A group of around 400 Newcastle United fans held a meeting with club officials last night to discuss unrest over the direction taken in recent weeks by owner Mike Ashley.

Newcastle fans are still reeling from the appointment of Joe Kinnear as director of football at St James' Park last week, with manager Alan Pardew's position coming under increased scrutiny.

The discussion in Newcastle city centre was organised by supporters group NUFC Fans United, with Magpies head of media Wendy Taylor and supporter liaison officer Lee Marshall among those in attendance.

Neither Ashley or Kinnear were at the event but the latter's representative Eddie McIntyre spoke on behalf of his client at the forum.

McIntyre declared that Kinnear had asked for a message to be passed on that he is prepared to attend a future meeting with Magpies fans later this season, according to the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

Officials present from Newcastle also reportedly insisted that all concerns and issues raised would be passed on to Ashley later this week.