NEWCASTLE, England (AP) -- Police are preparing for demonstrations at Newcastle United's St. James' Park on Saturday when the team face Hull City in their first game since the resignation of manager Kevin Keegan.
Ashley may find himself in more hostile surroundings if he ventures amongst the fans on Saturday.
"We are aware that there is the potential for protest on Saturday and we will facilitate lawful and peaceful protest," Northumbria Police said in a statement on Friday.
At least two separate protests are planned by fans unhappy at Keegan's departure and another three are being mooted.
Keegan quit on September 4, claiming his position had been undermined by his lack of influence over the club's transfer affairs.
The editors of two Newcastle fan magazines, The Mag and True Faith, have urged fans to boycott owner Mike Ashley's firm Sports Direct and said he was no longer welcome to sit with them.
"Like many Newcastle United supporters we've been sickened by the events of the last week and the departure of Kevin Keegan from his position as manager of our club," the statement said.
"He (Ashley) is not a Newcastle United supporter and he is not welcome amongst our ranks."
Since buying the club in May 2007 Ashley has made a point of sitting among Newcastle's supporters at away games, rather than in the directors' areas.
He also eschews the traditional shirt and tie worn by club directors to wear a Newcastle replica shirt, with the words "King Kev" on the back.
A survey conducted by The Newcastle Journal said 90 percent of Newcastle supporters feel the club is a "laughing stock."
Newcastle have yet to make any announcement on a possible replacement for Keegan. Chris Hughton has been named caretaker manager and will be in charge for the Hull game.
Liverpool fans are also geared up for an afternoon of protests at the home clash with arch rivals Manchester United as they renew their struggle to oust the club's American owners.
With Anfield in the spotlight for the Premier League match against Manchester United, disgruntled fans will march outside the ground before kickoff to show their continued fury at Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr.
Their case was boosted this week when defender Jamie Carragher labeled the owners "ruthless" and accuse them of breaking promises over debt and the new stadium, which has been delayed due to the global economic turmoil.
Before Carragher and his team tries to beat the Red Devils for the first time since 2004, Spirit of Shankly -- the group named after legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly -- wants a "passionate mob directing their anger towards those ruining our football club."
"What we need on Saturday is two resounding victories," SOS said in a statement. "Firstly, a march on a massive scale that tells the world that Liverpool has had enough of Gillett and Hicks. A march of passion, a march of anger, a march of Red solidarity that roars its message loud and proud: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! GO NOW!
"This is the biggest club game in football and the world will be watching. Our second victory on Saturday comes when we take all that passion and pride inside the ground."
The crisis engulfing Liverpool has overshadowed the buildup to the match, as it did before last December's fixture when manager Rafa Benitez's future was in doubt.http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/09/12/england.newcastle.ap/index.html
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