Former Newcastle United superstar Malcolm Macdonald has moved to disprove Dennis Wise's theory that outsiders are not easily accepted in the 'Toon'.
The ex-Chelsea midfielder was not given much of a chance as the Magpies' director of football when he arrived with (vice-president of player recruitment) Tony Jimenez and (technical co-ordinator) Jeff Vetere in January 2008 to assist then-manager Kevin Keegan.
Wise, who lasted in the job until April 2009, suggested in an interview with beIN Sports there was a problem with Londoners coming in to work at St James' Park.
He said: "We were the Cockney Mafia. It was like 'OK no problem'.
"Once you get past Watford Gap there's a problem."
But London-born Macdonald, who scored close to 100 goals for the Magpies in the 1970s, feels that people from all walks of life are accepted in the north east if they deliver for the proud club.
"Dennis Wise was never here long enough to get to know the people on the North East," Macdonald told The Chronicle.
"The good folk just want their money's worth - and quite a few people will question what he was doing spending all the money that he did.
"I had no problem whatsoever being from London and playing for Newcastle - but I think I provided what people wanted. Can Dennis Wise say the same?"
