St James' Park

[Guest]

https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/stadium-plans-discussed-as-fan-advisory-board-reconvenes

 

Update here

 

Quote

The latest Newcastle United Fan Advisory Board (FAB) meeting has taken place between supporters and senior club executives.

The FAB consists of supporter representatives and is a key part of Newcastle United's ongoing commitment to structured, strategic fan engagement.

During Monday's online meeting, a number of representatives from FAB were joined by Chief Operating Officer, Brad Miller, Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Silverstone and senior representatives from the club's supporter services, communications and commercial venue teams.

Peter Silverstone provided FAB members with an insight into the club's growing commercial department, which has added 12 new club partners since last summer, introduced a new website and app, and recently launched the new St. James' STACK, presented by Sela.

At the FAB's request, the club summarised the due diligence process that goes into building out a successful commercial partnership, which is supported by 'big four' professional services firms, and outlined plans to attract even more leading brands to the club's family of partners in future.

STADIUM FEASIBILITY

Brad Miller delivered an in-depth update on the club's stadium feasibility work to FAB members. As part of a comprehensive presentation, the club outlined that the study has now entered a crucial second phase, with more detailed analysis currently taking place to investigate project-related risks and opportunities before a decision stage in early 2025.

Brad said: "This is an exciting but extremely complex project, and I'd like to thank supporters for their patience as we conduct this key phase of the feasibility process.

"We aren't quite at a decision-making stage yet, but we are targeting the early part of 2025 to complete the next essential tasks.

"We know what a transformed St. James' Park would give us and we now have a significant amount of data and feedback on our stadium footprint and surrounding area, so we are several steps forward.

"But it is also clear that this option has several risks associated with it, so we need to fully analyse those risks against the opportunities to reach truly informed and intelligent outcomes.

"We are challenging our appointed design team, and ourselves, to make sure our eventual chosen route delivers a fantastic fan experience - one that represents the fans, city, region and club, and aligns with the long-term ambitions of our ownership group.

"But it must provide an investable return, and not least deliver strong revenue growth to increase our PSR headroom, which, as everyone knows, means we can invest more in football.

"Part of the process is also to understand alternative options so that we see the bigger picture and, again, find the right balance between risk and opportunity. This is a once-in-a-generation investment, so we don't want to look back in years to come, as a club or as a city, and regret an opportunity missed.

"Our objective is to select a scheme that is deliverable, affordable, and sustainable, so we are investing this time to make sure we are only going to spend money on the project where it will make the biggest difference - to fan experience, revenue, competitiveness, investment in football and operational efficiency.

"All this requires a robust process that leaves no stone unturned.”

Representatives of the FAB asked a number of critical questions throughout the presentation relating to the feasibility study, which the club will consider as the decision-making process continues.

Brad continued: "We are very grateful to the members of FAB for taking on board some of the detail behind our reasoning, and we look forward to their continued input as we move this historic project forward in the near future."

 

 

 

Edited October 3 by Jack27

[54]

If there was ever a set of quotes laying down the ground work for a move away from SJP, it's that.

[Guest]

 

rip, so disappointing 

[Shearergol]

Sounds like a new stadium to me.

[The Butcher]

Really fucking exciting if it's a new stadium like.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Just now, The Butcher said:

Really fucking exciting if it's a new stadium like.

Depending on the location. 
 

TBH it’s really been hitting home the last few weeks how sad it would be to move. Its the most regular I’ve been at matches so I’m getting more attached to SJP than ever. 
 

I’d still be in favour of a move if it’s to the right place and gets us a massive capacity so they can sell more season tickets. But can’t deny I’ll shed a tear or two. 

[Dr. TC]

3 minutes ago, The Butcher said:

Really fucking exciting if it's a new stadium like.

I agree with this. Especially if it's on the arena site overlooking the river - that would be an epic sight for away support coming in on the train. 

 

Like everyone else I don't want to move out of town, but I'd be astonished if that is what is proposed. 

[54]

Quote

The latest Newcastle United Fan Advisory Board (FAB) meeting has taken place between supporters and senior club executives.

The FAB consists of supporter representatives and is a key part of Newcastle United's ongoing commitment to structured, strategic fan engagement.

During Monday's online meeting, a number of representatives from FAB were joined by Chief Operating Officer, Brad Miller, Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Silverstone and senior representatives from the club's supporter services, communications and commercial venue teams.

Peter Silverstone provided FAB members with an insight into the club's growing commercial department, which has added 12 new club partners since last summer, introduced a new website and app, and recently launched the new St. James' STACK, presented by Sela.

At the FAB's request, the club summarised the due diligence process that goes into building out a successful commercial partnership, which is supported by 'big four' professional services firms, and outlined plans to attract even more leading brands to the club's family of partners in future.

STADIUM FEASIBILITY

Brad Miller delivered an in-depth update on the club's stadium feasibility work to FAB members. As part of a comprehensive presentation, the club outlined that the study has now entered a crucial second phase, with more detailed analysis currently taking place to investigate project-related risks and opportunities before a decision stage in early 2025.

Brad said: "This is an exciting but extremely complex project, and I'd like to thank supporters for their patience as we conduct this key phase of the feasibility process.

"We aren't quite at a decision-making stage yet, but we are targeting the early part of 2025 to complete the next essential tasks.

"We know what a transformed St. James' Park would give us and we now have a significant amount of data and feedback on our stadium footprint and surrounding area, so we are several steps forward.

"But it is also clear that this option has several risks associated with it, so we need to fully analyse those risks against the opportunities to reach truly informed and intelligent outcomes.

"We are challenging our appointed design team, and ourselves, to make sure our eventual chosen route delivers a fantastic fan experience - one that represents the fans, city, region and club, and aligns with the long-term ambitions of our ownership group.

"But it must provide an investable return, and not least deliver strong revenue growth to increase our PSR headroom, which, as everyone knows, means we can invest more in football.

"Part of the process is also to understand alternative options so that we see the bigger picture and, again, find the right balance between risk and opportunity. This is a once-in-a-generation investment, so we don't want to look back in years to come, as a club or as a city, and regret an opportunity missed.

"Our objective is to select a scheme that is deliverable, affordable, and sustainable, so we are investing this time to make sure we are only going to spend money on the project where it will make the biggest difference - to fan experience, revenue, competitiveness, investment in football and operational efficiency.

"All this requires a robust process that leaves no stone unturned.”

Representatives of the FAB asked a number of critical questions throughout the presentation relating to the feasibility study, which the club will consider as the decision-making process continues.

Brad continued: "We are very grateful to the members of FAB for taking on board some of the detail behind our reasoning, and we look forward to their continued input as we move this historic project forward in the near future."

https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/stadium-plans-discussed-as-fan-advisory-board-reconvenes

[Joey]

Nah, don't want that. It'll be an out of towner and the whole of the city will suffer.

Who can the fans advisory board have any sort of say in it when it has the likes of a brand new fan who changes team at a whim in it, they won't care.

[Charlies]

Is the arena site not too small? 

[nufcnick]

Just now, Charlies said:

Is the arena site not too small? 

It’s not going to be on the Arena site 

[Guest]

I think it'll end up being a renovation of SJP.

 

Reading the local media pieces all suggesting that they want it to be that, they'll find a way and it will end up being slightly underwhelming

 

 

Edited October 3 by Jack27

[nufcjb]

As much as it sounded they wanted the move, atleast they know they nedd to get the location right too hence, I'm taking that as they'll want to be at the same location or very close by.

 

 

Edited October 3 by nufcjb

[NUFC_Chris]

They don’t give anything away in this, and I understand them not wanting to give away commercially sensitive information.
 

Look at that arsehole trying to force the clubs hand into buying those parking spots at the rear of the East Stand as an example of that. 

 

 

Edited October 3 by NUFC_Chris

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Without Staveley on the scene I'm a bit less confident of a fan-focused decision, but hopefully she left a big post-it with NEE OOT OF TOON on everyone's desk.

 

 

Edited October 3 by AyeDubbleYoo

[Stifler]

Just now, Charlies said:

Is the arena site not too small? 

Nah, it would still be a tight site, but would have more room than SJP, or Castle Leazes.

I have done rough size comparisons of various new build state of the art stadiums, like Spurs’, SOFI etc. The only one that has the ability to fit on Castle Leazes is Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz stadium, even then it is very tight. However that does allow us a capacity of 73,000, and that is with a reduced/semi-open stand behind one of their goals.

 

The arena site alone should be large enough, with the additional potential to buy the buildings all the way up to Scotswood Road. You could also use the disused track bed/railways bridges to create walkway to Central station.

The downsides to the Arena site is that is further away from the retail core of the city centre. It also would be worse off for public transport, with only 1 Metro station being near, potential Monument as well. It is not near the traditional bus stations though, which would have to be balanced out for late KO games.

[Stifler]

5 minutes ago, Jack27 said:

I think it'll end up being a renovation of SJP.

 

Reading the local media pieces all suggesting that they want it to be that, they'll find a way and it will end up being slightly underwhelming.

I’m happy with it being a rebuild, but as you say, it’s likely to be an underwhelming project, with minimal capacity increases if it is SJP.

[TRon]

15 minutes ago, Shearergol said:

Sounds like a new stadium to me.

 

It's the only realistic path to keeping pace with the big hitters long term.

[nufcjb]

City council surely would give up some city land to make way for the stadium in return for some cash and any other incentives?

[Kanji]

Think they'll know moving outside of the city centre and not doing it either on current site, leazes or arena site will be nuclear to the fans particularly transport and all that. 

[Stifler]

2 minutes ago, TRon said:

It's the only realistic path to keeping pace with the big hitters long term.

Not only that, but if we could get a 70k capacity stadium, then we’ll end up being untouchable to most clubs.

The amount of income it would bring in, the amount of fans it would help create/maintain etc, it would mean that save for a 1 off really bad season, we will never finish below the likes of Sunderland, Norwich, Crystal Palace etc ever again.

[J7]

14 minutes ago, Joey said:

Nah, don't want that. It'll be an out of towner and the whole of the city will suffer.

Who can the fans advisory board have any sort of say in it when it has the likes of a brand new fan who changes team at a whim in it, they won't care.

You really think the tick box FAB are going to have any influence over a billion pound decision? 😂

[TRon]

9 minutes ago, Jack27 said:

I think it'll end up being a renovation of SJP.

 

Reading the local media pieces all suggesting that they want it to be that, they'll find a way and it will end up being slightly underwhelming

 

 

 

 

It's all very well wanting it to be that, but there will only be one party that will foot the bill for an expensive refurb of St James, and as has already been said in that article, they don't want to spend on a massive rebuild only to still end up with a stadium which isn't going to close the PSR gap.

 

Maybe PIF don't mind spunking the best part of a billion on a refurb, but if they don't do it, can't see any future owners going for that option. Not without the option for getting viable returns through commercial activity that a new stadium would provide.

[Stifler]

2 minutes ago, nufcjb said:

City council surely would give up some city land to make way for the stadium in return for some cash and any other incentives?

The city doesn’t own vast areas of land you know.

They can help with purchasing land via CPO’s etc, but they don’t own that much land.

[Joey]

1 minute ago, J7 said:

You really think the tick box FAB are going to have any influence over a billion pound decision? 😂

 

Well, not particularly unless the "result" is also used to back up a decision to move.