased with the BK investment then! Good lads.

[He's here!]

Who genuinely cares? If the black knights brought us great sporting success, I couldn't care if we were part owned by Idi Amin.

Sums up the out of sight out of mind mentality of football fans who just want a winning team at any cost.

[He's here!]

They have to run their clubs well, otherwise the sportswashing doesn't work.

Correct.

[Thatdayinmay16]

Sums up the out of sight out of mind mentality of football fans who just want a winning team at any cost.

They don't bring politics into the footballing side of things so why should it matter?

I'd rather see my football club win things than worry about who someone votes for once every 4 years.

[He's here!]

They don't bring politics into the footballing side of things so why should it matter?

I'd rather see my football club win things than worry about who someone votes for once every 4 years.

The Saudi regime is one of the most repressive in the world and nobody's afforded a vote. As for Idi Amin, you'd probably find yourself dead in a ditch if you voted against him. But if it wouldn't bother you having those sort of people in charge of Hibs then fair enough.

[Thatdayinmay16]

The Saudi regime is one of the most repressive in the world and nobody's afforded a vote. As for Idi Amin, you'd probably find yourself dead in a ditch if you voted against him. But if you don't think it wpuld atters having people like that in charge

I'm not asking about the Saudi regime though, the poster mentioned that Bill Foley was a trump supporter.

I asked why someone who has a minority stake in our club, who votes for a certain politician every 4 years shouldn't be allowed to make money from us, if he and his group brought sporting success?

It has absolutely no bearing on mine or anyone else's life involved with Hibs who someone votes for.

[He's here!]

I'm not asking about the Saudi regime though, the poster mentioned that Bill Foley was a trump supporter.

I asked why someone who has a minority stake in our club, who votes for a certain politician every 4 years shouldn't be allowed to make money from us, if he and his group brought sporting success?

It has absolutely no bearing on mine or anyone else's life involved with Hibs who someone votes for.

I agree with you re Foley. Who he votes for isn't an issue. It's his democratic choice. I'd draw the line at Idi Amin being a part owner though!

[Donegal Hibby]

Sums up the out of sight out of mind mentality of football fans who just want a winning team at any cost.

That’s what all football fans want all over the world though is to see their team winning and being successful . The Newcastle fans are no different than any other fans in that respect.

If Hibs were to be taken over by Saudi’s who were prepared to pump massive amounts of cash into the football club that saw us winning leagues , cups , competing in Europe regularly even though some like yourself and a few others might make a stance in not going back , the truth of it is our attendances would rise .. that’s the fact of the matter wither you like it or not ! .

[He's here!]

That’s what all football fans want all over the world though is to see their team winning and being successful . The Newcastle fans are no different than any other fans in that respect.

If Hibs were to be taken over by Saudi’s who were prepared to pump massive amounts of cash into the football club that saw us winning leagues , cups , competing in Europe regularly even though some like yourself and a few others might make a stance in not going back , the truth of it is our attendances would rise .. that’s the fact of the matter wither you like it or not ! .

As I said, out of sight out of mind for most. It would be a different story were we to find ourselves living under a Saudi-style regime.

Reasonably good post-cup final article from the BBC on the issue:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cpde5776pv9o#:~:text=And%20that%20relates%20to%20t he,is%20Saudi's%20sovereign%20wealth%20fund.

[HoboHarry]

I agree with you re Foley. Who he votes for isn't an issue. It's his democratic choice. I'd draw the line at Idi Amin being a part owner though!
The publicity we'd get world wide might be worth it if he gets raised from the dead to own our club....

[Donegal Hibby]

As I said, out of sight out of mind for most. It would be a different story were we to find ourselves living under a Saudi-style regime.

Reasonably good post-cup final article from the BBC on the issue:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cpde5776pv9o#:~:text=And%20that%20relates%20to%20t he,is%20Saudi's%20sovereign%20wealth%20fund.

What do you mean it would be a different story if we were to find ourselves living under a Saudi-style regime ?

[He's here!]

What do you mean it would be a different story if we were to find ourselves living under a Saudi-style regime ?

I mean it would be less easy to turn a blind eye to the reality of, to put it mildly, such a culturally restrictive regime.

'Silence on human rights is complicity in the crimes of the regime which runs our club,' is a strong statement from NUFCFAS, but one to think about.

[Hibspur]

That’s what all football fans want all over the world though is to see their team winning and being successful . The Newcastle fans are no different than any other fans in that respect.

If Hibs were to be taken over by Saudi’s who were prepared to pump massive amounts of cash into the football club that saw us winning leagues , cups , competing in Europe regularly even though some like yourself and a few others might make a stance in not going back , the truth of it is our attendances would rise .. that’s the fact of the matter wither you like it or not ! .

I can't see myself going to watch Hibs in the unlikely event the Saudis saw us as a club worth owning, even if it did buy us some success.

[Pagan Hibernia]

I can't see myself going to watch Hibs in the unlikely event the Saudis saw us as a club worth owning, even if it did buy us some success.

It would be a very difficult decision to make and no doubt a few would walk away in disgust. We can all be certain though that Easter Road would be packed to the rafters every week if we were involved in title races etc

[Donegal Hibby]

I mean it would be less easy to turn a blind eye to the reality of, to put it mildly, such a culturally restrictive regime.

'Silence on human rights is complicity in the crimes of the regime which runs our club,' is a strong statement from NUFCFAS, but one to think about.

It would be much the same at our club as it is at Newcastle Utd though in some fans wouldn’t go back but the club if it was challenging for cups and leagues the crowds would increase and ER would be packed most weeks and the ones that decided not to go back wouldn’t really be missed…

Which is the case at Newcastle . The current regime have reportedly told the Newcastle board to reject any offers for Isak as well has declaring the first cup win in 70 years is just the start . They are also looking at expanding St James park or building a new stadium with a capacity of 65 , 70 thousand to meet the ever growing number of fans who want to attend…

Compared to what the Glazers done at Man Utd and were it’s got them it looks like Newcastle Utd are going to go from strength to strength and I think that’s usually what most fans want to see happen at their clubs …

https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/03/20/what-next-for-newcastle/

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

A gordie colleague of mine, mid 40s has been going since he was a lad with his dad. They've seen all the **** over the years. And now he takes his own lad every other week

For him, I'm absolutely buzzing. It's a lot less black and white than we'd all like. Saudi and the other gulf nations are so intertwined within our sports and politics now.

The stories that the UK govt were told billion £ arms deals would be blocked if they didn't ratify the Newcastle takeover make things very murky. It's why I'd be astonished if Man City are found guilty to the extent of relegation. These states are becoming close to owning our sports

[Centre Hawf]

A gordie colleague of mine, mid 40s has been going since he was a lad with his dad. They've seen all the **** over the years. And now he takes his own lad every other week

For him, I'm absolutely buzzing. It's a lot less black and white than we'd all like. Saudi and the other gulf nations are so intertwined within our sports and politics now.

The stories that the UK govt were told billion £ arms deals would be blocked if they didn't ratify the Newcastle takeover make things very murky. It's why I'd be astonished if Man City are found guilty to the extent of relegation. These states are becoming close to owning our sports

Correct. In truth it hasn't massively been 'our sport' for a while. At least in England. Russian Oligarchs, American Billionaires, Saudi Arabian royalty, Chinese conglomerates, various other Oil rich Sheikhs. Take into account the constant want to appeal to the tourist fan or TV audience the Premier League is for the world now and the boy down the street is just window dressing if he can afford the time and money to be there to add to the TV spectacle, if not they'll sell his seat to someone else anyway.

[jacomo]

You obviously can't just ignore the sportswashing thing but from a purely business and football perspective it's hard to deny these Arab owners get a hell of a lot right.

If you were to compare the 2 Manchester clubs as an example. You have the City Group who have invested heavily in developing the stadium, somewhat ironically spending a lot on developing a top class women's team and building them a stadium of their own, developing top class training facilities, a global scouting network and world leading analytics and on top of that playing a big part in a pretty major regeneration of the locality to the Etihad. On the other hand you have the Glazers who were late to the party with women's football, have let their stadium fall into ruin, have saddled the club with a crippling debt and have shown repeatedly they have no real recruitment strategy or workable structures and processes throughout the club.

There is plenty that is unpalatable and I'd rather Hibs were never involved with anyone with links to Saudi et al but there are definitely lessons to be learned in how they run their clubs.


I think you mistake the Glazers for people who care.

From their perspective, it's all turned out just fine. They bought the club without putting their own money on the line, the club itself has to service the loans the Glazers took out to buy it, they've trousered £100m or so from Man Utd, and then a bucket load more from Ratcliffe all while retaining their majority stake.

They could probably sell up tomorrow for a massive profit, but why bother when the money keeps rolling in? They don't live in this country and seem immune to fan criticism.

[Hibspur]

It would be much the same at our club as it is at Newcastle Utd though in some fans wouldn’t go back but the club if it was challenging for cups and leagues the crowds would increase and ER would be packed most weeks and the ones that decided not to go back wouldn’t really be missed…

Which is the case at Newcastle . The current regime have reportedly told the Newcastle board to reject any offers for Isak as well has declaring the first cup win in 70 years is just the start . They are also looking at expanding St James park or building a new stadium with a capacity of 65 , 70 thousand to meet the ever growing number of fans who want to attend…

Compared to what the Glazers done at Man Utd and were it’s got them it looks like Newcastle Utd are going to go from strength to strength and I think that’s usually what most fans want to see happen at their clubs …

https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/03/20/what-next-for-newcastle/

A regime which sanctions public beheadings, floggings and stonings, imposes the death penalty on children, imprisons people peacefully exercising their right of expression and operates systemic discrimination against women and minorities (to name just a few 'policies') takes over a club you support and because they make them successful their notoriously barbaric justice system is of no real consequence? As long as the fans get what they want to see on the pitch.

It's a very 'I'm alright Jack' point of view.

[Donegal Hibby]

A regime which sanctions public beheadings, floggings and stonings, imposes the death penalty on children, imprisons people peacefully exercising their right of expression and operates systemic discrimination against women and minorities (to name just a few 'policies') takes over a club you support and because they make them successful their notoriously barbaric justice system is of no real consequence? As long as the fans get what they want to see on the pitch.

It's a very 'I'm alright Jack' point of view.

Understand and respect your opinion on this and good luck with contacting the English FA , SFA , FIFA etc on this matter in the hope of changing things but I’m just an ordinary football fan and it’s all about the football for me and I was absolutely delighted after this …

https://youtu.be/WdBpKAg1iZs?si=i9z9SihqvrWAIDVk

[Cat Stanton]

Who genuinely cares? If the black knights brought us great sporting success, I couldn't care if we were part owned by Idi Amin.

Yes, f*** your fellow human beings.

[Pretty Boy]

A regime which sanctions public beheadings, floggings and stonings, imposes the death penalty on children, imprisons people peacefully exercising their right of expression and operates systemic discrimination against women and minorities (to name just a few 'policies') takes over a club you support and because they make them successful their notoriously barbaric justice system is of no real consequence? As long as the fans get what they want to see on the pitch.

It's a very 'I'm alright Jack' point of view.

To flip it: The US has capital punishment including by means such as firing squad. The current administration have significantly rolled back women's rights to make decisions about their own body. They are systematically discriminating against minorities and using increasingly extreme and dehumanising language. They wilfully protect the rights of guns owners over the safety of children.

Our minority owner has publicly supported the President and donated multiple 6 figure sums to his campaign in 2016. If he was to increase his stake in Hibs would you be willing to walk away because of your moral objections to capital punishment, support for women's rights and desire to protect minorities from discrimination and harassment?

[Greencore]

Congratulations Saudi Arabian blood money.

Horrible league.


1/10

[Hibspur]

Understand and respect your opinion on this and good luck with contacting the English FA , SFA , FIFA etc on this matter in the hope of changing things but I’m just an ordinary football fan and it’s all about the football for me and I was absolutely delighted after this …

https://youtu.be/WdBpKAg1iZs?si=i9z9SihqvrWAIDVk

I'm not convinced being an 'ordinary fan' somehow means you're powerless to make your feelings known about your club's ownership. Plenty of Newcastle fans have done just that. But if it really is just all about the football for you then what can I say except I think some things matter more than football.

[Hibspur]

To flip it: The US has capital punishment including by means such as firing squad. The current administration have significantly rolled back women's rights to make decisions about their own body. They are systematically discriminating against minorities and using increasingly extreme and dehumanising language. They wilfully protect the rights of guns owners over the safety of children.

Our minority owner has publicly supported the President and donated multiple 6 figure sums to his campaign in 2016. If he was to increase his stake in Hibs would you be willing to walk away because of your moral objections to capital punishment, support for women's rights and desire to protect minorities from discrimination and harassment?

Distasteful as the American administration is to many, it remains a democratically elected one not an absolute monarchy. Foley's exercised his democratic right to vote for who he wants so it's not something that I'm particularly torn about as things stand.

[Pretty Boy]

Distasteful as the American administration is to many, it remains a democratically elected one not an absolute monarchy. Foley's exercised his democratic right to vote for who he wants so it's not something that I'm particularly torn about as things stand.

And chosen to fund to help them fulfil their aims. That's a fair bit more than putting an X in the box once every 4 years.

Aren't you essentially doing what Newcastle fans are doing though? Forging reasons to justify your continued support and drawing your own lines in the sand at a point short of walking away?

I'm not having a go. I'd do exactly the same if Foley was bankrolling us to toppling Celtic and pumping Hearts 4 times a season I'd be there enjoying it with the rest of them and telling anyone who would listen why it wasn't the same.

It all feels a bit like when folk say 'if Romanov had done the same at Hibs as he done at Hearts I'd have called it out'. Aye so you ****ing would. You'd have done exactly what Hearts fans done, went along for the ride, enjoyed the highs and picked up the pieces after the lows.

[Bostonhibby]

And chosen to fund to help them fulfil their aims. That's a fair bit more than putting an X in the box once every 4 years.

Aren't you essentially doing what Newcastle fans are doing though? Forging reasons to justify your continued support and drawing your own lines in the sand at a point short of walking away?

I'm not having a go. I'd do exactly the same if Foley was bankrolling us to toppling Celtic and pumping Hearts 4 times a season I'd be there enjoying it with the rest of them and telling anyone who would listen why it wasn't the same.

It all feels a bit like when folk say 'if Romanov had done the same at Hibs as he done at Hearts I'd have called it out'. Aye so you ****ing would. You'd have done exactly what Hearts fans done, went along for the ride, enjoyed the highs and picked up the pieces after the lows.

Well put, I've tried really hard not to get my wider world feelings into a debate about my beloved Hibs but I think putting a modern day American, arab, or conglomerate led version of us on hold, at least until something more akin to what we've really been / felt like we were about in my lifetime came along is where I'd be.

I appreciate many won't agree.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Glory Lurker]

I'm just glad BKFC are a minority and am placing my hope that the Gordons aren't Trump donors. If I was to learn they were, I'd have a decision to make.

[Hibspur]

And chosen to fund to help them fulfil their aims. That's a fair bit more than putting an X in the box once every 4 years.

Aren't you essentially doing what Newcastle fans are doing though? Forging reasons to justify your continued support and drawing your own lines in the sand at a point short of walking away?

I'm not having a go. I'd do exactly the same if Foley was bankrolling us to toppling Celtic and pumping Hearts 4 times a season I'd be there enjoying it with the rest of them and telling anyone who would listen why it wasn't the same.

It all feels a bit like when folk say 'if Romanov had done the same at Hibs as he done at Hearts I'd have called it out'. Aye so you ****ing would. You'd have done exactly what Hearts fans done, went along for the ride, enjoyed the highs and picked up the pieces after the lows.

I appreciate you're not having a go, but I do think you're trying to create a comparison which just doesn't stack up. Foley has no link whatsoever to the US administration (as far as I'm aware) and guy with a part share in our club who happened to vote for Trump is a long long way from one of the world's most repressive regimes actually owning our club.

I really can't buy into this 'it doesn't matter who owns the club as long as we're winning' stance. It's clearly a common one among football fans. Maybe Billy Shankly's to blame with his more important then life and death quote!

Would you really have celebrated our Scottish Cup win as joyously with the Saudi regime in charge as opposed to the grandson of one of Hibs' founders?

[HoboHarry]

I appreciate you're not having a go, but I do think you're trying to create a comparison which just doesn't stack up. Foley has no link whatsoever to the US administration (as far as I'm aware) and guy with a part share in our club who happened to vote for Trump is a long long way from one of the world's most repressive regimes actually owning our club.

I really can't buy into this 'it doesn't matter who owns the club as long as we're winning' stance. It's clearly a common one among football fans. Maybe Billy Shankly's to blame with his more important then life and death quote!

Would you really have celebrated our Scottish Cup win as joyously with the Saudi regime in charge as opposed to the grandson of one of Hibs' founders?
I would have. As far as i recall the celebrations were based on not having won it in over a century and tearing up the songbook in Gorgie.

[Donegal Hibby]

I'm not convinced being an 'ordinary fan' somehow means you're powerless to make your feelings known about your club's ownership. Plenty of Newcastle fans have done just that. But if it really is just all about the football for you then what can I say except I think some things matter more than football.

If it was going to be stopped it should have been done by the powers that run football like FIFA , English FA etc .Now we are seeing world cups , golf tournaments and other major sporting events getting held in these places ..

Some Newcastle fans have made their feelings known and walked away from the club but the majority of fans won’t ever stop supporting their club and if anything the supports increasing with the club getting run better and being successful rather than the Glazers way Mike Ashley was running it ..

It would be the same at Hibs if they were ever Saudi owned in some would leave but if we were winning cups , challenging for league’s , attendances would rise and the fans that have made a stance just like the Newcastle ones wouldn’t really be missed in the end ..

Here’s another Newcastle fan , maybe you think he shouldn’t be in the position he’s in for being happy and not calling it out …

https://youtu.be/PQDMpcVjwZY?si=Kzqi0UsHtQ_ZdUdX

[He's here!]

It would be much the same at our club as it is at Newcastle Utd though in some fans wouldn’t go back but the club if it was challenging for cups and leagues the crowds would increase and ER would be packed most weeks and the ones that decided not to go back wouldn’t really be missed…

Which is the case at Newcastle . The current regime have reportedly told the Newcastle board to reject any offers for Isak as well has declaring the first cup win in 70 years is just the start . They are also looking at expanding St James park or building a new stadium with a capacity of 65 , 70 thousand to meet the ever growing number of fans who want to attend…

Compared to what the Glazers done at Man Utd and were it’s got them it looks like Newcastle Utd are going to go from strength to strength and I think that’s usually what most fans want to see happen at their clubs …

https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/03/20/what-next-for-newcastle/

So the message to critical fans is basically get with the programme or take your annoying questions elsewhere?

I'm not a Newcastle fan, so listing all the ways that Saudi money has made the club more competitive is of no odds to me - and it's hard to imagine any victims of their tyrannical justice system are thinking 'Ah well at least the Toon are playing well'. They could have got the club relegated and I'd still call it out as sportswashing, just a failed attempt.

I'm not singling Newcastle (or you) out BTW. I'd say the same about any club. It's more of a comment on how (rather sadly in my view) football can blinker people to issues which might otherwise have them up in arms. Instead, the mentality seems to be along the lines of stop spoiling my fun by asking awkward stuff about my club's questionable ownership.

[Donegal Hibby]

So the message to critical fans is basically get with the programme or take your annoying questions elsewhere?

I'm not a Newcastle fan, so listing all the ways that Saudi money has made the club more competitive is of no odds to me - and it's hard to imagine any victims of their tyrannical justice system are thinking 'Ah well at least the Toon are playing well'. They could have got the club relegated and I'd still call it out as sportswashing, just a failed attempt.

I'm not singling Newcastle (or you) out BTW. I'd say the same about any club. It's more of a comment on how (rather sadly in my view) football can blinker people to issues which might otherwise have them up in arms. Instead, the mentality seems to be along the lines of stop spoiling my fun by asking awkward stuff about my club's questionable ownership.

There is no message to fans being critical , it’s their right to be critical if they choose too but the point is I don’t think it’s going to make a blind bit of difference if they do . The ones that have decided not to go back be it 1000, 2000 or whatever it is will only be replaced by even more ! …

It’s in the game now and the choice is simple , either walk away or continue supporting your club. If it happened at Hibs , walking away isn’t an option I’d choose . Life without Hibs , football on a Saturday isn’t worth thinking about but I can understand if people would feel differently about it even though it would be a minority of the support that would feel that way…

Initially I wasn’t happy about the Foley deal as I heard him speak of what he was going to do in buying clubs/ shares in clubs , describing them as ‘ feeder clubs ‘ for Bournemouth. That was then changed to him referring to it as a partnership which I was more comfortable with . I don’t like the guy’s political views in who he supports which doesn’t fill me with any great confidence in trusting him but at the end of the day he’s bought shares in Hibs so I’m just going to have to roll with it like everyone else , much the same as I am with Newcastle too ..


https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/bill-foley-backs-donald-trump-again-while-investing-in-auckland-fcs-future/TT7SCAH7XFHV7DO5HPJ64KREVQ/


https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-fan-group-threatens-protests-over-owner-bill-foleys-ties-to-donald-trump/ADKWER7NMJBTPCBJYE74TNKBS4/

[Hibspur]

There is no message to fans being critical , it’s their right to be critical if they choose too but the point is I don’t think it’s going to make a blind bit of difference if they do . The ones that have decided not to go back be it 1000, 2000 or whatever it is will only be replaced by even more ! …

It’s in the game now and the choice is simple , either walk away or continue supporting your club. If it happened at Hibs , walking away isn’t an option I’d choose . Life without Hibs , football on a Saturday isn’t worth thinking about but I can understand if people would feel differently about it even though it would be a minority of the support that would feel that way…

Initially I wasn’t happy about the Foley deal as I heard him speak of what he was going to do in buying clubs/ shares in clubs , describing them as ‘ feeder clubs ‘ for Bournemouth. That was then changed to him referring to it as a partnership which I was more comfortable with . I don’t like the guy’s political views in who he supports which doesn’t fill me with any great confidence in trusting him but at the end of the day he’s bought shares in Hibs so I’m just going to have to roll with it like everyone else , much the same as I am with Newcastle too ..


https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/bill-foley-backs-donald-trump-again-while-investing-in-auckland-fcs-future/TT7SCAH7XFHV7DO5HPJ64KREVQ/


https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-fan-group-threatens-protests-over-owner-bill-foleys-ties-to-donald-trump/ADKWER7NMJBTPCBJYE74TNKBS4/

As I said, attempts to compare Saudi ownership of Newcastle with who Foley votes for in democratic US elections are little more than whataboutery.

The way most fans seem to perceive how things are going at Newcastle/bigger clubs in general basically amounts to embracing success at any cost. I wonder what it would actually take for a majority of them to not 'just roll with it'. Where does the line in the sand get drawn, if anywhere?

[Donegal Hibby]

As I said, attempts to compare Saudi ownership of Newcastle with who Foley votes for in democratic US elections are little more than whataboutery.

The way most fans seem to perceive how things are going at Newcastle/bigger clubs in general basically amounts to embracing success at any cost. I wonder what it would actually take for a majority of them to not 'just roll with it'. Where does the line in the sand get drawn, if anywhere?

I think calling who Foley has supported as well as the financial support he’s given them after he referred to the person in question as being a ‘ Narcissistic egomaniac’ as whataboutery is just rolling with it in fairness …

They are only after having Conor McGregor at the White house who they said they couldn’t think of a better Irish person to invite there . l’ll not go into what he did as most people know about that already.

Personally as an Irish man I find Conor McGregor an embarrassment and he should never had been invited after what he did in the first place , maybe you don’t see it that way though .

[Hibspur]

I think calling who Foley has supported as well as the financial support he’s given them after he referred to the person in question as being a ‘ Narcissistic egomaniac’ as whataboutery is just rolling with it in fairness …

They are only after having Conor McGregor at the White house who they said they couldn’t think of a better Irish person to invite there . l’ll not go into what he did as most people know about that already.

Personally as an Irish man I find Conor McGregor an embarrassment and he should never had been invited after what he did in the first place , maybe you don’t see it that way though .

This has zero connection to Hibs' ownership structure.

[Donegal Hibby]

This has zero connection to Hibs' ownership structure.

:ostrich:

[He's here!]

:ostrich:

What are you suggesting here? That Hibs fans have their heads buried in the sand because Conor McGregor might get an invite to the White House? You've lost me here.

Some threads sure do take bizarre turns.

[AmericanKev]

Hoping sunderland come up this year and go head to head with Newcastle. We need this derby match back

[Donegal Hibby]

What are you suggesting here? That Hibs fans have their heads buried in the sand because Conor McGregor might get an invite to the White House? You've lost me here.

Some threads sure do take bizarre turns.

Not getting into an argument about this and tbh I’m fed up with it too … but I answer you and then that’s me done on this ! ..

Foley has backed Donald Trump even though he has stated he’s a ‘ narcissistic egomaniac’ . Trump has been involved in all sorts from corruption, lies , the Stormy Daniel’s carry on , inviting people like McGregor to the White house etc …

You not think that shows a bit of a character flaw with Foley in who he’s supporting and continuing to back ? And yet it’s been said on here how some wish that he and the BK’s takeover Hibs from the Gordon’s in the hope they make us great again! ..

At the end of the day .. Newcastle are my English team and it was purely about the football for me and I’m delighted to see them win their first trophy in 70 years…

Mon the Magpies 🏁🖤🏁🏆

[Hibspur]

Not getting into an argument about this and tbh I’m fed up with it too … but I answer you and then that’s me done on this ! ..

Foley has backed Donald Trump even though he has stated he’s a ‘ narcissistic egomaniac’ . Trump has been involved in all sorts from corruption, lies , the Stormy Daniel’s carry on , inviting people like McGregor to the White house etc …

You not think that shows a bit of a character flaw with Foley in who he’s supporting and continuing to back ? And yet it’s been said on here how some wish that he and the BK’s takeover Hibs from the Gordon’s in the hope they make us great again! ..

At the end of the day .. Newcastle are my English team and it was purely about the football for me and I’m delighted to see them win their first trophy in 70 years…

Mon the Magpies 🏁🖤🏁🏆

I get that as a Newcastle fan you feel the need to stick up for them and as I mentioned it's nothing personal. I just felt that there's no escaping the unwholesome subtext to the cup win. It's being spun as a romantic, homegrown triumph but in reality there's no getting away from the fact the success was engineered in Riyadh.

Happy to agree to disagree though and bow out of this as well.

[jacomo]

I'm not asking about the Saudi regime though, the poster mentioned that Bill Foley was a trump supporter.

I asked why someone who has a minority stake in our club, who votes for a certain politician every 4 years shouldn't be allowed to make money from us, if he and his group brought sporting success?

It has absolutely no bearing on mine or anyone else's life involved with Hibs who someone votes for.


If you think what's happening in America right now has no bearing on us, you are incredibly naive.

This isn't the place for politics and I'm not going to score points against any Hibs supporter on that score. But those who say 'let's keep politics out of football' as a reason not to discuss these ownership issues are way behind the curve. There's a reason why the Saudis bought Newcastle, and it's not because they love Alan Shearer.

I wish we could keep politics out of football!

[tamig]

The publicity we'd get world wide might be worth it if he gets raised from the dead to own our club....

Mercer would be chumming along beside him.

[cameronw-hfc]

Aston Villa are Arab owned as well.

Not quite the same as Newcastle or City I don't think. That's two clubs effectively owned by a state/family, Villa have 2 owners, one American and one Egyptian, neither royalty and as far as I can see Naseef is Arab but a businessman rather than royalty etc. Might be wrong, but I'd have Villa in a different bracket to the state run clubs like Newcastle.

[Thatdayinmay16]

If you think what's happening in America right now has no bearing on us, you are incredibly naive.

This isn't the place for politics and I'm not going to score points against any Hibs supporter on that score. But those who say 'let's keep politics out of football' as a reason not to discuss these ownership issues are way behind the curve. There's a reason why the Saudis bought Newcastle, and it's not because they love Alan Shearer.

I wish we could keep politics out of football!

Am I able to do exactly as I was before and after the election? The answer is yes.

As mentioned, I really couldn't care less who is in power in the USA. It has no bearing on my life.

[overdrive]

I'm just glad BKFC are a minority and am placing my hope that the Gordons aren't Trump donors. If I was to learn they were, I'd have a decision to make.

Not sure about Kit or Ian but Ron Gordon was a Democrat.

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/sport/football/hibs-dundeeutd-aberdeen-us-election-19215208

[jacomo]

Am I able to do exactly as I was before and after the election? The answer is yes.

As mentioned, I really couldn't care less who is in power in the USA. It has no bearing on my life.


Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

[HoboHarry]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

My life hasn't changed one iota since the election either and I'm over here. In fact the only person I know who thinks we're all doomed is my mother in law but her life is spent watching one channel on telly for her news outlet.

[Thatdayinmay16]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

Can you confirm to me how my life has changed in anyway shape or form? Since you seem to know more about it than I do.

[basehibby]

We're now part-owned by a Trump supporter.

My only hope is that Hibs never, ever make the Black Knights any money.

This is getting a bit ridiculous.

I don't like Trump.

BUT - neither do I like Kier Starmer - in fact I detest him.

So - going by your cancellation frenzy line of logic I should no longer interact with anyone or anything that has ever shown any support for the Prime Minister of the country I live in. Can't we just accept that other people sometimes have different opinions and get on with life?

[HoboHarry]

This is getting a bit ridiculous.

I don't like Trump.

BUT - neither do I like Kier Starmer - in fact I detest him.

So - going by your cancellation frenzy line of logic I should no longer interact with anyone or anything that has ever shown any support for the Prime Minister of the country I live in. Can't we just accept that other people sometimes have different opinions and get on with life?
I think that's what your meant to do if you support a democracy. Ahem.





:greengrin

[He's here!]

This is getting a bit ridiculous.

I don't like Trump.

BUT - neither do I like Kier Starmer - in fact I detest him.

So - going by your cancellation frenzy line of logic I should no longer interact with anyone or anything that has ever shown any support for the Prime Minister of the country I live in. Can't we just accept that other people sometimes have different opinions and get on with life?

More than a bit. The focus of the criticism of Newcastle is their owners, who are essentially the Saudi regime. Trump's regime has zero connection to Hibs.

What's been shown, though, is that most football fans would appear to be prepared to accept pretty much anyone in charge as long as it brought their club success.

You just need to look at that nauseating Romanov podcast the BBC have been running. Romanov's ownership was what put Hearts in administration and took them to the brink of liquidation, yet the jokey tone around him remains 'what a character Vlad was'. That's solely because they won a couple of trophies under his tenure and hang the chaos he brought with him. The tone would be somewhat different if Stewart Milne had replaced Tynecastle with houses, as was very much a possibility.

[Jones28]

More than a bit. The focus of the criticism of Newcastle is their owners, who are essentially the Saudi regime. Trump's regime has zero connection to Hibs.

What's been shown, though, is that most football fans would appear to be prepared to accept pretty much anyone in charge as long as it brought their club success.

You just need to look at that nauseating Romanov podcast the BBC have been running. Romanov's ownership was what put Hearts in administration and took them to the brink of liquidation, yet the jokey tone around him remains 'what a character Vlad was'. That's solely because they won a couple of trophies under his tenure and hang the chaos he brought with him. The tone would be somewhat different if Stewart Milne had replaced Tynecastle with houses, as was very much a possibility.

The deal was a pen stroke away from being done I think?

I do agree, I started listening to the podcast but gave up after a few episodes. The music along with the jovial "oh what a laugh it was" tone is nauseating, and Guisler has one of those overly-anglofied Scottish accents that boil my piss.

Oh, and the creditors that lost money, I wonder if they still think it was a good laugh.

[He's here!]

The deal was a pen stroke away from being done I think?

I do agree, I started listening to the podcast but gave up after a few episodes. The music along with the jovial "oh what a laugh it was" tone is nauseating, and Guisler has one of those overly-anglofied Scottish accents that boil my piss.

Oh, and the creditors that lost money, I wonder if they still think it was a good laugh.

I'm not sure how close it was when they went into administration, but back in 2004 (pre-Vlad) it was all but over the line:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12499336.hearts-to-reveal-sell-off-plans-foulkes-admits-tynecastle-is-set-to-be-bulldozed-by-housing-developer/

I might be wrong about it being Milne who was interested again, but there were certainly property developers hovering.

[tamig]

I'm not sure how close it was when they went into administration, but back in 2004 (pre-Vlad) it was all but over the line:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12499336.hearts-to-reveal-sell-off-plans-foulkes-admits-tynecastle-is-set-to-be-bulldozed-by-housing-developer/

I might be wrong about it being Milne who was interested again, but there were certainly property developers hovering.

I won’t listen to the podcast as that 2012 cup final shambles still rankles. To think that he had purchased a property in St Andrew Square with the aim of opening a branch of his tinpot bank up here is still pretty incredible. An absolute charlatan and I’ll never forgive Salmond for somehow getting them off the hook and allowing Budge to come in and rescue them for £2m. They should be dead.

[Not In The Know]

We're now part-owned by a Trump supporter.

My only hope is that Hibs never, ever make the Black Knights any money.


id say thats probably out of date information, Foley is a Republican, and no doubt like any sane person would agree Trump is a lunatic.

[Since452]

We don't have a thread this long when a Scottish team wins a cup

[He's here!]

I won’t listen to the podcast as that 2012 cup final shambles still rankles. To think that he had purchased a property in St Andrew Square with the aim of opening a branch of his tinpot bank up here is still pretty incredible. An absolute charlatan and I’ll never forgive Salmond for somehow getting them off the hook and allowing Budge to come in and rescue them for £2m. They should be dead.

What was Salmond's role? Do you mean he used his influence as First Minister to avert liquidation? Wonder if he'd have done the same for Hibs if so.

[overdrive]

id say thats probably out of date information, Foley is a Republican, and no doubt like any sane person would agree Trump is a lunatic.

He made a donation to the Trump campaign for his first run. After the storming of the Capitol, etc. he vowed not to fund him again but despite that funded him again this time round, albeit only after he won the candidacy as apparently he was "terrified of the alternative", i.e. Harris. He did support De Santis this time round, so I'd say he's still supporting questionable politicians.

This article shows the Auckland fans weren't too happy...

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-fan-group-threatens-protests-over-owner-bill-foleys-ties-to-donald-trump/ADKWER7NMJBTPCBJYE74TNKBS4/

[The Tubs]

What was Salmond's role? Do you mean he used his influence as First Minister to avert liquidation? Wonder if he'd have done the same for Hibs if so.

I think he flew to Lithuania to argue their case. Who knows what went on.

[tamig]

What was Salmond's role? Do you mean he used his influence as First Minister to avert liquidation? Wonder if he'd have done the same for Hibs if so.

As the Tubs has mentioned, he stuck his oar in on the negotiations with creditors/administrators although nobody really knows what went on. His Russia Today gig came along a few years later. Maybe coincidence - maybe not. I suspect he did this in his role as a fan rather than First Minister. But the latter role possibly helped influence the outcome.

[Mcbizz1998]

id say thats probably out of date information, Foley is a Republican, and no doubt like any sane person would agree Trump is a lunatic.

You have to be quite special to think that 77 million people are insane because they don’t happen to share your world view.

[Donegal Hibby]

As they are mine also!! Absoloutly fantastic result, hopefully can kick on for remainder of season and get champions league spot.

Great celebration….

https://www.skysports.com/football/video/33653/13338405/highlights-newcastle-uniteds-carabao-cup-trophy-parade