Book release sees new rift between former NUFC directors

Sep 8 2010 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

THE infamous “Toongate” scandal that engulfed Newcastle United is at the centre of a fresh rift between two former directors.

One-time chairman Denis Cassidy has released a new book in which he gives his version of the events that unfolded in the late 1990s.

A once prominent business figure, Cassidy has heavily criticised former St James’ Park chief Freddy Shepherd, claiming he recommended he be sacked after being caught up in the tabloid sting.

His book – Newcastle United: The Day the Promises Had to Stop – covers the last 20 years of the Magpies’ history and ends with an open letter to current owner Mike Ashley.

But it is his version of the March 1998 Toongate scandal, which saw Shepherd and fellow director Douglas Hall caught on tape in a Spanish hotel describing North East women as dogs and Alan Shearer as “Mary Poppins” that has angered his former boardroom colleague most.

In the book, Mr Cassidy says: “A wave of shock and anger was sweeping through Tyneside and the boardroom was no different when I firmly recommended what action must be taken.

“I was seriously unpopular with my colleagues on the board as a result, for a variety of reasons. Sir Terry Harrison, the chairman, said ‘you had no right to act in such a way – you aren’t the chairman, I am’.

“Freddy, the culprit, exploded ‘don’t you ******* moralise at me and Sir John stated ‘you can’t force people who own the club to resign’.”

A few days after the scandal broke, Shepherd and Douglas Hall both stepped down from the board.

In July 1998, Cassidy was appointed non-executive chairman of the plc but less than a fortnight after that, the club announced the pair were returning as chairman and vice-chairman respectively.