Dear Mr Johnson,
 
Transparency and accountability in football
NUFC Arbitration
Levelling up
 
We hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits.
We appreciate that as Prime Minister you’re busy and have got a lot on at the minute, however we would hope that investment in the Northeast may be something that you could assist us with. 
It wasn’t long ago that you were comparing parts of the Premier League to a cartel, and we think most Newcastle United (NUFC) fans would agree that the behaviour adopted by the owners of some clubs has fallen short of their, and our, expectations as fans and lovers of the beautiful game.
Interesting that the Premier League’s (PL) owners and directors’ tests aren’t often mentioned in the same way as the formation of the European Super League (ESL) but clearly, if they are designed to protect clubs and their fans, then they should protect the league and its interests. In the way that the footballing fanbase did over the ESL and we all appreciated your swift and forthright intervention on this matter. It would have killed competition in football and as we as a country rally from defeat with a view to coming back stronger it is the Northeast which is calling on your assistance.
As we’re sure you are aware, NUFC is currently going through an arbitration with the PL in relation to a proposed takeover. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia is one of the consortium members who have indicated significant investment in the Northeast should this takeover go through. 
Significant investment in line with the governments Build Back Better and levelling up agendas which could reinvigorate the Northeast economy and positively impact millions of people in the region.
What you may not know is that the PL told our supporters Trust they aspired to be more transparent with fans. Our club has asked the PL for the arbitration to be transparent and in public and yet the PL have not responded. They haven’t responded to recent letters from MPs, Oliver Dowden’s call in his Twitter video or the Independent Football Ombudsman’s latest concerns that NUFC fans’ calls for transparency are wholly legitimate. 
In the absence of a real regulatory body, we have written to MPs, the FA and have contributed to Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review.
And now Mr Prime Minister we are asking for your support to intervene and compel the Premier League to act in a transparent way, for the benefit of Newcastle United, their fans and for football as a whole. 
Kind regards, 
 
T: @ProtestNUFC
E: nufctransparencyprotest@gmail.com



​

​On Friday a letter was handed in at the Premier League Headquarters in Paddington for the attention of it's Chief Executive Richard Masters. Here is what it said.

Dear Mr Masters,
 
Transparency and accountability in football – NUFC Arbitration
 
We hope this letter finds you well.
We’re not expecting a response, however given that you responded to Amnesty International and Hatice Cengiz in relation to a proposed takeover of Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC), we’d hope that you’d find time to respond to the fans. Especially now after your continued and in fact deafening silence over the last 15 months.
This vacuum has led to an industry of rumour, clickbait and guesswork which does not serve the fanbase well. You purport to care about mental health even though you know your continued silence does not help the mental health of fans who just want to know what’s happening, those asking should I renew my season ticket, and those who just find the whole saga draining.
NUFC fans are a diverse and knowledgeable fan base.  We’re dreamers and yearn for the days of exciting football to grace St James’ Park once again and we hope that may come as soon as August irrespective of who is in the boardroom or owners’ box. 
Another thing about NUFC fans is that we are realists. We understand the need for commercial confidence. We know there are things that we shouldn’t know. We appreciate it. We understand that the same way we understand that investment in a club invariably leads to regional investment, something we know that the prospective owners have indicated a desire to do.
We find it odd that in your discussion with NUFC Trust representatives you agreed the need to be more transparent with fans and yet that transparency hasn’t been forthcoming. 
It’s probably worth noting that as well as the support from the North-eastern MPs who have asked for transparency, some of them have written to you, more than once! There were also over 50 MPs outside of the region who demanded transparency and again you have failed to deliver. 
Indeed, we hope this letter elicits a response from you that neither Newcastle’s Club Statement, Oliver Dowden’s Twitter message, Amanda Staveley’s interview or the Independent Football Ombudsman’s concerns that Newcastle fans have made a legitimate call for transparency however we’re realists and know where we sit in the football pyramid… 
The attempted formation of the European Super League (ESL), and the need for some owners to avoid competition to focus on finances by putting revenue ahead of fans is a dangerous precedent that we collectively as a fanbase, UNITED to stop in its tracks. It’s only a matter of time before that tipping point of fans realise that all decisions relating to their club should be made in a transparent way and call on the government for the creation of a regulator and indeed, we have fed this into the current review led by Tracey Crouch.
Key questions NUFC fans would like answers to (dreamers):
-          Will the PL agree to the transparency around arbitration as requested by the club and supported by the prospective owners and the fans?
-          Why has this takeover taken longer than any other?
-          What is / has been the reason for the delay(s)?
-          Have the owners and directors’ tests (ODT) commenced?
-          Has there been inconsistency in application in relation to this takeover when compared to others?
-          What would happen if Mike Ashley just sold the club, given that the clubs’ forming the ESL weren’t severely punished?
-          If the ODT are designed to protect clubs, how can a takeover proceed when it is financed through increasing club debt?
-          Are the ODT fit for purpose?
But appreciate you may only be able to answer (realists):
-          When does the arbitration hearing take place?
-          How long will the arbitration process last?
-          When are we likely to hear the outcome of arbitration?
-          Will we be made aware of the outcome of the arbitration?
We hope for a response(dreamers), we don’t expect one (realists).
 
Kind regards,

No matter where our homes are, when we travel away with Newcastle United, we always cheer when we see the Tyne Bridge upon our return. It’s our symbol of home and comfort. 

Unfortunately, our bridge is knackered, nearly a century old (construction started 96 years ago). Unpainted, rusty, unlit and neglected, we see our local councils and MP’s appealing to the government for help; for the £18m that would fix it, a sum of money so trivial that it’s less than the fine the Big 6 paid for their disgraceful betrayal of every football fan in the country. 

We all know that St. James Park is neglected too, and the training ground, and the infrastructure that a successful sporting institution requires to flourish. 

We know what being marginalised and ignored feels like.

London only wants Newcastle when they want something from us. Our men for the army, our coal and industrial production and now, when that’s all gone…we find they won’t even fix the Tyne Bridge. “Born in Blyth. Made in the Royal Navy. Ignored by London”. They take what little we have and tell us it’s for our own good.
That’s why this takeover is so vital. Because it will deliver inward investment to our City and Region and give us a bit of hope.

Now that coal, shipbuilding and Brown Ale are gone, the last thing that we have is Newcastle United. We all know the effect that a successful and engaged team has on the whole region. People cheer up, communities engage, more post-graduate students arrive, more university research grants are given, more jobs are created, people don’t have to leave home for work, our people thrive in a positive atmosphere where they feel valued.

For the first time in decades we have an opportunity to change our destiny, to challenge the decline we’ve suffered for so long, to show what a wonderful, welcoming, successful city we can be; where people are happy, safe and successful. Confident in a future where our young people might stay at home and the grandkids be round the corner instead of hundreds of miles away.

But they don’t want you to have that investment; they want it for themselves. 

It’s ok for Man U. to get Saudi investment, Spurs to be bought, racing, boxing and F1….but not us? It’s ok for oligarchs and hedge funds and sovereign states and anonymous Delaware companies to own football clubs…they apparently pass the ODT (anonymously?), but a bid to buy Newcastle United with inward regional investment that would create many jobs here is being delayed by expensive lawyers and “no comment” is being made by an EPL that promised “openness” last year. A “Fan led review” is promised - but there’s no fans on it - and Tracey Crouch is saying, don’t contact me I only work here….they talk a lot, they do nothing.

We can’t trust these people. We need a public hearing. If the facts support them, fair enough, but their record shows that they can’t be trusted.

​That is why we need openness, transparency and confidence in decisions. Without that, in politics or sport, there’s no point in playing the game any longer….

Right To Food campaigners urge inclusion in food strategy ahead of national Right To Food day 

Leaders of the Right To Food campaign have written to Henry Dimbleby, chair of the National Food Strategy team, ahead of its report to Government next month, urging him to include the Right To Food in their findings as they embark on the next stage of their campaign with a national Right To Food day on social media next Monday 28 June. 

Led by Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne and fan activist group Fans Supporting Foodbanks, the campaign was launched in November 2020 with the aim of changing the law to make access to food a legal right for all in the UK. It has achieved considerable support in the last six months. 

The Right To Food campaign petition to Parliament set up by Fans Supporting Foodbanks national network in December 2020 gathered more than 53,000 signatures before it closed and the campaign has received the backing of the Daily Mirror, Human Rights Watch, Marcus Rashford, Liverpool FC, Everton FC, The Big Issue, several trade unions, charities, faith leaders and many businesses and members of the public.  

More than twenty towns and cities also voted to formally support the campaign and to declare themselves a Right To Food city/town and have written to Henry Dimbleby to ask for Right To Food legislation to be recommended in the National Food Strategy report to Government. These include Liverpool, Manchester, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Liverpool Combined Authority, Rotherham, Totnes, Brighton and Hove, Haringey, St Helens, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Durham. 
In March 2021 the Right To Food campaign team made its submission to the National Food Strategy including five key ‘asks’ which they believe, if adopted by Government, will provide an achievable, tangible and legally binding route out of food poverty for millions of people in the UK. These are: universal free school meals; community kitchens; reasonable portions in benefits and wages; ensured food security and independent enforcement. You can read the full submission here: www.ianbyrne.org/right-to-food

In today’s letter to National Food Strategy chair Henry Dimbleby, Dave Kelly, National Chair of Fans Supporting Foodbanks says: “It is our view that it is simply unacceptable for millions of people to continue to go hungry in what is, after all, the fifth wealthiest country on the planet…  

“The Right To Food submission to your review by Ian Byrne MP on behalf of the campaign in March 2021 included five key ‘asks’ which we all believe will provide an achievable, tangible and legally binding route out of food poverty for millions of people. I therefore urge you once again on behalf of the Fans Supporting Foodbanks national network to adopt these in the National Food Strategy and kickstart the process of making access to food a legal right for all.” 
​
In a separate letter to Henry Dimbleby today, Ian Byrne MP says: “Our submission to you in March 2021 included five key ‘asks’ which we believe, if adopted by Government, provide an achievable, tangible and legally binding route out of food poverty for millions of people in the UK… I again urge you on behalf of the Right To Food campaign to implement these asks in the National Food Strategy and to start to challenge the unfairness and injustice we see in our nation.” 
 
NUFC FANS FOODBANK are proud to be part of the Fans Supporting Foodbanks national network.

Following on from his appearance on Friday night’s 3 Amigos show we have spoken at length with Keith Patterson and are following up on his suggestion that supporters continue to apply as much political pressure on the UK Government as we possibly can; keeping the issue of the potential takeover of NUFC by the consortium made up of PCP, The Reuben Family and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) in the public eye.

Having established a willing buyer and a willing seller, the problem lies very much in the reluctance of the EPL and their willingness or lack there of, to see the sale go through. Letters to the Premier League seem fruitless. They have set their stall out; taking a legal route when it comes to dealings with supporters and their response to NCSL supports this.

So; what can we as supporters do? Well simply we keep the political pressure on; keep the topic in the public eye while NCSL continue their legal action against the Premier League.  Ask leading politicians and relevant Government departments why supporters are not being listened to; what are they (both the government and the Premier League) hiding and why do they feel that Newcastle United are not worthy of new ownership by a consortium with the interests of supporters, our city, our region and our football club at its heart.

It is suggested you make your enquiry short and to the point and possibly along these lines - feel free to tailor it to your own requirements - but keep it short (only 1000 characters allowed to PM).

Dear ****, 
​
I write to you today as a supporter of Newcastle United. I have just one request, a response from you regarding the government position on the potential takeover of the football club from Mike Ashley. As you are aware the Public Investment fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) placed an offer as part of a consortium with Jamie Reuben, whom I believe you know, & Amanda Staveley of PCP Capital Partners. This offer was subsequently withdrawn due to protracted obfuscated process of approval by the English Premier League who are required to approve the sale in order to protect the club against potential future financial harm. 

My question: Does HM Government have any objections "without prejudice" to the general basis that the Saudi Public investment fund can if they so wish own or invest in an English football club & should they wish to return to the table with a renewed offer no objection will be forthcoming from your Government. 
Kind regards

Useful email addresses and links are as follows:

Boris Johnson - Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union. Follow this link  https://email.number10.gov.uk

Dominic Raab Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State 
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office -  fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk

Oliver Dowden Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport - 
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport -  enquiries@culture.gov.uk

For anyone who was pre - occupied last night and who missed the Toon Matters Friday Night 3 Amigos show, you can watch it below.  It featured a 4th Amigo - Keith Patterson - the Newcastle United supporter behind the Newcastle Consortium Supporters Ltd (NCSL).  Definitely worth a watch.

As supporters we shout from the rooftops  “Newcastle, united will never be defeated” and never have the sentiment expressed in those few words been more resonant and needed than now.

With project Big Picture shining a light on the power grab being played by the Big Six, questions are now being asked about the motives behind the objections lodged with the Premier League Board against any takeover of NUFC by Amanda Staveley and her partners The Reuben Brothers and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PIF.
Project Big Picture will provide the owners of premier League Big Six with the power to veto the takeover of any club if they believe that it is against the best interests of their own clubs. Tucked down in the small print is the little gem that explains that  the approval of new club owners, will be made by “long-term shareholders” using “special voting rights”. These shareholders will be the nine clubs with the longest continuous presence in the Premier League and only six would have to back a resolution for it to be approved.

This raises many questions; not least, what was going on in the corridors of Premier League HQ at London W2 and the offices of the Big Six while Newcastle United’s takeover was being assessed as part of the league’s own Owners and Directors Test. 

Seeking answers to these and other questions is why The Newcastle United Consortium Supporters Limited - made up of fans Gordon Stein and Keith Patterson - are lobbying MPs for "full transparency" around the club's arbitration case against the Premier League, which they believe is now the key battleground in the push for answers around the aborted PIF-backed takeover.

We urge every Newcastle United fan to follow the request of the Supporters Consortium to make their presence and their voices heard. 

Lobby your MP using the template here.

“NEWCASTLE, UNITED
 WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED”

Everyone is well aware of the current restrictions that are in operation within the North East due to the increased levels of positive Covid 19 and how self-isolation is having a serious impact on members of our community. 

One such group being impacted are those in our student community; living away from their normal family support. It is therefore no surprise that we have been made aware of an urgent request for help to deliver food parcels to students who are currently self-isolating.

300 students living in private accommodation across the city are self-isolating. Our two Universities have food parcels to give to them but have no way to deliver.

Volunteers with vehicles are needed to support the deliveries of food parcels on Saturday 3rd October Full expenses and fuel costs will be paid and the food parcels will be able to fit into a normal car. Guidance on how to conduct the deliveries in a safe and Covid secure manner will be given.

If you can give up some time to help then please contact Joe Kirwin; Community Wellbeing Officer, Adult Social Care & Integrated Services Newcastle Civic centre on 07812 517266

Dear NUFC Fans Utd

Re: Newcastle United Football Club Takeover

Thanks for getting in touch with such a well thought out letter. It's good to see fans coming together and making your voice heard. Newcastle's fans have a superb track record of standing up to racism in the game, and the generosity in supporting our food banks shows our region's character.

The proposed takeover of Newcastle United raises a lot of issues. There's a frustration with the way the Premier League has handled the bid. There are concerns about investment in our region. And, of course, there are hopes about investment in the club so we can see on-the-pitch success return to St James' Park.

Let's be really honest here, the reason feelings are running so deep about this takeover is because the current owner is so profoundly unpopular. Fans desperately need some good news.

NUFC has a great history, and a passionate fan base. Success on the pitch raises the spirits of our city. We need an owner who has ambition for the club, and who takes fans seriously.

But if this recent saga has confirmed anything, it's that the ownership of football clubs is precarious.

I remember Chronicle articles from back in June 2007 where fans were saying Mike Ashley's takeover was good news, because we'd now have the financial muscle to compete for the top four. He was buying rounds for Toon fans in the Blu Bamboo in the Bigg Market. There was optimism about his ownership. We all know the catalogue
of what's happened since, including the decision to rename St James' Park "The Sports Direct Arena".

That's why I think it's important to be honest with you - we should not tie our region's prosperity to something as volatile as the ownership of the football club, or it’s on the pitch success. We've been heartbroken too many times. My job is to provide the most sustainable future we can.

That's why as Mayor I've invested £2.6 million into the Newcastle United Foundation's Murray House project, supported by Shola Ameobi. This facility will provide a community hub, support local kids into work, and fund engagement and outreach work across the whole North of Tyne.

We've put £37 million into a Green New Deal, to get the offshore renewables industries along the Tyne and Blyth buzzing. That includes £2 million to retrain workers from fossil fuel industries into low-carbon jobs - it's important no one gets left behind. And £10 million to develop local low carbon businesses.
​
We're investing £23 million a year into skills funding, so our people can get better jobs. We're putting £10 million into attracting businesses here, including the 1000 jobs Verisure have already announced. There are many more in the pipeline.

Another £10 million is going into boost our fast-growing digital industry to create more jobs. We're putting £24 million into developing housing on brownfield sites, creating more affordable homes, keeping the greenbelt green, and creating jobs.

We've allocated £6 million to develop a cultural and events programme, including £3.5 million to boost tourism. This will be adapted to work in a post-Covid environment.

Everything we're doing is underpinned by our Good Work Pledge, which guarantees proper wages and fair employment. All told this will boost our local economy by £billions and create many thousands of good jobs here.
This is just the start. We're facing tough times because of the Covid-recession. I'm spending pretty much every minute of the day trying to wring extra funds and devolved powers from central government, including £600 million for transport, to address the decades long under investment in the North East.

Regarding the protracted delays by the Premier League on the consortium takeover, I'm afraid I only know what is already in the public domain. My understanding is that initially there were concerns about TV piracy, and later a lack of clarity about who would be the beneficial owners. What the truth of these matters is, I'm afraid I don't know any more than you do. The lack of information coming from the club and the Premier League is disrespectful of fans.
I've supported Chi Onwurah to carry the baton on this issue in her role as the MP who covers St James' Park. She's raised petitions, asked questions and lobbied the
             
Premier League. Just like a good football team, there's no point in everybody chasing the ball. I'm fully supportive of Chi, and think she's doing a cracking job on it. I've liaised with Chi on this, and I've signed the petition. I'm in touch with Chi again, to see if I can help further.

Just to clear up a point. You refer to a letter from a member of the North of Tyne cabinet, which in fact came from Pat Ritchie, who is not a member of NTCA cabinet, but is the Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council.
You are absolutely right to say that investment opportunities exist independently of the club ownership. The East Pilgrim Street development has been in the public domain long before the proposed NUFC takeover. The land is already owned by the Reuben brothers. As for the architecture question about planning permission, given that this is a live investment proposition, I have to remain impartial. This is to prevent any subsequent legal challenges around predetermination.

Certainly, some planning permission has already been granted. I'd advise using Newcastle City Council's planning portal for the latest updates, and to submit any comments on applications.

Regardless of our wider economy, Newcastle United's on-the-pitch success is important for its own sake. Football is a cornerstone of our culture. Newcastle United is a great club with a proud history.

The Premier League and club owners must remember who, ultimately, funds the game. It's not club owners - it's the fans who buy season tickets, buy merchandise and pay for TV subscriptions. I think fans deserve a bigger say in how football should be run. If you're running any campaigns to give fans a bigger voice in the game, I'll be happy to add my voice and support you.
All the best

Jamie Driscoll
Mayor, North of Tyne Combined Authority