Loads of Newcastle United fans have continued to lament the club’s decision to charge supporters for their season tickets amid the coronavirus pandemic.
This week has seen social media sites flooded with anger from the Toon faithful, who reacted with fury to Mike Ashley’s attempts at keeping Sports Direct open and later at his “hollow’ apology.
Season ticket payments have also been a hot topic among the Magpies fanbase, as the club confirmed they will continue to charge supporters the monthly direct debit instalments and had begun taking the full amount from some for their 2020/21 season tickets.
The decision taken to charge supporters for their season tickets and not freeze or defer payments whilst the campaign is on pause has stuck with many fans, who have now returned to Twitter to vent their fury as the club appeared to be attempting to mend bridges with their latest act.
Club legend Bob Moncur, who was a part of the 1968/69 Newcastle side which won the Inter-City Fairs Cup, and a number of club staff are now contacting 1,900 season ticket holders aged 70 and above, as well as other vulnerable supporters, to chat about football and combat loneliness following the government issuing strict measures limiting movement amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The club, through the Newcastle United Foundation, have also donated urgent food supplies to children in some of the town’s most deprived neighbourhoods.
But for some of the St. James’ Park faithful, Moncur and the club’s efforts to contact the elderly appeared to be nothing more than painting over the cracks…
“Hi Henry, it’s Bob”
“Bob?”
“Bob Moncur”
“Oh wow, I remember seeing you with the fairs cup in your hands, what you doing ringing me?”
“Well Henry, we noticed you hadn’t paid your monthly direct debit and wanted to know your pension details so we could take it direct from there”— Chris (@NUFCHeron) March 26, 2020
But still taking money off people despite not knowing when the league will start and also knowing fine well people are massively struggling! Our club in an absolute disgrace under this ownership! #AshleyOUT #BoycottEverythingAshleyOwns #NUFC
— Dayle Barron (@DayleBarron) March 26, 2020
How about freezing/cancelling struggling peoples season ticket payments? Disgusting. #AshleyOut
— Dan (@DanNUFC23) March 26, 2020
That’s nice, how about you stop charging fans for season tickets when there are NO GAMES ON as well 👍 #AshleyOut https://t.co/buL02EAO7M
— James MacGregor Palmer (@MacGregorPalmer) March 26, 2020
Be ironic if he rang someone who’s season ticket money had just come out the bank…. be interesting convo #NUFC https://t.co/O2wwCjLFtz
— Scotty ⚫⚪NUFC⚫⚪ (@ScottyT9804) March 26, 2020
Could also ring season ticket holders to refund them their dollar. https://t.co/EGe1zxEBxn
— James Harker (@James_Harker) March 26, 2020
I bet you’ve reversed the charges tho….. https://t.co/RnEyTD4N4O
— mark (@trolic) March 26, 2020
Chasing season ticket payments no doubt #nufc https://t.co/yUbyCK5QOH
— Kris Johnson (@cheeks8699) March 26, 2020
‘Hey, just calling cause we noticed your direct debit bounced?’#Ashleyout https://t.co/N90DtFI0WQ
— calum (@AndersonCalum1) March 26, 2020
But but but we still want your £600 😂😂😂 https://t.co/JRJ8tBnf0c
— Lewis John Stratford (@lewisstratford) March 26, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club can avoid a proposed stumbling block to sign Steve Bruce’s “great” target by simply offloading one first-team outcast.