Why Tyneside WILL miss Mr Newcastle

First off, a suggestion: if you are one of those who have contributed to the dog's abuse Alan has received from certain Newcastle supporters, most notably in recent years, then go online and read some other local evening newspapers.

Actually, go read any other local evening newspaper -- for any significant length of time.

Then, you might begin to appreciate the service Alan Oliver has provided Newcastle's public these last 28 years.

You see, other local evening papers rarely, if ever, break big stories involving their local football clubs.

Injuries, suspensions, post-match reaction . . . such is their bread and butter.

Oliver? He all but single-handedly fed Chronicle readers a richer diet . . . of transfer exclusives, dressing-room disharmony, boardroom bust-ups and more -- and for nigh on 30 years.

While never claiming to be the best sportswriter around, he was a sports reporter -- a story-getter -- extraordinaire.

So much so that his tales came to be faithfully retold in the following day's national newspapers. Every day.

Where the London tabloids lead, most local papers merely follow. Up here, thanks to Olly, the opposite was true.

The flip side of which was that, after almost three decades, many took his story-breaking ability for granted, especially at times when they felt Newcastle's mounting off-field problems demanded more critical coverage than he provided.

Alan would acknowledge that he was often not as forthright as others in bemoaning boardroom failings at United, particularly in the Hall/Shepherd era.

But his was a newspaper which had played an active role in installing that regime.

And the relationships Oliver formed as a result -- relationships which earned him an incomparable string of exclusive United stories, an unrivalled insight into St James's Park and which are as rare as hen's teeth between genuine club insiders and journalists in a now "them and us" climate.

Alan lived and breathed the job; his working hours -- rising at stupid o'clock to be in the office at first light, waiting on players and managers outside dark and chilly football grounds when the last fan was back home -- an acknowledgement of his privileged position.

If you still insist that conscience should have come before contacts, then I guess you haven't had more than 8000 Chronicle back pages to fill since 1980.

And if you still condemn Alan Oliver as an apologist, you're not one of the innumerable players who have baulked at his criticism over the years, let alone one of the 14 Newcastle managers who, to a man, have done the same.

Say what you like about his club politics, but Alan always called it like he saw it on the pitch.

So farewell then, Mr Newcastle. I doubt we'll see your like again.

One day, more Newcastle United fans might regret that fact.