Mike Ashley

[Benwell Lad]

Surely any campaign to remove Ashley would get more support if, for once, they could come up with a coherent plan of what is supposed to happen in the unlikely event that they succeed.

Or, perhaps they live in some fantastical world where they think calling him a few names will make him hand over a 200 million pound asset.

[NG32]

Need to bring attention to his rebranding of nufc to spirts direct fc first...tge same is going to happen to rangers

[David Icke - Son of God]

Any campaign needs to be coordinated, have one very simple, easily articulated demand and avoid the petty People's Front of Judea/Judean People's Front squabbling that usually kicks off when one party floats an idea that an other disagrees with.

 

As much as I loathe them Liverpool's campaign to get Hicks & Gillett out, while hysterical in places, was very well done.

[Heake]

Whilst the suggestion of a boycott is well meaning & in principal a powerful tool if "successful". It is, in my opinion, unlikely ever to attract the kind of numbers to force any tangible change in Ashleys mind-set.

 

Some of the posts in this thread are alarmingly lucid & informative but, unfortunately, insular. I would suggest that attendance to home matches are seen by most as an important element in their social life, and that to sacrifice them, would be a sacrifice too far. I think there are a few more rungs down the ladder we need to go to in order to convince enough people bite their noses off on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Also, a boycott of Sports direct would be both unrealistic, in terms of the lack of alternative sports shops on the high street (Ashley now has a monopoly in this market) for people who could be arsed to look for one & inconsequential, in terms of its potential to hit Ashley hard enough to care.

 

I am becoming more ambivalent towards Ashley as the days go on. I find his stewardship unambitious, embarrassing & crass at the best of times but I just wonder what would come over the hill should he decide to bail out.

 

 

 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Whilst the suggestion of a boycott is well meaning & in principal a powerful tool if "successful". It is, in my opinion, unlikely ever to attract the kind of numbers to force any tangible change in Ashleys mind-set.

 

Some of the posts in this thread are alarmingly lucid & informative but, unfortunately, insular. I would suggest that attendance to home matches are seen by most as an important element in their social life, and that to sacrifice them, would be a sacrifice too far. I think there are a few more rungs down the ladder we need to go to in order to convince enough people bite their noses off on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Also, a boycott of Sports direct would be both unrealistic, in terms of the lack of alternative sports shops on the high street (Ashley now has a monopoly in this market) for people who could be arsed to look for one & inconsequential, in terms of its potential to hit Ashley hard enough to care.

 

I am becoming more ambivalent towards Ashley as the days go on. I find his stewardship unambitious, embarrassing & crass at the best of times but I just wonder what would come over the hill should he decide to bail out.

 

 

I know what you're saying, the reason I don't think it's worth staying away is that it will never happen in big enough numbers for a long enough time. Also, like you say, the actual match is a nice relief from the constant debating about what's going on.

[ChrisJbarnes]

Get those clapper boards that clubs like Fulham give to their fans to make a noise. Get JD sports to pay for them in return for their logo to dominate the clapper board. Hand the clapper boards out on arrival to SJP on a televised match and then all of a sudden, one of SD's competitors has its logo displayed at SJP to the world for free.

[Toonpack]

Whilst the suggestion of a boycott is well meaning & in principal a powerful tool if "successful". It is, in my opinion, unlikely ever to attract the kind of numbers to force any tangible change in Ashleys mind-set.

 

Some of the posts in this thread are alarmingly lucid & informative but, unfortunately, insular. I would suggest that attendance to home matches are seen by most as an important element in their social life, and that to sacrifice them, would be a sacrifice too far. I think there are a few more rungs down the ladder we need to go to in order to convince enough people bite their noses off on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Also, a boycott of Sports direct would be both unrealistic, in terms of the lack of alternative sports shops on the high street (Ashley now has a monopoly in this market) for people who could be arsed to look for one & inconsequential, in terms of its potential to hit Ashley hard enough to care.

 

I am becoming more ambivalent towards Ashley as the days go on. I find his stewardship unambitious, embarrassing & crass at the best of times but I just wonder what would come over the hill should he decide to bail out.

 

 

I know what you're saying, the reason I don't think it's worth staying away is that it will never happen in big enough numbers for a long enough time. Also, like you say, the actual match is a nice relief from the constant debating about what's going on.

 

and is all that really matters to be honest

[Heake]

I remember going to a popular sports memorabilia / book shop (You know the one) in Newcastle before a game last season to buy a copy of True Faith. One bloke behind the counter asked if I also fancied a copy of "Black & White daft" while I was at it as it offered a more light hearted perspective on life around NUFC at the moment.

 

"There's only so many time you can call Ashley a fat bastard" he said.

 

I think this kind of sums up the majority of the support at the moment & is perhaps a fair reflection on society as a whole nowerdays.

 

I think we`re all fucked off with it / him but unless he bites the hand harder than he is at the moment, I just want to hold on to one of the few pleasures in life I still enjoy & can do well: Drinking & getting up for it at match days.

 

 

 

 

[Guest neesy111]

Get those clapper boards that clubs like Fulham give to their fans to make a noise. Get JD sports to pay for them in return for their logo to dominate the clapper board. Hand the clapper boards out on arrival to SJP on a televised match and then all of a sudden, one of SD's competitors has its logo displayed at SJP to the world for free.

 

Ashley owns 15% of JD Sports.

[AlanSkÃrare]

Get those clapper boards that clubs like Fulham give to their fans to make a noise. Get JD sports to pay for them in return for their logo to dominate the clapper board. Hand the clapper boards out on arrival to SJP on a televised match and then all of a sudden, one of SD's competitors has its logo displayed at SJP to the world for free.

 

Ashley owns 15% of JD Sports.

 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

It's not like JD Sports are even a competitor really, they're a completely different type of shop.

[Benwell Lad]

Whilst the suggestion of a boycott is well meaning & in principal a powerful tool if "successful". It is, in my opinion, unlikely ever to attract the kind of numbers to force any tangible change in Ashleys mind-set.

 

Some of the posts in this thread are alarmingly lucid & informative but, unfortunately, insular. I would suggest that attendance to home matches are seen by most as an important element in their social life, and that to sacrifice them, would be a sacrifice too far. I think there are a few more rungs down the ladder we need to go to in order to convince enough people bite their noses off on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Also, a boycott of Sports direct would be both unrealistic, in terms of the lack of alternative sports shops on the high street (Ashley now has a monopoly in this market) for people who could be arsed to look for one & inconsequential, in terms of its potential to hit Ashley hard enough to care.

 

I am becoming more ambivalent towards Ashley as the days go on. I find his stewardship unambitious, embarrassing & crass at the best of times but I just wonder what would come over the hill should he decide to bail out.

 

Very well put.

[Guest neesy111]

It's not like JD Sports are even a competitor really, they're a completely different type of shop.

 

It's JD now, and it's a Sports Fashion shop.  Nowt to do with selling sporting goods etc.

 

Horrible business btw.

[TheGuv]

Re boycotting matches I remember when not many people went to the Spurs match in the League Cup (not long after that Hull match) and apparently a good few stayed away in protest. I thought the attendance was tiny but just looked it up and it was about 20k, which isn't even that bad really.

 

If you had a ST you got home cup matches free. That's probably why that many turned up tbf

[Unbelievable]

I think making his public life uneasy would be much more effective than any boycott could ever be. I'm not advocating violence, but he should not be allowed to quietly have a pint in a Newcastle establishment without having a few fans around asking him the questions that need to be answered. I hate how in 7 years of ownership he has only ever felt the urge to communicate directly with the fans once, via an article in the matchday program. As the owner of an institution that holds a special place in so many people's lifes, he must be held to account for his mismanagement. We are entitled to know what his plans are for the club, maybe not legally, but very much morally.

[Guest neesy111]

Re boycotting matches I remember when not many people went to the Spurs match in the League Cup (not long after that Hull match) and apparently a good few stayed away in protest. I thought the attendance was tiny but just looked it up and it was about 20k, which isn't even that bad really.

 

If you had a ST you got home cup matches free. That's probably why that many turned up tbf

 

Nah, I had a ST for that season and didn't get a free ticket.  The only people who got them were bond holders and those who got moved during the stadium expansion for a few years.

[Unbelievable]

Whilst the suggestion of a boycott is well meaning & in principal a powerful tool if "successful". It is, in my opinion, unlikely ever to attract the kind of numbers to force any tangible change in Ashleys mind-set.

 

Some of the posts in this thread are alarmingly lucid & informative but, unfortunately, insular. I would suggest that attendance to home matches are seen by most as an important element in their social life, and that to sacrifice them, would be a sacrifice too far. I think there are a few more rungs down the ladder we need to go to in order to convince enough people bite their noses off on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Also, a boycott of Sports direct would be both unrealistic, in terms of the lack of alternative sports shops on the high street (Ashley now has a monopoly in this market) for people who could be arsed to look for one & inconsequential, in terms of its potential to hit Ashley hard enough to care.

 

I am becoming more ambivalent towards Ashley as the days go on. I find his stewardship unambitious, embarrassing & crass at the best of times but I just wonder what would come over the hill should he decide to bail out.

 

Very well put.

 

That is just an embarrassing mentality to be honest. Oh no, we shouldn't try and improve the club's situation as there is a slight risk the next owner might be even worse, as unlikely as it is. By the same token we may as well keep Pardew for the duration of his contract regardless of relegations or results, because you never how the next manager is going to fare.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I think making his public life uneasy would be much more effective than any boycott could ever be. I'm not advocating violence, but he should not be allowed to quietly have a pint in a Newcastle establishment without having a few fans around asking him the questions that need to be answered. I hate how in 7 years of ownership he has only ever felt the urge to communicate directly with the fans once, via an article in the matchday program. As the owner of an institution that holds a special place in so many people's lifes, he must be held to account for his mismanagement. We are entitled to know what his plans are for the club, maybe not legally, but very much morally.

 

How often do you think he goes for a pint in Newcastle?

[Heake]

Whilst the suggestion of a boycott is well meaning & in principal a powerful tool if "successful". It is, in my opinion, unlikely ever to attract the kind of numbers to force any tangible change in Ashleys mind-set.

 

Some of the posts in this thread are alarmingly lucid & informative but, unfortunately, insular. I would suggest that attendance to home matches are seen by most as an important element in their social life, and that to sacrifice them, would be a sacrifice too far. I think there are a few more rungs down the ladder we need to go to in order to convince enough people bite their noses off on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Also, a boycott of Sports direct would be both unrealistic, in terms of the lack of alternative sports shops on the high street (Ashley now has a monopoly in this market) for people who could be arsed to look for one & inconsequential, in terms of its potential to hit Ashley hard enough to care.

 

I am becoming more ambivalent towards Ashley as the days go on. I find his stewardship unambitious, embarrassing & crass at the best of times but I just wonder what would come over the hill should he decide to bail out.

 

Very well put.

 

That is just an embarrassing mentality to be honest. Oh no, we shouldn't try and improve the club's situation as there is a slight risk the next owner might be even worse, as unlikely as it is. By the same token we may as well keep Pardew for the duration of his contract regardless of relegations or results, because you never how the next manager is going to fare.

 

Would you consider Ashley to be worse than Shepherd - Hall?

[TheGuv]

Re boycotting matches I remember when not many people went to the Spurs match in the League Cup (not long after that Hull match) and apparently a good few stayed away in protest. I thought the attendance was tiny but just looked it up and it was about 20k, which isn't even that bad really.

 

If you had a ST you got home cup matches free. That's probably why that many turned up tbf

 

Nah, I had a ST for that season and didn't get a free ticket.  The only people who got them were bond holders and those who got moved during the stadium expansion for a few years.

 

Sorry it was if you signed up to the 3 year deal iirc

[David Icke - Son of God]

Whilst the suggestion of a boycott is well meaning & in principal a powerful tool if "successful". It is, in my opinion, unlikely ever to attract the kind of numbers to force any tangible change in Ashleys mind-set.

 

Some of the posts in this thread are alarmingly lucid & informative but, unfortunately, insular. I would suggest that attendance to home matches are seen by most as an important element in their social life, and that to sacrifice them, would be a sacrifice too far. I think there are a few more rungs down the ladder we need to go to in order to convince enough people bite their noses off on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Also, a boycott of Sports direct would be both unrealistic, in terms of the lack of alternative sports shops on the high street (Ashley now has a monopoly in this market) for people who could be arsed to look for one & inconsequential, in terms of its potential to hit Ashley hard enough to care.

 

I am becoming more ambivalent towards Ashley as the days go on. I find his stewardship unambitious, embarrassing & crass at the best of times but I just wonder what would come over the hill should he decide to bail out.

 

Very well put.

 

That is just an embarrassing mentality to be honest. Oh no, we shouldn't try and improve the club's situation as there is a slight risk the next owner might be even worse, as unlikely as it is. By the same token we may as well keep Pardew for the duration of his contract regardless of relegations or results, because you never how the next manager is going to fare.

 

Would you consider Ashley to be worse than Shepherd - Hall?

 

Much of muchness really. I loathe Shepherd more than I hate Ashley, but they're both absolute wankers.

[madras]

whats needed is more fact to back up the conjecture, accounts, figures etc, then the press will get involved, not only that but once they are handed a story they'll dig for any other skeletons in the closet, financially speaking.

[Guest neesy111]

Re boycotting matches I remember when not many people went to the Spurs match in the League Cup (not long after that Hull match) and apparently a good few stayed away in protest. I thought the attendance was tiny but just looked it up and it was about 20k, which isn't even that bad really.

 

If you had a ST you got home cup matches free. That's probably why that many turned up tbf

 

Nah, I had a ST for that season and didn't get a free ticket.  The only people who got them were bond holders and those who got moved during the stadium expansion for a few years.

 

Sorry it was if you signed up to the 3 year deal iirc

 

Ahh, makes sense.

[quayside]

whats needed is more fact to back up the conjecture, accounts, figures etc, then the press will get involved, not only that but once they are handed a story they'll dig for any other skeletons in the closet, financially speaking.

 

You are right. I said earlier that if there is any merchandising arrangement between Sports Direct and the club it has to be disclosed and values of any transactions also have to be disclosed in the accounts. If anyone does ever look at the latest accounts these arrangements come under Related Party transactions and the last lot were in note 22, and there was nothing about any such agreement or arrangement. It could be that the arrangement started after June 2012 but, as it stands, there isn't much to go on.

[nufc4eva]

I'm not sure how much a boycott would affect things unless sustained over a few games. Mass walk out half way through a game would be fun, however will just see us end up in championship. Better idea would be whole crowd protest at the game and venting feelings just not sure how that would work.

 

I do think our fans need to stop accepting it and at least show some passion at the games, its very subdued now.