Posted on 1st August 2018
MPs are urging the Government to bring forward its plans for an independent regulator to impose a financial deal on the EFL and Premier League – as the two leagues remain unable to reach a settlement.
Newcastle fan groups urge owner to sell up in joint letter
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
A new coalition of Newcastle United supporter groups have written a letter to the club’s owner urging him to sell the club as soon as possible.
The Magpie Group, newly formed from nine fan groups on Tyneside, wrote to Mike Ashley this week to make clear the current level of discontent at his ownership.
“You have already admitted you are not the man to take the club forward,” The Magpie Group say. “It is time to sell up and go.”
Mike Ashley, founder of discount sports retailer Sports Direct, has been the club’s owner since 2007 and his regime is becoming increasingly unpopular amongst supporters.
The coalition claims that Ashley has overseen a decade of austerity at the club, resulting in significant under-investment in the club’s playing squad, training facilities and infrastructure.
“We are united in our common desire for Newcastle United to be a club to be proud of at the heart of our local community,” their letter says.
“It is clear now that it is in the best interests of both you and the future of Newcastle United that the club is sold.”
The Magpie Group, named after a protest group at Newcastle United from the 1980s and 1990s, consists of a wide variety of supporter organisations, four of whom are FSF affiliates/associates: Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust, NUFC Fans UTD, True Faith and Wor Hyem.
Other organisations involved in the Magpie Group include Ashley Out, #IfRafaGoesWeGo, Shite Seats, Wor Flags and The Toon Network.
Thanks to PA Images for the image used in this story.
