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Lee Ryder

A great atmosphere but angry chants at Premier League as Newcastle fans return

Newcastle United fans made their anger clear towards Premier League chiefs as turnstiles reopened at St James' Park for the first time since the club's collapsed takeover.

The Middle East consortium bidding to buy the Magpies saw a 17-week delay halt their efforts to buy the club from Mike Ashley.

Loud chants of: "Premier League taking the ****" rung around St James' during the game with Sheff United.

Fans aimed their frustration at Richard Masters and co after the takeover ended up in a double-barreled legal battle.

And only yesterday Premier League chiefs were granted an extension to cause further delays after an anti-competition challenge from Ashley.

Ashley was not present at St James' but his close aides Justin Barnes and Lee Charnley watched on from the executive area.

Fans were massively positive to the team as they played in front of a crowd for the first time in 15 months.

But both Ashley and Steve Bruce were on the end of some negative chants from the returning crowd.

And the name of former boss Rafa Benitez was also chanted from the Gallowgate End in the first half.

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