Hall's tribute to fallen directors dismays fans
By Steven Baker, The Irish Examiner, Apr 03, 1998
A NEWCASTLE United fans' spokesman has reacted with dismay after Sir John Hall dedicated Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win to disgraced duo Douglas Hall and Freddy Shepherd.
The pair quit the Magpies board last month following revelations about them in a national newspaper that enraged the club's fans.
But Sir John, who has returned as chairman at St James' Park, praised Shepherd, his predecessor, and his son and former vice-chairman Douglas for helping turn Newcastle into a major force in the game.
However, Newcastle Independent Supporters' Association secretary John Regan condemned Sir John's comments. "Douglas Hall and Freddy Shepherd are irrelevant to the future of Newcastle United Football Club, and nothing will put right in the eyes of Newcastle fans what has happened in the past," said Regan. "It's shoddy to praise their names in the club's finest hour.
All the fans want to do is move on." The duo took nine days to resign following the first newspaper claims after they had originally hinted they were prepared to ride out the storm.
Regan insisted they left just in time for Newcastle's season to be salvaged and he added: "Even when things weren't going quite right on the pitch, it was always on the cards we'd get to the Cup final.
The problems off the pitch were separate to what was happening on it, but if they'd gone on any longer it could have had an effect there as well. "At the moment Newcastle fans are just thinking of Wembley, and Douglas Hall and Freddy Shepherd are not in our minds at all."