Newcastle United: Supporters group statement appealing to Mike Ashley regarding takeover receives criticism

Replying to a ‘co-signed statement‘ from a host of Newcastle United supporters groups, made public by The Magpie Group, fans have given this appeal to Mike Ashley criticism – potentially out of fear that the controversial owner will continue to be stubborn as a result.

The statement, signed by various organised fan groups, is a declaration of appeal to Ashley – detailing potentially valid arguments as to why the Sports Direct magnate needs to accept the alleged takeover bid and move on from the club. Over the last few days, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, through Amanda Staveley, has been in talks to buy Newcastle via a consortium backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (The Guardian).

Staveley, who failed with her own prospective bid to land a club majority share in the past (Telegraph), is reportedly after a 10% stake in the club if the deal reaches agreement. Publishing a message to Ashley, the Magpies Group issued a statement on Twitter as to why the controversial owner should finally sell up.

In response, many Newcastle fans have disagreed with the sentiment – claiming that it could be ‘counter-productive‘ and a ‘big mistake‘ – here’s how they came to that conclusion on Twitter.

Big mistake, of course it’s all correct and factual but big Mike is so stubborn and its all ready been stated he doesn’t like to be bounced I fear this will be counter productive

— Graeme Monaghan (@m0nasnyr99) January 29, 2020

Thoughts there but He’s doesn’t care what we think it’s a business end of day. If anything could be counter productive he hates the pressure

— Tom C (@TomC187) January 29, 2020

Could just be me, but not sure it’s a great idea to try and apply pressure on him when the only information we have is via leaks, which he hates because he doesn’t like the added peer pressure by it being exposed in the media.

— Matthew (@JB4t00n) January 29, 2020

It looks good, but it’s worth no more than the paper it’s written on to be honest.

— Andrew (@A_G_89) January 29, 2020

The sentiment behind this is appreciable lads but as reported by many journos, Ashley doesn’t like to feel as if he’s being bounced into a deal. I dunno if it will feel like that for him when it comes to his attention.

— Deepak Venugopalan (@Deepak_Toon) January 29, 2020