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Magpie Group release official statement following Mike Ashley gesture

5 years ago
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The Magpie Group have released a statement following the events of Wednesday night, with Mike Ashley having travelled to Tyneside.

An open Newcastle fans protest meeting had been long-planned for a 6.30pm start at The Labour Club in Newcastle City Centre.

Hundreds of fans turning up to hear two local MPs, who also happen to be Newcastle fans, speak about the mess the club is in under Mike Ashley.

The meeting overall debating the best way to move the protests forward against the club’s owner.

Only minutes after the protest meeting had started, media reports came in that Mike Ashley and associates had arrived in Ponteland for a meal with Rafa Benitez and the Newcastle squad.

A transparent and lame attempt to deflect from the Newcastle fans meeting, the owner’s PR people having arranged for a host of press to be there outside the restaurant, taking photos, filming the goings on, plus reporting from the scene.

The orchestrated PR stunt spectacularly backfired though because by the time Mike Ashley and friends were departing  the restaurant, a decent number of Newcastle fans had managed to arrive to protest against him.

The NUFC owner showing how easily rattled he gets when the PR protection mask slips, as fans jeered him and asked ‘Where’s the money gone?’, from the safety of his car he raised two fingers to the Newcastle fans present.

At least we definitely know were we stand now!

The Magpie Group releasing this statement below after last night’s happenings…

Magpie Group Statement:

The Magpie Group holds successful public meeting with Chi Onwurah MP, Ian Mearns MP and Kevin Miles CEO of the Football Supporters’ Federation

The Magpie Group leads peaceful protest against Mike Ashley in Ponteland. Mike Ashley responds by slyly sticking two fingers up at supporters.

While Mike Ashley and Rafa Benitez met over pizza in a Ponteland restaurant, back in the heart of Newcastle over 400 people turned up to second public meeting hosted by The Magpie Group at the Labour Club.

The Magpie Group set out their purpose and ideas while Chi Onwurah MP, a lifelong Newcastle United fan, talked about her work in parliament to hold football club owners to account. Chi explained that Newcastle United is not a rich man’s toy, it is an asset of our city and we need to fight to get it back.

Ian Mearns MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Football Supporters and Newcastle United season ticket holder, explained his role as Chair of the APPG and that its purpose was to protect the interests of football fans. Ian’s rousing and heartfelt speech ended with him telling us how difficult it will be to get rid of Mike Ashley and that we all have to come together and do everything we can to make it happen.

Kevin Miles, Chief Executive of the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) gave insight into his role and explained that the FSF is here to help the fan base to protect the club we love. Kevin went on state that the worst thing about Newcastle Untied is that they currently don’t even have the desire to be the best they can be – a basic fundamental.

Questions and answers were then taken from the floor with ideas to be taken away for further consideration by The Magpie Group.

Members of The Magpie Group and other fans then made their way to Ponteland where Mike Ashley was dining with Rafa Benitez and the squad. A small peaceful protest was held outside. As Mike Ashley departed the restaurant flagged by close protection officers and several entirely unnecessary police officers (we do question as to whether Mike Ashley will be charged for this service under section 25 of the Police Act 1996), he was greeted with jeers and chants of ‘where’s the money gone?’

Mike Ashley responded by slyly sticking two fingers up to the waiting Newcastle fans.

Mike Ashley holds the city of Newcastle and the fans of Newcastle United in utter contempt. If you didn’t know that already then after this evening you do. We must all come together to drive him out of our football club.

Mike Ashley is one man, we are a city. If you love United, stand united.

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