'Not consulted': Newcastle United Supporters Trust slam club's decision to increase season ticket prices

Just a few days after the Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) sent a heartfelt letter to the club asking them to consider fans' financial situation before increasing prices, the club today announced a 5% increase to season ticket prices.

It's safe to say that the NUST were not too happy with the news and quickly released a statement saying they were disappointed with the decision to raise prices again, while saying they were not consulted on the decision.

During a cost of living crisis that shows now signs of letting up, it is disappointing that it's the fans who are having to pay for the progression of the club.

The NUST say they were not consulted on the price increase

All that being said, there are still fans on a long-term plan that sees them continue to pay 2011 prices, a deal that was only meant to run for 10 years. Additionally, U18s prices have been frozen, so while far from ideal, the club aren't gouging everyone, and the increase imposed is not as harsh as it has been on other supporters in the Premier League.

Unfortunately for fans, this was an inevitability. At a certain point, the club needs the revenue from the fans to move forward too and we have to accept it as part and parcel of the price of success. It just sticks in the throat a bit when you consider how the PIF could drop a billion pounds into the club's bank and not even feel the loss on their end.

Even more annoying is that had the club reached out to the NUST and told them their plan before all these letters went back and forth, they could have laid the groundwork for fans rather than just being hit with the news.

The Trust has urged the Premier League to regulate ticketing

It also goes against everything the board have been saying about consulting the fans on big decisions and a 5% price increase for people in one of the poorest parts of the country is certainly a big deal.

The Trust is there to be a mediator between the fans and the club along with the Fan Advisory Board, and if the club are just going to continue to circumvent them when it comes to these decisions, then what's the point in it all?

In the statement made by the NUST, they hit the nail on the head with their parting words which explains why this is happening.

"The current Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) in place encourage clubs to exploit the loyalty of their own supporters to maximise revenue.

"We urge both the Premier League and the incoming independent regulator to take action on this and put regulations in place to prevent the exploitation of loyalty."