JETS coach Branko Culina has urged Novocastrians to send Football Federation Australia a defiant message by rallying behind his embattled team.
The future of the club is under a cloud after players were not paid last week, but Culina was adamant the crisis would galvanise his troops for a never-say-die performance against Brisbane Roar at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.
And he said a strong show of support off the field might reassure the game's governing body that Newcastle deserves to retain a presence in the national competition.
"It's important for Newcastle not to abandon the team now," Culina said yesterday.
"This is probably the time we need the people of Newcastle more than ever before.
"Irrespective of what happens between the two parties, the people of Newcastle have got to vote with their feet and turn up to the game.
"We'll do everything we can on the park. I can assure our supporters and general public that we won't let them down.
"God help Brisbane Roar on Sunday, I can assure you of that if we play."
Culina was optimistic FFA would provide financial aid for Jets owner Con Constantine, as it has done with several other A-League clubs over the past five years.
But he said fans could state a compelling case by turning up on Sunday in strong numbers.
"Our supporters were terrific in our first home game against Melbourne Heart, and hopefully they do their bit again on Sunday," he said.
"They can make a statement themselves. Not only supporting us, but also showing Con and FFA they are right behind the team."
Having reached the play-offs last year and improved their squad in the off-season, Culina was confident Newcastle had "the makings of a very good side this year".
He said FFA should not forget that Newcastle have been one of the most successful teams in the A-League's brief history.
The Jets won a premiership three seasons ago and have made the finals in all but one of their five previous campaigns.
"We're not only a foundation club, we're one of the most successful clubs in the competition," he said.
"Except for one season, we've made the finals every time, even though we operate on a smaller budget than most of the other clubs.
"At our peak, we've had some terrific crowds. We've got some outstanding young players coming through. This is a great football area and just has so much potential."
Culina said it was easy for people to be critical of the idiosyncratic Constantine, but without the controversial businessman Newcastle would not have had a national league team for the past decade.
"Put Con aside," Culina said.
"Con has done everything he can for this community and this club.
"OK, we might not always agree with how he goes about it, from time to time . . . but he's hung in there because he wants to overcome this."
Culina said Newcastle, who are winless after their first three games, were already highly motivated to beat Brisbane regardless of the club's alarming financial situation.
"We know we deserve to be much higher up the table than where we are," he said.
"And we're not really concerned with the table at this early stage anyway.
"But after the bye last week we were really looking forward to coming home and getting a win up against a team who have been playing some good football.
"And after what's happened in the last week, we're even more determined."
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