"My feeling is football has grown away from its supporters, to celebrity players and managers and games scheduled around television, rather than what’s convenient for fans. Given that passion for football among the supporters we think it would be good if Newcastle United could be a beacon among clubs and give a real stake for supporters financially and a voice in running the club. The club is currently doing well and it’s very likely it will secure promotion to the Premiership, but the future remains uncertain."
Councillor John Shipley - Leader Newcastle City Council
"I met with the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust a couple of months ago and I was incredibly impressed. I think this is a model we should be promoting and if by any chance Newcastle can be one of the first clubs in the UK to do it, it would be good for the city.”
Councillor Nick Forbes - Opposition Leader Newcastle City Council
“That can be the way forward out of chaos because the fans have always been United ’s biggest asset by far. They are the most loyal and passionate supporters in the country. Who can say anything else when 52,000 packed St James’s Park every home game last season when United were relegated from the Premier League and more than 40,000 have turned up in the Championship? That’s mind-boggling. They have generated an awful lot of revenue for the club both at the gate and through buying merchandise down the years but have got nothing back in return. Now it could be their turn. United currently have an owner who, by his own admission, doesn’t want them and they desperately need to clear up the shambles off the field if they are to make long-term and sustained progress. I’ve had the Trust documents and the financial plans sent out to me here in Portugal and they look very feasible. Perhaps it appears a dream for the Toon Army to own United but if they can create another monster like Barcelona it would be marvellous.”
Brian Kilcline - Ex Newcastle Player
"My two brothers epitomised what Newcastle supporters were all about, even before I was lucky enough to pull on that beloved black and white shirt. They were Newcastle daft and travelled all over following the lads. It's like a religion up here, and as far back as I can remember the club has always been in turmoil behind the scenes in some way or another, and I think the time is right for the supporters to stand up for the club they love and take it over. I urge you all to back the trust and back the 'Yes We Can' campaign. You know it makes sense."
Alan Shoulder - Ex Newcastle Player
"Newcastle Uniteds biggest player by far is its wonderful support. It's often said that the crowd at St James are like an extra man. They are are powerful force, second to none. A club run by these supporters will see the club reach milestones they have only ever dreamed of. Can they do it? Yes they can."
Billy Whitehurst - Ex Newcastle Player
"I think all Newcastle United supporters would love to see the club run by people who have the best interests of the club at heart, and who aren't chasing the next pound or simply looking for publicity. We have seen the club ownership change from a family owned club to a corporate one and neither formula has brought us success. Who can say that a supporter owned club will not help us realise our dreams. So long as the club is run on a sound financial footing so that the club can succeed on the pitch then i'm sure the 'Yes We Can' campain can help us reach new heights. One thing is for sure there will be no shortage of passion throughout the club to get the job done."
Kevin Scott - Ex Newcastle Player
The 'Yes We Can' campaign is a highly ambitious attempt by a group of hard working and passionate supporters to wrestle the club from its current ownership. Many people have cast a doubtful eye over the organisation over the last few months, but believe you me these lads and lasses mean business, and I for one think that if Newcastle United fans can unite behind the cause then maybe, just maybe we can support a club that we are proud of again."
Joe Allon - Ex Newcastle Player
The 'Yes We Can' campaign is a breath of fresh air and is a genuine attempt by a group of people who have the best interests of the club at heart. If it it can work for Barcelona then it can work for Newcastle United. Back the trust it's our only hope."
Billy Askew - Ex Newcastle Player
"Newcastle United have been crying out for a 'real' change for years behind the scene. The fans have no ulterior motives, they just crave a succesful football club. That's why i'm backing the Trust and the 'Yes We Can' campaign.
Brian Honour - Ex Hartlepool Player and Newcastle Fan
"If there is one club that the format of fan ownership will work then it's Newcastle United. The fans are the heartbeat of the club and have its best interests at heart. That's why i'm backing the trust and the campaign."
Craig Liddle - Ex Middlesbrough and Darlington Player and Newcastle Fan
"I think the 'Yes We Can' campaign is a great idea I just hope that it hasn't come along too late. I have spoken to a lot of former players over the last few months and the support for this campaign is nothing short of phenomenal."
Andy Toman - Ex Darlington Player and Newcastle Fan
"If two generations without a trophy has bred anything, it is the cynicism with which some genuine fans have greeted the NUST’s ingenious, detailed, well-argued and even better intentioned plans. Give it a chance, people. Other people’s failings do not render the NUST a hopeless cause. Dismiss it lightly, and Ashley really will have won.”
Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun
"Of course, I'm backing the fans in their efforts to buy the club. They've worked hard in the last 3 months to build membership, to pull pledges together and then to bring together credible city institutions and individuals to get to this position. I have no doubt that Mike Ashley should sit up and take notice because this is the 'ultimate protest'."
Dave Anderson, Labour MP, Blaydon
“If it’s good enough for Barcelona then it’s good enough for Newcastle. There can be no doubt that the current owners of NUFC have completely lost the trust of supporters and there is no prospect of that changing as long as the club remains in their hands. The idea of a takeover by a fan-based trust has worked elsewhere and there is no reason it cannot work here.
“The controversy over the Kevin Keegan affair and the renaming of the ground are just two of the more controversial incidents augmented by Ashley and Co that demonstrate just how out of touch with the fans and inadequate for the task they are and why in the interests of the club they should co-operate with NUST. The fans deserve better, and the conclusion that they will only get it by taking matters into their own hands is one we very much agree with.”
David Clelland, Labour MP, Tyne Bridge
“I'm strongly supportive of the principle of the fans having a stake in the running of the club…The overwhelming passion of the city for the football club is self-evident in Newcastle and I think that the club's troubles in recent times might have been at least partially avoided if the fans had formal representation on the club's board.”
Greg Stone, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman, Newcastle East
In principle I support community and cooperative ownership everywhere and especially in what should be the game for ordinary people but has progressively prostituted itself to big business and fans treated as cash cows. Good luck and well done for having the courage to launch this I am convinced you will succeed
Councillor Ian Lindley, Northumberland County Council
Despite the fact I am a rugby man and watch little football I strongly support the NUST. As a liberal democrat I want the people to be in control of things as much as possible and not dictators. I am willing to join the Trust as a member and will do so.
Councillor Dr Barrie Crowther, Northumberland County Council
You are doing a great job, keep up the good work and you have my full support.
Councillor Steve Harrison, South Tyneside Council
As a Newcastle Supporter I am already a signed up member to the Trust and fully supportive of your objectives and willing to help as much as I can.
Councillor Mike Dixon, Durham County Council
Please be assured of our full support in your efforts to take the club forward.
Councillor Jim Cordon JP, Durham County Council
Like many people I am concerned about football is becoming a toy for the rich and totally disinterested. It has simply become a commercial concern and play thing for the wealthy who have no interest in how ordinary people of this region have been supporters for decades. Its time for those people to take possession of their teams again. You have my support and best wishes
Councillor John Hodgson, Coun for Monkton, South Tyneside Council
Good Luck.
Councillor John Lethbridge, Durham County Council
I do fully understand and appreciate as a fellow football supporter the dilema the true supporters of Newcastle United have found themselves in saddled with football owners and management that have little if any passion for the game and the long term interests of Newcastle United and their supporters. I do believe that sport and football in particular has a positive contribution to the well being of our area. Unfortunately, the sadness eminating from the events at Newcastle bring nothing but negativity to our region when we should be positively promoting it. I do wish you all the very best in your endeavours to bring about the changes you desire and deserve at the club for the benefit of all associated with it.
Councillor Michael Clare, South Tyneside Council
"You need to harness the enthusiasm of the fans. I would think that Newcastle United’s loyal supporter base is a huge asset. If you could mobilise that support and get people behind the project it could be a huge success"
Neil Le Milliere, Exeter City Trust Board Member
'I'm backing the Yes We Can campaign for obvious reasons. It will help my business, its the right thing to do and I can enjoy Saturday's again. Fans, local businesses and the decent folk of the Toon deserve the chance to re-establish the principles of honesty and integrity at the centre of their club'.
Mike Ashley, Landlord of the Blacksmiths Arms, Gosforth.
“If it’s good enough for Barcelona then it’s good enough for Newcastle. There can be no doubt that the current owners of NUFC have completely lost the trust of supporters and there is no prospect of that changing as long as the club remains in their hands. The idea of a takeover by a fan-based trust has worked elsewhere and there is no reason it cannot work here.
“The controversy over the Kevin Keegan affair and the renaming of the ground are just two of the more controversial incidents augmented by Ashley and Co that demonstrate just how out of touch with the fans and inadequate for the task they are and why in the interests of the club they should co-operate with NUST. The fans deserve better, and the conclusion that they will only get it by taking matters into their own hands is one we very much agree with.”
David Clelland, Labour MP, Tyne Bridge
