Newcastle fan and England cricket legend Steve Harmison has hit back at Rio Ferdinand for appearing to tell Magpies supporters to solve the club’s problems with their own money.
A run of just two wins in their last 20 games has Steve Bruce’s side under serious threat of relegation from the Premier League, bringing tensions between supporters and unpopular owner Mike Ashley to the boil.
The Sports Direct tycoon has been trying to sell for years amid fierce criticism of the club’s handling, from a lack of investment to his recent failure to act on calls to sack Bruce.
Despite numerous reports of potential buyers, including an unsuccessful bid from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund last summer, nobody has been able to complete the £350million takeover.
Ferdinand, the former Manchester United defender, recently angered the Toon faithful by suggesting they should come up with the money themselves.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the pundit said: “It’s his club and he’s doing what he wants to do and what he thinks is right.
“Whether you like it or not, he’s the one that’s put the money up and he’s doing what he thinks is right for the club.
“Whether the Geordies like it or not… a lot of them hate him and don’t like him but round your money up and take over the club then.”
And Harmison, the former fast bowler and passionate Newcastle supporter, was dismayed by Ferdinand’s comments.
He insists they showed a total disregard not only for the problems at St James’ Park, but also the economic climate in the city.
Harmison told talkSPORT: “What Ferdinand said, whether it was flippant or not – you’ve got to remember the people you’re dealing with in the North East, talking about putting their money together? Come on, Rio. Please.
“There are things you can say tongue and cheek and there are things which are close to the bone.
“We live in such a divided country north and south. The money in their pockets up there? They can’t put food on the table.
“This is what annoys me more than anything else when people make flippant comments like that. The same people that struggle to make ends meet are the same people that go to work Monday to Friday to buy a season ticket, to buy a shirt for their kids who go to the Saturday afternoon games, because that’s their life.
“That’s what annoys people at Newcastle. I’m actually getting upset about it. What Newcastle fans have asked for is just progression from their football club and in 14 years, Newcastle haven’t had any real progression.
“They’ve been going slower and slower into the abyss and I fear where we could be if we get relegated.”
It isn’t the first time Ferdinand has angered Newcastle fans after previously arguing they are ‘lucky’ to have Ashley as owner.
Like many supporters, Harmison was keen to point out that Ferdinand shares a business interest with Ashley, who sells the former defender’s clothing line at Sports Direct.
He added: “If Rio really wants to promote his YouTube channel, get Ashley, who he shares a business interest with, on the channel and ask him questions Newcastle fans want to hear.
“Just making flippant comments about a club’s support, who really feel passionate about their club not being run in the interest of the area, I think I’m right to say what I’ve said against Ferdinand.
“These supporters are right to have a go. Lazy punditry is one thing, but not understanding where 99.9 per cent of the people who support the club have got an issue with the way the club is run.
“My reaction is telling you exactly the way it is up there, it is awful in the North East supporting Newcastle at this moment in time, because it’s so toxic it’s ridiculous.”