Fan Focus: Newcastle Jets with David Mcgraw

Our latest fan focus interview takes us to the Hunter with passionate Newcastle football fan David Mcgraw. We started these interviews to get an inside view on the A - League clubs from the people that ultimately keep the club going, the fans. David is an avid sports fan who loves his football, he has always supported the world game in Newcastle first with the Breakers and now with the Jets. Strap yourselves in for a fiery and honest interview, as we discuss Emile Heskey, Con Constantine and of course Nathan Tinkler.

Enjoy......

We are now just under 2 months till the A-League season starts. Are you excited?

It is always exciting to see the return of the A-League but in a lead up to a World Cup we are participating in means through to the Asian Cup in 2015, we are about to have football in the limelight in Australia for the next 18 months.

How do you think the Newcastle Jets will fare this season?

The Jets will finish in a similar, if not worse position than last year I believe due to a lack of depth in the squad.

In our opinion they have one of the best squads in the league and under achieved massively last year, was last season a failure?

No, this squad is very young and still developing, it is not one of the best in the league, however the potential is there to improve if the team is not disassembled and allowed to mesh into a formidable unit in the future. Last season was disappointing because after Ryan Griffiths was sold the squad looked listless and disinterested with the task at hand.

Is Gary Van Egmond under pressure?

Yes, but most of this is a little unfair as players are constantly let go or sold. GVE seems to be very cautious these days and must promote a more attacking style of football in Newcastle. He worked at the AIS for the FFA and yet rarely fields a true 4-3-3.

Speaking of Van Egmond, he has made a few good signings this season. Are you satisfied with whom he's brought in?

There is still a lot of angst over local captain Jobe Wheelhouse being dumped onto the street and the sale of Ryan Griffiths to a Chinese club. Also Jeremy Brockie and Nikolai Topor-Stanley were deemed unfit for the A-League and went to star at other clubs, so the management of players is a real concern for Novocastrian supporters. 

Let’s talk Emile Heskey - has he been a good marquee singing?

Yes, he is a class act and gives his best on the field. He is enjoying life in Newcastle and is moving his family here so I am pleased he is returning to Newcastle for a second season.

What are you expecting from him this season?

Now he is used to the heat and the hard pitches, more goals and more aggressive pressuring on full-backs who clearly do not enjoy marking him.

Who do you expect to make a big impact this year?

Connor Chapman and Josh Brillante who have both tasted international football and should show their class this season. They are great lads who are popular with the fans.

You've just signed ex Dutch international Kew Jaliens who looks to be a good signing. Your thoughts?

His profile seems to suggest he is the real deal and coming straight from Europe should be a technically sound player, which we need at the back. The mere fact he played at the World Cup and represented Holland 10 times being regarded by Marco van Basten as a quality player says it all.

Nathan Tinkler; have you been impressed with his ownership?

No!

What do you make of the dual ownership with the Newcastle Knights, has he been guilty of favouring the Knights in terms of funding etc?

Definitely, but that is to be expected as he is a Rugby League fan, not a football fan. He has attended just one game since he bought the club and that was an exhibition game involving David Beckham, so he has shown his true colours.

He tried to hand back his license a few seasons ago were you worried the club would fold?

No, because Frank Lowy met him at Brisbane airport and sorted it. If Tinkler walked away, Uncle Frank would have taken care of the mongrel under the rules of the old school. He actually did hand his license back and once Lowy was finished with him, he took it back real quick.

Con Constantine or Nathan Tinkler; Who's the better owner, or is it unfair to compare?

Constantine, because he loves football. The guy may be a nutter, but many in Newcastle still admire him because he bleeds for the game. Con wound up the Newcastle Breakers which still hurts, but he did create the Jets and should not be forgotten for doing so.

The Jets have very impressive membership numbers, is that all down to being so cheap and accessible?

Pretty much the case. This is still a working class town and things are tight, but the club is building a loyal following regardless of expense I believe and attracts decent numbers to away games. The Squadron are disappointing and could not make anywhere near the same amount of noise the old Rowdies brigade made in the NSL days even if they had a few thousand members.

You are so close geographically to your rivals the Mariners. Long term is there enough room for both teams
to succeed on the Central Coast?

We are the seventh largest city in Australia and are not the Central Coast. Gosford is pissant and does not have any cultural or social connection with the Hunter or Novocastrians. In saying this, they run a magnificent club and play at a wonderful stadium. There is room for both and good luck to the Mariners who are worthy champions, but they are not Newcastle.

Let’s back track to the Branko / Jason Culina saga, were fans angry with what happened there?

We have no idea what happened so no one is angry, just confused that Tinkler screwed the whole thing up. One day Branko is here and launching the season, the next he is out. I believe Tinkler has a personal problem with anyone not white and Anglo-Saxon, so he did not like Culina from the moment he took over the club.

The Jets have had some great players who's been you're best player?

1. Ned Zelic

2. Paul Okon

3. Milton Rodrigues

4. Joel Griffiths

5. Nick Carle

And the worst?

Unfortunately Mario Jardel but Guy Bates is also up there. Mark Bridge was the definition of lazy when he played here. He scored the grand final winner so everything else is forgotten.

What will be classed as a success this season?

Avoiding bankruptcy which is where our owner is heading and the top six would be a huge success.

In 10 years the Newcastle jets will be ....

Hopefully playing in a purpose built 15000 capacity stadium owned by a passionate football nut that does not follow the other brutal codes that pollute our national sporting landscape. We will be wearing green, cinnamon and white, our city colours will be our home strip and we will be playing some classy football.