Newcastle United

The story a great club's history and a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of top flight football.

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A lifelong fan of Newcastle United, businessman Denis Cassidy spent the late 1990s observing the workings of his beloved club from a perspective few can dream of - inside the Boardroom. In this no-holds-barred expose, Denis' knowledge and love of football is matched by his insatiable desire to understand why the game has changed so much since 1943, when he first saw his boyhood heroes in action. A true story, The Day the Promises Had to Stop describes the last twenty years of Newcastle United's chequered history. Denis covers the rewards and the pitfalls, the triumphs and the tragedies, of any football club aspiring to the Premiership - the toughest, richest, and most successful football league in the world. During this time of momentous change, while fans experienced the thrill of watching great victories and the bitter taste of defeat, Denis was sitting at the Boardroom table, sometimes with pride, sometimes with horror. The lessons, he says, are plain. Only with responsible corporate governance, long-term strategies, and an honest recognition of the thousands of fans can a club plan for victory. Whether or not you agree with Denis Cassidy's prescription for the future of football, this remains a must-read book for any football fan resolved to revel in past glories and dream of the days ahead.