text: Newcastle supporters have been encouraged to stand up   in protest against Mike Ashley’s running of the club when they face Swansea at St James’ Park on Saturday. Fans group AshleyOut.com was behind last Sunday’s boycott of the 3-1 defeat at home to Spurs, which saw at least 10,000 supporters stay away as their side lost a sixth game on the spin. And now they are encouraging fans to ‘Stand Up To Ashley’ this weekend. Newcastle announced record profits of £18.7million earlier this month before revealing that a further £34m is sat in the bank. Newcastle United fans have planned a mass protest against owner Mike Ashley on Saturday afternoon . At least 10,000 supporters stayed away from St James' Park for the club's last home game against Spurs . Fans are unhappy at the club's lack of ambition, despite owner Ashley having £34million in the bank . Fans are upset and alarmed at what they see as a lack of investment and ambition which has left them with a threadbare squad in danger of relegation. A statement from AshleyOut.com read: ‘For those fans wishing to attend the Swansea game, we request them to #StandUpToAshley after 34 minutes of the game, to represent the fact that having no manager and a threadbare squad devoid of quality, yet having £34m in the bank is not an acceptable situation.’ They added: ‘We have seen a vast increase of awareness for Mike Ashley’s failed ownership of Newcastle United in the local and national media and amongst fans who were previously resigned to apathy. ‘These fans have now hopefully found a vehicle to express their profound dissatisfaction with the situation the club finds itself in, which is essentially one of a proud sporting institution transformed into a giant advertising vehicle.’ And the protest – which is backed by the respected Newcastle United Supporters Trust – also plans to target Ashley’s Sports Direct stores. The statement continued: ‘Secondly, from 12:30pm on Saturday we will target Sports Direct stores within a 20-mile radius of St. James’ Park and their flagship Oxford Street store by means of a peaceful protest. The supporters' group have asked fans to stand in the 34th minute of Saturday's  match against Swansea . Fans boycotting the Spurs match hold banners demanding the resignation of Ashley as Newcastle director . Newcastle supporters have also been asked to take part in peaceful protests outside Sports Direct stores . ‘Further details regarding this protest will be released shortly but we wish to emphasise that this must be a peaceful protest and is aimed at Mike Ashley and the shareholders of Sports Direct International plc. ‘This protest is not aimed at the innocent staff members often working with minimal employment rights on zero hours contracts and they must be respected and supported at all times. ‘This protest will be coordinated with supporters of Rangers Football Club who will target stores in the vicinity of Ibrox.’
target: Newcastle face Swansea at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon .
  Fans group AshleyOut.com have asked supporters to stand in 34th minute .
  'Having a threadbare squad... yet having £34m in the bank not acceptable'
  There will also be peaceful protests outside Sports Direct stores at 12.30 .