St James' Park

[Greg]

Took this on my phone from the top of Eldon Square on Wednesday evening, it has turned out better than I thought it would.

 

[Fugazi]

[SteveMc]

Took this on my phone from the top of Eldon Square on my phone on Wednesday evening, it has turned out better than I thought it would.

 

 

Wonderful what you see when out dogging

[Benwell Lad]

Fro the Northern League's website blog.

 

"From the moment that we started thinking about the 125 celebration –about 18 months ago, though it seems like about five minutes – the hope was that the final piece in the season-long jigsaw would be to play the League Cup final at Newcastle United. Today – great news – the club has agreed. The match will be on Tuesday May 6 and, of course, it couldn’t be more appropriate. St James’ Park was a Northern League ground in 1892 when Newcastle East End took over the liabilities of Newcastle West End – both were founder members – and moved in. Who knows, the ground may have changed a little since then. We are, in any case, hugely grateful to Mike Ashley and his directors. It will be a fitting end to a memorable 125 th anniversary season."

 

[Golfmag]

Driving down past the Town Moor this morning, the stadium looked just amazing silhouetted in the sunshine, behind the miles and miles of green grass of the Moor. Incredibly beautiful. I'm going back to take a photo this afternoon.

[BottledDog]

Driving down past the Town Moor this morning, the stadium looked just amazing silhouetted in the sunshine, behind the miles and miles of green grass of the Moor. Incredibly beautiful. I'm going back to take a photo this afternoon.

 

Used to live right on the Gosforth side of the moor and could see from upstairs or the bottom of the garden the stadium poking up beyond the trees a couple of miles away.

 

Down right magical on sunny/misty days.

[Guest WashyGeordie]

Driving down past the Town Moor this morning, the stadium looked just amazing silhouetted in the sunshine, behind the miles and miles of green grass of the Moor. Incredibly beautiful. I'm going back to take a photo this afternoon.

 

Used to live right on the Gosforth side of the moor and could see from upstairs or the bottom of the garden the stadium poking up beyond the trees a couple of miles away.

 

Down right magical on sunny/misty days.

 

I know there's this one from the Daily Mail, just abit pixelated/blurry...

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/01/21/article-2543104-1ADAD85700000578-27_964x480.jpg

 

[biggs]

Not sure if this has been posted

 

Exclusive: Ashley Attempts To Sell Off Future Of Newcastle United On Cheap

Friday 21st March 2014 by Mark Jensen

 

In a statement released today, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) have revealed that they’ve discovered Mike Ashley has quietly put plans in place for a very quick sell-off of a lease on land belonging to Newcastle United, next to St James Park.

 

Under the Hall/Shepherd administration, one of the good things that they did do was invest in land around St James Park with a view to possible further expansion of the stadium.

 

st james parkAs part of this strategy they bought a long lease on land behind the Gallowgate end, which would allow for a major increase in capacity if the time ever came where it was viable/essential to accommodate increased demand. With the Milburn and Leazes sides of the ground developed to their full potential, and the East Stand capped due to Leazes Terrace behind it, the Gallowgate is the only part of St.James’ Park that could could possibly be increased.

 

However, Mike Ashley has laid plans to sell the lease quietly and with potential bidders expected to be almost certain to be developers looking to build hotel or student accommodation. Once any deal is finalised and anything built on the land, it would mean any chance of further expansion would be lost forever, not just for our generation but all future generations.

 

Bear in mind we are still getting a 50,000 average after near relegation last season and over 43,000 averaged when in the Championship in 2009/10 – you just never know what is around the corner, just look at Manchester City.

 

This quick grab of money by Ashley is likely to amount to a few million at the very most according to estimates, is that what the future of our football club is worth?

 

Here is the statement from NUST;

 

‘Recent statements from Newcastle United accompanying the release of the latest accounts, have called upon supporters to demonstrate patience with the stated intention of growing the club in a sensible and sustainable manner.

 

Putting aside several concerns regarding the drastic shrinkage of commercial income and the free advertising given to Mike Ashley’s companies. There is now great concern that the potential growth of the club, namely through tapping into Newcastle United’s greatest asset: it’s support, is at risk through an appalling plan to put in jeopardy any potential expansion of St James’ Park at the Gallowgate End of the ground – the only possible part of the stadium where future expansion could realistically occur.

 

In 1998 previous directors of the club had wisely leased the land around St James’ Metro Station on  a long term basis in order to secure any future development opportunity.

 

However, last autumn Newcastle United Holdings Limited –the parent company of NUFC, instructed Newcastle based agents Storey, Edward , Simmons to sell the lease on the land. Bids were invited with a deadline in December 2013 and it is understood that final unconditional bids are now under consideration.

 

It is thought developers would be looking likely to build student accommodation on the site but the whole site, which runs to Strawberry Place, could be developed by the preferred developer.

 

Were any buildings to be constructed on that site, it  would then mean development/extension (of the type completed at the Leazes and Milburn sides of St James’ Park) at the Gallowgate End of St James’ Park would be near impossible. Given there is no way of developing the East Stand due to the listed status of many buildings on Leazes and St James’ Terraces,  that would mean there’d be no feasible way of extending the stadium.

 

In short, St James’ Park would be locked into its current capacity. United are currently attracting the third largest attendances in the country of 50,000+ (an average home attendance of 43,384 even when in the Championship – season 2009/10). Given that the club’s on-field performance is mediocre at best, it greatly suggests that our club is capable of attracting at least another 10,000+ were the club to perform better than it is currently, and attract more support, as well as persuade the currently disaffected to return to the stands.

 

If building on the land in question proceeds, any future ambitions to extend St James’ Park and increase its long term income (critical under UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules) will be impossible. Selling this land illustrates the cramping lack of commitment and ambition there is from Mike Ashley towards Newcastle United, while it is also a cap on the capability of future owners of the club to develop the club further.

 

None of this looks like being part of a strategy to have a growing, sustainable football club that is doing everything it can to increase its own income and thus its sporting competitiveness. It looks very much like part of a plan to asset strip Newcastle United Football Club and make short-term decisions that are in the interests of the owner, rather than the long-term future of the club.

 

What can be done now to oppose the sale is unclear but the Newcastle United Supporters Trust will be seeking to explore how we can oppose any future applications from potential developers.

 

The Trust would have liked to have raised these matters with the club at the Fans Forum but NUST remains banned, while correspondence on other matters with directors at the club appear to be currently ignored.

 

Draw your own conclusions as to what is going on at St James’ Park.’

 

We would everybody to consider joining NUST and help fight for the future of our football club and the future of all Newcastle United supporters.

[mickthemagpie]

Its in the Mike Ashley thread.

[biggs]

Its in the Mike Ashley thread.

Thought it was relevent here too 

[bhoywhonder]

Given there is no way of developing the East Stand due to the listed status of many buildings on Leazes and St James’ Terraces,  that would mean there’d be no feasible way of extending the stadium.

 

 

There seems to be a general consensus that the East Stand is untouchable due to the listed buildings behind it. However, could it not be extended vertically like Boca Juniors did with the Bombonera? it would look odd but it could prove a cheaper option than building over the road and metro station at the Gallowgate (on land which the club no longer owns so that would be an extra cost)

[nufcjb]

Would love us to develop and do some renovations to the ground again. Just love watching SJP under construction.

[Exiled in Texas]

Given there is no way of developing the East Stand due to the listed status of many buildings on Leazes and St James’ Terraces,  that would mean there’d be no feasible way of extending the stadium.

 

 

There seems to be a general consensus that the East Stand is untouchable due to the listed buildings behind it. However, could it not be extended vertically like Boca Juniors did with the Bombonera? it would look odd but it could prove a cheaper option than building over the road and metro station at the Gallowgate (on land which the club no longer owns so that would be an extra cost)

 

I think that has been suggested but the Leazes terrace complained that it would block the natural light and leave them in a permanent shadow

[OzzieMandias]

Given there is no way of developing the East Stand due to the listed status of many buildings on Leazes and St James’ Terraces,  that would mean there’d be no feasible way of extending the stadium.

 

 

There seems to be a general consensus that the East Stand is untouchable due to the listed buildings behind it. However, could it not be extended vertically like Boca Juniors did with the Bombonera? it would look odd but it could prove a cheaper option than building over the road and metro station at the Gallowgate (on land which the club no longer owns so that would be an extra cost)

 

I think that has been suggested but the Leazes terrace complained that it would block the natural light and leave them in a permanent shadow

 

Then as long as they house only mackem students there, no problem.

[Ryan_Taylor]

Houses look shit anyway. Knock 'em down!

[BlueStar]

http://i.imgur.com/5xgmGdq.jpg

 

Some of the greats of Newcastle United from the 1950s, 60s and 70s were back at St. James' Park on Thursday to unveil a permanent memorial to the man who led the club to FA Cup and Fairs Cup triumphs - legendary Magpies captain and manager Joe Harvey.

 

Harvey's son, Ken, Fairs Cup-winning captain Bob Moncur and Vic Keeble - the only surviving member of the 1955 cup-winning side of which Harvey was trainer -unveiled a huge 5ft x 3ft bronze plaque in his honour at the Gallowgate End of the ground, close to the statue of his former teammate, Jackie Milburn.

 

They were joined by Harvey's family and a host of famous ex-players including Wyn Davies, Frank Clark, Malcolm Macdonald, David Craig, Alan Foggon and Dave Hilley, as well the Fairs Club group which spearheaded the project with the support of fundraisers including Newcastle United, who made a significant donation and also paid for all installation costs.

 

As part of the ceremony, it was also announced that Joe Harvey has been inducted to the Newcastle United Foundation's Hall of Fame, joining revered Club figures including Hughie Gallacher, Jackie Milburn, Bob Moncur, Sir Bobby Robson, Peter Beardsley and Alan Shearer.

 

A trophy was presented by Bob Moncur to Ken Harvey to mark his father's induction.

 

Bill Gibbs, chairman of the Fairs Club, said: "We have had a long-standing ambition to see Joe Harvey rightfully remembered with a permanent memorial at St. James' Park and we are delighted to see it come to fruition with this plaque.

 

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported this project and Newcastle United, who have made a generous donation and paid for its installation. We are very proud to see it in its glory as a lasting reminder of Joe's immense contribution to the Club."

 

A half-back as a player, Harvey captained the Magpies to promotion from the second tier in 1948 and successive FA Cup victories at Wembley in 1951 and 1952, returning to Wembley as the team's trainer for the Club's third FA Cup success in five years in 1955.

 

He was appointed as Newcastle United manager in 1962 and after guiding the Club to the Second Division title and promotion in 1965, he led the team to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup - the pre-cursor to the UEFA Cup (now the UEFA Europe League) - in 1969 courtesy of a 6-2 aggregate victory over Hungarian side Újpest Dózsa.

 

It remains Newcastle United's most recent piece of major silverware.

 

After leading the Magpies to another FA Cup Final in 1974, finishing as runners-up to Liverpool, Harvey remained as manager until the following season before loyally fulfilling a backroom role at St. James' Park. He passed away in Newcastle following a heart attack in February 1989.

 

http://i.imgur.com/7aaSGtj.jpg

 

[BlueStar]

Don't remember him having that many chins like.

[Dinho lad]

"FA cup finalists 1974."

 

Good stuff, though.

[Guest firetotheworks]

The one day that I didn't go out for my dinner and I missed the chance to tell Moncur to remove his lips from Ashley's arse.

[Dinho lad]

http://i.imgur.com/e1vYRoh.jpg

[Guest neesy111]

The one day that I didn't go out for my dinner and I missed the chance to tell Moncur to remove his lips from Ashley's arse.

 

[Skeletor]

"FA cup finalists 1974."

 

Good stuff, though.

 

Beats 'FA Cup 3rd round participants - 2000&Pardew'

[PineBarrens]

Fantastic to see and long overdue, one of the most important figures in the history of NUFC.

[Robster]

And it's not even sponsored by SD. Good stuff

[BottledDog]

The fuck has happened to the art of creating lifelike busts.