NEWCASTLE United Football Club has denied exploiting fans with the release of its new kit due out this spring.

A weekend report said supporters were furious that the Premiership club were changing the style of the famous black and white shirt, even though they altered the shirt at the start of the season.

In March 1998, Newcastle directors Douglas Hall and Freddie Shepherd - now the club's chairman - hit the headlines after mocking fans for buying £40 replica shirts, claiming they cost just £5 to make.

Last night, a Newcastle spokeswoman denied the strip, due out in April, would be the third change in five months.

The current shirt, which costs £40, was altered in the summer when the sponsor's logo was switched from that of Scottish and Newcastle Breweries to new backers ntl.

The design of the kit, made by adidas, which has collars and blue trim, did not change from that launched two years ago.

The new shirt, which will have a V-neck, will come in under a contractual agreement with adidas.

The spokeswoman said: "We are committed to changing our kit every two years with adidas.

"Obviously, sponsorship arrangements are slightly different to the two years commitment with adidas.

"We made it clear when there was a change of sponsor's logo that it was not a change of kit."