Robson sacking was too late
By Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun, Sep 19 2004
John Hall has spoken for the first time about the sacking of Bobby Robson and admits that the former Newcastle United boss should have been replaced at the end of last season.
Sir John's candid comments come during a wide-ranging interview in which he talks about his mining roots, how he made his fortune with the Gateshead MetroCentre, his time in charge of the Magpies and his plans for the future.
But it is his views on the dismissal of Sir Bobby - the man he persuaded to return to his North roots five years ago - which will grab the headlines.
Sir John tells broadcaster Tony Cartledge on the Sunday Interview to be screened on Tyne Tees today: "We haven't achieved everything I supposed we might under Bobby.
There were big problems in the dressing room which were well documented." He says the writing was on the wall following the Magpies defeat in the UEFA Cup semi-final at the hands of Marseille. "The watershed was the Marseille game. Everyone had tremendous expectations of winning the UEFA Cup. We didn't win it and the team played diabolically," he says.
"I will always remember it vividly because I came back on the Thursday night with the fans. "About five plane-loads had travelled out there and when the buses brought them back to Marseille Airport they came through the doors and saw me. "I have never, never, never been subjected to such criticism or - I wouldn't say abuse - but strong talk. I felt at that time we were losing the fans and some of the players weren't playing for Newcastle and Bobby Robson.
"There were problems in the dressing room and you had to face up to reality and decide what you are going to do.
"I am 72 now - the same age as Bobby - and I suppose there comes a time when a lot of us really have to look how far we're going on. "Listening to all the fans, my realisation was that it was a watershed. There was a lot of criticism. I had to stand and agree with them and I had to say, basically, there was something wrong. There's got to be change."
Sir John stressed that as he was no longer on the Newcastle United board they were his personal views, and that he was fully behind Freddy Shepherd.
He says: "It was a very difficult decision to make. I would guess that the board thought this particular season Newcastle would finish fourth and get into the Champions League. But we had a poor start to the season. "The problems in the dressing room seemed to continue through into the season and I can understand Freddy Shepherd, the chairman's decision. "It was the right decision, to my mind, and I'm standing by him. "Probably the only thing to be criticised was the timing. "It might have been better if Bobby had taken an ambassadorial role at the end of last season."