In the grand scheme of things, one of few footballing constants 2020 has provided doesn’t really matter at all.Still, with the beautiful game being the most important of life’s least important things to so many people around the world, it’s hard not to be angry at the fact Newcastle United remain under the ownership of Mike Ashley.During a year in which the world has had to deal with a life-altering pandemic and scientists have found water on the sunlit surface of the moon, a darkness over St. James’ Park was only lifted momentarily in April when the idea of a Saudi Arabian takeover become a reality.Given the recent fates of the likes of Bury and Macclesfield as the financial impact of the pandemic looms over clubs in the EFL, suggesting the idea of being what would effectively be 'sportswashed' by a country with a terrible human rights record is the worst thing in the world would be crass and offensive.No, the real problem with being a Newcastle fan right now is having to deal with false dawns. A first world one when compared to the horror stories we've seen lower down the pyramid but a problem nonetheless. With most of the country - specifically the North - deep into another miserable lockdown, there’s certainly time to be reflective (if a little soppy) about it all.To hear certain pundits speak of the club would be to hear of a fanbase so demanding they are chasing Steve Bruce out of St. James’ Park with virtual pitchforks for not building a side capable of destroying the so-called little teams while tussling with the elite.
Clearly, that isn’t the case.
Sometimes, it seems as if pundits are wanting to put Newcastle fans in their place. Be happy with your lot, you never won trophies in the old days (post the 1950s) so you’ve no right to complain now.
Which is why Kieron Dyer’s frank admission that he was ‘bored’ watching his former employers should ring so true to Newcastle fans. A former player, he knows the vast majority of fans merely want something to be excited about. Something to look forward to on the weekend. Something to be proud of.
Under the ownership of Mike Ashley - who recently added to the element of surprise 2020 appears to be addicted to expelling by criticising the Premier League's greed for fans’ money - that just isn’t going to happen.
Even despite the fact the Premier League are thought to have received a legal letter demanding anti-competition disclosure in regard to the takeover, there have been conflicting reports on how seriously to take that.
That isn't to question any of the journalists working on the story. It's clearly one of the biggest Newcastle have been involved in and, should the Saudis get their way no matter how remote a possibility that may seem, it would have a profound impact on English football given their resource.
An ever-changing story that has so far led to the same outcome.
However, from purely a fan perspective, when does it all become too much? If you're constantly living under the pretence that the sun may be coming out tomorrow, at what point do you decide tomorrow never comes?
Enough false dawns will stop you looking at the sky in the first place.
Again, any one still clinging to the hope that Ashley will be gone quickly is perfectly entitled to. Given what's happened to the club under his watch, no one needs to be told how to feel about the prospect of it ending.
Still, it's hard to genuinely get excited about the prospect of a takeover now beyond a distant hope. There has been so much talk from so many different parties now that we've shot so many 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' retakes, the lad in the particular fable has gone as grey as the canine's coat.
Perhaps we're all better off merely waiting for something substantial to happen.