TomYam

BJ....Boris Johnson?

Hope Wolves finish 4th. In the meantime, howay ManU!

Agree entirely. The most exciting aspect of PIF-Reuben ownership has been the prospect of major investment in this great city (not just football) and the commensurate benefits to the wider community.

That's encouraging. A lot on the other forum seem highly resistant. Perhaps just posturing?

I'm sure our owners have given thought to stadium expansion or relocation. They have the political and financial clout to bend things in the direction they want. However, there would be a lot of resistance from fans who wouldn't countenance moving home. The land to the south and west of the Arena is probably available until it has been developed. There is plenty of space for a 70,000+ stadium, ancillary practice pitches, hospitality and apartment buildings. If they want, they'll get.

We simply mustn't lose this match. A win will surely see the clouds part for good and the heraldic angels trumeting louder than a plastered mackem eating curry and chips after yet another defeat.

I totally understand why folk are struggling to countenance a move from St.James's, but why move to Hunter's Moor? The Town Moor is totally unique and the visual, infrastructural and environmental impact of placing a new stadium there would be unacceptably great. If we're going to move home, a stadium on the Arena site would be visually stunning (from the river), has good infastructure that could be enhanced further to the betterment of the city, and the local environment would be improved immeasurably.

I believe that a Middle Eastern investment company has bought the southerly half of Leazes Terrace. This fund is not thought to be PIF. The northerly half of Leazes Terrace (facing the park) comprise individually owned private apartments, while the southerly half (facing the East Stand) are student occupied. Not sure what the intentions of the new owners are, but will clearly involve refurbishment. One things for sure - if the club moves to a new site, these apartments would become highly desirable.

It wouldn't be the same, but it could be better in many ways. Until the (Arena) land is built on, it's probably available to those that are prepared to pay for it.

Those stadium plans suggest the greater part was to be built on Leazes Park rather than Castle Leazes. Crazy to think the council approved, but then it's not exactly renowned for civic pride and John Hall was well known for, ahem, convincing people to support him. As I evinced in an earlier post, if a new stadium were built 100 metres further north-west along Barrack Road (from those earlier plans) then you could arrive at something really special that most NUFC fans would support. However, that would involve purchasing land housing student buildings and army reserves. Very complicated.

You're right, but I think it encroached on to Leazes Park. Still feasible depending on design quality, infrastructure, etc.

I'm pretty sure Castle Leazes isn't large enough to build a 70,000 seat stadium on - especially when you consider parking, etc. It'd surely have to involve buying up the buildings between Castle Leazes and Barrack Road. Horribly complicated. However, it's under-utilised common moor land and a 'land swap' with St.James's could be a major improvement for both club and city.

Juventus are in the strange situation of being the second most popular club in their city, struggle to get big attendances - and yet are by far the most popular and commercially successful club in Italy. Imagine Manchester United but with the attendances of West Brom: that is Juventus.

Newcastle only has one park in the city centre - and some people on this forum want to build a football stadium on it. Leazes Park is the oldest park in the city boundaries. It's Grade II listed and is in a Conservation Area. Leazes Terrace is Grade I listed building (the highest rank of national importance ) and is in a Conservation Area - some on this forum wish it be demolished or moved elsewhere.

Today, our natural attendance level is probably 55,000+. Next year (if we stay up), it'll probably be 60,000+. It should continue to increase as we grow on the national stage and attract international students and tourists, young kids from Basingstoke and Bury St Edmunds, aspiring fairweather fans and former Sunderland supporters. A successful, attractive Newcastle United playing in a magnificent stadium should manage 75,000 within a few years. Why would't we aim to accommodate those that want to attend?

So those who'd consider moving to a new stadium in an alternative city centre location are mad cunts and sick freaks? Perhaps a giant psychiatric unit should be built on Leazes Park - handy for the RVI and for any NUFC fans showing signs of objectivity. We're all emotionally invested in St.James's, but that shouldn't close our minds to the possibility of change.

I seem to have a very different viewpoint to many on this thread. Let me state first that if there is one thing I love more than Newcastle United, it's the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The city's heritage matters - even if you think our Listed Buildings and parks don't affect your life, they do....and your children and your children's children. I love my beautiful city and I'll be damned if anyone wants to level Leazes Park (the only central one) or Leazes Terrace....or, for that matter, Grey Street or The High Level Bridge. We've lost too much already (Handyside and Royal Arcades, King Charles House, Corn Exchange, etc). Enough. I'm 55 and went to my first match in 1972/3. I'd embrace a move from St.James's Park - SO LING AS IT REMAINS IN THE CITY CENTRE. If the site is still available (and I'm sure it could be), then I believe the Arena site is perfect. A stadium of about 75,000 would be ideal and fit this site snugly. It could sit spectacularly overlooking The Tyne with landscaped access from the West Quayside and Scotswood Road. Infrastructure is excellent, being a short walk from Central Station. There is a disused rail viaduct that could be renovated for train/metro/pedestrian use. There is plenty of brownfield/industrial/tertiary land available immediately westward. Possible training pitches, hospitality and community projects. Affordable homes, too. Such investment in this area on the edge of the city centre would have enormous economic and social benefits to the inner west of the city. Transformational. We need to embrace change that is to the enhancement, not detriment, of Newcastle. I'm not averse to a Gallowgate extension and an improved stadium of, say, 58,000. I just believe that would simply be adequate, conservative, insubstantial. This club can do and be more - it can effect great positive change. I'd like to see the present stadium demolished and incorporated into an extended Leazes Park, while a new state-of-the-art stadium of 75,000 should be built a mile to the west.