Hello lads, I post on Talkofthetyne another Newcastle message board and we have been discussing over the last 2 days a way to get to Mike Ashley and it is simple really, We have come up with a letter that any toon fan can send, Via email, post or fax. There is already massive interest in this and people are doing it so if you lot can join in, and pass on the message to do so it would be a great help.
Anyway, here's the letter...
Dear Mr Ashley,
Many of us, as committed supporters of Newcastle United, have been frustrated at what has been happening at St James’ Park. We love our club and want a positive future.
Performances and results this season have given cause for concern. Prior to Christmas, 2 defeats in 12 matches disguised the fact that we also only had 4 wins in those 12 matches. This season has yielded only 5 wins out of 22. We are a meagre 2 points away from relegation.
Long standing supporters have seen the signs of decline before. Memorably, 1977-78 saw us in the UEFA Cup, with a squad with disinvestment, going on to be relegated under a makeshift manager, going on to spend 7 years in the 2nd tier, when crowds declined to under 10,000.
History was repeated after promotion in 1984, with a steady disinvestment, losing legends like Waddle, Beardsley and Gazza until we were relegated again in 1989, with the club on the verge of extinction during the next run in the 2nd tier.
In the summer of 2003, we had qualified for the Champions League, before spending nothing, the only signing being Lee Bowyer on a free. The resultant loss against Partizan Belgrade signalled the end of our continued Champions League involvement, with a subsequent loss in revenue and a gradual decline in those buying season tickets.
Of the clubs to be relegated from the Premier League, 6 are currently back in the most lucrative domestic competition in the world. 5 of those clubs are now in the third tier. The Championship is littered with former EPL clubs facing a fierce battle to either stay there, or come back up. Parachute payments only last a season.
There are things we appreciate, for example a removal of uncertainty. We also appreciate that the financial accounts of the club in 2007 showed that the club was technically insolvent. We appreciate that there has been investment in the youth of the club and the long term looks potentially promising.
Successful businessmen have continually shown that to reach the long term objective, there are a series of short terms. Our form suggests that this short term is perilous.
We would not be very good supporters if we did not suggest a constructive way ahead, and this is what we seek to do.
Since you have paid off debts, the club is on a more sound financial footing, we recognize that. We are also aware that the club is probably still making losses. Those losses can either escalate or be reversed depending on your actions.
The absence of debt makes short term borrowing relatively secure. We have some aging players who appear unable to keep up with the pace of the modern Premiership, a situation admittedly that you inherited. We have a leading striker who has scored one goal in 6 games since declining a contract offer.
We have no specialist cover for a full back with a long term injury. Short term borrowing of, say, £20m can help secure Premier League survival, with a strong foundation and stream of revenue, allowing your plan of developing youngsters to be successful.
Since the departure of Chris Mort, we have been frustrated by the lack of communication from your directors. We do not know what is going on and recognize that some things can not be commented on for legal reasons. There are still things that can be communicated to us.
The relationship between any business and its customers is built on trust. Trust depends on communication and actions. If you give the Geordie public reason to trust you, you will find our loyalty returned many times over, which will show in capacity crowds and merchandise revenue, as well as the famous “twelfth man”.
Failure to arrest the decline will result in the opposite – a cancellation of season tickets, empty spaces on terraces, falling revenues and a club declining in value. Whether you are in the club to achieve success, or financial gain, you need the supporters with you to raise the value of Newcastle United.
You know as a businessman that sometimes you need to speculate to accumulate. Even borrowing £20m to invest in the playing squad now will show us that you are worthy of our support. Please act now.
Time is short. You have two weeks to save the club and your investment. If you want our trust, and want our support, please act immediately to save our club. Your actions will speak volumes louder than any words. If you want us to commit to you, please commit to us.
YOU CAN MAKE THIS RIGHT!
The postal address is:
Newcastle United FC
St James' Park,
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 4ST
For those who prefer to fax, the number is:
0191 201 8600
If you prefer to email:
admin@nufc.co.uk but if you do, make sure that you put in a title that ensures it is read, e.g. "season ticket cancellation". Emails are easier to ignore than a letter or fax so might not be as effective.
Obviously put your name at the top of the letter and a return address so they can come back to you. We are sending this to ALL national media sources we know and also all fanzines and message boards. Nufc.com and NUSC also...
Cheers lads! This can make a difference if you do it!