Despite continuing uncertainty over the club's future, a crowd of 36,944 turned out at St James' for the opening home fixture of the campaign, which was a figure very close to what the Chronicle predicted.
(NU-Mad thought we'd break over the 40,000 mark)
Many swiftly turned their attention to Ashley, who sat in the directors' box alongside prospective buyer Barry Moat amid mounting speculation Joe Kinnear could return as interim manager should a sale not go through within the next week or so.
There were calls of "Shearer, Shearer", and the loudest chant of the day was "Stand Up If You Hate Ashley" ... and just about the whole crowd stood up as one.
Obviously embarrassing to the Newcastle owner, but at least he didn't get a smack in the mouth ... which would have been the case if certain Toon fans could have got near him!
The appearance of would-be Newcastle United owner Barry Moat, heightened hopes he is still in the running to take over the club.
The Tyneside businessman took a seat between owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias in the directors' box and looked to be enjoying himself.
A report today suggested Ashley has given Moat more time to raise funds for his takeover bid ... but that was a London-based tabloid that doesn't have a good track record of getting its facts right.
Moat and Ashley had attended a pre-match dinner at the stadium to mark the anniversary of the Newcastle United Foundation.
It was noted Moat did not stand during the "Stand up if you hate Ashley" chants ... but on one occasion he went to the toilet ... which we read as being a "token gesture".
GOOD FOR YOU BARRY! WELCOME TO THE TOON ARMY!