St James' Park

[Abacus]

1 hour ago, KetsbaiaIsBald said:

This is a bit of a daft question and mainly for the people who 100% do not want to move from St James. 

 

It's not a daft question, and I'm not the person to answer it, since a move a bit back into Leazes park would be ok with me.

 

A complete rebuild at least keeps it at the top of the hill, but I understand that may not be possible with the limited capacity it could likely bring, so if moving a bit is the better option, then fine.

 

I don't support any move out of the city centre, nor to the Arena site.

 

I suppose there is an identity crisis really about what any club really means. Your owners won't usually be local, nor will most of your players. So what are you actually supporting? Just the name of the club, wherever it plays? Bobby Robson answered this all much more eloquently.

 

It's why people are attached to the pitch, the years of walking the same streets to get there, seeing familiar faces on the way, the memories you had watching that piece of grass.

 

If you strip everything else away, and there really is nothing more as players, managers and owners come and go, then that is what you're left with. I guess that's the argument. But yeah, Leazes would work for me.

[KetsbaiaIsBald]

49 minutes ago, Abacus said:

 

I don't support any move out of the city centre, nor to the Arena site.

I don’t either.  It would really feel weird to be somewhere completely different. I think I could get used to it eventually if it was still walking distance. 
 

 

 

49 minutes ago, Abacus said:

 

It's why people are attached to the pitch, the years of walking the same streets to get there, seeing familiar faces on the way, 

This bit I get.  It relates to the above. I like having a beer in a pub I did 20-30 years ago.  A similar walk is nice.  Somewhere just beyond where it is now makes no odds to me. 
 

[LFEE]

19 minutes ago, KetsbaiaIsBald said:

I don’t either.  It would really feel weird to be somewhere completely different. I think I could get used to it eventually if it was still walking distance. 
 

 

 

This bit I get.  It relates to the above. I like having a beer in a pub I did 20-30 years ago.  A similar walk is nice.  Somewhere just beyond where it is now makes no odds to me. 
 

 

Would you support it if it was the difference between you being able to attend or miss out and have to watch on TV if we remained and did a small expansion?

 

Probably more a question for @Abacus

 

 

Edited November 5, 2024 by LFEE

[Abacus]

3 hours ago, LFEE said:

 

Would you support it if it was the difference between you being able to attend or miss out and have to watch on TV if we remained and did a small expansion?

 

Probably more a question for @Abacus

 

 

 

Well I think the question was more about a small relocation rather than a complete move to somewhere else. Which I'm ok with.

 

Thing is, I remember before even going to games and feeling the excitement of that in town, wandering around the city and hearing the roar when we scored. Knowing if we'd won or not, but asking the score anyway.

 

I don't think you can replicate that anywhere else - it made me a lifelong fan and so my first steps into SJP felt like I was stepping into the shoes of people that had lived their whole lives that way. It's sort of what you buy into, come grim times or joy.

 

But then, for the city it is the heartbeat of a whole week.

 

Edit, it's what makes SJP special, it's why it has to keep being bang in the city centre, it's why we go. 

 

And I have probably misunderstood the question now 

 

 

Edited November 5, 2024 by Abacus

[nufcjb]

Would people still say Leazes Park or Castle Leazes bang in the city centre?

[Sima]

I would.

 

Especially considering it's not known what would go in place of SJP.  If it's a layout similar to Wembley Way you'd barely notice the difference.

[TheBrownBottle]

On 05/11/2024 at 03:08, PauloGeordio said:

Conor McGregor did not hesitate when asked to describe the atmosphere at Newcastle's win over Arsenal.

The former UFC champion was spotted in the crowd at St. James' Park on Saturday.

 

TalkSPORT's Jim White spoke to McGregor after the match

He watched on as Eddie Howe's side recorded a 1-0 home win thanks to Alexander Isak's first half header.

During the match, McGregor appeared on talkSPORT and was asked what he made of St. James' Park.

 

The Irishman explained: "It's awesome to be here at Newcastle's home ground, St James'. It's awesome, what an arena, what a stadium. It has a lot of character”

 

"I'm excited to see the game unfold. Big game here today."

As for the home support and the atmosphere inside the stadium, he added: "It's a pit in there, it's a bear pit, so it's intense”

"I see even the Arsenal fans, where they're putting the Arsenal fans, right up the top of the arena.

"But in fairness, the Arsenal fans have travelled also, so it's always great to see passionate fans and I'm here enjoying the spectacle."

It’s nice getting an endorsement off a [redacted until his trial finishes]

[TheBrownBottle]

On 05/11/2024 at 01:16, Cookie1892 said:

ive seen and heard some pretty shit stories concerning the Stacks management team and their treatment of our veterans on Saturday

 

Anyone else heard or seen owt

 

All concerning the amount of flags with Poppies and how there were so many it was 'taking the piss'

You’d have to give some details tbf - but I’m not sure why ex-servicemen would be treated any different from any other punter

[Abacus]

7 hours ago, nufcjb said:

Would people still say Leazes Park or Castle Leazes bang in the city centre?

I would, yes

[Wallsendmag]

9 hours ago, nufcjb said:

Would people still say Leazes Park or Castle Leazes bang in the city centre?

 

Aye near enough. I mean obviously there's no exact definition and everyone will have their own opinion on it but for me the exact centre of the city is Greys Monument and if you drew a circle around that I'd class anything within a mile radius as being city centre.

[Sima]

23 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

Aye near enough. I mean obviously there's no exact definition and everyone will have their own opinion on it but for me the exact centre of the city is Greys Monument and if you drew a circle around that I'd class anything within a mile radius as being city centre.

 

 

For info.  One in the eye for the "Arena site isn't in the centre" crowd.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2024 by Sima

[Wallsendmag]

7 minutes ago, Sima said:

 

 

For info.  One in the eye for the "Arena site isn't in the centre" crowd.

 

 

 

 

Obviously that image shows it's slightly less than a mile going south as that takes you across the river but it's a rough guide. Certainly a mile, North, East, West or South as far as the river.

 

Certainly wouldn't like it to be anywhere outside of that circle.

[TRon]

16 hours ago, et tu brute said:

I'm pretty certain the vast amount of our support are now in the realms of moving to a new stadium. If we want to really challenge then there is no other option in order to increase revenue streams. Means fuck all anyway as PIF will do what they think is best and rightly so. The amount it would cost to just increase the current stadium by a few thousand is just not financially feasible. The team comes first every single time 

 

The team does come first. If PSR continues to restrict our spending on the squad, then the current ground is more than enough if we are going to be hovering around top 6-10 rather than top 4.

[Tross]

2 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

The team does come first. If PSR continues to restrict our spending on the squad, then the current ground is more than enough if we are going to be hovering around top 6-10 rather than top 4.

 

Spurs still hovering around 6-10 since their expansion and super multi-Purpose stadia. It's fucking bullshit we need to expand to spend. 

[Kid Icarus]

15 minutes ago, Sima said:

 

 

For info.  One in the eye for the "Arena site isn't in the centre" crowd.

 

 

 

Not when height is a factor. I think if you asked people in Newcastle to highlight what they consider to be the city centre on the map, there are areas 100% of people would include, areas 75% of people would include, all the way down to 0%. I'd be very surprised if many included the arena site.

[Wallsendmag]

36 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

The team does come first. If PSR continues to restrict our spending on the squad, then the current ground is more than enough if we are going to be hovering around top 6-10 rather than top 4.

 

I'd actually say the opposite. Probably not an exaggeration to say a brand new 70/75k stadium could potentially double our matchday revenue with the extra capacity and all the extra corporate offerings it could bring. That would massively help us if PSR rules continue.

 

Tbh I'm coming more and more to the opinion that SJP isn't really fit for purpose anyway as a modern footballing venue. The design is poor, it looks tired and it is too small.

 

For the last quarter of a century our average gate is around 50k and for a lot of that time we've been utterly shite, even a 2nd tier team for 2 of those years.

 

We need something bigger and we need something better, but it needs to be in the city centre.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2024 by Wallsendmag

[Sima]

Anything in reasonable walking distance from Central or Monument is the centre to me. The arena falls within that.

Haymarket is a strange one as you're into less built up area more or less immediately to the north.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2024 by Sima

[Wallsendmag]

7 minutes ago, Tross said:

 

Spurs still hovering around 6-10 since their expansion and super multi-Purpose stadia. It's fucking bullshit we need to expand to spend. 

 

Expanding would clearly allow us to spend more though. That's just stating the obvious. Man City are going from their original 47k up to 60k. Anfield gone from 45k to 61k.  Arsenal and Spurs both moved to massively increase their capacity. Then you've got West Ham who went up to 65k, Man Utd, Villa and Chelsea all looking at their options. Everton have possibly gone too small with 52k imo. But they've all expanded for good reason.

[Wallsendmag]

5 minutes ago, Sima said:

Anything in reasonable walking distance from Central or Monument is the centre to me. The arena falls within that.

 

Definitely. Probably a 6 or 7 minute walk from the Central Station. I've always thought of the Arena being as Central as SJP to be honest.

[et tu brute]

19 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

The team does come first. If PSR continues to restrict our spending on the squad, then the current ground is more than enough if we are going to be hovering around top 6-10 rather than top 4.

I don't think it will continue long term and the Saudis won't accept 6 - 10 either

 

 

Edited November 6, 2024 by et tu brute

[TRon]

8 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

I'd actually say the opposite. Probably not an exaggeration to say a brand new 70/75k stadium could potentially double our matchday revenue with the extra capacity and all the extra corporate offerings it could bring. That wouldn't massively help us if PSR rules continue.

 

Tbh I'm coming more and more to the opinion that SJP isn't really fit for purpose anyway as a modern footballing venue. The design is poor, it looks tired and it is too small.

 

For the last quarter of a century our average gate is around 50k and for a lot of that time we've been utterly shite, even a 2nd tier team for 2 of those years.

 

We need something bigger and we need something better, but it needs to be in the city centre.

 

I agree with you, I would love for us to have a 70k+ stadium, if only so I could get back in on a regular basis. But with the current FFP/PSR rules I am not convinced we would be able to compete on a like for like basis with the cartel clubs. They have already built a global fanbase through success, and that comes with buying the best players. How much incentive is there for any owners to spend over a billion on a new stadium if they look on it as an investment? How long would it take to pay back into profits if we are not in the CL? It would have to be a pretty long term thing I would have thought, would any owner stick around for that unless we were allowed to go for gold?

 

 

 

 

[Wallsendmag]

Just now, TRon said:

 

I agree with you, I would love for us to have a 70k+ stadium, if only so I could get back in on a regular basis. But with the current FFP/PSR rules I am not convinced we would be able to compete on a like for like basis with the cartel clubs. They have already built a global fanbase through success, and that comes with buying the best players. How much incentive is there for any owners to spend over a billion on a new stadium if they look on it as an investment? How long would it take to pay back into profits if we are not in the CL? It would have to be a pretty long term thing I would have thought, would any owner stick around for that unless we were allowed to go for gold?

 

 

 

 

 

Can totally see that POV as well tbf. We could easily double our revenue with a new stadium but that guarantees nothing if the restrictions are still in place. Using Spurs was a good example. However the more you can spend means you do increase your chances of success.

 

My view was based as much on that we are getting left behind by staying at an ever more outdated SJP which means we can't at least maximise our potential.

 

We'll have a near identical capacity to Everton next season. It'll be interesting to compare how much money BM generates for them compared to what SJP does for us given that both stadiums will be sold out for every game.

[Cookie1892]

10 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

You’d have to give some details tbf - but I’m not sure why ex-servicemen would be treated any different from any other punter

Management told them to remove some flags and not put anymore out as the amount of flags with poppies on and service flags was and i quote 'taking the piss'

 

Yet they used them in their social media pics and advertising on saturday

[LFEE]

12 hours ago, Abacus said:

Well I think the question was more about a small relocation rather than a complete move to somewhere else. Which I'm ok with.

 

Thing is, I remember before even going to games and feeling the excitement of that in town, wandering around the city and hearing the roar when we scored. Knowing if we'd won or not, but asking the score anyway.

 

I don't think you can replicate that anywhere else - it made me a lifelong fan and so my first steps into SJP felt like I was stepping into the shoes of people that had lived their whole lives that way. It's sort of what you buy into, come grim times or joy.

 

But then, for the city it is the heartbeat of a whole week.

 

Edit, it's what makes SJP special, it's why it has to keep being bang in the city centre, it's why we go. 

 

And I have probably misunderstood the question now 

 

 

 

I’ll simplify it but it’s one I’ve asked many times and rarely get an answer.

 

If you are a longstanding ST holder that attends regularly would you still be against moving from the current site if it meant you no longer had a ST and you’d have to ballot like those who don’t have one or even no option to attend due to price hikes and therefore watch on TV?

[TRon]

1 hour ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

Can totally see that POV as well tbf. We could easily double our revenue with a new stadium but that guarantees nothing if the restrictions are still in place. Using Spurs was a good example. However the more you can spend means you do increase your chances of success.

 

My view was based as much on that we are getting left behind by staying at an ever more outdated SJP which means we can't at least maximise our potential.

 

We'll have a near identical capacity to Everton next season. It'll be interesting to compare how much money BM generates for them compared to what SJP does for us given that both stadiums will be sold out for every game.

 

Don't get me wrong, if PIF want to go ahead with a brand new stadium regardless of our spending restrictions, I'll be delighted. It's not my money.

 

Even so, our best bet is that PSR is brought crashing down. If that happens then I think the sky is the limit, because I am convinced this is a vanity project first and foremost, and if they are allowed to build a winning side, they will throw everything at it.