The opinions continue to flow into The Mag, as Newcastle United fans debate the various issues regarding our club.
With one issue ‘slightly’ overshadowing everything else in this latest range of views.
That is, the revelation that multiple schools in Dundee had got access to coachloads of Newcastle v Barcelona tickets.
Thursday’s match obviously massively oversubscribed for arguably the biggest match of the season.
Newcastle United fans with the latest collection of opinions below.
Contributions are sometimes too brief to make up into a full article and so we have gathered up a number of recent views sent in, (if you would like to send anything in, long or short, regarding Newcastle United, then contribute@themag.co.uk is the place):
Dear Mag,
I entered every ballot last season and did not get a single league game.
I only managed to bag one ticket in league cup and one ticket in the FA Cup.
I was however lucky enough to get some tickets though general sale or friends and family pass on.
Up to now this season I have been rejected for every game thus far. I don’t expect this to change one bit any time soon.
I have saw away fans being taken out of the Leazes end in what should be home fans allocation on more than one occasion during games last season.
There was even a bloke from Liverpool with a Newcastle top on having a discussion on the phone after the match saying how poor his team was, even with the extra player!!!
To finish off, I myself know quite a few members and they seem to be getting the same success as me in the main ballot.
Thanks but no thanks, you were unsuccessful this time!!!
Paul
Dear Mag.
Re (Newcastle United home match ticket ballots) the NUST figures and the club’s response, I’d like to share my experience.
I have been successful in 1 of the last 30 ballots applied for.
As this was for Wembley I still feel incredibly privileged despite all the failures.
The latest news made me think my Wembley success may have been down to the lack of Dundee schoolchildren attending.
Clive
Dear Mag,
A message to our CEO, David Hopkinson:
Hi David,
Whilst I am pleased you can attend the match on Saturday, many of us cannot enjoy that privilege.
We are continually shut out and deprived of getting a ticket through the miserable system you call a membership scheme.
It was bad when it was brought out and got considerably worse over the intervening years to a point where we are lucky to see one or two matches per season.
There is absolutely no transparency about how many tickets are available, how many members there are and then it is publicised that schools in Dundee have got hold of tickets to one of the most iconic matches and goodness knows how many more places.
On top of that, tickets are freely available on resale sites at extortionate prices yet the club do absolutely nothing to stop the people that are obviously reselling these as it would be very easy to do this.
The ordinary fans are being treated miserably (I could have thought of plenty stronger adjectives).
As someone who has supported this club since the early 60s I am absolutely disgusted in the club’s treatment of true fans.
I wish you well with your endeavours but please give some thought to this shambles of a ticketing system.
Best regards
Brian Hewett
Newcastle United v Barcelona
Dear Mag,
What a fantastic draw for Bradford.
I don’t think we will progress much further but hopefully give a good account of ourselves.
Andy Cook is absolutely buzzing and hoping to get some minutes on the pitch, he is a massive Newcastle fan.
Unfortunately, with being on holiday I won’t be at the game, always enjoyed it when the Geordies are in Town, great club and fans.
Best regards
Dave
Dear Mag,
Alex Isak will have recurring injury problems that could at worst keep him out for a run of games or affect the rest of his career.
Over to you Liverpool
Tony H
Dear Mag,
Dear Mr. Reuben,
I work with children, many of whom many are classified officially as disadvantaged (Living in poverty relying on free school meals and food banks to get through the week. I know you are aware of food banks).
In addition, there are a disproportionate number of youngsters with special educational needs and disabilities. The largest proportion in any school in this borough of London which just so happens to be one of the wealthiest.
I have noticed that Newcastle United are playing Barcelona soon and thought it would be lovely if I could take some of the students on a trip to Newcastle to see the game. Maybe 45 tickets would be sufficient. The children all support Arsenal and Man U but that will not diminish their experience. It is Champions League after all.
The trip to Newcastle will be so beneficial to the students, who I am sure will make Newcastle United their “second” Premier league club.
I am fully aware of how difficult it is to get tickets for Newcastle games having paid for membership to qualify me for a chance of getting to a game. It appears to be more difficult by the day but I am sure the club will find the capacity to offer tickets to young people who live 300 miles away and don’t support the club.
I look forward to your very generous offer of tickets at the expense of real fans who live in hope of getting in to St James Park. Yours sincerely, oh wait a minute, my inbox has just pinged and I have 25 free tickets for Charlton Athletic’s next Championship game, now that is what is known as outreach.
Greg McPeake
Dear Mag,
Hi I’ve just read your article on Facebook regarding getting tickets through the ballot system.
Won about 3 ballots last season and only one so far this season.
It is so maddening when you see loads of tickets at inflated prices on other websites.
Carol Stephen