Chris Hughton urges fans to rally behind players

Nov 6 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton has urged the Football League’s best supporters to set aside their differences with Newcastle United’s owners and back the team against Peterborough United tomorrow.

Posh will be the first visitors to the re- branded sportsdirect.com@St James’ Park since Magpies owner Mike Ashley officially took the club off the market.

The potential for rebellion is obvious, but so far this season Newcastle supporters have focused on supporting their team’s promotion push during matches. On the day United were officially named the 18th best-supported football team in Europe, Hughton asked them to continue in the same vein.

"There are two ways of supporting a team," said the manager. "There is no support in this division which has turned up as consistently as our fans have. That is something that is vital for us.

"It is the supporters’ prerogative (to protest), it is their club. My concerns are that they get behind the team and from that angle they haven’t let us down."

United have averaged an incredible 41,251 supporters for Championship home games this season. It is a figure only five Premier League sides – Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea (just) – have bettered so far, 8,000 above the league average.

Newcastle actually dropped six places in analysts Futebol Finance’s annual rankings for European attendances in 2007-08, with gates of 48,750. Sunderland fell from 24th to 31st, Middlesbrough were 49th – the lowest of 13 English teams in the top 50. As always in the life of

Newcastle United, it has been an eventful week, with events off the field grabbing more attention than those on it. Hughton, though, tries to let such matters wash over him.

"In the period of time I have been here, you get used to getting on with football matters," he said. "They are the things that are most important for me. Trying to keep this team in a position where we are now.

"I sympathise with the supporters. They give us wonderful support and there is no doubt this is their club. When you look at the numbers which turned up at Sheffield United, Scunthorpe, Forest. After what we have been through, that is wonderful."

The renaming of the famous Gallowgate ground after Ashley’s sportswear company is intended to showcase the possibilities for companies interested in sponsoring it next season. The news caused outrage with supporters, although mega-rich Chelsea have now broken cover to say they are thinking of following suit. In Newcastle’s case, Hughton sees it as a futile gesture. His comments were meant to placate fans but could equally deter would-be sponsors.

"I am quite sure that in a year’s time, two years’ time, 10 years’ time, people will still refer to the stadium as St James’," he said. "It’s not like a club that has actually moved its stadium.

"I can understand where the supporters are coming from, but in everybody’s eyes, it will still be St James’.

"There are always going to be commercial decisions, but the most important thing for us is we are able to strengthen in the areas we need to prolong a season that hopefully sees us at the right end of the table.

"I have been told they (the board) will look to support me in my endeavours to strengthen."

Steven Taylor will be back from injury to face Peterborough, and Hughton expects to have more positive injury news in the coming weeks.

"The international break is beneficial for those coming back, we hope to have Shola (Ameobi) back with us before the end of the month," he said. "That will give us a massive boost."

Peterborough could have a new face in their squad when they visit Tyneside tomorrow after signing Histon midfielder Josh Simpson on loan until the end of the year.

Simpson, 22, has scored 12 goals in 50 appearances since joining the Blue Square Premier side from nearby Cambridge City last season.

Meanwhile, January’s home league game against West Bromwich Albion has been moved for television. The St James’ Park clash between the title favourites will now take place at 7.45pm on Monday, January 18 and will be screened on Sky Sports.