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The Magpie Group statement announces end of ceasefire and new wave of protests against Mike Ashley

5 years ago
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The Magpie Group have now released a new statement.

The collective of Newcastle fans announcing a fresh wave of protests against Mike Ashley.

With seemingly no progress on any takeover of the club (if a potential takeover ever actually existed) and only two weeks remaining of the January transfer window.

The Magpie Group releasing the following..

New Statement from The Magpie Group – 16 January 2019:

In December The Magpie Group decided to suspend in-stadium protests until the end of January following the withdrawal of support for a boycott from a large number of fans and respected local journalists.

Additionally, based on comments made by Lee Charnley at the last Fans’ Forum, the Group were anxious to avoid Mike Ashley and his media contacts using such protests as an excuse for the club not to be sold because potential buyers had been put off as a result of fan unrest.

In the meantime, we have continued to let supporters with season tickets know how to cancel their direct debit, highlighted alternatives to shopping at S***** D***** online, and worked with London Magpie Group on a number of protest actions in and around London. We have continued to challenge the pro-Ashley lines still trotted out by his ‘friends’ in the media.

Where’s The Money Gone?

Like all Newcastle United supporters, we have been watching the club’s lack of activity in the transfer market with a mixture of horror and resignation.

The excuses now being made by Ashley’s representatives in the media, is that it is unfair to expect him to invest HIS money in a club that he hopes to sell some time soon. Of course, we don’t expect him to invest any of his own money in the club but it would be nice to see some investment of the club’s OWN funds in players and infrastructure.

It appears at present as if Ashley is actually removing funds from the club rather than making any sort of investment. Where’s the money gone?

We are faced with the prospect of no takeover and little, if any, investment in a team which is in grave danger of our third relegation in twelve years under Ashley. It is all but inevitable that Rafa will walk at the end of the season if not before.

Next Steps

Our deadline will expire soon so members of The Magpie Group met on 10 January to consider the action to be taken if there is no evidence of a takeover taking place by the end of the month. In the light of the above it was agreed that the primary aim of the Group has to be regime change. To this end a number of proposed actions were agreed:

The focus on explaining to season ticket holders how to cancel direct debits to put pressure on the Ashley regime will continue.

We will also revive the focus on S***** D*****.

It was agreed that we would advocate a post-match sit-in after the Man City game televised by BT Sport on 29 January.

It was agreed that we should hold a Public Meeting in February to explain our strategy going forward and with an emphasis on recruiting people to assist.

Protests will be organised outside the new Flannels store on Northumberland Street once we have an opening date.

Advocate a ‘Stand-Up United Against Ashley’ at the Huddersfield game on 23rd February.

We remain an organisation open to all supporters who want our club to be a competitive sporting institution again instead of a glorified billboard for Mike Ashley’s downmarket retail outlets. If we are United we can achieve our aims.

Thanks for your continued support,

The Magpie Group

Our truth is stronger than their lies. If you love United, stand united.

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