Lifelong fan Steve Harmison has labelled Newcastle’s ‘disgusting’ decision not to offer season ticket holders a refund the ‘final straw’ in Mike Ashley’s tenure at the club.
The Magpies are the only Premier League club not to communicate with their fans regarding their plans for ticket refunds, with the remainder of the 2019/20 season to take place behind closed doors when it returns this week from the coronavirus suspension.
The Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust have since confirmed they have taken legal advice on the situation, with former England cricketer Harmy gobsmacked by the club’s treatment of their loyal fanbase.
When quizzed on the topic, he told talkSPORT Breakfast:“That was the final straw for me.
“I’ve been quite tolerant to Mike Ashley and thought that he’s not going to be here forever – it’s our club, it’s Newcastle United, this is the club we support and owners, managers and players come and go but the black and white will always stay.
“It’s just a little part of our history and maybe we’ve got to take a backward step to go forward.
“But when you start taking money out of pockets when the pandemic was going on… people in the area, in the north, it’s not a vibrant area when it comes to finances. That was the final straw for me.”
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Harmison believes Magpies fans would happily donate some of their potential refunds to charity – but must be given the option to do so.
“In this area there’s a lot of people will need the money that’s been leftover from the end of the season,” he explained.
“I’d say if they give the option to give it to charity, the NHS or the Foundation – Newcastle United have a fantastic Foundation for the foodbanks – whatever was left of the five games, say £100 or something like that, I’d happily give it to the Foundation.
“I think a lot of Newcastle fans would but some wouldn’t as they need the money at this difficult time. Not to have the option is disgusting.”
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