Don’t Toon away, urges Kevin
KEVIN KEEGAN has urged Newcastle fans not to turn their backs on the club – even if Mike Ashley fails to sell up.
In his new autobiography, the Toon legend lays into Ashley, describing his time at St James’ Park as “a nightmare”.
But the former Newcastle boss and player does not believe boycotting the club is the way to force Ashley out.
“Everybody knows, it’s very clear, that you want Mike Ashley out,” he said to fans on Tuesday night. “Your patience so far has been fantastic. I always say this, ‘He will go one day, he can’t last forever. Be patient’. I think the protests are fine. Just keep doing what you’re doing, which is supporting the football club.”
A fans’ group called ‘If Rafa goes, we go’ has been gathering support.
Keegan is sympathetic but thinks a boycott would be counter-productive, even if manager Rafa Benitez does leave.
“If the club goes down again and there is no support there, then it could dive again,” he said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester United. “People keep saying to me, ‘Why don’t the Geordies just boycott a game?’.
“I always tell them that on a Saturday, they might think, ‘I’m not going again, I’m not watching that s**t next week’ and then they go to the Bigg Market and have a few drinks.
“Get to Sunday, they are still not going, they might go and play golf. Monday, they are thinking, ‘What am I going to do next weekend?’, and by Wednesday you are going to go again. I get that.
“This club means so much more than it does at most clubs. Other clubs, they maybe would be stronger in their protests.”