We’ll keep on fighting, says Newcastle owner

By PAUL REES

Newcastle owner Semore Kurdi has rubbished claims that the club is willing to be relegated to the Championship because it is struggling to pay its way in the top flight.

Three clubs collapsed under a debt pile last season, Worcester, Wasps and London Irish and rumours circulated about the viability of Newcastle who last season released high profile players George McGuigan and Trevor Davison during it.

“We have not volunteered to be relegated,” Kurdi told a meeting of Newcastle supporters at a fans' forum held at Kingston Park last week. “We are an easy target but we will continue to fight our corner. The only way to prove people wrong is by winning on the field and growing as a club.”

Kemore, chairman Matt Thomson and new director of rugby Alex Codling were on the top table to answer questions from fans who were not only concerned about the future but a campaign that saw the Falcons finish at the bottom of the Premiership.

Thompson explained why McGuigan and Davison had departed during the season, to Gloucester and Northampton respectively, adding that the club had to cut its cloth given the financial landscape of the professional club game in England.

“George was offered a contract extension but rejected it while Trevor's agent contacted us with a request for an increased deal despite being under contract for another season,” he said. “With the offer of transfer fees, it made financial sense for them to move on.”

In charge: Newcastle's DoR Alex Codling

Kurdi was asked whether he would continue to back the club given the financial problems besetting the Premiership and the professional game in England.

“Everyone in all walks of life has good days and bad days,” he said. “I still have a desire to make the club become successful. We are targeting gradual growth in terms of attendance which can be achieved by what happens on the field as well as updated facilities and an improved match-day offering.”

There are plans to develop the North and East stands at Kingston Park, but Kurdi said they were on the back-burner because of the financial pressure the Premiership was under and the need to grow after a “tough few years.”

Codling arrived last week to start work, replacing Dave Walder, who was put on gardening leave before the end of the season, having guided Oyonnax to promotion to the Top 14. “We will look to play entertaining, winning rugby based on a core of homegrown players,” he said. “We are looking to add a defence coach soon and the group will show an incredible work ethic.”

The salary cap is remaining at £5m this season, but will rise to £6.4m in 2024-25, the level it was at before the start of the pandemic. Newcastle have signed Argentina prop Eduardo Bello and agreed a new contract with Richard Palframan. “We will support Alex but restraint will have to be exercised given the number of clubs that have disappeared,” said Thompson.