Home Secretary Alan Johnson has led support for NUST’s campaign. He was part of a group of Hull City supporters who tried to buy the East Yorkshire club and gave his backing at an event for Tyneside Labour officials. He was joined by Toon-supporting Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland.
Mr Clelland said: “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.”
Trust spokesman Mark Jensen, also editor of United fanzine the Mag, said: “Its fantastic that our MPs are backing the Yes We Can campaign. As the campaign reaches its second week, we’re amazed by the support we’re picking up from the region, country and around the world. Alan was a member of the Hull ‘collective’ that tried to buy a stake in Hull City and was able to pass a few tips on."
