Ashley Protest - Will Boycott Work?

Last updated : 07 September 2013 By Footy Mad - Editor

Newcastle United fans' group met last night in an attempt to form a joint strategy to force Mike Ashley  out of the club.

One of tactics discussed was a boycott of the home Capital One Cup tie against Leeds United on September 25 - an idea that has the backing of some supporters - but NOT from NU-Mad.

Boycotting games (and I have seen many attempts in my lifetime) have produced nothing!

After a poor transfer window, which left fans outraged and frustrated, supporters are taking their displeasure to a higher level.

Various fan group believe now is the time for them to be united and co-ordinate protests against the club owner - here are what fans have been saying on ChronicleLive , on our dedicated Newcastle United Facebook page and via Twitter ( @ChronicleNUFC ).
ChronicleLive

Michael Devine

"I have been going to Newcastle United games since 1978 i have seen the Westwood and McKeag era's and now we have the Ashley Regime. If we want to do something what we must do is NOT buy any Official match day programmes, do NOT buy any food and drinks in the ground then when the game has finished do NOT leave your seat this is when the protest will start the TV cameras will be on the fans and IT will give Ashley and Co bad press. Also after we have left our seats protest outside the Milburn entrance as they can hear from the Directors suite. We can win if we stick together you just have to look at the Liverpool supporters who got their owners out."

Johnny Vintis

"It has the be the Liverpool game thats being shown on BBC Sport. Saturday 19th October.
Its not about the money, it about the start of claiming some power back and making a point to the media. we need coverage and we need to be heard."

Peter Ward

"Ashley is a rough, tough character who doesn't brook any dissent from either his employees or it would seem NUFC fans. His history suggests If crossed he gets his own back. He is a very successful businessman who has come up with a simple winning formula for Sports Direct and - it appears - has tried to apply the same principles to running a football club. Unfortunately this doesn't work, as despite Richard Scudamore the Premier league chief exec claiming otherwise, football clubs are not a business. What to do? We have to get rid somehow or other as he obviously has lost interest - if he ever really had any - in NUFC. He won't sell at a loss because his pride and arrogance won't allow him to do so. There are only two possible solutions - well three actually - another moneybags buys the club, corporate or individual, a massive and extended fans boycott. That could work but I don't know of any instance where such has happened at a major club, or the nightmare scenario things continue as they are. The only possible chink of light is that I doubt he wants to crash the club and lose the lot, even though he has plenty more with the success story of Sports Direct. Who can save us from this awful man?."

Graeme Brown

"Just because some have paid up front for tickets does not remove the choice to protest against this regime, take it on the chin and boycottt premiership home games , its the only way to gain publicity for the cause, miss a few games in the short term to get this idiot removed in the long term."

John Archer

"If season ticket holders gave notice that they will not be renewing their tickets from next season he may just get the message but I wouldn't hold your breathe!!!! ARROGANCE in the first degree from this man Ashley."

Kevin Hall

"Boycotting the Leeds game will do nothing. He doesn't make much money anyway from cup games. Yes most have paid money for prem games but a boycott of a televised prem game would have a bigger impact in terms of media coverage to the cause. Its impossible to hit Ashley in the pocket as he is so wealthy."

NEWCASTLE UTD 1 FULHAM 0

    1. Tim Krul
    26. Mathieu Debuchy
    13. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
    2. Fabricio Coloccini
    3. Davide Santon
    10. Hatem Ben Arfa
    7. Moussa Sissoko
    8. Vurnon Anita 65'
    22. Sylvain Marveaux 74'
    23. Shola Ameobi 65'
    9. Papiss Cisse

Subs

    4. Yohan Cabaye 65'
    11. Yoan Gouffran 65'
    14. Loic Remy 74'
    15. Dan Gosling
    21. Rob Elliot
    28. Sammy Ameobi
    36. Paul Dummett

Hatem Ben Arfa ended Newcastle's wait for a Barclays Premier League goal after 411 minutes to hand Alan Pardew a precious victory over Fulham.

The France international produced a piece of individual magic four minutes from time to create half a yard of space and rifle a stunning left-foot shot past the helpless David Stockdale to claim a first league win of the season.

Until his last-gasp intervention, it looked like being another frustrating afternoon for Pardew and his players as chances came and went without the deadlock being broken.

Papiss Cisse saw a 78th-minute header come back off the crossbar and Yoan Gouffran, who passed up a glorious opportunity against West Ham last weekend, glanced a header harmlessly wide with the goal with his mercy after Yohan Cabaye had been introduced to a mixed reception as a second-half substitute.

But Ben Arfa's inspiration proved enough to send Newcastle into the international break with the win they craved, although with Cabaye's future unresolved and a desperate search for reinforcements ongoing.

Newcastle dominated for long periods as Fulham arrived prepared to soak up what pressure their hosts could muster and then hit them on the break.

However, the killer instinct which has deserted since the end of last season continued to be conspicuous by its absence as a series of openings, albeit few of them clear-cut, went begging.

Mathieu Debuchy and Cisse were both denied by Stockdale before the break, and the keeper did well to claim Ben Arfa's deflected 62nd-minute effort.

Pardew sent on loan signing Loic Remy, the only new face to arrive at St James' Park so far this summer, with 16 minutes remaining, and his arrival prompted a fresh assault on the Fulham goal, although ultimately to no avail.

And it might have been even worse for the 52-year-old when Adel Taarabt was presented with the ball by Fabricio Coloccini 15 yards out, although keeper Tim Krul, who had earlier clawed away Bryan Ruiz's goal-bound free-kick, saved once again.

NEWCASTLE UTD FIXTURES

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Saturday September 14
15:00 Premier League
Aston Villa v Newcastle United

Saturday September 21
15:00 Premier League
Newcastle United v Hull City

Wednesday September 25
19:45 League Cup - 3rd Rnd
Newcastle United v Leeds United

Monday September 30
20:00 Premier League
Everton v Newcastle United

Saturday October 5
15:00 Premier League
Cardiff City v Newcastle United

Saturday October 19
12:45 Premier League
Newcastle United v Liverpool

Sunday October 27
16:00 Premier League
Sunderland v Newcastle United