Jackie Broon

Although the previous 33 seasons also had only 7 different champions, and a disgusting number of liver birds.

Yes, but even taking that out completely they've lumped in a billion plus on us and demonstrated that without, or even with, massive ongoing investment we're not able to get anywhere near the established big 6 financially. It's pie in the sky to think we some sort of great investment financially, it doesn’t add up. I think the reasons they've invested in us are much more likely to be strategic / image based or just because influential people within PIF like football.

I think there very little chance we'd do anything that requires us to temporarily relocate. It just doesn't make any sense. The idea that we would build on, or partially on, the existing footprint would be the worst of all worlds. It wouldn't have any less impact on Leazes Park, possibly more, would still impact on Leazes Terrace and would be massively disruptive to the club and supporters. It just doesn't pass the Ockham’s razor test.

They've also put in: £453m by issuing and buying shares in the club. £172m by buying the St. James' Park lease from themselves Whatever it cost to buy Leazes Terrace and other property £100m+ in related party sponsorships Overall the cost of owning us has probably been more than £2bn

Should I have added a ?

There is a massive difference between Grade I and Grade II in terms of significance though, only something like 2% of listed buildings are Grade I.

Meh.

Get it! What a strike!

It's hard to see what Maresca has done to deserve such a big job, seems like pepotism.

IF they are going down the expansion route getting rid the tge potentially planning light and overbearing impacts and civil law right to light issues is significant. Chelsea's stadium was kyboshed by just one neighbour who wouldn't budge on their civil law right to light. And there is a potential justification of the public benefits outweighing the harm to the setting of Leazes terrace and loss of part of St James street. But that would be a subjective judgement for the Council, and potentially Secretary of State. None of us could really know which way that would go. But, I'm with you that I can't really see the scope for a meaningful expansion of the east stand.

Not that is really makes any difference but, unless there's a condition or legal agreement that specifically limits the use to student accommodation only, which I don't believe there is, they're just apartments and could be let to anyone. They're actually marketed as "luxury apartments ideally suited to students".

And that would be the justification made in any planning application, that the benefits to the improvement in the setting of the Grade I listed building and social and economic benefits of the new stadium outweigh the impact on the Grade II listed park.

Same here, I still think Leazes Park / Castle Leazes will be the way we'll go... if we do.

That's part of our identity! Although, I do wonder whether it possibly has a marginal effect on fatigue and injuries over he course of a season.

Any expansion proposal for the East Stand is also likely to need the purchase of all of the properties on the west side St. James Street and the demolition of at least part of the listed buildings in that street.

Listings always cover the whole of the building, it's a common misconception that the listing only relates to the parts described in the listing,

Yeah, although it was just a weak second half of the season then, we were flying up until the second leg of the Bilbao tie. So there was more of a base to build on then.

Odd time for it to come out just before two massive matches for them.

What I heard isn't about that by the way, it was to do with personal stuff... and is probably bollocks.

Not even trying to hide the bais towalds the sky 6 in VAR decisions anymore.

No wonder he always looks like he hasn't slept for days!

Yeah, I thought the same, but the source and rumour were so random that it makes part of me think there could be something to it.

As I said in another thread, I've heard a rumour of a big issue between him and Bruno causing a divide in the squad. It was from an unexpected source and seems improbable, probably bollocks and I won't repeat the details because I don't want to stir shit if not true, but could explain some stuff if it is.

I heard a rumour about other bad blood in the squad between Gordon and Bruno, but probably bollocks.

The way he stepped up when Trippier got injured was instrumental to us escaping relegation