Newcastle relegated

The pain of the 2008 / 2009 campaign for Newcastle supporters ended with the hellish drop the Championship following their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa. Decided with a unfortunate own goal by Damien Duff, the Magpies lacked the fire and venom need to succeed and will look back on the sad date in history with the knowledge that a draw would have saved them.

To review the match is a pointless stroll in the dark of night. Newcastle had few noteworthy opportunities to score and for the most part seemed not to understand the repercussions of lost. However the dye is now cast and Newcastle must now face a very difficult and murky road back up to the Premier League.

The challenges that they will face is a lengthy one, starting with plunging cash flows and asset value, coupled with salaries that need a mass overhaul. The solutions are not-so-simple as Newcastle has the mark as the first major club derailed by the worlds financial meltdown. In the coming days there will be much speculation on the value of "Newcastle, the Championship side" and while there will be public glaze in the positive from management, the financial issues the club will now face places them on the shakiest of ground. Despite well intended commentary from management regarding player changes and fire and brimstone speeches, the day-to-day grind of Football management, will now have to marry between the Premier League budget and a Championship revenue stream, while being under-capitalized. This adds up to a series of difficult choices as Newcastle must now balance its budget within significantly tighter constraints and equally plan the quickest route possible to the Premier League or suffer the same fate as Charlton Athletic and Leeds.

Now more than ever Newcastle, the Toon Army must grow together and support the club with passion.