NEWCASTLE United were last night told their controversial Champions' League ticket policy could ultimately cost them their place in European football's most prestigious club competition.
Newcastle's Champions' League odyssey has been played out in front of thousands of empty St James' Park seats after they failed to attract a full house for any of their first four home ties this season.
Tuesday's crowd of 40,185 for the crucial game with Dynamo Kiev was 12,000 below capacity, and it followed a gate of just 34,067 for the qualifier against Zeljeznicar.
Popular supporters' website NUFC.com was heavily critical last month of Newcastle's refusal to drop prices for the European games, and they insisted last night that their stance had been vindicated.
Niall MacKenzie, of NUFC.com, said: "We've had a number of emails from people who were desperate to be there, but the costs were ultimately prohibitive.
"It was obvious to us that the prices would result in a less than full ground, and for the sake of a few hundred thousand pounds in ticket revenue the club have jeopardised progress in the multi-million pound competition. That is staggering short-termism.
"One day, the club will realise that those disenfranchised by the high prices are the ones that create the atmosphere at St. James'.
"The Fairs Cup-winning campaign in 1968-69 was carried along on the wave of full houses at St James', and a capacity crowd might well have roared us on to score against Feyenoord.
"Our defeat to them result may ultimately prove very costly indeed."
His argument was backed up by Bryan Samuels, secretary of the United Supporters' Trust, who was angry the club had not shown compassion to fans forced to dig deep for five home games in just 15 days.
Samuels said: "People can't afford to pay high ticket prices any more.
"You're looking at an average ticket price of £26, which is clearly more than people will pay.
"The Zeljeznicar crowd was a shot across the club's bows but they didn't take heed of it.
"I've got a seven-year-old son and I would have loved to take him to all three Champions League games.
"But I couldn't afford to do so at those prices, and it's the same for many fans."
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