Newcastle United's North East counterparts Blyth Spartans launch protest against ownership

Blyth were officially taken over by Winners Worldwide - led by Irfan Liaquat - in May and after being relegated from National League North now find themselves third bottom of the Northern Premier League Division.

Newcastle United legend Nobby Solano was appointed as manager in the summer but was sacked after failing to win any of his opening six games. Former Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper David Stockdale has since succeeded Solano and overseen a minor improvement with recent back-to-back victories against Workington and Stockton Town.

In order to take a stand against the running of the club, supporters have been urged to stay away from Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at home to Stockton.

“To demonstrate the seriousness and urgency of the matter, we are advocating that supporters boycott this Saturday’s home game against Stockton Town,” a Green Army statement read.

“Instead of attending Croft Park this Saturday, we encourage supporters to continue to support grassroots and local football by attending another local game. You can find plenty of games across the Northern League and Northern Alliance taking place this weekend, should you choose to search one out.

“A group of us will be heading up to support Robbie Dale’s Blyth Town side on Saturday, who take on Tow Law Town at Gateway Park – and you’re more than welcome to join us. Some of you have probably ventured up there in recent times or been involved in junior football with Town at some point, so you’ll know how welcoming the likes of Jeff and Sandra Orr and Scott Douglas etc are. Plus, you’ll get to see King Rob strut his stuff once again.

“For some this may some like a bit of a drastic step and for others, simply boycotting is not enough. We respect everyone has different opinions on the matter and even for ourselves, this is a difficult course of action to take. Blyth Spartans is in our blood and the idea of actively missing a matchday at Croft Park is a strange feeling.

“However this is a course of action we feel as though we have to take. False promises have been made, supporters, former players and volunteers have all been disrespected and the football club have maintained a wall of silence for months – and now is the time to take action.”

The Green Army say they have sent a “written and formal set of questions to the club’s hierarchy” and “expect these to be answered in person, at a public and open forum that is set to be scheduled within the next few weeks”.

They add: “Until an Open Forum and AGM is organised though, many of us simply feel like we cannot bring ourselves to attend home games until the issues between the football club’s hierarchy and supporters have been addressed – and that some pressure does need to still put onto the football club to ensure they take supporters concerns seriously and address them in a timely manner.”

NewcastleWorld have approached Blyth Spartans for comment.