Newcastle United owners continuing to do the right thing by local non-league clubs


 
 
 
 
 
 

Nice to see the Newcastle United owners continuing to do the right thing by local non-league clubs.

Thursday night seeing the NUFC Under 21s in action away at Ashington in the semi-final of the Northumberland Senior Cup.

Dylan Stephenson and Jay Turner-Cooke with the goals that took the United youngsters through to the final.

Though they had a scare when Maguire pulled the score back to just the one goal advantage, however, the Newcastle United U21s seeing the 2-1 victory out.

Newcastle United have also made headlines for their off the pitch actions…

Ashington AFC statement via Twitter – 3 May 2024:

‘Following last night’s match, Newcastle United informed us that they would not be taking their share of the gate which was owed to them from the cup tie.

We would like to extend a big thank you to them for this very generous gesture which shows their ongoing support towards Non-League clubs in the area.’

Last night’s match actually set a new stadium record for Ashington with 1,447 paying customers.

So a nice bonus for Ashington not having to share the profits from the game, thanks to the Newcastle United owners doing the right thing.

Now some of you no doubt are thinking, well what is that kind of money to a professional club with rich owners surely they all do that?

Not quite.

As we have reported previously (see below), a certain other local club with very rich owners, has still taken their share of the cash from struggling local non-league sides…

The Mag report – 24 November 2022:

Back in December 2021, we brought you news of the very different way that the Newcastle United owners and Sunderland owners were looking after local non-league clubs.

Eleven months ago (see below), Ashington AFC thanking Newcastle United owners for their generosity.

Whilst Crook Town (also see below) were not quite so thankful to the Sunderland owners…

Ashington AFC losing to the NUFC Under 23s but expressing their gratitude that the visitors donated their share of the gate receipts to the hosts.

Meanwhile, Crook Town beat Sunderland Under 23s BUT received a bill for £710.50 from the (alleged) billionaire (part!) owner of Sunderland.

Fast forward to last night, the NUFC Under 21s once again in Northumberland Senior Cup action against non-league opposition.

A very decent crowd of 629 to see Whitley Bay take on the best young NUFC players.

The hosts playing really well and fully deserving the 3-1 win that takes them into the semi-finals.

Following the game, Whitley Bay quick to thank the Newcastle United owners for also giving an additional helping hand to their non-league neighbours.

We would like to say a very big ‘THANK YOU’ to @NUFC for donating us their share of the gate receipts from last night’s Northumberland Senior Cup tie at Hillheads.

It’s a tremendous gesture and means a great deal to a club at our level!

👋👋👋

— Whitley Bay FC (@WhitleyBayFC) November 24, 2022

The Mag – 18 December 2021:

The very different way Newcastle United owners and Sunderland owners look after local non-league clubs.

Newcastle United took on Ashington AFC on Tuesday night.

The annual Northumberland Senior Cup sees the young NUFC Under 23s take on the local non-league sides.

Good experience for both AND the chance for the local non-league sides to bank an extra few quid if they draw Newcastle United.

Tuesday’s game was a cracker, the United youngsters quickly going two up, only for two goals from the home side to level it.

The NUFC Under 23s holding their nerve to win the penalty shootout 5-3 and go through to the semi-final of the Northumberland Senior Cup.

A good night all round, with the crowd of 1,357 a new stadium record, so a few quid into the Ashington coffers via paying to get in and pie sales etc. The money boosted by this gesture from Newcastle United…

We would like to say a massive thank you to @NUFC U23s who have tonight donated their share of the gate revenue back to @Ashington_FC.

A great gesture from the club which we appreciate! pic.twitter.com/YaczxGiUGr

— Ashington AFC (@Ashington_FC) December 14, 2021

The following night, it was the turn of Sunderland.

In the Durham Challenge Cup, the Sunderland Under 23s travelled to play Crook Town.

On this occasion, a crowd of 534 paid to watch the Sunderland youngsters take on the non-league club.

After the usual deductions / costs, the balance leftover was £1,421. Not a fortune but a nice little shot in the arm for Crook Town.

Local non-league football stalwart Mike Amos though, has revealed that Crook Town got not such a nice little surprise following the game (which they won 1-0 against Sunderland…).

Sunderland getting in touch to ask for £710.50, their share of the gate money.

Sunderland fans repeatedly claim that they are going to be going places under their billionaire owner.

Well if they are looking on the goodwill of local people helping them to get wherever that is they think they might end up, maybe Sunderland should have a rethink on who at this moment in time could be using that £710 (and fifty pence!) better, themselves or Crook Town.

The final word to the Crook Town Chairman, who says he is ‘disgusted’ with how Sunderland have acted.

Mike Amos Grass Roots Football blog – 17 December 2021:

Since they like to be known as the Black Cats, it might be supposed lucky when Sunderland FC cross your path. Crook Town take a different view.

Town hosted Sunderland’s under-23 side on Wednesday in the Durham Challenge Cup, 534 spectators attracted to the Millfield. After the usual deductions, the balance was £1,421.

Frequently these days, the big boys waive their right to half of the gate on such occasions – as did Newcastle United when 1,300+ turned out at Ashington the evening previously.

No such luck with Sunderland. Crook this morning received a request for £710 (and fifty pence.) Club chairman Vince Kirkup, the most urbane of men, is angry.

“We have to work hard for every penny we get and they’re a multi-million pound club. I know they’re entitled to their cut but it’s become an accustomed and much appreciated gesture that the big clubs don’t take it. To be honest, I’m disgusted.”

The score? Oh aye. Crook Town 1 Sunderland 0.’