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| Magpies fans protest over Ashley | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of Newcastle fans have gathered outside St James' Park to protest against owner Mike Ashley, as the Magpies prepare to face Hull City. | |
| Chants of "sack the board" and "we want Keegan back" reverberated through the Milburn Stand reception area in the build up to kick-off. | |
| Supporters are angry over an alleged undermining of manager Kevin Keegan, which led to his recent resignation. | Supporters are angry over an alleged undermining of manager Kevin Keegan, which led to his recent resignation. |
| Hundreds of fans are also planning to march through the city centre. | |
| Surprise talks between Ashley and Keegan on Friday failed to reach a "satisfactory conclusion". | Surprise talks between Ashley and Keegan on Friday failed to reach a "satisfactory conclusion". |
| The League Managers' Association, which is in contact with Keegan, said the talks covered several issues. It's our club, not Mike Ashley's club, he might own it but it's not his club Steve Hastie, Newcastle fan | The League Managers' Association, which is in contact with Keegan, said the talks covered several issues. It's our club, not Mike Ashley's club, he might own it but it's not his club Steve Hastie, Newcastle fan |
| It is unclear whether the meeting was primarily to discuss a possible return or negotiate terms of Keegan's exit. | It is unclear whether the meeting was primarily to discuss a possible return or negotiate terms of Keegan's exit. |
| Fans displayed "Ashley Out" banners outside the ground and others carried cardboard cut-outs of Keegan. | |
| Members of NUFC-forum.com unfurled a 20ft protest banner showing images of Ashley and director of football Dennis Wise next to the slogan "wanted for crimes against Newcastle United." | |
| Forum contributor Steve Hastie said: "We can protest as much as we like, we've done it time and time again with past directors and owners of clubs, but we want people to visualise how we feel. | Forum contributor Steve Hastie said: "We can protest as much as we like, we've done it time and time again with past directors and owners of clubs, but we want people to visualise how we feel. |
| "We want people to appreciate how we feel about the club, it's our club, not Mike Ashley's club, he might own it but it's not his club." | "We want people to appreciate how we feel about the club, it's our club, not Mike Ashley's club, he might own it but it's not his club." |
| Extra officers | Extra officers |
| Paul Wilson, a supporter of 40 years, added: "The way we've been treated with contempt in the last few weeks is incredible, it really is." | Paul Wilson, a supporter of 40 years, added: "The way we've been treated with contempt in the last few weeks is incredible, it really is." |
| The Talk of the Tyne fanzine is organising a march from a city centre bar to St James' Park as the game kicks off at 1500 BST.Director of football Dennis Wise has also been heavily criticised | The Talk of the Tyne fanzine is organising a march from a city centre bar to St James' Park as the game kicks off at 1500 BST.Director of football Dennis Wise has also been heavily criticised |
| More than 500 people have pledged to join the march on an online petition. | More than 500 people have pledged to join the march on an online petition. |
| The Toon Ultras group called on fans to gather outside the main entrance of the stadium's Milburn stand an hour before kick-off. | |
| Northumbria Police have said extra officers were on duty and urged fans to vent their frustration peacefully. | |
| Officers had spoken to fans' groups who were planning marches to make them aware of the laws surrounding demonstrations. | |
| Ashley, who bought the club in May last year, has been advised to reassess his personal security arrangements if he decides to attend Saturday's game. | Ashley, who bought the club in May last year, has been advised to reassess his personal security arrangements if he decides to attend Saturday's game. |
| Director of football Dennis Wise has also been heavily criticised by fans following the resignation of Keegan, who ended his second spell as Newcastle manager citing interference in transfer policy. | Director of football Dennis Wise has also been heavily criticised by fans following the resignation of Keegan, who ended his second spell as Newcastle manager citing interference in transfer policy. |
| Newcastle United has previously stated that Keegan was "allowed to manage his duties without any interference". | Newcastle United has previously stated that Keegan was "allowed to manage his duties without any interference". |
| Keegan resigned on 4 September after three days of discussions with the club's board. | Keegan resigned on 4 September after three days of discussions with the club's board. |