As new record low numbers attend St James’ Park on Sunday, Newcastle are now giving out free season tickets to try and increase the numbers!
Even though they haven’t won a major trophy for many many years, there is no arguing Newcastle United are still one of the countries biggest clubs. They have a huge fan base and a ground which can hold 52, 324, which makes it the eighth biggest stadium in the UK.
However, over the past few years and since Mike Ashley took control of the club things have declined in the North East. He has been reluctant to spend money but also won’t sell the club to someone who will. This has caused outrage with the fans and leads to another protest at the start of this season.
At the start of this season, Newcastle were looking for a new manager. They wanted Ashley to be adventurous and go for someone exciting, but much to their disapproval then appointed Steve Bruce…
The ex-Man United player has had a brilliant year though at the club. He has them in 11th place and has got recorded wins against Spurs and Man United.
Whats happened
However, it appeared on Sunday this didn’t matter when the crowd attendance was at 42,303. This is the lowest attendance at St James’ Park since November 2010. This has lead to Newcastle now having to give away free seasons tickets for their remaining 10 league games at home to anyone who already has a season ticket. By doing this, they are hoping that fans will bring friends and family down just to fill the ground!
This scheme is the type of thing you would see a National League side do, not a Premier League. Granted, things are exactly as good as they were when Keegan and Ferguson were battling it out for the title but surely they shouldn’t need to give free season tickets out!
Newcastle are in a fairly safe position and at 7/1 on Betfred to get relegated, it looks like the bookmakers agree. However, if the fans stop coming and the teams form starts to dip that price of 1/16 to stay up could easily start climbing up!
