2134/17897 Jamie Cleland Jamie Cleland Kevin Dixon Kevin Dixon ‘Black and whiters’: the relative powerlessness of ‘active’ supporter organization mobility at English Premier League football clubs Loughborough University 2015 untagged Language, Communication and Culture not elsewhere classified Studies in Human Society not elsewhere classified 2015-06-17 09:11:10 Journal contribution https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/_Black_and_whiters_the_relative_powerlessness_of_active_supporter_organization_mobility_at_English_Premier_League_football_clubs/9472373 This article examines the reaction by Newcastle United supporters to the resignation of Kevin Keegan as Newcastle United manager in September 2008. Unhappy at the ownership and management structure of the club following Keegan’s departure, a series of supporter-led meetings took place that led to the creation of Newcastle United Supporters’ Club and Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust. This article draws on a non-participant observation of these meetings and argues that although there are an increasing number of ‘active’ supporters throughout English football, ultimately it is the significant number of ‘passive’ supporters who hamper the inclusion of supporters’ organizations at higher-level clubs. The article concludes by suggesting that clubs, irrespective of wealth and success, need to recognize the long-term value of supporters. Failure to do so can result in fan alienation and ultimately decline (as seen with the recent cases of Coventry City and Portsmouth).