With the 2021 season soon coming to a resonably successful end, and Premier League status secured, talk must now be around how far can Newcastle go, in emulating the success that teams such as Manchester City and Liverpool have become all too familiar with?
With over 52000 supporters attending every home game at “The Cathedral on the Hill“,and the full allocation of season tickets taken up, there are also many fans anxiously applying to join a long waiting list, many are asking, “is it time for Newcastle United to seek a new home”?
That question is probably the most emotive question you could ask the GEORDIE NATION.
Historically, a hospital and a Chapel named St James’ stood near to where the Hancock Museum building now stands in Newcastle.
In 1542, the master of St Mary’s and St. James’ granted a lease of land and plots that extended to Castle Leases. St James’ Place was later built on the site and the area continued to be developed to where the ground now stands.
The first match was played on the site in 1880 and very soon after, the ground became known as “St James’ Park.
The City’s top clubs at the time, Newcastle East End and West End FC, merged becoming Newcastle United and took up residence in St James’ Park in 1892, and in 1899 the first major development works took place, resulting in a capacity of 30,000. This was quickly doubled to 60,000 in 1905 and even included a swimming pool!
The ground has been developed numerous times over the years, and more recently in 2000, at a reported cost of £43m and currently holds just over 52,000.
The question on everyones lips is, will the MAGPIES stay there, or have they already outgrown their current fortress?
Newcastle United new owners consortium have stated, they have no plans to move from St James’ Park and build a super stadium.
Instead, the PIF backed Magpies are looking at the possibility of expanding the current ground beyond the 52,000 current seats.
Speaking to the Athletic in the a post-takeover interview, Mehrdad Goudoussi stated, “We will definitely look at expanding it. We are working with the city and council to see what we can do. There are lots of things that need to happen first, but that’s the way forward. If we can get to 60-65,000, amazing, and we will look at every possibility.”
“But are we going to build a new stadium? NO. It would be like tearing your soul out.” – Many Geordies would agree, do you?
Should Newcastle Move Location?
yes
No
I’m definitely in the minority, but I wouldn’t be opposed to a move. One thing our fans hate is change, and I get it. And yes it’s awesome having the stadium dominate the city skyline. But it seems 65000 is going to be our limit at SJP and I believe we will fill that and still have a long waiting list.
The club can keep hold of the land and use it for other club related stuff so it doesn’t completely lose its identity. But times have to change eventually.