Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has recently discussed Newcastle United supporters’ thoughts regarding the club’s owner Mike Ashley.
The St. James’ Park faithful’s dislike of the Toon’s owner has been widely documented for a number of years with several reasons why touted (per Chronicle Live).
In recent months, it appeared as though Newcastle fans would be rid of Ashley until the Saudi Arabian-backed consortium looking to take over the club ended their £300m bid to buy United (per BBC).
In December of last year, supporter discontent became abundantly clear after the Toon gave away 10,000 half-season tickets to fill St. James’ Park.
So, in the latest episode of The Price of Football podcast, Maguire discussed Newcastle supporters and their stance on Mike Ashley.
He said: “The fact that Newcastle United had to give away half-season tickets last season before the pandemic broke because it was embarrassing [says a lot].
“So many Newcastle fans have now voted with their feet and not renewed that it was just looking a bit embarrassing from the club’s point of view that there were huge swathes of empty seats at the ground.
“I went to a match, I think it was in September last year, it was a 17:30 kick-off on a Saturday and I was staggered.
“Fair play to Newcastle fans because it must break their heart having to make this decision to not support Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United.
“They still support Newcastle United, they don’t support Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United – that’s the issue.”
TIF Thoughts on Kieran Maguire’s discussion regarding Newcastle fans’ thoughts on Mike Ashley…
As can be seen in what the football finance expert had to say, he seems to respect the decision of those supporters who have “voted with their feet” due to Ashley’s ownership.
Do you want Mike Ashley to sell Newcastle United?
No, we could have worse
Yes, he needs to go
With it having been reported that Ashley is ‘100% committed’ to selling the North East club (per The Mirror), hopefully, there is a conclusion which suits all parties before too long.