The Magpie Group – a network of supporter groups who have now joined forced – have sent a brilliant open letter to Mike Ashley, challenging the NUFC owner to ‘sell up and go’ after over 10 years of hurt at St James’ Park.
This sees the like of TrueFaith, ASHLEYOUT.com, WorFlags and IfRafaGoesWeGO all come together as one, with the new group stating they are “network of NUFC supporter groups uniting to achieve common goals for the benefit of Newcastle United and the local community”.
Here’s their open letter to Mike Ashley in full from @TheMagpieGroup_:
“Dear Mr Ashley,
“You hold the hopes, expectations and fate of all Newcastle United fans in your hands. It has been over 10 years of broken promises. Two relegations, the embarrassment of Joe Kinnear and everything before, after and in between. Surely now – enough is enough?
“Over the last six months a number of meetings and discussions have taken place between many Newcastle fan groups and organisations. We now all come together under one banner, The Magpie Group, and 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.
“In May 2015 you said “from this day forward we will be making our own luck”. These empty words have not been backed up with actions and relegation, once again, soon followed. 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.
“We cannot speculate on the terms of takeover talks but we know from credible sources that talks have taken place and bids have been made. We cannot comment on the factors which must be taken into account in order to value the club but a number of things are now clear.
“The new TV deal has been agreed and Newcastle United is in need of a major rebuilding project, from urgently required investment in the first team playing squad, to the need for significant investment to bring the club’s training facilities and academy up to an acceptable standard following over 10 years of neglect on your watch.
“If one word could sum up Newcastle United it is potential. A potential you have no interest in. We now have a world-class manager in Rafa Benitez who has united the fans for the first time in a long time, but this alone is not enough to counteract chronic neglect and under-investment under your ownership.
“We need an owner that is prepared to back Rafa Benitez, not only by investing properly in the playing squad but by backing him to deliver the widespread change needed throughout the club from training ground to academy.
“An owner who is not prepared to just release a manager invested in the club, city and community, when the opportunity arises.
“If you cannot attract a buyer that meets your valuation then you must understand that this is because of the significant amount of investment now required to restore our football club to what it should be.
“We have seen the reaction to the #IfRafaGoesWeGo movement and this has acted as a catalyst to bring the wider fan base together. We are all united in that we will do anything we can, both as groups and together as a fan base, to drive through a change in ownership.
“Over to you, Mike. You have already admitted you are not the man to take the club forward. It is time to sell up and go.
“You are only one man. We are a city.
“We Are United.
“The Magpie Group”
https://t.co/EZEmj70Po5 #NUFC #IfRafaGoesWeGo #AshleyOut pic.twitter.com/F4earaiUyn
— The Magpie Group (@TheMagpieGroup_) July 31, 2018
A brilliant message and a movement well worth getting behind.
Follow them HERE on Twitter (@TheMagpieGroup_)
If you’re interested in helping change the situation at @NUFC, make sure you’re following @TheMagpieGroup_ #NUFC #ifRafaGoesWeGo #AshleyOUT #BoycottSD
— NUFC Index (@NUFC_Index) July 31, 2018
Give @TheMagpieGroup_ a follow. More to come in the next few days and weeks.
We have to at least try! #AshleyOut #NUFC
— Wor Flags ?? (@worflags) July 31, 2018
Probably flushed it ,
Steve(Quote)
chances are he wont even see it .Bishop will flush it .
peter henderson(Quote)
Not sure throwing down a direct challenge to him was the brightest thing to do.
Bobbybee(Quote)
The guy is playing with the fans and the club. I am 100 percent sure that all his shananigans are payback for the fans not proclaiming him a hero when he bought the club. The only thing to hurt him back is changing the Ashley out banner for “support Newcastle United don’t by Sports Direct” in the whole stadium for all the sky cameras to see. That has a chance to see him running.
Alex(Quote)
Totally agree with all the comments above Ashley will never see this letter and don’t buy anything from sports direct is a great banner to have in st James park on match day
Spud you like(Quote)
I’d managed to blank out the November/December/January period, the home games v Bournemouth/Watford/Leicester/Everton/Citeh/Brighton/Swansea/Burnley, 5 defeats, 3 draws no wins. Was an awful time to support us. The way we finished the season helped to consign that period to history! Very similar to the Championship season, when it was all about the end result, but there were some awful games.
Surely we would kick on after the end of season highs? 😈
Toontaff(Quote)
Until all fans boycott the games and not buy merchandise related to Sports Direct or the club then nothing will change.
Season ticket holders don’t want to lose their seats as they expect the club to flourish under Rafa which doesn’t help the cause. Ashley knows we are as stupid as the Mackems and will continue supporting the toon for the next decade.
Ed(Quote)
This will have no effect wat so ever
Bill Climson(Quote)