'There's no way back' – Newcastle United fan group issue statement on St James's Park nine-year low attendance

Newcastle United fan group Toon For Change have issued a statement on the nine-year Premier League record-low crowd at St James’s Park.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: A general view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton FC at St. James Park on December 08, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: A general view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton FC at St. James Park on December 08, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: A general view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton FC at St. James Park on December 08, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Just 42,303 people watched United record a late, smash and grab win over Southampton – the lowest Premier League crowd since November 2010.

And the movement believe this is yet another sign that while things are on the way up on the park at United, there’s no sign of recovery off it.

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In a statement, Toon For Change’s Joe Chilcott said: “Today's attendance of 42,303 represents the lowest attendance at St James' Park for a Premier League match since November 2010.

“This follows the Brighton match earlier in the season which had set an eight-year low attendance for a game in the league.

“Despite the upturn in fortunes over the last two months for Bruce and the lads, who are unbeaten at St James’ in the Premier League since August, it’s clear that the thousands of fans who decided to take a stand against Mike Ashley in the summer, by vowing to no longer attend home matches are staying true to their word.

“This should send a message to the club’s hierarchy that fans who felt they had no choice but to walk away from St James’ and sacrifice watching the team that they love to prove a point, will simply not be won over by good run of form.

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“For us, the issue of nine-year low attendances isn’t about the players, it isn’t about Bruce - it’s a result of one man, Mike Ashley.

“As far as the club under Ashley is concerned, the damage has been done, there’s no way back. The only way to remedy the situation is for Ashley to sell our club to a party that has the ambition to make Newcastle United a dominant force in English football once again.”

The previous lowest Premier League attendance was 43,360, recorded against Brighton.

The lowest league crowd of the Ashley era was recorded in November 2010 against Blackburn.