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Joey Barton has claimed Newcastle United players opposed the appointment of former manager Alan Pardew back in 2010.

In his stunning new book, entitled ‘No Nonsense’, Barton recalls the moment that ex-managing director Derek Llambias confronted influential first team members after he’d heard they weren’t impressed with Chris Hughton’s replacement.

In an extract from Barton’s no-holds-barred account of his career, the club’s player of the season in 2011 felt that Pardew never had a connection with Newcastle fans from the word go after being appointed by Mike Ashley.

He said: “Ashley’s choice of Alan Pardew to succeed Chris was cunning, because of his working-class, building-site background.

“He is one of the better managers I have played for, but I don’t think the fans ever related to him.

“He justified their prejudices because he looked like a stereotypical wide boy.

“He fancied himself a little too obviously for their tastes.

“The average Geordie who works his b**locks off can’t bring himself to give a good-looking Cockney lad the benefit of the doubt.

“He is much more comfortable with the grittiness of one of his own. That’s why Alan Shearer is idolised and Pards mistrusted.

“Rightly or wrongly, he was seen as Ashley’s ambassador and apologist.”

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And when talking about the days leading up to the then out of work former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United manager, Barton said: “He wasn’t exactly welcomed with open arms by the players.

“We were seething at the way they had got rid of Chris and once we got wind of Pardew’s impending arrival, during an afternoon conditioning session in the gym at the training ground, there was a full-scale rebellion. We weren’t having him at any price.”

Barton also goes on to describe the scene at the club’s training ground, he went on: “Llambias was responsible for an unforgettable ‘I am Spartacus’ episode when he swaggered into the dressing room.

‘I’ve heard a few of you have got a problem with our appointment’, he said, with confidence that suggested he considered himself the owner’s Rottweiler, rather than his poodle.

‘Who are you?, Let’s be seeing you.’ I stood up straight away: ‘Me.’

“Smudger was almost on tiptoe: ‘Me.’ Harps did an impromptu impression of a Schmeichel starburst: ‘Me.’

“The skipper, Nobby, wasn’t about to be left out: ‘Me’.”

Barton goes on his book to explain the fallout after Pardew’s appointment as well as talk in great detail about his experiences growing up and the turmoil that resulted in him being sent to prison.

His autobiography is on sale in book shops today priced at £20.