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Sunderland saved - Newcastle relegated

Sunderland have secured their Premier League future with a three nil victory over Everton at the Stadium of Light. The win sealed Newcastle's fate - meaning the Magpies will now be relegated

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Mike Ashley pens open letter to NUFC fans

Mike Ashley Credit: PA

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has penned an open letter directly addressed to the fans of the club, just days after being condemned to the Football Championship for the 2016/17 season.

Speaking on Newcastle United's official website, Ashley said:

I am writing to you in the immediate aftermath of the relegation of our Club - a bitterly disappointing outcome for all of us.

Newcastle United rightly has a proud and long tradition of competing at the highest level and I therefore understand and share the pain that supporters will be feeling at this difficult time.

Many of you have expressed strong views about what we could have done differently. I respect those views but I would like to reiterate that it has always been my intention to try to achieve the very best for Newcastle United.

We invested heavily in the squad over last summer and again in January, but we have been unable to secure Premier League status despite the recent efforts of the team under the formidable stewardship of Rafa Benitez.

I've said in the past that when I take on a challenge I am prepared to go through both good times and bad. There can be no doubt that relegation is a terrible blow but I want to assure you that the Club will now be doing everything it can at all levels to try to ensure a swift return to its rightful place in the Premier League.

We have done it before - we can do it again.

In the meantime, I thank the fans for their passionate support, in particular for Rafa and the team at recent fixtures, both home and away.

Clearly it is now time for a period of careful consideration whilst we reflect upon the lessons that need to be learned from the last 12 months to restore this great Club to the very top flight of English football.

– Mike Ashley

'I didn't do any dancing last night': Big Sam talks to the press the morning after the night before

'Big' Sam Allardyce has told the media he didn't do any dancing last night after Sunderland's storming 3-0 win against Everton.

The victory secured the Black Cats' place in the Premier League next season.

He did reveal, though, that he enjoyed an evening of celebrations with club Chairman Ellis Short and members of the club's staff.

Allardyce was talking at a press conference ahead of Sunderland's game at Watford this weekend - the result of which will not affect Sunderland's place in the Premier League next year.

You can watch the whole of the press conference here:

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Chi Onwurah takes snipe at NUFC owners

Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah has tweeted a photograph of her wearing a black and white dress today, following the news last night that Newcastle United will be relegated.

The Magpies learned their fate after Sunderland won 3-0 against Everton, cementing their place in the Premier League next season.

She noted that the fans and city she represents 'are Premier League, it's the ownership that's not.'

Football pundit: "Mike Ashley will stay put"

Steve Wraith, football pundit and long-time Newcastle United fan says he thinks the club's owner Mike Ashley will be staying put - despite the Magpies being relegated.

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"We are still a Premier League city"

Aston Villa fans hold up banners in the stands during the Barclays Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham (7th May) Credit: PA

Business Improvement District Company, NE1 Ltd has been assessing the economic impact of Newcastle United’s relegation.

They say it's not 'all doom and gloom' for Newcastle.

They point out that:

  • When Newcastle United was last in the Championship league, attendance at home games was on average 5,000 less per game.
  • However - there are more matches played in the lower league so over the course of the season an additional 100k visitors can be expected in the city.

“As a lifelong Newcastle fan, its hugely disappointing, but with my business head on I have to recognise that Football isn't the only string to our bow. The Club is a hugely important part of the city, but it's worth reminding ourselves that Newcastle is the number one retail destination in North East England.

It is also the number one culinary, cultural and hotel destination in the North East of England.

We can also boast the largest concentration of finance and professional services in the region.

Newcastle has a compelling programme of annual events, with highlights across the summer months including Magic Weekend, Newcastle Pride, NE1 Newcastle Motorshow, Monument Movies and NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week giving hundreds of thousands of people reason to visit.

We are a premier league city and I have no doubt that we will, once again have a premier league football team in the not too distant future.

– Stephen Patterson, Director of Communications at NE1 Ltd

Former Newcastle player Gutierrez tweets support for the club

Former Newcastle footballer Jonas Gutierrez has tweeted his support for Newcastle United after they were relegated from the Premier League.

Last month an employment tribunal found he was dropped as a player during his time with Newcastle United because of his cancer diagnosis.

He sued the club for an estimated £2m on the grounds of disability discrimination.

The tribunal also ruled the club made it impossible for Gutierrez to trigger an appearance-based contract extension.

Newcastle are currently 'considering further options' with their legal team.

Big Sam's post-Everton press conference in full

Sam Allardyce has given a press conference following Sunderland's 3-0 win against Everton. The victory has secured Sunderland's place in the Premier League next season, and knocked Newcastle down into the Championship.

Sam thanked fans for their support, saying: 'It's a wonderful feeling, appreciation, it's what we're in the game for.'

You can watch the whole press conference here:

Sunderland fans react to 3-0 Everton win

Sunderland will stay in the Premier League next season after a storming 3-0 win against Everton tonight. We caught up with some fans after the game:

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