Bowyer future in doubt after 'blackest day'

As a past chairman of Newcastle Yacht Club, Freddy Shepherd knows a thing or two about crossing stormy waters. Even in his seven years at the helm of Newcastle United, the man who used to stand as a fan at the Gallowgate End at St James' Park has steered his beloved black and whites through some pretty rough seas - not least when he temporarily vacated his position in 1998 after being caught on tape by an undercover News of the World reporter making disparaging remarks about Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan and the women of Tyneside.

As a past chairman of Newcastle Yacht Club, Freddy Shepherd knows a thing or two about crossing stormy waters. Even in his seven years at the helm of Newcastle United, the man who used to stand as a fan at the Gallowgate End at St James' Park has steered his beloved black and whites through some pretty rough seas - not least when he temporarily vacated his position in 1998 after being caught on tape by an undercover News of the World reporter making disparaging remarks about Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan and the women of Tyneside.

In the aftermath of Saturday's astonishing fight between Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer in the 81st minute of Newcastle's 3-0 Premiership home defeat against Aston Villa, Shepherd now faces the most formidable task of his chairmanship of the club in attempting to steer a course to dry land. "I'm deeply upset, hurt and angry," he said yesterday. "It was a black day for Newcastle United and, speaking personally, the worst day I've experienced as chairman of this football club.

"I never thought I would see two of our own players fighting," he added. "It was just unbelievable. I could hardly believe what my eyes were telling me."

In the harsh reality of a Monday morning, Shepherd will be at St James' Park early today for the release of the club's half-yearly accounts. He will then meet his manager, Graeme Souness, to decide what to do about the damage caused when Bowyer took exception to Dyer's failure to furnish him with possession and landed two punches on his colleague in the scrap that preceded their summary dismissal by referee Barry Knight.

Bowyer's future at Newcastle would appear to be under peril, despite the assertion made by Souness after dragging the errant England internationals into the press room on Saturday night that he could "envisage both of them playing for Newcastle United again." Souness himself described Bowyer's actions as "indefensible". "I think he is guilty, as the pictures show, of throwing more than one punch," he added. "He has to accept whatever punishment comes his way."

Bowyer's past history - including such events as the high-profile court case in which he was ultimately cleared of grievous bodily harm and affray, and the stamp in the face of the Malaga player Gerardo that led to a six-match ban by Uefa - is likely to mitigate against him being given a chance to redeem himself in the long term on Tyneside.

Shepherd intends to see both players after consulting Souness. "I need to see them face to face before making any decisions," he said. "There will be no kangaroo court and I don't want to speculate on anyone's future at this stage."

Dyer's future, however, would appear to be more secure, Souness having pledged to appeal against his red card, in the hope of clearing him to play in Newcastle's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United in Cardiff on Sunday week. "I have seen the incident," Souness said, "and I have been assured by Kieron Dyer that he did not throw any punches, that he was on the receiving end." Both players, who pointedly apologised to everyone save each other in their brief press room appearance, can expect a fine of six weeks' wages, around £250,000.

"That option is open to an employer if the behaviour is gross misconduct," Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, said yesterday, "and fighting on the pitch and getting sent off is gross misconduct. It was embarrassing, unprofessional and unacceptable."

A cut-price transfer at the end of the season would seem likely, in Bowyer's case at least. Craig Bellamy is already in the queue for a swift summer sale following his spat with Souness in January and his subsequent loan to Celtic, who yesterday declared their intention to make the move permanent.

Having made discipline one of his top priorities since succeeding Sir Bobby Robson last August, Souness intends to hold a team meeting today in an attempt to rally his in-fighting troops. He is unlikely to be either tempted or amused by William Hill's cheap-shot offer of odds of 4/9 on Bowyer and 13/8 on Dyer in the event of a re-match between the pair, who were not close friends away from the pitch but were happy enough companions in the players' card school at Newcastle.