I wrote to you earlier in the week...along with several thousand like-minded Geordies I expect, with suggestions for protests.

I just wanted to say how unhappy I am with the way it is beginning to seem that the protests on Saturday are going to fall between 2 stools.

The fact that one group plans to meet at 2pm outside the Milburn to make a vocal protest, before going to the match to give raucous vocal support to the lads, and the other group intends to march from 3pm, along Barrack Rd to SJP, means that the protest will be divided and therefore diluted.

I have always said I am not in favour of passive stay-away protest and fully intend to do my bit, while also supporting the team as I always do with my presence and my voice-box....and as I don''t want a bad run of results to turn a debacle into a rout, culminating in relegation...I will be outside the Milburn and then watching the game.

Is there nowt you lads can do to persuade the marchers to commence their crusade at...say...1pm,  and to then meet up with the Milburn fans...thus presenting a united front?

There will be nowt worse than a half-filled stadium. I'd even prefer to have a united stay-away protest & an empty ground than a half-arsed job, to be honest....BUT FAR BETTER...a huge march down Barrack Road, a loud protest from the massed ranks of all protesters, followed by a fervent packed crowd alternating songs of support for the players and vitriolic chants of criticism at the owner and his cronies.

If ever there was a case for UNITED WE STAND...this is it!

See you somewhere on Saturday.

Paul