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<div><img alt="" src="http://hits.guardian.co.uk/b/ss/guardiangu-feeds/1/H.15.1/1111?ns=guardian&pageName=Football%3A+Newcastle+fans+could+change+tune+if+owner+Ashley+shows+repentance&ch=Football&c3=The+Guardian&c4=Premier+League+%28Football%29%2CNewcastle+United+%28Football%29%2CFootball&c5=Premier+League&c6=Louise+Taylor&c7=2008_12_03&c8=1127804&c9=article&c10=GU&c11=Football&c12=Premier+League&c13=&c14=&h2=GU%2FFootball%2FPremier+League" width="1" height="1" /></div><p>It may be the season of goodwill but Mike Ashley will surely be astonished to learn that many Newcastle United fans are willing to welcome him back to St James' Park. A leading supporters' group, which had called for regime change at the club after the sacking of Kevin Keegan as manager, has handed the controversial owner an olive branch. There are, however, strings attached and in return they expect Ashley to invest in new players and start communicating with fans. </p><p>The sports retailer has been persona non grata on Tyneside since he made the decision to sack Keegan in September but the influential Newcastle United Supporters Club yesterday suggested that the billionaire would be welcome to venture north once more and watch his team in action for the first time since August - provided he planned to help the club progress.</p><p>With Ashley's endeavours to sell the club having stalled and Joe Kinnear now appointed as manager until the end of the season, the NUSC believes the time is ripe for a highly unlikely rapprochement. "I think a large number of Newcastle fans would be willing to accept Ashley back if he is willing to try to take the club forward again," said the group's chairman, Malcolm Shiels. "If Ashley was to come out and say he is willing to try again to get things right he would be given a chance."</p><p>It all seems rather removed from the militant mood surrounding the club following the home defeat to Hull City in September, which saw incandescent fans, outraged by Keegan's exit, calling for the heads of Ashley and the Newcastle United director of football, Dennis Wise. The next day Ashley announced his decision to try to sell the club while also revealing that he would not be attending any more matches as he feared for his security. </p><p>Time, however, appears to have proved a healer. Indeed it seems that an element of lingering affection remains for the once popular owner famed for buying supporters drinks and mingling with the Toon Army at away matches. "If he was to actually come out, admit his mistakes and express a desire to look forward, I think most fans would be OK with that," said Shiels. "If Ashley is willing to provide Joe Kinnear with money in January I think it will turn around very quickly for him."</p><p>Whether Ashley would be prepared to stave off a potential relegation fight by giving in to such demands remains debatable but Kinnear, an unexpected hit with the Toon Army, yesterday insisted he would not have to off-load players before investing during the forthcoming transfer window. "I definitely need some new faces but I won't have to sell anyone first," said Kinnear, who is no doubt relieved the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez, has said he is not looking to take Michael Owen back to the Anfield next month.</p><div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><ul><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/premierleague">Premier League</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/newcastleunited">Newcastle United</a></li></ul></div><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">guardian.co.uk</a> © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our <a href="http://users.guardian.co.uk/help/article/0,,933909,00.html">Terms & Conditions</a> | <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/webfeeds/1,,1309488,00.html">More Feeds</a>
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