Mike Ashley Out protest outside of Sports Direct on Northumberland Street

Mike Ashley Out protest outside of Sports Direct on Northumberland Street

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Newcastle United fans gathered outside Sports Direct to protest against Mike Ashley’s ownership of the club.

Around 30 fans - holding up a banner labelling the Magpies as ‘Balance Sheet Champions’- took to Northumberland Street.

Despite heavy rain, protesters sang anti-Ashley songs and handed out leaflets.

Editor of True Faith fanzine Michael Martin was at the protest and hopes fans can make Ashley take notice by targeting Sports Direct.

He said: “I am supporting the action against Mike Ashley. Obviously, we want to take the battle to his business interests. That’s what we are doing today.

“The rain has been terrible but Ashley is taking it seriously. He is putting on security in other stores.”

Steve Wallwork has been a Newcastle United season ticket holder for 30 years but was backing the boycott and will not be at today’s game against Swansea.

He said: “Today is pretty much a case of making a stand against the other side of Mike Ashley’s businesses.

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“By putting pressure on Sports Direct share holders it could have a bigger impact. The club is pretty tied up because most fans won’t make a stand against them.

“The club is being allowed to drift away and it’s not good enough. I am hopeful these protests can work. Little things like this will snowball.

“It will take time, another season maybe but it’s a start. I’d like Ashley to put a fair proportion of the profits back into the club.”

Another fan, who wished to remain anonymous, was lending his support to the campaign.

He said: “I think the protest is 100 per cent right. It is something I believe in and it needs to be done.

“This football club started as a sporting institution to enter competitions and to win competitions.

“Now, we are not trying to win in the cups or the league. It is not good enough.”

The action comes after several fan groups, such as Newcastle United Supporters Trust, organised action against Ashley.

Last week Toon fans boycotted the 3-1 home defeat to Tottenham, with several thousand people staying away.

The boycott is expected to extend to Saturday’s match against Swansea.

The protest calling for the removal of Mike Ashley isn’t the first time fans have staged a demonstration.

Last season Toon fans “angry and frustrated” by the club’s season planned a 69th minute walk-out when their team took on Cardiff City.

Board members of the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust passed the motion to walk out symbolic 1969 when Newcastle last won a trophy.

Other protests came from a group of fans who came together under the sackpardew.combanner.

After launching the website some fans held up banners and posters calling for Alan Pardew’s dismissal and change of regime when the Magpies lost 4-0 to Southampton.

The campaign followed the Magpies 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, which marked the team’s worst run of form since 1987.