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Fans group Wor Flags says their much-loved displays will not return until Mike Ashley sells Newcastle United.

Reacting to the news that Rafa Benitez will leave his role as manager on June 30th, Wor Flags had originally said they were on 'hiatus until further notice' but speaking to ChronicleLive, the group now state that until a new owner is in place, there will be no flags flown on the Gallowgate.

Asked what it would take for the displays to return, a spokesman for the group said: "Ashley has to go."

"There are people in the group who are cancelling their tickets until Mike Ashley leaves this football club - so it would be fair to say that [the hiatus] is until Mike Ashley goes.

"It's gone on too long, and we can't keep pretending that everything's okay.

"We know the club like to use the images of the displays that we do but it just seems like we're going along on a ride that says 'Everything is okay', but we just don't feel we can do that anymore.

"While Mike Ashley is there we just don't feel it is right to pretend everything is okay."

This hasn't been an easy decision for the group who helped boost St James' Park's well known atmosphere and take it up a level.

From flags with the faces of legends, a message to Benitez or even a ChronicleLive front-page - the group have shown creativity, flair and a passion for the club.

(Image: Newcastle United)

The cost has been astronomical - tens of thousands of pounds - and long hours have been put in by the group to ensure the displays run smoothly.

One of the group's proudest moments was the reaction when they unveiled a flag for Miguel Almiron's home debut.

It read 'Quiero Contar Contigo' - which roughly translates into 'I want to rely on you, and I want to do this together.' It was a phrase that Almiron had carried throughout his career and his reaction to it was very positive.

It was typical of the positive impact the group had on Newcastle United.

The research into that flag showed their commitment to the cause. The journey to Poland months later to collect the biggest flag ever flown on a European terrace, re-emphasised their desire to turn the match-day experience into something special.

Anyone who watched that game against Liverpool will recognise the emotion that display provoked.

The players loved it, the fans who donated knew their hard earned cashed had been put to good use and more importantly Rafa Benitez loved it.

Benitez spoke countless times about the displays, and the impact they had on his players but they're no longer his players and he is no longer the manager of Newcastle United.

The group began after Benitez agreed to stay on as manager, and spiralled from there with the Spaniard even inviting them to the training ground to meet the volunteers.

"He was key, the group started on the back of him staying," the Group's spokesman said.

"We met him once, and he told us that we need to keep behind the team - that was last season when people were again getting a bit up about Ashley. Rafa just told us to stay behind the team and that the players love the displays, and they meant a lot to them.

"Who were we to ignore that?

"It meant a lot when he met us as a group, that he loved the work that we did and it's very sad to see him go.

"We wanted Rafa to be the man to build this team, so we were always more than happy to back his word, support the team and do the displays.

"We fed off his positivity, and now he is gone, it's difficult for the entire fan base to take. It's a joke of a decision."

The group decided shortly after the club confirmed Benitez was leaving to call time, for now, on their displays.

As individual fans some have cancelled their season tickets while some will still go to St James' Park. As an organisation, though, there was a united decision to keep the flags locked away.

(Image: Lewis Arnold)

"Everyone was distraught (when they heard the news Rafa Benitez had left)," a spokesman said.

"Certain members will continue to go to games but we all agreed that we couldn't continue with the displays; the want to do so is just not there. The enthusiasm just isn't there anymore because it feels fake.

"As a group we're not going anywhere, we will come back when Mike Ashley is gone. The flags will return, the big one you saw against Liverpool? That will be used again.

"He won't be here forever but it's hard because we have spent all that money, put in all that effort and fans have donated, and it is a difficult decision to take.

"But this doesn't feel right - we have members of the group who are cancelling their season tickets, one of them after 43 years.

Watch: How Wor Flags' displays are making waves around the world

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"It's not something we've decided to take lightly, it's hitting people quite hard that we seem to be going through another episode with Mike Ashley as owner.

"It feels like we're trying to force something - to the club, and to the players - but it's just not right.

"We're still going to back the team but we just don't feel that we can put on displays which portrays everything is okay."

The group have been clear that their 'gripe' is not with those 'good people' within the club who have helped with their displays, providing access before the games and storage, but simply with the owner.

They'll continue to work with the club pushing the agenda on safe standing, and continuing to back the foodbank and other projects in the community - something Benitez was keen to do.

(Image: Getty Images)

The Group said: "Benitez 'got it' - that can be interpreted in different ways but he made himself very much part of the community from day one.

"From the foodbank to bringing fans into the training ground, he did all sort of things and did everything right.

"He wanted more from the football club because he saw the potential - and he's just been let down.

"I think the majority of people are singing off the same hymn sheet that something has to change - this is just that one step too far.

"They will try and get someone in who will try to live up to the name of Rafa Benitez. They will try, whether they will succeed who knows.

"But the issue is that the fans wishes are constantly be ignored, and the fans wishes were quite clear - Rafa Benitez was to remain as manager. They've just let him walk, it is devastating."