Shay Given, Newcastle Utd., Ireland
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A Taste Of Shay per YouTube


John Beresford picks his all-time TOP XI Team with Shay in goal!

John said the following of putting Shay in goal for his all-time top XI:


"HE might be out of the team at the moment, but he’s a world-class goalkeeper who could play in all of the top leagues in Europe.
Shay was pretty much an unknown when he signed for the club in 1997 in my later years at United, but it didn’t take him long to prove how good he was. I’ve been lucky to play in front of some of the game’s top keepers, but Shay is always going to be my No 1."


"Shay's the Best" Keane

Robbie Keane throws a bit of spice into tonights game against the Czechs by stating:

""Cech is one of the best goalkeepers in the world but we are quite lucky in that we have the best in Shay Given. Cech is [in a] different class but Shay Given is for me one of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen."

Full story here from the Irish Independent

"It's PRIDE"

Shay comments to the press, when asked about wanting to pick up as many caps as possible:

"A while ago, people were criticised for not playing for their country, now you get stick if you do! I think it's a no-win situation to be honest but personally I'm as proud tomorrow when I make my 80th cap as I was when I made my first against Russia in 1996. It's just personal pride and I want to make as many caps as I can for myself. If that's wrong then so be it."

Shay on being Captain at Croke Park against Slovakia:

"I was delighted when Stan named me as captain. I didn't know until after the game until one of you boys told me that Robbie was suspended. But if it's only for one time to lead my country then I'll be extremely proud and very honoured to do so. It's not every day you can lead your country out in to Croke Park as well with over 70,000 people (there). So it's a very special moment in my career."

On picking up his 80th cap for Ireland:

"I remember when Packie (Bonner) won his 80th cap I think it was out in America. I'm very proud to play for my country whenever I play. I'm delighted to make 80 caps and hopefully I'll make a few more after that as well."

On the future:

"I don't want to set many targets and look too far ahead, especially this season because I have had a lot of injuries. You don't know what's around the corner in football. You're one challenge or one knock away from maybe never playing football again. So you just look at the next game. The next game is tomorrow and I'm not looking too far beyond that.”

Quotes taken from unison.ie


"SOMEONE dial 999
There has been a mugging and the suspect was wearing a green shirt."

"Scotland Yard last night issued a photo-fit of a small athletic Irishman and named him as Shay Given of Tyneside."

I had to laugh when I read this write up for Shay on The Sun's website! :-) It's probably one of the strongest write-ups of Shay's career, but then again they've been quite a few of them and long may it continue.

Other quotes from the article were equally positive on Shay's contribution:

"How the Geordies reached the interval on level terms they will probably never know. Mind you, they have become so reliant on their Republic of Ireland keeper they probably take his heroics for granted these days. No wonder they had dropped into the relegation zone while he was recovering from his horrific stomach injury — a torn bowel — earlier in the season. Yet even with golden Given doing the work of five men, sparkling Spurs still seemed to have far too much for Glenn Roeder’s injury-ravaged team."

Read full article here from The Sun


"They have a great keeper in Shay Given" Ashley Cole

In fairness ... we have to agree entirely with Ashley Cole here. Well said. :-) Full article can be read at icnewcastle


Shay and teammates lose points at Chelsea

On a night ehen Newcastle were hard pressed through a range of injuries, they could have left Stamford Bridge with all 3 points after a header from Sibierski could have gifted Newcastle with an early lead. Then a scuffed attempt at goal landed so well for Drogba who finished with ease at the near post. Shay had to be at his sharpest on numerous occasions denying Robben at the death with a fierce drive into the left corner of the goal which came off the post much to the disappointment of Robben. :-) and to the delight of Shay fans around the world!


Shay stands up to German pressure

Shay Given before the game against Eintacht Frankfurt on the 30th Nov. 2006

Shay before the game in Frankfurt

A tough game in Frankfurt still left Newcastle leaving with a point to top their Group. Topping the group helps them stay out of the Champions League dropouts which isn't a bad thing really. Shay had a few important moments helping Newcastle stay in the game with Steven Taylor and Nicky Butt particulary working tirelessly to block the onslought of german attacks. At the death it could have been all 3 points with Emre clean through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but the keeper to his credit saved well with his feet denying all 3 points to Newcastle. But all in all, a good result for Newcastle.

Shay's GIVEN his gloves to Orphans!

Shay's glovesThanks to everyone who put in a bid for the gloves from Shay- The last bid was the winner bringing in Orphan from Uschgorod210 Euros for Diesel costs to transport toys, shoes, socks, clothes to needy orphans in the Ukraine.The money went DIRECTLY and entirely to DHHN here in Germany http://www.dhhn.de/


Shay's BACK!

Glenn Roeder:

"Shay feels he is ready to play again. In fact he really has pushed himself hard in training and I can only wish I had 20 Shay Givens in my squad. I am hoping that he has a gentle return tonight."

Shay lines up for Ireland in his first competitive game since injury forced him out some 8 weeks ago. We all wish you the best Shay for the game tonight.


Shay receives 3 prestigious awards!

Player of the Year award &
Save of the Season plus North East Football Writers' Player of the Season

"I'm very pleased to win the awards. I'd also like to thank everyone who has sent me Get Well messages since I got injured at West Ham. Thanks for all the support and I hope it's not too long before I'm back out playing again."

Get full story here from nufc.co.uk


Glen Roeder and Steve Harper picks up awards on Shay's behalf

Glen Roeder and Steve Harper kindly picked up the awards of "Player of the Year" and "Save of the Season" last night. Thanks guys. Here's a link to the picture and story at nufc.co.uk


Get well soon messages!

If you want to wish Shay well, you can do so at GetWellSoon@shay-given.com. We'll collect all the messages and forward them to Shay to read. Thanks in advance.


Shay out for possibly 6 weeks

The Chronicle is saying that Shay will be out for 6 weeks which is bad news for Newcastle and Ireland, but never underestimate Shay's powers of recovery who didn't receive the nickname "Lazarus" for nothing. Read the Chronicle's story here from Alan Oliver.


Shay Update from the Club

SHAY will remain in hospital for "a short stay" after undergoing surgery to repair a small tear in his lower stomach suffered during yesterday's 2-0 victory at West Ham United. Shay spent a comfortable night in a London hospital after receiving treatment following his collision with Hammers' striker Marlon Harewood in the latter stages of the victory at Upton Park.
Manager Glenn Roeder told nufc.co.uk:

"Shay has had surgery to repair a small tear in his lower stomach. He is comfortable and will have a short stay in hospital. We'll let things settle down now and it's too early to be putting any date on when he'll be expected back."

More Infos here at nufc.co.uk


Shay angry at throwing 3 points down the drain!

Shay repsonded to dopped points against Fulham saying:

"If you looked at the Sunday League football around Newcastle you wouldn't even see the kind of goals we gave away against Fulham. I don't want to dig things out or blame any individuals, but we've given one of the best players in the Premiership in terms of heading the ball total freedom of the six-yard box. It's amazing, but we have to talk about it privately and get it sorted out within the camp. Before the game we felt those were three points we really had to get. Scotty popped up with a great run into the box and a great header. He was inspirational, but we've then given away two bad goals. It just isn't acceptable and as a team we need to improve. They didn't even carve us open, we handed them the goals on a plate. That's the most disappointing thing for us. At the end of the day we win as a team and lose as a team. It's just frustrating that we have lost in the way we did. We have got time to work on these errors, but we also have some difficult games coming up as well. Now we need men around the dressing-room because we have to go on the pitch and stand up and be counted. We've got West Ham away and then away to Liverpool and they are tough games. But we've got Tallinn away on Thursday, so we need to bounce back as quickly as possible."

Full story on nufc.co.uk


Shay performs at his best in Germany

No doubt about it, Ireland needed a Goalkeeper of world class standards and they got that in the hands of Shay against a lively german side in Stuttgart. Ireland were a match for their hosts particulary in the first 20 minutes and then the germans started to get into the game and exploit openings in the irish defence but they had yet to meet the form of Shay on the night, who was only beaten by a deflection from Robbie Keane. A cruel goal gave Ireland no share of the points on a night were every irish fan thought they deserved one. At least Shay made his point on the international goalkeeping scene! :-))


Tough defeat at the hands of Aston Villa

It was always going to be a testing game away from home against Villa who certainly appear to have their tails up after the appointment of Martin O'Neill as Manager. Aston Villa must have knocked the stuffing out of Newcastle's pre-match team talk after getting their first goal within 2 minutes! When that happens away from home, you can easily think "Oh no, how many more are they going to put in, they've got another 88 minutes of football left to play", but thankfully the damage was only 2:0, but enough to take all three points off Newcastle, who now have 2 weeks to think and prepare for Fulham at home! I reckon though Newcastle will pull at home all 3 points off Fulham!


Duffer signs...for Newcastle

Damien Duff has signed a 5-year deal with Newcastle. The former Chelsea and Blackburn Rover's star is sure to make a huge impact on Tyneside, with Shay saying:

"I have known him for years, since when I was at Blackburn and he was there, a 16-year-old training with the first team. Even then he would be running rings around the senior players there."

More to this story here from icnewcastle


 

Alan Shearer gives Shay a lift!

"Shay is the best in the Premier League. You might say I'm biased but I don't think I am, I was with him at Blackburn from an early age. I have played with him for I don't know how many years now and he just seems to get better with every season.
"He has been an outstanding player for Newcastle for some time now and he was certainly the outstanding player of last season for his consistency and for some of the saves he made to keep us in games.
"What people don't see is the work he puts in on the training ground," added Shearer.
"You get out of the game what you put in, and, with that being the case, Shay will just keep on getting better and better. He has worked so hard to get to where he is and is a great lad as well.
"He is good to have in the dressing room, and all the lads really respect him."

More here from the Journal

true faith Player of the Year 2005/06

Shay has received another honour from "true faith". Read it here


Shay "proud and honoured"

Shay has been voted by fellow professionals as the "BEST GOALKEEPER IN THE PREMIERSHIP for the "2005/2006 SeasonShay: "To receive any award is nice, but when you are honoured by your fellow professionals who you play against week in, week out, it is a tremendous accolade. I was proud and honoured to be named in the Team of the Year - and it was quite a team! I have been happy with the way my form has been over the season, I feel I've been playing well, but it's not for me to say whether this is the best season I've had. I was named in the Team of the Year a couple of seasons back, and all you do as a goalkeeper, or as any player, is to try and keep on improving your game. Hopefully I've done that, and to be chosen in the team means I must be doing something right."

Full article here from nufc.co.uk


Shay named "Premiership's BEST Goalkeeper for 2005/2006!

Yippee, Shay's fellow professionals have voted him the "Premiership's Number ONE!". Yooohuuuuu!!! We're all delighted for you Shay. You deserve it and a new beefy contract from Newcastle Utd.. Come on Freddie, get the cheque book out for the best goalkeeper in the Premiership! We're of course as biased as anything, but when Shay's fellow professionals say he's the best, then HE IS THE BEST! :-))

Shay honoured by fellow pros - nufc.co.uk

If you'd like to congratulate Shay, we've set up a GUEST Book for your comments on a temporary basis. Please no abuse or SPAMers. Here's the LINK


Shay's on the Premiership Team of the Week

Shay made it onto the Barclay's Premiership (Actim Index) 'Team of the Week'. See who else made it here


HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAY

Shay's celebrates his 30th Birthday today, and what a season he's had. We wish you all the best Shay. Keep on keeping on! An unexpected birthday present must be the captaincy of the team until the end of the season. What an honour for Shay and his family.

More here from the Journal's Alan Oliver


Shay gets to pick up 5,000 pounds for MacMillian

Shay had the privilege of picking up £2,847.50 from Kingston Park Primary School followed by a cheque for £3000 for the appeal from Newcastle City Council 'New Deal' Community Wardens.

Shay said:

"I was delighted to come along to the school and meet the children who have done fantastically well to raise such a large some of money for our appeal. The Tyneside Appeal is of paramount importance in the region and we always welcome donations so I'm very grateful to each and everyone of the children who have contributed."

More infos here from nufc.co.uk


Shay and Jane give back with Westlife and Newcastle players

Shay fellow players will be joined by Irish pop group Westlife to bring a fashion extravaganza to St. James' Park on May 1. Shay said:

"I am thrilled the players have agreed to help me again, to raise valuable funds for charity. We were all a little worried about taking to the catwalk last year, but once we were up there, we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it's a great feeling to know we are contributing to something meaningful and helping others.
"I would also like to place on record my thanks to my wife Jane who has supported me and without whose help I would not have been able to organise the event."

Read full story with Freddie Shepherds comments etc. here

"We deserved something out of the game" Shay

"I think we deserved something from the game and in the end we have been undone by a set-piece early on. We had a lot of the play and on the night we performed well in what was a tough test."

Read more on Shay's thoughts with Lee Ryder from the Journal here


The Dream of Cup Glory over in the 4th minute?

John Terry awoke all Toon fans from any dreams of "SHEAR" Glory as early as the 4th minute with a simple tap in as he got away from Peter Ramage at the near post giving Shay and Nobby Solano seemingly no chance on the goal line.


Shay up for a DIFFICULT night

There's no hiding the size of the Mountain Newcastle Utd. are to climb tonight ... away from home in London of all places and against Chelsea of all teams. I guess it's one of those nights where afterwards you could be thinking "best to forget about it as soon as possible!" or it could be a night that will be remembered for a "long long time" if we can BEAT Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and especially if it means we can progress to actually win the trophy this time! Read what Shay has to say before the game talking to Alan Oliver (Journal)


Shay thanks the fans for sticking behind the Team after being 1:3 down to Liverpool

"The fans stuck with the team and they could have easily gone the other way.
"They stuck with us and we did play some good stuff after the sending-off. We created a few half-chances from free-kicks and had it got to 3-2 you never know, we might have nicked another one. What has happened has gone now and we cannot change what is in the past. Now we must focus on going to Chelsea. It is a big game for us and is huge for our supporters so we have to give it everything."

Full story from Lee Ryder Evening Chronicle

Shay off the the world cup afterall?

I don't think Glenn Roeder could pay Shay a higher compliment in saying:

"He is without a shadow of doubt a very proud Irishman who is equally proud to represent his country, but if he was English and in goal in Germany this summer, I believe we would have a better chance of winning the World Cup."

Full story here from the Journal

Shay receives City's Sports Personality of the Year

Shay received the City's top personality of the year award at the Civic Centre in Newcastle. Full story here from the journal

Shay and Steve have a new coach

I kind of always wondered now that Graham Souness and his staff were sacked: "whose coaching the goalkeepers?" and the Chronicle was kind enough to answer that question today in the form of an article. The answer is: "26-year-old Geordie Adam Saddler"- Full story here from the journal


Ireland 3:0 Sweden

Ireland bashed World Cup participants 3:0 in an entertaining contest with one way traffic for Ireland's new manager Steve Staunton. Shay also got his vice-captaincy underway with a clean sheet, but he had very little to do on an exciting night in Dublin where Sir Bobby must have thought "hey, we should be in Germany not Sweden!" :-)

REPORT from Jenny Stapelton


""I don't think there is anyone better than Shay in the Premiership, or in Europe for that matter!" Sir Bobby Robson

Sir Bobby is back in football with the Irish, and was quick to give his opinion on just how high he rates Shay. Read full story here


Shay is PLAYER OF THE YEAR for Ireland

Shay has received the official PLAYER OF THE YEAR status for his contribution to the irish campaign to get to Germany 2006. Despite his heroics on numerous occasions, it wasn't enough to get Ireland to the finals, which Shay desperately wanted to go to. More Infos here


Newcastle meet the big guns in the cup!

Newcastle are faced with Chelsea in the cup in London. It doesn't get any tougher than that, but it'll be a day to show who wants victory the most!


Newcastle sack Graham Souness

Newcastle Utd. released just now a statement saying:

"NEWCASTLE United today announced that the employment of Graeme Souness has been terminated with immediate effect. An announcement will be made shortly regarding transitional arrangements pending the appointment of a new team manager."

Story taken from nufc.co.uk


"Shay is a proper professional" Val

We got this email this morning folks and thought it was too good to keep to ourselves from a mother and son following the Cheltenham game on Saturday:

"As far as Im concerned Shay Given is a true legend and one of the greatest goalkeepers ever. Not only that he is probably one of the nicest personalities in the premiership. I say this because I took my 13 year old son to see the Cheltenham- Newcastle game as he is a MASSIVE Newcastle fan and afterwards we waited for autographs in the freezing cold (and missed our lift home in the process!). But Shay Given made it wothwhile because he was the only player who came over to sign and chat to the fans.So my son is now in complete awe of him! What a fantastic and lovely man! I wish more players were less arrogant like him. ... Val per Email

Fair play to you Shay, but the thing that those closer to Shay know is that once upon a time, Shay was also that 13-year old boy waiting for autographs outside a freezing cold ground and has never forgot that. Fair play to you Shay!

"It's a no win, no win, no win! Shay

Shay speaking to Newcastle world reckons that there's only one team expected to win and all hopes are on the opposite to happen in front of a live television audience, saying:

"Going to Cheltenham's going to be tricky - ties like this are what the competition is all about. That's why it's live on TV. We've got to match their workrate first of all, and then we can play our football. It's not been difficult this week - we've all trained hard."

Squad named for Cheltenham game: Shay, Ameobi, Babayaro, Boumsong, Bramble, Brittain, Chopra, Clark, Elliott, Emre, Harper, Luque, N'Zogbia, O'Brien, Parker, Ramage, Shearer, Solano.

More here


Last day for Kristopher...

...Our sympathy goes out to the parents and family of brave Kristopher Graham who died aged 19 waiting for a double heart and lung transplant. Shay had visited Kristopher in hospital as did other Newcastle players (Alan Shearer & Norberto Solano). Full story here with a beautiful picture of Kristopher with Shay in hospital.


Shay receives hightest praise from Ireland's new Goalkeeping coach!

Shay received the highest praise from Ireland's new goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, saying:

"He is a great lad, and the way he has gone on to become a world-class 'keeper over the last few years has been absolutely amazing," added Kelly. "He is at the peak of his form and among the top three in the world, if not at the top, in my opinion.

When I look at the Premier League, I would say he is the best there. I wouldn't swap him for anybody in Europe, or the world."

Full article here from Ian Parkes - The Journal

AND THE Best Player Catagory falls to NONE OTHER THAN!!!

SHAY GIVEN

"Keeper Shay Given has been outstanding this season and has kept United in many games."

was the Christmas or half-time verdict on Newcastle United's season. Full story here


'True Faith" FANZINE Editor

Michael Martin, editor of Newcastle United fanzine true faith applauds United's level of commitment in the win against the Gunners and said of Shay's role:

"Although United were largely outplayed by the Gunners in the first half, they stuck to their task and, saved by yet another piece of magnificent Shay Given goalkeeping (let's get this lad signed up on a contract for the next 10 years), went in at the break still in the game."

Read full story here from icNewcastle


Steve Harper keeps an eye on Shay's contract talks

An interesting article concerning Steve Harper's thoughts on Shay's new contract. I'll let you read it here yourselves.

One quote in the article that we of course like (cheers Steve):

"I can't knock on the manager's door and complain about how Shay is playing, can I?"


Shay pulls off a point-blank stunning save to keep Henry at bay!

Shay 1:0 Henry

The battle of the titans. I think it's fair to say that Shay enjoys coming up against the best strikers and he loves an old-fashioned battle with Henry who delivered a superb volley to take Arsenal into the lead on the 27th minute. But as Freddy Shepherd always says "Don't start your celebrations too early, there's always still Shay to get past, as Portsmouth discovered earlier this season". Shay's Dad insisted it was on of the "best reaction saves he seen Shay making". Well done Shay and the importance and timing of the save was vital to Newcastle's battle to take all three points from the Arsenal.


Shay in contract talks and definately wants to stay at the TOON!

Shay says:

"In an ideal world, I would like to stay here, there's no reason why I would want to leave. We will see how Michael (Shay's agent) gets on, but I don't want to finish my career without having won a trophy. I have said that all along and it hasn't changed. It has got to be right financially for myself and for my family. But there are football issues as well and Michael will talk to the chairman about that. I don't want to hang my gloves up and think about what could have been or what should have been. Michael is coming up on Saturday for the first meeting and we will see how that goes.
Hopefully something good will come from it but I just don't know at the minute." More here from icNewcastle

Paul Gilder from the Journal says:

"Graeme Souness rates Given as the Premiership's finest goalkeeper and persuading the Republic of Ireland international to remain at St James's Park will be crucial to his hopes of engineering a brighter future for a club without a trophy in 36 years.
But, given United's history of underachievement, few would blame Newcastle's number one were he to decide to further his career elsewhere."

Shay says:

"Newcastle is in my blood. I feel my best years are ahead of me and I would love to spend them here. I don't want to leave. But we will have to see what happens.This club is part of my life and it always will be, even when I finish playing football. I'm not just saying that to keep the fans on my side, I really mean it. But it hurts me to see us in mid-table."

I think it's fair to says that it hurts Shay and everyone connected with Newcastle Utd. to see them mid-table!

"There's only ONE Shay Given!"

Wigan 1:0 Newcastle

37min - "Shay Given has the massed ranks of Newcastle fans singing his name for a brilliant piece of goalkeeping. Albert Luque loses possession to Josip Skoko who feeds Lee McCulloch. His low 25-yard drive is parried by the United keeper, but with David Connolly looking certain to net the rebound from close range, the Magpies' ace pulls off a brilliant block. " Full match stats


GUTTED!!! Shay

Shay was gutted in losing to Everton who're scrammbling for their Premiership lives at the bottom of the table:

"We are hugely disappointed and gutted at losing to Everton. They are struggling at the moment and we came here looking for three points, and we are going away with nothing. Yes, we should have had a penalty that would have changed the whole game, but we didn't get it and I do not know how we can put a positive spin on this game. In fact, I do not think we played that well. We did OK in the first half, but to be honest, we never got going in the second when we were poor. And at the end of the day, we lost to a team in the bottom three."

Full story here from icNewcastle


Press comments on Shay's performance in the Everton 1:0 defeat:

BBC: "Everton ended the game in total control, with Given saving brilliantly from McFadden. McFadden then saw another effort blocked in injury time, with Given recovering miraculously to block two efforts from Tim Cahill.." Full match report here form the BBC

The SUN: "There was still time for Given to amazingly keep out a 12-yarder from Cahill and the same midfielder's close-range rebound as the hosts confirmed how much they merited victory."


Souness says Shay's saves were vital!!

After Newcastle went one up, West Brom responded well and only for a first-rate reaction block from Shay at close range, it could have been an entirely different game, a fact that Graham Souness is only too willing to point out:

"We had a difficult ten minutes (after the break) where Shay's had to make a great save. If he doesn't do that at 1-0 it could have been a different game. From that moment on we passed it well." Read on full story here from icnewcastle

Scott Parker says "Shay's world class"

Scott Parker had to this to say:

"Maybe two years ago Newcastle would have been 2-0 down (against West Brom), but we have a world-class goalkeeper in Shay (Given) and I help out with the back four. Now you're seeing both sides of Newcastle." Src.: icnewcastle


Tough week for Shay

It must have been a very tough week for Shay being knocked out of the world cup and as he says himself "We were just one goal away from the play-offs with Turkey, so it wasn't a disaster but very very disappointing". Then to have gotten beaten against Wigan 1:0 on Saturday was surely another blow for Newcastle and Shay. That's football isn't it, the sun shines bright a lot of the time, but when it rains, oh does it pour down. Here's hoping that things brigthen up again soon.


Shay keeping the laundry firms out of business!

Src: NUFC.com:

A fine display from Shay in our last game at Pompey earned him his third consecutive club clean sheet and he is now unbeaten in 347 minutes, since Brian McBride profited from some comedy defending to net for Fulham.
The best run we can find for Shay during his United career to date is a 425 minute spell, which included four consecutive full shutouts and encompassed two seasons.

That run began with the final goal of a Michael Owen treble at Anfield in May 2001, followed up by a 0-0 home draw with Arsenal and a 3-0 success at St.James' against Aston Villa on the final day of the season. Shay then began the next season with a home and away shut out in the Intertoto against the Belgians of Lokeren (4-0 and 1-0), before finally being beaten by 1860 Munich's Australian forward Paul Agostino at the Olympic Stadium. As far as Premiership games are concerned, Shay has to avoid conceding within the first four minutes of the game at Wigan (assuming he plays) to raise the bar on his own record of 350 minutes.

That was set in February 2003, when Shay was unbeaten after Jermaine Defoe scored for West Ham at Upton Park until Thierry Henry beat him at SJP for Arsenal.

In between Shay had played his part in helping us to beat Manchester City 2-0 and Bolton 1-0 on Tyneside, as well as record a 1-0 success at White Hart Lane.
PS - Shay also kept clean sheets in his last two internationals, meaning that it's actually 527 minutes since anyone scored against him in any game.
(when calculating these stats, all games are deemed to have been 90 minutes in duration with no account made for added time.) Src: NUFC.com:


Shay "Given" a standing ovation

It was an emotional end to Ireland's exit from Germany 2006 but the irish put their disappointment behind them at the final whistle when Shay Given left the pitch. Leaving to a chorus of "There's only ONE Shay Given", it was enough to break anybodies heart, as everyone in the ground knew, if anyone deserves to be in Germany next year, then it's our very own Shay! Well done Shay, you did us more than proud.

Newcastle put on a plane to bring the boys home!

"The chairman put on a small plane to bring Given and Carr straight back from Dublin," said Souness. "Emotionally they'll be down but physically we believe they are all right. It's the same with Boumsong." src: icnewcastle

The dream is over!

The dream of going to the World Cup 2006 is officially over as Ireland failed to beat Switzerland last night. Shay hadn't much to do but had to make a great save in the second-half in a one-on-one situation. What a shame. Germany was looking forward to 30,000 irish making their way over next summer!


He's been brilliant! Dunne

Manchester City defender Richard Dunne, who was indebted to Given after giving away the penalty at the GSP Stadium, underlined the importance of the 29-year-old to the team.

"He's been brilliant, and over the last two years has established himself as probably the best keeper in Europe," said Dunne." Src.: icnewcastle


Shay will be FIT to play!!!

Shay sustained a kick in the foot while playing in a five-a-side practice match yesterday but WILL be FIT to face Switzerland on Wednesday night. Thank God for that!

> IMAGE of Shay hurt here - Sportsfile.com

> BBC say Shay will be fit - BBC
> Knock in training will not keep Shay Given out of World Cup tie - fai.ie


Shay receives recognition for doing a great job against Cyprus

What Shay said:

""I had watched some videos of Cyprus and checked who took their penalties but it wasn't Okkas and I was surprised when he stood up. But I managed to get a left-hand on the ball and thankfully deflected it outside."

We did not play well, especially in the first half, and we gave the ball away too easily and didn't create many chances. That said our defenders managed to get in some great blocks and I managed to make a few saves as well. The good thing is we are going home with three points after getting the result we needed and it sets us up for Wednesday."

What the press said:

"With Ireland's supporters hushed behind him, Given, so often our outstanding player, dived to his right and palmed Okkas's kick away. The Irish crowd roared. If the goal hadn't eased the nerves, perhaps the save might.
It didn't. Ireland were sloppy for the rest of the half with Given saving twice within the next ten minutes."

"Cyprus were entertaining, Okkas turning Dunne brilliantly and, minutes later, trying to chip Given. Ireland's 'keeper again protected the lead with an outstanding save."

SHAY GIVEN: Ireland would be out of the World Cup if it wasn't for the string of excellent saves that the Newcastle goalkeeper made over the 90 minutes to save the blushes of his team-mates. 9 out of 10 points >>> Man of the Match! (Scr. Irish Independant)

Kenny Cunningham (Irish Captain:)

Shay being congratulated from Brian Kerr after the game against Cyprus, where Shay kept Ireland's world cup's dreams alive! (PHOTO: SPORTSFILE.ie"We wouldn't trade Shay. We really wouldn't. He's the best around. He gives great confidence to a back four. When you talk about a great keeper, you tend to talk about great presence. People normally associate that with somebody of six foot four, someone of huge physical presence.

Shay may not be that six foot four, but he has a great presence. His shot-stopping is second to none. His decision-making is fantastic. As a centre-half you know that, with anything big, he's going to come out the back and clean up behind you.

Not only tonight, but in big games in the past, he's come up trumps for us. And we've got to make sure that penalty save tonight really counts for something, by getting three points on Wednesday." (Src: Irish Independant)

Or the Irish Independant's Vincent Hogan:

"Five times in that first-half, Given produced saves that fluttered on the edges of divinity. He was busier than Noah in the flood."

"Ironically, Brian Kerr's (Irish Manager) one moment of visible animation arrived, midway through the half, in the form of a rebuke to Given for a mis-placed clearance. It was like John Wayne getting grief from the sheriff whose hide he's trying to save."


Ireland keep hopes of qualifying alive

Shay did more than his share of getting Ireland through a tense 0:1 victory over Cypurs saving a penalty superbly and adding a host of other world-class saves to keep a lively Cyprus team at bay and keep Ireland in with a fighting chance of beating Switzerland next wednesday at Landsdown Road. Well done Shay.

> Cyprus 0:1 Ireland - fai.ie
> Cypurs 0:1 Ireland - rte.ie


 

Shay gets rave reviews!

We've tried to collect as much rave reviews and quotes as possible from Shay'y performance against Portsmouth on Saturday last. Here's a selection:

Freddie Shepherd (Newcastle Utd. PLC Chairman, source: The Sun)

"When Shay made those two saves from the lad Taylor, Milan Mandaric and his directors were on their feet because they thought they had scored. But we just smiled as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened — yet this was not the case. To pull off two saves like that in the space of 30 seconds was truly remarkable — it was world-class stuff.”

Alan Shearer - nufc.co.uk

"They had the better chances, and Shay was magnificent for us. He made two or three fantastic saves and had it not been for his performance it could have been a different story for us.

or Alan Shearer - the MIrror

"If there's a better keeper in the Premiership, I don't know who he is. He's been one of the best keepers for a long time and just keeps producing fantastic saves. Of course I'm a bit biased, but as far as I'm concerned there's no-one better. It's not for me to put a price on his head. Some of the saves he makes tell you what he's worth to us as a team. He was superb today. Everything about his game was spot on and it's him we've got to thank for getting a point today."

Neil Mcleman - The Mirror

IF MICHAEL OWEN is worth £16million to Newcastle, what price Shay Given?
On this prime performance, the Republic of Ireland keeper is as valuable as any glittering asset at St James' Park.

Graham Souness - the Chronicle

"He made three top-class saves but I wasn't surprised because he is a top-class keeper," said the Scot.
"He showed that again. I would not swap him for anyone, I don't think there is anyone better in the Premiership right now."

The Observer:

Shay Given The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper has given Newcastle sterling service over the years, but rarely can he have produced a performance as outstanding as this one. Alert, agile and at the top of his game, Given alone was responsible for the point his team gained here. His save from Matthew Taylor was quite extraordinary.

Paul Gilder - the Chronicle

The Magpies keeper produced an exceptional performance at Fratton Park, making remarkable saves from Matthew Taylor (twice) and Dario Silva.
No Newcastle side has kept four straight clean sheets in top-flight football since the final four games of the 1996/1997 campaign. Such was Given's form, it is a record which could be under threat when they visit Wigan in 12 days' time.


Shay's glad that old Newcastle colleagues are OUT of Portsmouth match

Shay is happy not to have to face Lua Lua or Robert against Portsmouth saying:

"Robert is very dangerous from free-kicks especially and Lua Lua always pulls a few tricks out of the hat too, so we're glad not to have to face them on Saturday".

Full story here from nufc.co.uk


Shay's A Super Saver

Shay Given picked up the Save of the Season at the 2005 Prince's Trust North East Football Awards


Newcastle keep climbing the table

Things are starting to look up for Newcastle with encouraging wins against Blackburn and Man City at home on Saturday. Shay played his part in both games saving well against a "Savage" free-kick at Blackburn at saving point-blank with his left foot in the opening stages of the Man City game on Saturday. As Newcastle boss Graham Souness said himself:

"I think he deserves a special mention for the save he made in the first couple of minutes of the game - the one from Sibierski where he's got a header in, and stopped it with his leg, or his foot.
That kept us very much alive at that time, and was the basis for us to go on and play so well in the first half. He deserves a special mention, because it's easy to forget that."

Full comments from Souness here

Or John Gibson's comments from the Evening Chronicle give also credit to Shay's performance against City:

"The Mags also won because Shay Given is quite the best keeper we've had in many years and he provided evidence yet again with a great one-footed stop from an Antoine Sibierski header only six yards out as Newcastle marked atrociously on a right-wing free-kick."

Full story from John Gibson here

 

"If we can keep them FIT"

"If we can keep the top stars fit, the owens, the shearers, the emre's, the parkers, the boumsongs, the Givens, then we could definately be in with a crack at winning something! It's a BIG IF though considering Chelsea could lose their entire first 11 starting players and you would hardly notice a weakened team with the squad they have! But such is life. We have to get on with it, and try and produce the goods this season. Howay the lads!s


15,000 Geordies say "WELCOME TO THE TOON MICHAEL"

If any player needs any encouragement to join Newcastle Utd. they just have to take a look at the 15,000 Geordies who showed up to welcome him to the ground this afternoon. Totally overwhelmed Owen said

""When I came down the tunnel I could hear the noise, then when I got out onto the pitch it was unbelievable. I must admit I had a lump in my throat.
"I knew this club had a passionate following, and that turnout just proves that. Hopefully I can give the fans a lot to shout about, if that noise was made by just one end of the ground then I cannot wait to hear it when it is full!"

Full story here from nufc.co.uk


Michael "Owing" us a lot of goals! :-)

Well it's amazing. Doom and gloom after just one point from 4 games, now Michael Owen one of the best strikers in the world signs for Newcastle second from the bottom of the Premiership. Things are looking up folks. A Sunderland fan Michael Bland had emailed me saying "The only way Newcastle will score if they play Shay up front!". A day later and he's saying "What a signing for Newcastle". We're the envy of England this morning!


BoumSONG "Off-TOON" as Newcastle suffer another POINTless afternoon at St. James!

One day our headline will read "BoumSONG sings a defiant tune" but yesterday it was unfortunately "off-TOON" for the 52,000 Toon Army. As always "there's always positives to take from Newcastle's performance", but it's nevertheless 1 point from 4 games and leaves them 1 point above Sunderland also at the bottom of the Premiership. Tough times for the North-East, with Middlesbrough getting thrased at home by 3 Charlton goals. Hmmm, it can only get better! Surely not any worse, please!

> Match report - NUFC.co.uk
> Match report - BBC
> Match report - football365


A bolt(on) of lightening hits Newcastle

Well, it was never going to be easy at the Reebok Stadium, especially with Newcastle short on firepower, but there was the hope of Shola Amoebi's return to the fray maybe making the difference on the night which certainly wasn't to be. Newcastle could've gotten a goal early on from Lee Bowyer, but it was the experience of Gary Speed heading it off the line that must have lifted Bolton and given them the necessary incentive to take the game to Newcastle which they certainly did. In fairness to Newcastle, it probably doesn't help the team with all the fuss around Michael Owen's transfer reluctance, etc. but nevertheless it's a battle on for Newcastle facing the red devils at home on Sunday.

> match report - icnewcastle
> match report - BBC
> interview with Alan Shearer - BBC (Windows Media Player)
> match report - guardian
> match report - premierleague
> match report - The Independant


One bitter point on the board

Newcastle expecting their first three points of the season against a newly promoted West Ham side were left frustrated and berated having West Ham hold on for a draw despite going down to 10-men, something that Newcastle couldn't do at Arsenal a week prior. A big problem seems to be lack of fire-power, with Alan Shearer as lone striker, it seems a lot of teams could come to St. James and hold for a point.

Newcastle dealt bitter blow at Highbury with Shay outstanding

Newcastle deserved at least a point from the game but football rarely gives you what you deserve. The sending off of Jenas ultimately decided Newcastle's fate with Shay doing his reputation at Arsenal no harm with a great game between the posts denying Arsenal on several occasions.

What the press said about Shay:

The Sun:
"The excellent Given just failed to stop Henry's spot-kick before Van Persie wrapped up the points." giving him an 8 rating with Parker just pipping him for the "Dream Team Star Man".

The Chronicle:
"Given was in commanding form between the United posts, helping Arsenal frustrations to mount."

> match report - journal
> match report - nufc.co.uk


Shay aiming for a shut out tonight

With Deportivo having a 2:1 lead from the first leg, it's up to Newcastle tonight to prove their worth by getting a vital home goal and Shay keeping a cleansheet:

Shay: We know what we have to do. One goal is enough for us to win it. We know we have the players in our side to get goals, but if that goal doesn't come until the 90th minute then so be it.

We have to approach the game correctly, we cannot go all out from the start because we saw in the first leg that they have the players who can catch us on the break.

It will be a tough game, there's no doubt about that. But hopefully we can turn it around and go through, because we all know what's at stake.

We need to be playing European football and this is a back door route into the UEFA Cup, so we have to try and take advantage of it."

Read on here


Shay relaxed about new-contract talks

Shay has still 2 years left on his current contract and sees no reason to renew things too fast:

Shay: "I have two years left on my deal and, so far, the club have not offered me a new one. We will have to see where this season takes us and I will look at the situation again. But I have to say I am in no mad rush to sign a new contract at Newcastle."

Shay sounds a little concerned with the lack of players coming in compared to the amount going out:

"We have sold six players and brought in three so anyone can do the maths and see we are short,"

I think everyone will agree with Shay that Newcastle still need to bolster their squad if they are to keep up with the best next season. But the transfer window isn't closed yet, so anythings still possible.


Shay pulls off a superb reflex save against Deportivo

From the Chronicle:

"While Depor were bringing off some of their best attacking players, United threw on Chopra and switched to 4-4-2. The next goalkeeper called into action, though, was Given as he produced an outstanding reflex stop. Castro was in the six yard box when he deflected Munitis's shot goalwards but the Irishman was equal to it and got his reward when team-mate Steven Taylor was first to the rebound.

Full match report from the chronicle here

or from NUFC.co.uk who wrote:

Given made a fantastic save on 73 minutes when Munitis' effort clipped off Castro, but despite being wrong-footed the Irishman got down to block the shot and Taylor hacked the ball away to safety.

Full match report from nufc.co.uk here


Shay confident that Newcastle can get the players they need!

"Since the chairman has been at the club, he's been wonderful in the sense that he's always put his money where his mouth is and always backed the manager. I'm sure it'll be no different this time and, come the start of the season, we'll have a strong squad of players." Full story here


Newcastle take an away goal back to St. James

Newcastle playing with a young team with not too much experience managed to wrestle a 2:1 defeat and a vital away goal from Lee Bowyer out of a tough tie with Deportivo.

> Match report - BBC


Comfortable win for Newcastle

Newcastle glided to a 5:1 on aggregate victory over Dubnica at St. James park with Shay making the occassional save. Newcastle had to be patient till Alan Shearer secured a 2:0 victory with 2 well-taken headers. Match report here


Shay's back in business!

Shay will return to Newscastle's Intertoto Cup side against Dubnica (Slovakia) in Tuesday night's second round tie at St. James park accompanied by Jermaine Jenas, Lee Bowyer and Stephen Carr. Read full story here


17-year old Dutch Goalkeeper signs

Tim Krul signed from Den Haag, is regarded as one of the top young keepers in Holland and the natural successor to Edwin van der Sar when he retires from international football after the World Cup in Germany next summer. He also hopes to be challenging for a first-team place in a couple of years saying:

"I am hoping to start off in the Reserves and then make progress into the first team and in a couple of years I am looking to be challenging for a first-team place. But I know this is not going to be easy because Shay Given is such a fantastic goalkeeper."

More here


Shay back to training!

The holidays are over and Shay is back in Newcastle getting back to full fitness, and looking forward to the new season's campaign:


 

Back ONLINE!

Sorry folks, we were offline temporarily for a few days due to us changing webservers for the new season! Only the best and all that! :-) Oh, by the way, isn't it great to see Shay stay a Newcastle player despite all the rumours. Relief all round, but as Shay said yesterday himself:

"As far as I'm concerned, it's just people trying to sell papers, but it's football and part and parcel of the game, it doesn't bother me at all".


Souness puts rumours about Shay to bed

Graham Souness was quick to put out the fire surrounding his 2 goalkeepers for next season saying:

"I don't know why these stories have kept appearing because we have absolutely no interest in selling either of our two goalkeepers. We're very happy with the pair of them. Shay has been linked with moves all summer and, according to some, he was definitely off to Manchester United a few weeks ago.
But I'd spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson and I knew they were not interested in him so I had no worries about that. Now they've signed Edwin van der Sar and people have finally stopped talking about Shay going elsewhere. We have not had a single enquiry for Shay all summer and even if we did have one, we wouldn't sell. He is under contract with us and we are not interested in losing one of our best players. Shay has not intimated to me that he wants to leave and we fully expect both our goalkeepers to still be at Newcastle United next season."

Like we've said all along, it's just Newspapers stirring up rumours to sell their wares. Shay is a proud adopted Geordie and wants to win silverware with Newcastle. Let's hope they can do it next year. More here


Papers say Newcastle rejected 6m bid from Man Utd. for Shay

The irish press maintain that Newcastle Utd. turned down a bid of 6 million for Shay and were wanting 10 million for Newcastle's ace goalkeeper. Well done Freddie Shepherd!


Great relief for Shay and the irish squad

It was relief alround after Ireland got the valuable three points against a well drilled Faroe Islands defence. Shay had a couple of saves to make with Gerry McDermott commenting:

Given produced a superb save on 70 minutes when he tipped a 25-yard shot from Lakjuni onto his left-hand post and out for a corner.

So well done Shay and Ireland for now topping the group and keeping the hopes of a World Cup alive.


Steve Harper off to Celtic?

It's rumoured that Gordon Strachan has Steve Harper in his sights according to the journal. He has a gentleman's agreement allowing him to leave Newcastle if any club comes in with a bid of over 1 Million. Full story here


Thanks From Chelsea!

NUFC this week received the following letter from Chelsea supporter Dave Spicer, from Bristol. I thought it was so encouraging that I wanted to honour the Newcastle fans by having it on Shay-Given.com aswell:

To whom it may concern, this is a short Thank You. I am a Chelsea season ticket holder and I was at the last game of the season at Newcastle. I would like to congratulate the Newcastle players and all the Newcastle fans for the respect and great ovation they gave the Chelsea team onto the pitch. This was great to witness, and it was the complete opposite of the way the team were received by Manchester United fans a few days before. This just showed me and others what sort of club Newcastle and their fans are. A big well done, and good luck next season.
Dave Spicer - Stockwood Bristol

Taken from nufc.co.uk

"Please stay!"

That's the plea from former irish international Liam O'Brien saying:

"Shay's a fantastic goalkeeper, and I know him well, and there's been a lot of speculation about him going here, there and everywhere. He's one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the Premiership, and has been for some time. You can see why other clubs might be interested, but it would be nice if he could stay at Newcastle and help them win something."

Read full story here from chronicle

"Shay as angry as the rest of Ireland"

"We are angry that we threw a two goal lead away but we can still qualify for the World Cup even if it's now that little bit more difficult. There are some big games to come, especially at home but if we play like we did in the second half on Saturday, especially with the chances we created, on another day, we will score.
Three points, and no less, is a must tomorrow night. It's going to be a tough game, no doubt about that. There's not much margin for error from now on."


Barcelona the latest club touted!

Barcelona are the latest line of clubs "apparently" keen to bring Shay away from Newcastle Utd. but it's just "paper talk" to Shay. See source from teamtalk here. We at Shay-Given.com think it's very flattering for Shay and should be for Newcastle fans too, having their goalkeeper touted with the big names in football, but we want to stress once again that it's just in Shay's words "paper talk".

> "Barca Boss keen on Shay" - teamtalk


Shay takes on Godfather role for Ireland

No, he's not going into a career in acting unlike his opposite opponent in the Israeli goal last Saturday, but is playing the role of Godfather to the irish squad in this years International Danone Nations Cup Final in Lyon, France this September ... more infos here from soccercentral.ie


At least one rumour put to bed folks!

Everyone was terrified that Shay was off to Old Trafford. Okay I got quite a few mails from Man Utd. fans begging Shay to come, etc. but it was never going to happen. They can't afford a keeper of Shay's quality! :-) and Newcastle wouldn't sell him anyway! My opinion (for what it's worth) is that Shay will spend his career as a magpie. He loves the club, the fans, the city and desperately wants to be on the back of a black n' white double decker bus in Newcastle!


Actors should be banned!

The Israeli goalkeeper should be fined and banned from football for up to at least 12 months for his performance in getting Andy O'Brien sent off. He was at it the whole match and finally succeeded in getting someone off the pitch. I think it makes a joke out of soccer. BAN this actor and send him off the circus!


Tough test for Ireland and Shay

Ireland need to win against Israel on Saturday and it's going to be no picnic. Robbie Keane comments that:

“It’s going to be a tough game. They’ve certainly done well over the games. As we know, they’re up there for a reason. The table doesn’t lie. We’ve played all the teams and now we’ve got the big teams at home. Every game, we want to win. This is just as big as Switzerland and France and we’re not going into thinking it will be any easier. We’ll be patient — we’re not going to go into the game trying to win it in the first 20 minutes. It’s 90 minutes and we’ll have to be patient.

Israel will be missing key central defender Tal Ben Haim of Bolton Wanderers and former Wimbledon midfielder Waleed Badir through suspension but Keane pointed out that the loss of Stephen Carr and Roy Keane will be just as significant to Ireland.

“They’re probably saying the same about us because of Roy and Stephen. They’ll miss those players but take nothing away from them, they still got great players in their side.”

Comments take from the fai website

 

"DON'T LET HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF"

That's Michael Martin's (Editor True Faith Fanzine) warning to Newcastle Utd.'s board of management to "not sell their best players". He says (from the Evening Chronicle):

"Whilst we had a brief period where we thought the club had seen the light in the memorable era of Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United playing days in the mid-80s, the club reverted to type and flogged off the fruits of a Geordie generation: Waddle, Beardsley and Gascoigne all joining clubs which had more ambition, drive and vision than NUFC. The sale of that trio was followed by the inevitable march to relegation and the money spent on replacements was largely squandered, resulting in another depressing era for the club in the late 80s and early 90s under Jim Smith and Ossie Ardiles. All of these thoughts came to mind on Friday night when we heard the news that Man Utd had released blunder-prone goalie Roy Carroll from the Old Trafford payroll. It wasn't long before texts and mobile phone calls between Newcastle supporters were buzzing and the subject of this excitement was obvious: Shay Given. Man Utd are in the market for a new keeper and, like Arsenal, cannot have failed to notice the lad from Donegal, who has established himself as one of the best 'keepers in Europe. Indeed, he is the best goalkeeper many of us have ever seen in a lifetime supporting Newcastle United. He should be a player ready to enter the pantheon of truly great players to have served NUFC. But...
The lad would not be human if he had not observed the morass around him at NUFC and wondered whether his career would not be better served elsewhere.
We are all far too long in the tooth to imagine there are such notions of loyalty or that a professional could feel the same way about a club as supporters do. Players, and their agents, make decisions about where they go based on money and how a club will progress their career.
I genuinely believe Shay is looking at his career and the state of the club, about which he has already made some withering comments in the media, and contemplating his future.
We hear that Freddy Shepherd and Graeme Souness will be ready to fight to keep our beloved keeper at the club.
Forgive me for my cynicism, but Shay is our most saleable asset and the club is keen to raise money to bring in new players."

So the question is "Will Newcastle "kee the faith" with Shay? Your thoughts here to the webmaster please.

Full article can be read here


"Man Utd. hot on the Trail!" Daily Mirror

Man Utd. have been connected with almost every goalkeeper and their Granny since they let go of Roy Carroll last week, and it's no surprise that Newcastle's fans player of the Year Shay gets his share of the rumours:

United in chase for £6million Given
Sir Alex Ferguson will launch a £6million bid to prise Shay Given away from Newcastle and make him Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper. Fergie has identified Newcastle keeper Given as the man he wants as his new No.1 after United's shock decision to release last week's FA Cup final keeper Roy Carroll on a free transfer. Carroll was shown the Old Trafford exit door after turning down the offer of a new deal. Given has two years left on his contract and United believe the Newcastle board will find it hard to turn down a bid, even though publicly they say he's not for sale. Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd made similar assurances to fans over Jonathan Woodgate, only for the defender to join Real Madrid for £13m. United are hoping a deal can be completed by the time they leave for their Far East tour on July 21.
Staff reporter, Daily Mirror

Source: manutd.com

The best compliment on the Man Utd. board came from Matthew Miles who said:

"Shay Given is the only goalkeeper which is the total package."

That's our sentiments exactly and all the more reason for Newcastle NOT to sell Shay! :-)

Another comment of the Man Utd. message board from Satya Vellan:

"I think we need an additional Goalkeeper? Fergie, please buy Newcastle gk Shay given ... He is the right person: Experienced, disciplined, acrobatic ... I'm 100% convinced that he will play 4 us if the right offer made ... There are no better keepers than him to play 4 man utd. Buy Shay Given! Believe me he is better than Peter Cezh."


Arsenal gunning for Shay?

Today the Evening Chronicle is saying that Arsene Wenger's after Shay if he doesn't get his first choice Cudicini from Chelsea. Well I've got an even better one lads, yesterday in Irish papers it's being said that Sir Alex is aiming for Buffon for over 30 million but if he doesn't get him he's also after Shay! :-) It's all just talk. Shay will be a magpie next season. Full story from the Chronicle here


Rumours are running rife again! :-)

It's always humurous to hear the latest rumour concerning Shay, but the latest is definately close to hilarious. It's rumoured that (according to sources connected with nufc.com) that Newcastle will sell Shay to Man Utd. and replace him with Sporting Lisbon's Ricardo, Portugal's number one in exchange for Hugo Vianna. It's great entertainment! :-) but before you start emailing me asking if it's true etc. I think it's fair to say "unless some big club offers silly money this summer, Shay will remain a proud magpie!


Back to work on the 22nd of June?

Considering Shay has to play internationals at the end of the Premiership, it leaves him getting off work on the 9th of June with the Faroe Islands game on the evening of the 8th of June in the Faroe Islands, so Shay will be really ready to go on holiday probably earliest on the 10th giving him a 12 day break! This isn't Shay's opinion here but I feel he needs and deserves a bigger break than that. Here's for 3 weeks off! :-)


Shay's one of the unsung HEROES of the Premiership!

According to television and radio pundit Rodney Marsch, Shay is one of Newcastle's and the Premiership's unsung heroes just like Solano and Speed were before they were bizarely off-loaded as "surplus-requirements".

Marsch said of Shay:

"He rarely keeps a clean sheet and he plays behind one of the least reliable defences in the country but the Irishman somehow manages to maintain a remarkably high standard week in week out."

We think Shay maintains that standard because he wants to be up there amoung the great goalkeepers of his time when his playing career is over and he "never stops learning" which means he never stops "improving his game". It's the least the Geordie fans deserve. More here from the Evening Chronicle

Sorry!

Sorry folks for the site being down over the weekend. We were testing a new software to allow more editors on site and there was a glitch in the testing phase shutting the start page down. But we're back up again.


"Nobody said it was going to be easy!"

To see that an understrength Newcastle team came away from Old Trafford surprised not to take anything away from the game is credit to the youngsters involved. Shay was beaten for the opening goal by a spectacular volley from Wayne Rooney but should Shola Amoebi have done better for the second one? It's not really his strength is it?


Shay staying at Newcastle

With all the rumours starting to gain momentum regarding players leaving Newcastle and players coming in, Shay has made a statement planting his heart firmly in Newcastle:

"I fully expect to still be a Newcastle United player next season, I've got two years left on my contract and I want to be here for at least that length of time. I suppose I anticipate a summer of speculation linking with me with moves away, but I don't see it as anything more than paper talk. Unless somebody tells me otherwise, I'll be a Newcastle player next season.

It looks as though there are going to be some major changes in the summer. I've not got a clue who we're going to buy, but I think it's obvious the areas we need to strengthen. The manager already has an idea of the players he wants to bring in and I want to be a part of what he is trying to do. He will bring some new faces in and I'm looking forward to joining up with them when we return for pre-season training."

Full article here from the Journal's Luke Edwards


Rough night on the birthday boy,

In fairness to Shay, he played well. I loved the way the came out like an "ice-hockey" goalkeeper to block that certain goal just before half-time keeping Newcatle in the game. He looked like Oliver Khan in the last world cup when Ireland played Germany. Ollie Khan would pounce like a cat on top of poor Robbie Keane's goal attempts blocking every one and frustrating the life out of the irish squad. It was the same world cup which Khan received the "best goalkeeper of the tournament" title. Maybe Shay will be known as the cat if he keeps it up. I'm sure the Newcastle fans will encourage him to POUNCE at Old Trafford on Sunday! :-)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SHAY

Yes, it's Shay's birthday today and the best complement of all must have come from the fans website nufc.com saying: "Shay Given ... A rare commodity in the Newcastle dressing room - a top class player and seemingly a top class individual. Long may he stand between our goalposts."


Tough times for the Toon!

It'll be tough to go to training tomorrow without the Final of the FA Cup to look forward to or the Semi-final of the UEFA Cup, but such is life being a Newcastle fan at the moment.


A tough pill to swallow

Shay might've swallowed some anti-inflammatories to play against the Portugese, but the most difficult thing to swallow must have been 4 goals hitting his net after leading 0:1 through an outstanding Kieron Dyer. Knowing Shay though, he'll be up for the Manchester Utd. game on Sunday as if they just returned from Portugal crowned European Champions. Rock on Shay.


"Shay can grow a new muscle!"

Steve Harper "With Shay, you can never rule him out. Shay could even grow another muscle by Thursday and recover - he has done things like that in the past. They don't call him Lazarus for no reason".

We're hoping that Shay can grow another muscle this week instead of missing the 2 biggest games in Newcastle's recent history. Full story here from nufc.co.uk

Shay's hoping to play!

There's no doubts about Shay willingness and drive to play against SPORTING Lisbon, but will his hip injury ease up in time for Thursday's clash? Would it be better to try and make the FA CUP Semi-Final on Sunday against Man Utd. instead? Here's a picture of Shay on the SUN's website of him looking cool in his shades with a very determined look on his face. As Steve Harper would tell you "Never rule out Lazerus". :-)


"Shay's on the plane"

Shay has been on the treatment table since last Thursdays SPORTING Lisbon clash and is taking 'Anti-Inflammatories' in a rush against the clock to be fit for what he decribes as the "2 biggest games at the club for a long time". Full story here from nufc.co.uk


 

Tough day in London

Tottenham 1:0 Newcastle

Steve Harper had a harsh baptism in this year's Premiership losing against a dominating Spurs outfit after a kick-out