Darren Eales offers up predictable response to Newcastle United Supporters Trust's ticketing letter

The Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) recently sent an excellent letter to Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales to voice concerns over the rising costs of ticket prices.

The Trust highlighted how the common man is being priced out of their favourite pastime while the revenues generated in the sport continue to grow exponentially.

The gotcha moment in the letter by the Trust was pointing out the difference in revenue an increase in ticket prices would mean to the club in comparison to the increase in TV revenue.

There's also the fact that we still have no stadium sponsor and no sponsor for either our training ground or training kit, both of which would generate considerably more revenue than the ticket increase, even if we had to accept a lowball offer to get the ball rolling.

Darren Eales said a lot without saying anything at all

Darren Eales has replied to the NUST, and, as expected, he says a whole lot of words without actually answering the big issue while hiding behind PSR. What little hint he did give suggested more that they were going to go ahead with increases next season regardless.

"We are committed to developing teams that everyone connected with the club can be proud of – by investing in our talent pathway and by going up against fierce global competition to find, attract and retain top talent who will drive us forward.

"That is especially challenging within the parameters of profit and sustainability rules, and we have continued to grow and optimise our commercial incomes to fuel our progress. That has also supported our investment in fans’ matchday experience and alleviated some of our sharply rising operational costs.

"It is incumbent on the club to strike the right balance that keeps Newcastle United growing and competing on and off the pitch while ensuring tickets are as affordable and accessible as possible, and that is a challenge we will always approach with great care and consideration."

Those on the 10-year plan had better brace themselves for a big impact

It's hard to see any other outcome than the club going ahead with ticket price increases. Those who purchased the 10-year plan are going to be hit very hard after having their prices frozen for 14 years after the scheme was extended. Let's hope they've been squirrelling money away in anticipation.

We can't help but wonder how this would have gone had Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi still been around. They were the conduit between the fans and the club and would, sometimes to the detriment of the club, side with the fans on such issues.

With the increase in TV revenue and the fact we still have several huge sponsorship opportunities unfulfilled, it seems very strange that the club would pass the burden of funding the club onto the fans who already give so much.