A group representing Newcastle United fans yesterday launched a campaign to buy the club from owner Mike Ashley. Newcastle United Supporters ’ Trust (NUST) kicked off the Yes We Can initiative, describing the plans as the “ultimate protest”.

It says it has the backing of unnamed business figures, who will give their support and bolster the funds raised by fans themselves.

The Trust sent out emails to 40,000 supporters across the globe in a bid to encourage them to pledge their backing to the campaign through a deposit, put into a bank account to prove to Mr Ashley the money is available to stage a buy-out.

A TOON takeover plan by fans was today officially launched. The Newcastle United Supporters ’ Trust (NUST) kicked off its Yes We Can campaign in the city this morning. NUST hopes to raise the funds needed to buy-out Mike Ashley and turn United into the “Barcelona of the Tyne.”

Trust leaders revealed they have been working with a number of top Tyneside firms and financial figures, who have expressed an interest in joining the supporters ’ takeover.

TOON fans are staging their “ultimate protest” by launching a bid to buy the club. And from Gateshead to Ghana, they say the Geordie Nation is united behind one goal. Newcastle United Supporters ’ Trust (NUST) has kicked-off a six week drive aimed at raising the funds needed to buy out Mike Ashley.

Campaign leaders say they have worked behind the scenes to secure the backing of key business figures, whose identities will be revealed over the coming weeks. And they want Magpies supporters to get behind the Yes We Can initiative by pledging cash or unlocking part of their pension pot to buy a stake in United .

ANGER at Mike Ashley’s decision to rename St James’ Park will rage on, official supporter groups have warned. More than 20,000 fans have put their names to a petition demanding a U-turn on rebranding the ground SportsDirect.com@St James’ Park. On Saturday, thousands stood defiant outside the club’s Milburn Entrance, demonstrating against the change.

Neil Mitchell, interim chairman of the Newcastle United Supporters ’ Trust , said: “I don’t think any of the anger among the fans over issues like the name change will die away.