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Mike Ashley Wants Newcastle Fans Trapped For 5 Years With No Get Out Clause

After thousands of season ticket holders cancelled their direct debit in January & February, Mike Ashley has reacted with even cheaper deals to convince fans to sign for 5 years with NO OPT OUT.

So far the season ticket deals had allowed for fans to opt out on a yearly basis, but Ashley has now reacted to season ticket holders turning their backs on his running of the club, by dropping prices further but only if fans sign up for 5 years with no chance to pull out.

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What exactly would happen if anybody’s financial circumstances changed is anybody’s guess. However, judging by the war of attrition that Ashley forced his ticket office to wage against fans trying to cancel their season tickets in January/February, then the club won’t be showing any sympathy to those who fall on hard times. Never mind the fact you don’t know what division we may be in for these coming years.

The club have announced that ten thousand more fans will be receiving renewal forms as from today and those that see three year deals expiring will be offered the chance to pay from just £475 per season BUT ONLY if they agree to a five year contract that they can’t pull out of. In return Ashley is offering £103 off the standard price of £578.

By offering this deal it shows the desperation to have bums on seats at any price, with the Newcastle United owner worried that the free promotion/advertising of the rest of his business empire will be broadcast out from matches at St.James’ Park to a worldwide audience, with a backdrop of thousands and thousands of empty seats.

The information sent out by the club to both the media and the fans is all about getting cheap/cheaper tickets, nowhere does it mention about investment in the team and the quality of football you will be watching. Mike Ashley is about to learn that just because he offer cheaper prices it doesn’t mean he will get those bums on the seats he is so desperate for.

Please also, yet again, remind yourself of this statement that Mike Ashley put in the report that Newcastle United put out when announcing the shocking accounts, where match day and commercial revenue was massively down on six years previously.

“Matchday and commercial revenue is a key driver because that is where the club can compete with – and outperform – its competitors to enhance its spending capabilities.”

I ask the question again, if the aim is simply to keep on cutting and cutting ticket prices in a desperate attempt to keep/trap fans going to home matches – how on earth is the matchday revenue going to be a ‘key driver’ in helping Newcastle United to ‘compete with-and outperform-its competitors’?!!!