The Newcastle Fans United Group have today issued a statement which we would like to get out to Newcastle fans everywhere.
Newcastle United Fans
Peter Lee, who is a spokesman for the group, whose aim is to have the fans buy the club, issued the following statement this morning:
Newcastle Fans United are progressing well with their bid to buy the club for the fans. We have over £1M pounds pledged already with no plan visible to the fans.
Of course, we have to keep our plans close to our chests until the time is right. We need to ensure that the correct legal structure for fan ownership is put in place and this is our priority.
Once that happens, we can offer far more detail to those who remain sceptical. Scepticism is positive because it keeps everyone focused on the task in hand and allows us to cover all the angles.
Once we reveal more details of the funding and the backers for this we will expect a torrent of financial support. Our organisation is inclusive of every supporter, every group and every individual no matter whether they agree with what we are doing or not.
How can we not be? We are doing this not only for every Newcastle fan, but for every fan of football.”
Peter Lee Spokesman
NEWCASTLE FANS UNITED
Connecting Community and Club
The scheme requires a total investment of around £300M and the initial idea was to get 300,000 fans to give £1000 each. But of course there are also those who want to invest a lot more than that, and Peter has already been put in touch with a number of those people who want to invest a lot more than £1000.
£1000 specifically buys you a vote and you will receive an ownership share certificate.
This is separate organization to the Newcastle United Supporters Club (NUSC), and we would at least hope that both groups would be talking to each other.
Comments are welcome, and these will be viewed by Peter and his colleagues so please be specific with any questions.
67 responses so far ↓
1 Fans Should Own The Club // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Obviously I love this idea, but I think the share prices are much too high. I simply cannot afford 1,000 pounds.
I remember seeing a proposal where there were 100 pound memberships. Why not that?
FANS SHOULD OWN THE CLUB!
2 JOhn // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:07 PM
i think this is a good idea, i just have some doubt whether it can be put in place quick enough, it needs to backed and publised through the largest media outlets possible
3 lee // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:15 PM
it il never happen….. good idea but i dont think that that many people have that amount as spare cash
4 Tom Mo. // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:17 PM
STUPID. Will never work…. How are you gonna buy the expensive players you all want so bad?!?
5 bri // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:18 PM
FFS DROP THIS STUPID ROMANTIC NOTION NOW IT IS A NON STARTER 1M RAISED JUST ANOTHER 349M TOGO GIVE IT UP ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN
6 ToonEskimo // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Touching and thought provoking speech,
while potentially a great idea I can’t see how it would work in the present climate, would you vote who you wanted to buy and sell and who you want in the team? it sounds like a regular day at the office for nufcbloggers.
7 wolfhound // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:27 PM
how could we possibly compete ,pay outlandish weekly wages …….whens the last time a newcastle player earned their money
8 Xsico golden boot // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:36 PM
I would love this to work but for alot of fans 1000 is too much but if you had say you can buy upto 1000 starting from 100 pound alot more interest would be generted I wish you luck mr Lee
9 valle // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Im sorry to break the news to you, but we simply wont reach our previous highs without an investor with allot of cash for team strenghtening takes over… We should be top 4 contenders, nobody could argue that and we where when Bobby where here, but we wont get there again without a 100 million investsment to get us on the road.
10 beyethegreat // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:39 PM
i like this idea but is it possible i know i cant afford it
11 51times // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Do you all seriously believe owners put their own money up for transfer funds? Listen, with fan ownership all the money made by the club goes back into the club. Wages, transfer funds etc are taken care of.
And to the peasants complaining that we’d be voting for who plays etc have you even read the savenewcastle FAQ? Have you ever heard of Real Madrid or FC Barcelona? Have you looked into the idea in deph at all?
12 pak-toon // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:42 PM
what time is the game?
13 Spyro // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:44 PM
This nonsense is still going on then, lol.
14 The Entertainers // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Peter if you are reading this:
Love your support and idea mate. However like many fans i dare say to hold a degree of scepectisim.
Nether the less i wish you all the best in a very good cause in my opinion, not sure if the wife would agree.
My question is:
Is there a time limit on when fans can purchase the vote / share for the £1000?
Or can i or any other fan purchase this in a years time for example, if you are successful?
Once again all the best.
15 beyethegreat // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:44 PM
i disagree and think we would be able to compete in the transfer market coz its not just a 300,000 people payin 1000 each there will also be a lot put in to the club from richer shareholders
16 hitman // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:45 PM
its a none starter,by what come oot the day looks like we might have a new owner by next week.
17 ToonEskimo // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:50 PM
d-e-p-t-h (as in out of)
18 King-Habib // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:54 PM
this is the worst idea since the george forman grill
p.s ed speed is a legand
19 TOONPIPES // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Hitman .. what were you getting all aggy with me the other night about ? .. howay man, im only messin .. !? ..
20 murvar // Sep 24, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Anything is possible – but this isn’t, I fear. Do they come to us 300,000 share owners when they want to buy a top player? The challenge isn’t over when they buy the club – that’s when the challenge would start!
I’d rather we stuck to bashing Ashley until he raises the white flag and gets out once and for all. In the meantime, here’s a nice pot-shot at him in a very funny article on Soccernet, which has a belter about tonight’s opponents towards the end.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=574699&sec=england&cc=5739&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos3
21 archie Brand // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:00 PM
What can I say?
This is extremely sad.
That people so far out of touch are allowed to use a keyboard………….
So how do you start up your own football team with no experience whatsoever?
Is there a government department that do grants and offer advice?
I hope the sale goes through soon so that our new chinese/ nigerian/ arabic owners can put a stop to this bizarre nonsense
22 Ganiyu // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Any one know the starting line up.
23 reillers // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:03 PM
It takes billions these days, not millions, but BILLIONS to run a club succesfully. Now I don’t know about ye, but that’s a wee bit out of my price range.
I don’t know about over there, but here at the minute moneys a wee bit tight with the free fall of our economy. I just don’t have the money.
All the best though.
24 Ericles // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Perhaps a share issue by the new owners? A maximum of say £50 to £100 quid? Then we can all afford a piece of the pie and be finacially part of the club. I would to see, some miracle, Newcastle City Council municipalise the ground and then lease it back.
25 ToonEskimo // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:06 PM
I run two cars, two kids, a wife, a mistress, ebay…….I’m always f-o-o-k-i-n skint.
26 AlexW // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:06 PM
nah bollocks to this
27 It Could Be Worse, We Could Be Spurs! (DC) // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:07 PM
love my George Foreman…couldn’t imagine reheating pizza w/o one, not to mention the pizzanini
28 KK FOREVER (Ross) // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:07 PM
you’ve gotta love how players like john beresford still use the term “we” when talking about newcastle united.
those were the glory days. and they still class thesmelves as a part of the club, Newcastle as “their club”.
watching the build up to the spurs game now, howay the lads.
29 ToonEskimo // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Weren’t Rupert Murdoch’s lot going to buy a club years ago? they must be worth a few quid.
30 Nickies Butt 1000 // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Do not want any Fan Owned club otherwise we’ll end up even more in debt than we even are and turn into Leeds United. Fan Owned Club Na am ok thanks.
31 Jinal // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:09 PM
TEAMS
NUFC: Shay Given, Fabricio Coloccini, Claudio Cacapa, Steven Taylor, Sebastien Bassong, Charles N’Zogbia, Nicky Butt, Geremi, Damien Duff, Oba Martins, Michael Owen
Subs: Steve Harper, Xisco, Shola Ameobi, David Edgar, Ben Tozer, Ryan Donaldson, Mark Doninger
THFC: Heurelho Gomes, Gareth Bale, Didier Zokora, Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka, Jamie O’Hara, Ledley King, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Jonathan Woodgate
Subs: David Bentley, Darren Bent, Gilberto, Luka Modric, Giovani dos Santos, Fraizer Campbell, Ceasr Sanchez
Referee: Chris Foy
32 ToonEskimo // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Don’t rub it in KK, us peasants only have poor man’s Sky (freeview)
33 Nickies Butt 1000 // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:10 PM
I have Sky +
na not really jus normal sky
34 Nick C // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:10 PM
First match at SJP I have missed willingly since 1991. I feel dirty.
35 ToonEskimo // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Cheers Jinal, don’t look too bad….
36 Spyro // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:12 PM
It is pathetic how Tottenham keep King in the side just to play the top four and important cup games.
37 ToonEskimo // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Check out the subs benches though
38 Jinal // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Anyone know what is up with Jose Enrique?
39 Nick C // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Just heard the back of SSN when I got in from work. Said summat about Ashley nearer his sale, then about shortening odds on KK and Venables?!
Anyways I had me 3 yo boy jumping all over me at the time so I think thats what it said…
40 Rasko a.k.a Hadji // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Newcastle’s not megalopolis like London…there’s no way that this could happen.
If there were 5-6mill people living in Newcastle then it could be possible.
41 KK FOREVER (Ross) // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Eskimo-sorry mate! dont worry not much has been said, nice to see beresford getting behind us though. you streaming the match?
42 Nickies Butt 1000 // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:17 PM
I hate tottenham with a passion. Thats enuf about them well our side isnt the best side bu we all know who’s fault that is *cough* Dennis Wise *cough* and the rest. Our side is just thinning and thinning its Bulls***. Bu looks decent enuf 2 beat them spuds bu i don’t know what will we be like by december? Hopefully Jan will be a better month.
43 beyethegreat // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:18 PM
i realy realy realy hope i am wrong but i can see us loosing
44 ToonEskimo // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:18 PM
No Ross, do you have a link? cheers in advance..
45 k k forever // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:19 PM
KK FOREVER I THINK THEY ALL CLASS THEM SELVES AS GEORDIES FROM THAT EERA WOT A TEAM THAT WAS
46 LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LALALALA!!!(GG7) // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:20 PM
they always get the most embarressing people speaking about us, why cant they pick out a normal fan.
47 LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LALALALA!!!(GG7) // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:21 PM
theres about 100 fans in the stadium
48 KK FOREVER (Ross) // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Eskimo-take your pick from any one of those mate!
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=19234&part=sports
really hope the place starts to fill up like, are we an 8 KO?…its dead just now to say the least!
49 Rock On // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Nick C – I wouldnt believe anything SSN presents . They make things up for sensationalism and I think they have stirred the pot with regards to NUFC.
The ‘latest’ is that there are several investors interested in buying the toon and Venables is now favourite to be next (interim) manager on the strength of lots of bets being placed in London.
50 LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LALALALA!!!(GG7) // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:25 PM
we have a horrible midfielder, why didnt we play martins-xisco-owen and just three in midfield
51 Stardust // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:26 PM
I would ask the following to Peter Lee:
Have you raised your 2.0m for the administration of the fund raise? (300 000 x £10 each person admin is actually 3.0m but I will discount for multiple investors)
Does this contravene FSMA regulations on Collective Investment Schemes (hugely expensive to run as shares are involved – if it contravenes simply give up now – the compliance will suffocate you in the UK)
And now what are your plans now that the asking price seems to be 350m GBP or higher?
You are asking to be treated seriously – you need to answer these questions – if you dont you are building from foundations of quicksand.
Personally I believe it is total hogwash and will never happen. I dont believe they have considered for one second the enormity of the task.
52 Rock On // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Whats that mean- Your comment is awaiting moderation
53 Peter // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Thanks for your support Ed, and for everyone’s comments. Don’t hold your breath for a new owner next week, we were ready for the Al-Makhtoums last week. The week before it was Anil Ambani and we ourselves were ready to move a Chinese consortium who I deal with. However, we soon realised that football is what makes us British, and Newcastle United is what makes us Toon fans. The club needs to stay in British hands and what better way than the fans owning it themselves.
Many successful clubs do it on the Continent, Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich to name but three. Are you all telling me that Spanish and German fans are more passionate about their clubs than us?
£300m may seem like an impossible task, but we have already had over £1m pledged through individual £1000 pledges and we’re not counting 400 pledges on facebook or the individual membership schemes of £25, £100, and £250. Additionally, our mystery investor will add £250k to the £1m already raised and he’ll keep adding if we keep pledging.
Those of you who think it’s too much, why not get a group of you to buy a share as a group? 10 of you buying will mean only a £10 investment and it’s for life! A season ticket allows you to sit in a seat to watch less than 30 hours of football a season. We’re offering a chance for you to buy the stadium, buy your seat, buy the pitch and the players and own them for the rest of your life!! How proud would you be when you drive past? Also, you get the all important vote which determines who will be in charge of your club. Your vote will really count for the first time in the history of Newcastle United!!
Don’t be negative. Those of you who want a big foreign investor should think is it likely? The current climate means that investments are tumbling like stones down a mountainside. Once proud banking institutions are no more. The financial risk to one individual using private or corporate wealth is astronomical in todays economies. Just because you buy NU who’s to say that your other investments and assets won’t take a tumble. Yet the individual risk for £1000 is far less.
We have income streams which you could only dream of, and that is no idle promise. Transfers will be funded, but most importantly, the community will benefit too, I promise. This club will become the model for all other clubs to follow because it will finally take it’s place as the heart and soul of the community. Once and for all it will take it’s responsibility to the community and fans seriously.
Please pledge what you can honestly afford. Don’t pledge what you won’t have when the time comes. There is no legal onus to pay. We understand that some of you may be uncertain about your jobs, but are desperate to own your club. Put your family first, and anything you can spare will be welcome.
I promise you know, when we do this, and we will, you will have the club that supports you the way you support it!!
savenewcastle.com PLEDGE NOW!!!!
54 Peter // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Those of you asking about administration and varoius important technicalities please check out Mel Goldberg and the status of the man. Ask yourselves why would he work with a group of people on a scheme that could damage his reputation irreparably. He knows us and has worked with us before.
One of our number has been involved in financing other premier league clubs. We are not enthusiastic amateurs, all bases are covered including the enormity of the task of getting the money in when the time comes.
55 Stardust // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:40 PM
PETER PLEASE ANSWER THE ABOVE OR YOU LOOK LIKE A CONMAN
56 hitman // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:43 PM
CACAPA IN MIDFIELD…..EH
57 Stardust // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:49 PM
PETER – MOTIVE – MONEY – END OF
YOU ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT INDIVIUALS CAPABLE OF BUYING ON THEIR OWN BUT GENERATING THROUGH THIS SCHEME
58 Fans Should Own The Club // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:56 PM
It’s not just dreamland–Barcelona and Real Madrid are done this way, as 51 and others have pointed out.
Also, many German clubs from what I’ve read.
I’d gladly pay 100 pounds for a membership and a vote.
I can’t manage 1,000 though.
FANS SHOULD OWN THE CLUB!
59 Stardust // Sep 24, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Like I said I believe Collective Investment Schemes legislation will prove a problem – they arent in place in these other countries.
Also what group of fans has bought out a Megaclub and Global Brand in these modern MegaMoney days – its not going to happen.
They cant even move quick enough and by all accounts all the players are sat at the table about to play – and they havent even decided what the rules are they are going to play by!
Please stop – we have made big enough fools of ourselves recently without making us more of a laughing stock
60 Mag of the South // Sep 24, 2008 at 8:22 PM
love the idea but what happens when we need to splash out millions in transfers???
can’t see it happening.
61 Miss Penny Well // Sep 24, 2008 at 9:09 PM
This Peter Lee bloke wants your money, some foreign investors will buy the club, then Peter Lee (yeah right) will disappear with the pledges. Save Newcastle my arse!
The man is a dreamer or a mackem WUM and I think I know which!
62 BIGPEAOVTHEWEAB // Sep 24, 2008 at 9:31 PM
shit pure shit
63 Cooper // Sep 24, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Player transfers?
exactly didnt think of that did you…
64 chuck // Sep 24, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Hmmm! sounds great, a socialistic heroic ideal.
And yes city or ownership by fans has been achieved by various continental clubs.
Would it work at Newcastle, perhaps.
How would it work, I think only if supported and organized by and through local government.
Could it be a successfull club, wealthy enough to compete with the present and possibly future billionair owners of EPL teams.
Perhaps, both Barca and Beyern are wealth clubs who seem to compete okay within their leagues.
What gives me reason for concern is the self destructive nature of the fans, with any two fans there are three different viewpoints and there lies the weakness of the ideal.
65 Fans Should Own the Club // Sep 25, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Player transfers would be handled in the same way as Barcelona and Real Madrid do theirs.
Obviously this is not a solution that will happen tomorrow/next week/this year.
This is the kind of long-term thinking that could put us out of our misery.
66 GoesseN // Sep 25, 2008 at 9:29 AM
laughing my arse off at this statement – “we currently have £1m towards buying the club” … only £399m to go then…. your wasting you’re time mate, your forgetting mike ashleigh is looking for £400m not £300m… hint why the nigerians are saving up £400m before a takeover.
67 clinta // Sep 25, 2008 at 9:45 AM
well i’d rather that secretive bunch of nigerians to come in and badly run our club, than having us fans do that ourselves.
who would we all criticise and write about on our bedsheets when thigs go wrong hey?
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