Newcastle fans urged to stop 'abusive' taunting of owner Mike Ashley
12 Mar 2010 - 11:20:22
Newcastle United will head to Middlesbrough on Saturday aiming to strengthen their leadership of the Championship and Llambias has warned that continued barracking of the sports retail tycoon at the Riverside could undermine the promotion challenge.
"The team enjoys the support of a great and loyal fan-base and we all appreciate that and the positive effect it has on the players," Llambias said.
Related ArticlesAshley curbs big-spendingNewcastle 'no longer for sale'Carroll aims to fire for England U21sWatford 1 Newcastle United 2'Ashley's money keeps Newcastle in business'"That said, the following comments are aimed at a small and very negative group that despite the efforts on and off the pitch, still insist on chanting ugly and abusive comments about the club's owner, Mike Ashley, especially away from home where we need that 12th man most.
"We are doing all we realistically can to get this great football club back up to the Premier League and despite the abuse directed at him by that section of supporters, Mike continues to underline his commitment by pumping in money.
"That negativity doesn't help the atmosphere and certainly doesn't help the players. We are trying to create a positive, family atmosphere inside this great stadium, something we have underlined by extending our family area for next season and beyond."
Llambias, who runs the club for Ashley, defended his paymaster who remains a villain of the peace is some supporters' eyes and is held responsible for the club's relegation from the Premier League last season.
"I have tried hard to ignore this abuse but frankly something needs to be said." Llambias added.
"Let me set the record straight about Mike's commitment to Newcastle United. Since the beginning of the season he has pumped in £25.5 million into this football club and this week a further £5 million was needed.
"In addition to these amounts, Mike, realising the need to bring in new faces and back his manager's request, spent £5.5 million in the January transfer window.
"This cash, as with all the funds that Mike has put in is interest-free. This money in critical and is needed to cover the shortfall between what we bring in as a club income - and what we pay out in costs.
"Not all football clubs have such a benefactor and some are on the verge of bankruptcy or have already gone into administration."
Llambias also took a swipe at the Newcastle United Supporters' Trust which was set up to give fans representation on the club's board.
"The supporters' trust, surely a well intentioned initiative by a group of loyal NUFC supporters is simply not realistic," Llambias said.
"It is time this group also got behind the management so we can all move forward in a positive manner with the same objective -we all want to see our club in the top flight and successful.
"It is time to move on, draw a line under what has gone on in the past, stop the negativity and concentrate on giving the team complete, 100 per cent support."
