NEWCASTLE United Football Club is to return to court to thrash out a claim for £80,000 costs from six fans after the bitter Save Our Seats legal battle.
The club is to ask for a costs hearing after the successful outcome of court room clashes with season ticket holders who challenged an attempt to move them out of their seats at St James' Park to accommodate corporate clients.
The club's £200,000 bill for the case is to be scrutinised independently to make sure it is not unreasonably high.
Judge Lord Woolf had urged the club to show leniency to the supporters, but club bosses have decided to let the courts decide.
Save Our Seats campaigner Jane Duffy said she was not surprised by the club's decision.
She said: "I'm glad they have submitted the bill. I would hope the costs would now be reduced to below the level of our insurance.
"We lost and accepted that we would have to foot the club's bill. However, we never expected the bill would come to twice the size of our insurance cover."
A club spokesman said: "The board accepts the satisfactory resolution of the issue of costs is sensitive. Subsequent to the assessment, the board will consider the determination of the court."
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