The NUFC Supporters Trust is a non-profit supporters association with more than 14,000 members that is legally and democratically established and that aims to collaborate with Newcastle for the good of its members, among other things, to promote communication of the leaders with their fans and thus have a voice in the decisions that are made. One of the eleven people on the Board of Directors, Charlotte Robson, attends AS.
Have they welcomed the new owners with open arms in part because of the departure of the previous one, Mike Ashley?
One hundred percent, without a doubt, we have been waiting for this moment for years and it has finally arrived.
What do you expect from the new property, the PIF investment fund that belongs to the royal family of Saudi Arabia?
If they talk to us, it will be a triumph. During all this time the club has lacked ambition. When Ashley bought the club she said she wanted to win titles and have fun… and none of that has happened. It has been very frustrating to experience Mike Ashley’s Newcastle. It has never connected with the fans, it has never invested in the squad, the stadium needs to be remodeled, the sports facilities are not at Premier League level.
Why has it been so difficult to have more direct communication with the club? Do you hope to improve it now with the entry of the Saudis?
We are all volunteers, we all have our jobs. We have found it very difficult to collaborate with the club, just one or two meetings a year. It has never been for lack of intentions.
How do you rate the people of Newcastle?
The Newcastle fans are brilliant, they are very passionate fans, sometimes even very crazy. When you look at the club’s valuation of more than 300 million, it has a lot to do with the power of their fans.
How far can this project go? What goals do you set?
We want Newcastle to reach their full potential, and this is a lot. During the pandemic, when we could not go to the stadium, Newcastle were one of the last clubs to contact their subscribers to return the money. When seven months had already passed, we issued a statement, we contacted the media, we ran a campaign … and a week later they announced that they were going to start paying.
In what situation are Newcastle now?
We ask for an opinion, we try to mediate between the fan and the club, we help with the purchase of tickets … A couple of years ago there was an incident at the Bournemouth stadium because, in a goal celebration, two fans fell onto the pitch after the pushing, since the grass is very close to the stands, and then they were tried by the police. We were the ones who provided the legal support.
That it is a regime that is behind the operation, what does it tell them?
The question about human rights is unfair to ask ordinary fans, who just want their club to do well. If there is someone to whom you have to do it, it is the Premier League, who are the ones who have allowed this money to enter the competition. This does not depend on Newcastle.