A third of Newcastle season tickets unsold

Newcastle United are struggling to sell season tickets, despite owner Mike Ashley’s attempt to convince disgruntled supporters that he will invest heavily in the team this summer in order to compete for silverware.

A study of the season ticket stadium plan by influential fanzine The Mag has shown that almost 30% of season tickets remain unsold, which could mean a drop in attendances at St James’ Park next season.

Although Newcastle had the third largest attendance in the Premier League last term, the apathy caused by the club’s persistent lack of ambition and the anger towards Ashley are a toxic combination.

^{The majority of Newcastle's fans want the Ashley regime out}

Newcastle had a waiting list of more than 15,000 for season tickets 15 years ago and the alienation of supporters since then has accelerated at an alarming rate under Ashley.

Last season was soured by divisions, culminating in the launch of a concerted Ashley Out campaign in April, while former manager Alan Pardew was also a target for protesters in the autumn, before quitting to take charge of Crystal Palace.

Despite the board’s confidence season ticket sales would hold firm, Newcastle extended the renewal deadline twice last month in the hope supporters were convinced there would be a fresh start under new head coach Steve McClaren.

However, McClaren’s appointment has not captured the imagination on Tyneside, particularly as he arrived just weeks after being sacked by Championship club Derby County and has not succeeded in any of his three previous jobs.

^{Steve McLaren's appointment has not brought in the crowds}

The ridiculous decision to only allow McClaren to speak to “friendly” media outlets following his appointment also gave the impression of a club frantically trying to control the message coming out of St James’ Park, raising suspicions they will not stick to the promises made by Ashley in May.

In a rare interview, arranged by Ashley’s own public relations advisor Keith Bishop, the billionaire tried to persuade his many critics on Tyneside that things are going to change for the better.

After months of protests calling for him to sell the club, Ashley tried to quell the unrest before Newcastle’s final home game of the season against West Ham in the hope sluggish season ticket sales would also improve

In a defiant public address, Ashley not only insisted he would not sell, he also promised to invest heavily to improve a squad that has been involved in three relegation battles in the last six years, and said he would end the club’s disregard for domestic and European cup competitions.

Newcastle have only progressed beyond the fourth round of a domestic cup competition once since Ashley took charge of the club eight years ago.

When challenged to explain that miserable record, managing director Lee Charnley infuriated supporters by repeatedly insisting Newcastle were not interested in winning a cup competition as their main priority was staying in the Premier League.

Ashley’s interview was a welcome end to his silence, but it was greeted with scepticism by supporters who feel he has broken similar promises before.

The lack of new signings at St James’ Park is also hampering Newcastle’s attempt to raise optimism levels, with Charnley under immense pressure to strengthen the squad in every single department.

^{Newcastle have been linked with Charlie Austin but nothing has yet materialised}

However, Newcastle are one of just four Premier League clubs who have not signed a player this summer and supporters are increasingly alarmed by the lack of progress.

QPR striker Charlie Austin, West Brom forward Saido Berahino, Marseille winger Florian Thauvin and Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour are top of Newcastle’s wanted list, but the club are finding it difficult to land their targets.

That has been an all too familiar failing under the Ashley regime, with the refusal to meet player valuations previously forcing them to look at cheaper and inferior alternatives.

Despite the large number of season tickets still for sale according to their own website, a Newcastle spokesman said the number of renewals was “comparable” to last season, when there was a fall of just 6%.

A club spokesperson added it was impossible to know if attendances would rise or fall next season adding that the number of season tickets holders had changed by a “few hundred” but would not say whether it had risen or fallen.