Steve Bruce was officially announced as the new Newcastle manager today, and was instantly met with a backlash, with nine fan groups uniting to release their own statement on the matter.
Anger among fans is at an all-time high, and after more than a decade of mediocrity under the stewardship of Mike Ashley, the depth of animosity towards the club is unprecedented.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The statement says Bruce is “an unambitious appointment by an unambitious owner” and says it is “beyond disappointing”.
They point to the fact that when other clubs look for progressive, young managerial appointments, Ashley has opted for someone who has been relegated “numerous times” and he “isn’t even a safe pair of hands”.
The statement concludes: “Bruce’s appointment is testament to Ashley’s continued mismanagement of Newcastle United Football Club, which has been the hallmark of his tenure.”
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Very few fans will disagree with a single word of the statement, and it sums up the ill-feeling that has been bubbling up all summer.
As ever, Newcastle fans’ protestations gain no coverage to a national audience
It has been given exposure in the local press, such as the Chronicle featuring the statement in full.
But, unlike the statement made by disgruntled Arsenal fans against their owner Stan Kroenke, it has not even registered a mention on Sky Sports News.
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Instead, Newcastle fans were treated to club employee Shola Ameobi sitting in the studio advising us all of how it can be a good appointment and urging fans to get behind Bruce.
It says a lot about the perceived unbalanced coverage given to Newcastle fans, compared to their London-based counterparts.
If they give full coverage to one, they should do the same for the other. But maybe backing Newcastle fans against a derided owner does not suit the narrative towards the club by Sky Sports?
The statement from the group can be read in its entirety in the tweet below.
Joint #nufc fan group statement in response to the appointment of Steve Bruce:
NB: Protest taking place tonight at Sports Direct Northumberland 6-7 and further plans to be announced soon. #BoycottArsenal #BoycottSJP #SupportOurToon pic.twitter.com/TUbYA0IPru
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) July 17, 2019