Many Toon fans have been fuming on social media after the club confirmed to the Newcastle United Supporters Trust that they have no intentions of freezing season ticket payments amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
NUST had requested that the club suspend all future season ticket payments during this unprecedented time in modern history, with there being no clear image of when the 2019/20 season can resume or what the implications of the postponement will have on the following term.
The club have continued to charge supporters their monthly direct debit fees for season tickets, and have also begun taking full payments for the 2020/21 campaign, with Magpies supporter Chris Cossey one of many to reveal on Twitter that he was charged the full £624 for his season ticket.
NUST have since voiced their disappointment in the club continuing to charge supporters vast sums during the current global crisis, which has seen employees around the country lose their jobs and Premier League clubs ask players to take significant wage deferrals.
A statement from NUST read: “We find it incredibly disturbing that the club continues to take payments from supporters during these extremely difficult times, in what is a health and economic crisis.
“Following our call for the suspension and delay of all future Season Ticket payments Newcastle United contacted us earlier today. The club stated it has no intention of freezing or delaying payments, both for those that pay annually and monthly.
“We are disappointed that Newcastle United is unwilling to offer a meaningful support system to fans through this difficult time. Many supporters can afford to continue to pay, but we still feel more MUST be done for supporters who will suffer most due to the knock-on effects of coronavirus global pandemic.”
An updated statement from the Newcastle United Supporters Trust. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/T29BIkKdfK
— NUFC Supporters Trust (NUST) (@nufctrust) March 25, 2020
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to the club’s decision not to suspend season ticket payments…
Disgraceful but entirely effective.
— Carter (@cwsbbb) March 25, 2020
Hence the reason I will not enter St James’ Park or Sports Direct until that Parasite has got out of our club!!!!⚫️⚪️
— david richardson (@david1892nufc) March 25, 2020
@piersmorgan more ludicrous stuff from ashley and co
— Jamie (@Jamie78668715) March 25, 2020
Further evidence the FCB is a money grabbing leech.
Just cancel all payments
— Al (@AlanIrvine8) March 25, 2020
If this season gets cancelled or played behind closed doors he owes us 5 games…we have a right as a consumer to the goods we bought…
— Ian McCartney (@beasty86) March 25, 2020
Tatman just hates the Newcastle fans.
Are there any fans that are Lawyers and can act accordingly on behalf of us?
It’s daylight robbery
The Premier League should be intervening.— Lucy (@dunelmcuths) March 25, 2020
Shocking!! Surely there is something the @premierleague or the FA can do about this. War Time like scenario and Ashley is still bleeding fans dry, while some of us are losing jobs and scraping money together just to ‘get by’. Disgusting but what we’ve come to expect. #nufc
— Dan Hunt ⚫⚪ (@huntanufc) March 25, 2020
If this doesn’t make people see what he is then nothing will
— stephen coleman (@stephen56428845) March 25, 2020
Lee, I can’t speak for others, but I will not forgive or forget this @nufc @alanshearer @talkSPORT @talkSPORTDrive @SportsBreakfast @SkySports_Keith @JimWhite #nufc
— Chris Cossey (@Cosseycj) March 25, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, a Steve Bruce favourite appears to be edging closer to the exit door after his latest decision.