Some Newcastle United fans staged a protest against owner Mike Ashley after the billionaire’s failure to back manager Rafael Benitez in the summer transfer window.
Hundreds of supporters made their thoughts clear, as captured by Times journalist George Caulkin on his personal Twitter account, outside the city centre’s Sports Direct store.
https://twitter.com/CaulkinTheTimes/status/1028220044407394304
The protest was arranged by The Magpie Group, a supporter’s group who were determined to make their feelings clear to their unpopular Sports Direct tycoon.
A lack of funds were provided for Benitez once again this summer, frustrating the manager who is entering the final year of his contract at St James’ Park, and the faithful fans.
Ashley bought House of Fraser for £90 million on Friday, not even 24 hours after Deadline Day.
OPINION
Newcastle fans must feel as if they are going back around the merry-go-round once again. This is certainly not the first time in which Mike Ashley has not granted Newcastle with a transfer kitty that is needed for the Magpies to progress as a club. Further frustrations were shown yesterday after Ashley bought struggling department chain House of Fraser for £90 million. Many supporters will be livid with the decision as it is obvious that the money used for the purchase could easily have been spent on the club’s transfer targets. Unless a potential buyer will come in to take the club from Ashley’s hands, Newcastle are never likely to get rid of the London-based billionaire, who will be happy to sit back and hope that Benitez can repeat his fortunes from last season and survive relegation. For a manger of the Spaniard’s profile, it is confusing that he is not being given what he desires to take the club into new heights.