The Amazing Mike Newell of Luton Town

Mike Newell, female officials and an apology to die for.

By Garry Cook

I have just been watching TV Gold that was Mike Newell live from Luton Town's training ground apologising for his sexist comments at the weekend.

Newell, if you remember, gave female official Amy Rayner a bashing after his side lost 3-2 at home to QPR on Saturday (November 11, 2006).

The former Everton and Blackburn Rovers striker was incensed over some of Rayner's decisions as a linesman in the match.

This is what he said in full: "She should not be here. I know that sounds sexist, but I am sexist, so I am not going to be anything other than that.

"We have a problem in this country with political correctness, and bringing women into the game is not the way to improve refereeing and officialdom.

"It is absolutely beyond belief. When do we reach a stage when all officials are women, because then we are in trouble?

"It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have, but if you start bringing in women, you have big problems.

"This is Championship football. This is not park football, so what are women doing here? It is tokenism, for the politically-correct idiots."

'I know that sounds sexist, I am sexist'! It's great stuff if you like a laugh, but Newell has been hit hard for his comments.

Not only did his Luton board call an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss his comments but every paper and news channel has had a field day.

Hence the decision by Newell to do a live interview on Sky Sports News to publicly apologise.

Problem was, Sky Sports had done their research and what followed was the type of cringing hatchet job which Jeremy Paxman would have been proud of.

Basically, Newell was apologising for his comments, but when pressed he admitted that he still believed in what he had said. In journalistic terms, this is a weakness and the interviewer kept pushing the point, repeatedly asking the same question (just using different words).

And when Newell had become over-irritated with those questions he was then given the opportunity to become over-irritated with questions about his other comments criticising the Luton board.

He had said things like the club had gone backwards, the chairman's decisions had been awful and he had been promised funds that did not materialise. The Sky man had it all written down. "You might hit me for this question, but will you still be in a job by Saturday?" asked the Sky man. The questions came at Newell like a flurry of Amir Khan jabs.

And Newell was all over the place. His eyes were rolling, he was stuttering. He was laughing in frustration. "I'm only here to apologise about what I said, not discuss the ins and outs of it," he kept repeating.

What we learned about Newell, apart from the fact that him and his chairman obviously can't stand the sight of each other, is that Newell is someone to respect.

Not only does he tell it like he see it, his views are also considered - even if you disagree with him about female officials in men's football.

Newell has impressed me down the years. He's done a fabulous job at Luton Town. He was doing great at Hartlepool.

He is obviously a determined man. He worked for several years as a scout for Blackpool Football Club. I have seen him not only at League matches, but also at Premiership reserve matches and non-League grounds - at UniBond League games - quietly watching players, doing the groundwork. Hardwork.

And then there was the bung comments. Seemingly a quiet man who would not actively court the limelight, Newell was the first manager to speak openly about bungs in football. For that alone I see him as a pioneer.

To criticise the sport when many clubs, chairman, managers and agents are indulging in illegal practices was quiet incredible. In this area football is something of a closed shop and his chances of getting a job at the highest level could yet be restricted because of his honesty.

Newell has spoken out against bad practices in football, had a go at his own bosses whne they gone back on their word and voiced his opinions on women officials in professional football.

But it is honesty which resonates with me. Clearly he has decent values. He must be applauded.

I salute the bloke.