The letter NUFC sent to the Chronicle

Have to say the Chronicle behaved with a lot of class keeping a lid on this so as not to disrupt prep for the derby match. I wish our club showed the same class.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/full-text-letter-newcastle-united-6249120

The letter was received last week but, as editor Darren Thwaites explained in his statement earlier today, we chose to stay silent to ensure the story of our ban didn't disrupt the build-up to the vital derby game.



Dear Darren,
Regarding the following articles:
The Chronicle – “ Get out of Toon: Fans plan protest march in bid to oust Ashley ” (page 1 September 7)
The Chronicle – “ Toon campaign groups hoping to oust Ashley ” (pages 2 – 3, September 7)
The Chronicle – “ Fans hoping to replace Ashley ” (back page, September 7)
The Chronicle – “ Time for change – time for Newcastle fans to take charge of their own club ” (pages 50 – 51, September 7)
Sunday Sun – “ This weekend will prove how angry fans really are ” (pages 98 – 99, October 13)
The Journal – “‘ Lack of ambition’ sees fans take to the streets ” (page 12, October 19)
The Chronicle – “ March if you want him out ” (page 1, October 19)
The Chronicle - “ Anti-Ashley protesters set to take to the city’s streets ” (pages 2 - 3, October 19)
Sunday Sun – “ Hundreds join protest march as Kinnear outlines United’s position ” (page 96)
The Chronicle - “ Disgruntled fans hit out at Ashley ” (page 8, October 21)
The Journal – “ Fans are United in their opposition to Ashley ” (page 4, October 21)
ChronicleLive – “ Frustrated fans march Newcastle’s streets in Mike Ashley prote st” (October 21)

I write in reference to the above coverage in The Chronicle, The Journal and Sunday Sun regarding the protest march on Saturday 19 October by a small number of Newcastle United fans operating under the campaign name Time4Change.

It is quite frankly staggering that you devoted 15 full pages, including two front page splashes, a back page, three double-page spreads and a remarkable six full pages in one (September 7) in The Chronicle to a protest march which ultimately was attended by approximately 300 supporters. Even if the 1,000 supporters expected by the organisers had marched your coverage would have been disproportionate. Given the turnout was significantly less than this, in fact only just over a quarter of that anticipated, something your coverage following the march failed to reference or reflect whatsoever, you should be in no doubt as to the strength of feeling that exists within the club in relation to your coverage.

Indeed after reviewing all of the above articles, and in particular, the front page headline and a large map outlining the route of the march, spread over two pages in The Chronicle on 19 October it is our opinion there was an underlying message of encouragement and support provided by your titles in the lead-up to the day and on the day itself.

We feel strongly that the turnout at the march renders your extraordinary coverage completely disproportionate. Furthermore it is evident from the scale and prominence you devoted to it that your agenda was the pursuit of sales based on an anti-Newcastle United stance, rather than a fair and balanced approach.

We could never dream of generating this level of coverage, over such an extended time-frame, for some of our positive news such as some of the fantastic work undertaken by our Foundation in the local community which benefits so many or the recent announcement of reciprocal ticket pricing for away fans which received a fraction of the coverage of the march.

Having given due consideration to the above and your response to my email of Monday 21 October, the club’s owner, director of football, board of directors and team manager have reached a unanimous decision that the three NCJ Media titles, The Chronicle, The Journal and Sunday Sun, will not be permitted access to any media facilities, press conferences and player interviews at Newcastle United indefinitely and with immediate effect.

We do not require a reply to this letter, our position on this issue is not up for negotiation.

Yours sincerely,

Wendy Taylor
Head of Media, Newcastle United

 

a bullying tactic to control free speech, to a paper that probably best represents Newcastle fans,
could we really expect any better?

 

Not from Ms Taylor it would seem.

 

haha That notorious Ms Taylor, I'm sure she's the real owner of this club,
If the players come out at SJP next week sporting fashionable handbags then we know for sure!

 

It's quite stark when the bullying is in black and white. Got to say.

 

Fellas, an idea...

If I were to compose and submit a list of questions on behalf of the board.. to the Taylor woman would you guys be interested in me doing that?

 

would be worth a try mate,anything's better than sitting their lapping it up every time they **** on us

 

Is she the blonde that sits next to Ashley at games?

 

Thought that was his daughter.

 

Blimey if she is she's had a hard paper round.

 

That's MA's way of making them appreciate money.

 

I thought his 20 yr old daughter was worth one?

 

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/watch-moment-alan-pardew-gagged-6251846

Just beyond pathetic.

 

Some public reaction from the Chronicle's website.

The Chronicle yesterday confirmed it has been banned from access to media facilities, players or the manager of Newcastle United following a dispute over the coverage we gave to the Time 4 Change protest march last Saturday.
The Chronicle's NCJ Media sister titles, The Journal and Sunday Sun, have also been banned.
The news, which we had not spoken publicly about ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby, broke on Twitter following the post-match press conference, in which Alan Pardew refused to take questions from any NCJ Media journalists.
There has been plenty of reaction online and on social media - here is a selection of responses posted following the derby.
Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah: Often amazed by #nufc management actions but banning @EveningChron from SJP for coverage anti-Ashley march is... tweets fails me! #wronga
Ian Mearns MP: So the club will not answer questions from or talk to reporters from Chronicle Journal or Sunday Sun - pantomime descends into farce!
RichMyself: Banning the press for simply reporting issues surrounding #nufc is utterly appalling! Hideous and arrogant PR!
Andrew Dipper: Disgusting treatment of @EveningChron by #NUFC hierarchy - and good on NCJ for reporting it.
Michael Marsh: The @EveningChron has been more than fair to #nufc. To ban them, and others, from asking q's for covering a negative story is a disgrace.
BBC Andy Burke: Newcastle ban 3 local papers for perceived unfair coverage of protests against Mike Ashley. Freedom of speech? Not in football. #NUFC
George Caulkin: Evening Chronicle, Journal & Sunday Sun are presently banned from St James' and manager's press conferences. This is allegedly because of Chronicle's coverage of anti-Ashley march. Petty, pathetic and bullying tactics.
Cushy Butterfield: Come on then NCJ. The gloves are off. Personally I thought your coverage of the protest march was lukewarm. If Ashley can take offence at that coverage show him what you can do when you really try. You will have plenty of support on here.
Michael Allen: I think this is a big mistake by the Ashley regime, as he has had a lot of support from the local press. This stupid action could encourage more demonstrations by the fans.
Paul Newsome: Mike Ashley has his own media to cover Newcastle United now, Sports Direct News. They won't get problems from there and having the best access to NUFC will be a great coup for them. Though of course, I wouldn't even dream of suggesting that this is in any way connected.
Robin Jonathan Wood: I think this is outstanding news. The Chronicle and Journal lick the club's backside. The worse it gets the happier I'll be. Apathy is killing us.
Michael Caine: The Chronicle & its loyal readers must stand together against this morally bankrupt regime. We both deserve better. This could prove a big mistake by Ashley & his hangers-on like Wendy Taylor. Huge mistake.
Alan Forster: Oh dear, what a slippery slope Ashley and his gang are on. What'll it be next and where will it end? Someone once said it was better to let the world think you were a fool than to open your mouth and prove the world correct. Well, Ashley and gang are doing a great job of proving to the world just what they really are - let's hope they keep it up so no one can be left in any doubt!
I was proud to be one of last week's marchers and am delighted that the reporting of a peaceful, lawful and democratic protest seems to have had such an ill thought through panic reaction in the corridors of power at SJP (or wherever Ashley and gang hang out these days). What is needed now is to build on this encouragement and in our own small way follow the example of people around the world who have shown that with dignity and unity, autocratic regimes can indeed be changed.
I hope the local press reacts to this bullying attempt to influence its editorial independence by shining a spotlight on NUFC's puppet masters and their dealings in the name of our club. So go to it Chronicle/Journal/Sunday Sun - prove that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword!
Daniel Hall: Tell you what NCJ Media, why not do a full page, full front spread in the Evening Chronicle about the Ashley regime and his dictatorship? A move that shows an in-depth view of how he's ripped our club of our pride. Why not? Ashley needs to know that if he takes the proverbial the media is licensed to us make public the views of the masses. Incredible, just incredible.
Chronicle and their associates: I hope you now stand up and support what our club needs-a voice to get rid of this little man called Mike Ashley who seems to think he can control every single one of us and never be held accountable just because he has a couple more quid in his bank account!
Jo Aros: I think my first port of call would be to ask NUFC 's press officer, Wendy Taylor for a justification of their policy towards our local newspapers. Just basic questions like a press officer is usually a liaison between club and fans/media, is your role the same Ms Taylor or are you there to muzzle all NUFC employees, including the manager? Have you been told not to give interviews to the local press, if so by whom? It's like a surreal script from a Goon Show, only a Newcastle Press Officer could attempt to gag its own manager! Farcical! Media censorship by Ashley and Co cos he doesn't like the story of 500/600 hundred supporters exercising their democratic right to protest at the way our great club is being appallingly run.
Ian Windsor: It about time the chronicle stopped "messing about " and went to work on reporting about the rubbish and lack of communication coming from the club . And while you're on it get the national press involved as well. You have the power to, whether you have the balls to is another thing.
Derick Smith: The world war one phrase "Lions led by donkeys" come to mind. A once proud football club made a laughing stock by its owner and his cronies, stay strong the Mags, the rest of football knows you're better than this.
Tony Penn: Well Editorial Team - your gagging by Cashley is a surprise since you have given him a very comfortable time since he arrived. Your readers have been telling you for years now how it really was and what the man is but you would never reflect it. Now the gloves are off and it really is time to stick the boot in. You have nothing to lose and we have everything to gain. Expose this parasite for what he is.
Howard Linskey: Gagging the Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun as a punishment for reporting on something that actually happened is yet another example of appalling judgement by Ashley and his lackeys. This petty and spiteful act merely strengthens the local media and puts them back on side with fans who have previously questioned whether they have been robust enough to tackle this regime head on. It also makes the club look like a laughing stock yet again. Hopefully the gloves will come off now, as the local press has nothing left to lose. Ask those difficult questions about where all the money has gone, how much Sports Direct pay for ground advertising, where the shirt money goes to - NUFC or Sports Direct? And just what Joe Kinnear does all day? Question the appalling lack of ambition at our club. Nothing to lose now so go for it! Utterly shameful @NUFCOfficial. Hang your heads. You've lost the fans and the local press. What have you got left?
Kenny Trainer: Total joke... obviously Mr Ashley and his team don't realise what the silence from him and the club is doing to the club.
The Maverick: The club need to deal with criticism and us fans deserve to hear from our manager locally.
Fredrik Andréasson: What's next? Banning the supporters?
Wayne Daley: Banning of The Chron is outrageous and shows how out of touch Ashley is. He may be rich but free speech is worth more than him.
Geordie Highlander: Now where are those people who say Pardew is not part of this and he is just a puppet? He IS part of this mess and has to go.
Duncan Black: He should be apologising to every fan locally just another embarrassment.
Lee Wilson: Gutless, inept, heartless the list goes on and on!!! Will I be banned now like the @EveningChron?
Brett Devenish: Pathetic attempt from @NUFCOfficial to defend themselves from deserved criticism by the likes of @EveningChron
Lyndon Sowerby: It is less about the performances on the pitch and the functionality of the squad as that is all part of the game, but the lack of professionalism of those in charge towards the customers.
Cheaper seats does not cover up for a fragmented corporate (NUFC) entity that chooses to separate itself from those that have the most concern for the success of the club. Instead treating fans as idiots, clouding over the financial situation of the club and generating suspicion. This latest act does not promote the sense of honesty or community responsibility from the club and I would urge them to refer to their own 'Supporter Charter' displayed on their own website.

 

Poor Pards, just sat there wondering what the **** is going.

Pass the popcorn, this episode in Mike's crusade has legs

 

Those few seconds sum up our club perfectly.
Pards trying to do his job but people just jumping in front of him with a huge placard saying '**** you... and you.... and you....'.

please log in to view this image

 

Pardew actually thinks club are correct in banning local media the guys turning into a puppet

 

my mag mates facebook status :

"Rangers ****e being sold on the Club Store website? Is Ashley stoned? He can explain away changing the name, he can explain away hiring Pardew, Kinnear, Llambias, Wise, but selling another Club's gear? How can he explain that away, after he has just scored the biggest own-goal yet by banning the media?"

not wumming just feeling your pain

 

couldn't find anything on the website/clubstore - just had a gander- must be bull, or maybe they took it down.