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They now have statistics to back up why Newcastle United, under the present regime, will deliberately never try to win a trophy.

Think of the most depressing thing you can, maybe finding your mum in bed with Jeremy Clarkson, and you are still nowhere close to what yesterday’s minutes from the Fans’ Forum meeting made most supporters feel.

Or maybe I am wrong. After all. I do work for the hated local press who only want what is worse for Newcastle United Football Club.

And what is worse than wanting your chosen team to, you know, have a bit of a go at winning one or even two of the actual tournaments that might be worth winning.

When asked at the meeting, held on Monday night, whether the club did not think it is worth going on a cup run next season, the reply was thus.

“The board outlined research into Premier League clubs in relation to domestic cup competitions in the last five years, with Swansea City the only club outside the traditional top six to win a domestic cup and not be relegated in the same season (Birmingham and Wigan Athletic were both relegated).

“Independent research into the cost of relegation over the past ten years showed there is a 50% chance of not gaining promotion back to the top flight and a 30% chance of being relegated to League One or further. In addition, if clubs do return to the Premier League, it takes four years on average.”

When the form put forward the point that if the club finished higher in the Premier League, would they aim for a cup?

The board added: “At this moment in time, the club’s priority is the Premier League.”

Oh. Dear.

This doesn’t explain why when last season, as the club were comfortably free from relegation, the team put out in the third round of the FA Cup last season was seriously weakened.

Same goes for season 2011/12 when the only thing threatening Newcastle was the Champions League.

True, it’s been an odd few years in that more lesser teams than you would ordinarily expect have made a final.

However, Newcastle United are not a lesser team. Just thought I would throw that out there.

The minutes stated: “The board reiterated that the team selected to play Cardiff in the FA Cup in 2013/14 was strong enough to win the game (while the club were knocked out of the League Cup after extra time by the eventual competition and Premier League winners, Manchester City.”

Loic Remy was on the bench and Yohan Cabaye was “rested” for the Cardiff game.

So to the other points made the Forum members who put questions to Lee Charnley, John Irving and the rest at St James’ Park on Monday night.

Quite reasonably, they asked what was the club’s ambition going forward?

“The board reiterated (that word again) the club’s commitment to an open and consistent communications process with fans.

“The board accepted that the second half of the season had been disappointing but underlined its aim of improving on 16th-place finish in 2012/13 with a top ten finish in 2013/14 had been realised.

“It was stated that the club’s aims for the 2014/15 Premier League season would be made public once they had been determined. The board reiterated that the Premier League will remain the club’s priority.”

Be still my beating heart.

So why are there so many inconsistent messages from the club concerning transfer budgets and numbers of players?

What this meant was why is Alan Pardew forced in front of a microphone to say X number of players will be signed when that never happens.

“The board explained that the message it had continued to convey in relation to transfers - including in Lee Charnley’s statement in April - is, and will remain, its view.

“It was explained that any other messages or reports were unhelpful for both the club and its supporters and that the club will continue to work to address any issues.”

Erm, does that mean Pardew has been wrong to say just last week that three or four - it’s always three or four - new players are going to arrive?

“The board stated that it aims to avoid over promising and under delivering and that mixed messaging had to be avoided.”

This is gobbledygook. The board rarely says anything about transfers and rarely signs anyone.

However, there was confirmation that money was available “but had to ensure the right players are purchased for the right price.”

The issue of the land behind the Gallowgate End was raised and the club “it did not make commercial sense to outlay approximately £30m -£40m to expand for the sake of an extra 6,000 - 8,000 seats.”

Here’s a thing. I agree with that.

Questions were asked about form and results, but only Pardew could really answer that and he wasn’t there and most likely won’t be in the future.

Incidentally, it was also stated that Ashley would not be at any future meetings.

The minutes read: “The board stated the club’s aim is to be the best it can be pound for pound and that the club’s aims for next season will be made public in due course.”

Newcastle United are quite some distance away from being the best it cam be, pound for pound.

And the minutes continued; “The board outlined the financial distributions from the Premier League to clubs for the 2013/14 season.

“It was stated that clubs such as Liverpool receive far more Premier League revenue than Newcastle £20.3million more for 2013/14, excluding commercial and matchday revenue which will also be higher).

“This disparity means it is impossible to compete with the traditional ‘top six’ financially - they have the resources to outspend us. In order to compete on the pitch, the club has to continue achieving value in terms of recruitment and stick to its principals.”

Fair enough in terms of competing with FC Abu Dhabi.

But, sorry, what principals? And why is it impossible for Newcastle to compete with the top six when they did so for the first half of last season, and in the fifth place campaign?

And then there is the boycott. The board was asked what they would say to fans who walked out of St. James’ Park early during the Cardiff game.

“The board accepted that performances in the second half of the season were disappointing. The board outlined that the responsibility of planning in the best interests of the club is their overriding focus and hoped fans would continue to support the club as it moves forward.”

In other words, they didn’t have anything to say to people. Good grief.

So what else. Oh, yes, the club is not for sale.

There was a lot in the minutes. Much of it covered on here. But to sum up every last word of a rather lengthy meeting, the people running Newcastle United are not listening to the supporters.

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