Sunderland-born Newcastle academy graduate Steve Howey has backed the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust in their endeavour to acquire a 1% stake in the club.
The move, believed to cost in the region of £3 million, would ensure a seat at the table with the club over important decision-making moments.
However, Mike Ashley would need to have sold his stake in the club before the prospective acquisition could take place.
Speaking to FootballFanCast, Howey endorsed the fan-led initiative:
“I think there’s nothing wrong with actually trying to do it but obviously you’ve got fans that will be thinking ‘what’s the point’ and that it’s a waste of time.
“If you can raise enough funds for it then it’ll be absolutely brilliant but if the new owners don’t want the money that’s been raised then surely it can go to different charities around Newcastle.”
Funded by the collective efforts of supporters, the move has only raised around £50,000 thus far – but there is momentum shifting behind the effort.
The fan-led effort is being backed by club-associated figures such as Alan Shearer, Rob Lee and George Caulkin.
The latter figure, who is an ambassador for the move, has strong links to Amanda Staveley who fronted a consortium backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Reuben brothers – only for the consortium to pull the plug on the deal that was agreed amid fears that the takeover would not get Premier League approval.
£50,000 is a long way off the sum that would be needed, but it is hardly futile.
Fans backing their demands up with their own money – however small – is an indication of fans’ desperation to see structural changes at the club they know and love.
In that sense, fans putting their money where their mouth is represents a commendable, stoic endeavour.
In other news: ‘Left or pushed?’: Many Newcastle fans are unsympathetic as club development is confirmed