Like many retail units in Newcastle city centre, the Newcastle United official club shop has spent the majority of 2021 with its shutters down due to the global pandemic.
The only information currently available to passers-by is an A4 piece of paper stuck to the inside of a window near the main entrance that reads: ‘This store will be closing in April 2021. Please shop online at: NUFC.com’
Eagle-eyed fans will notice that NUFC.com is a popular Newcastle United fan website (whose motto is ‘Proudly Unofficial'), rather than the club’s official page which is NUFC.co.uk.
It won't please Mike Ashley to know that potential customers are being directed to a fan site in error rather than the official e-commerce site operated by his brand Sports Direct.
NUFC.com has developed cult status among supporters since it’s creation in 1993 when the owner, who goes by the alias Biffa, stole a march on the club and secured the prestigious .com domain at the start of the tech boom.
NUFC.com were today inundated with fans pointing out the club's latest error and posted a message in response: “Thanks to everyone who contacted us about the sign that appeared on the door of the now-closed SJP 'club shop'. For the avoidance of doubt, we obviously have nowt to do with the twisters involved.”
Last month ChronicleLive reported that Mike Ashley is understood to have passed on control of the unit at St James’ Park ahead of an anticipated change in kit supplier.
It’s widely believed that premium sports wear brand Castore will take over kit manufacturing duties at Newcastle United when Puma’s deal with the club ends next month.
Castore are expected to assume operational control of the club shop which in recent seasons has fallen under the umbrella of Ashley’s Sports Direct network of shops.
While most non-essential shops have reopened following the easing of government restrictions, including the ones owned by Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s official retail unit has remained shut.
