Newcastle City Council chief backs Newcastle United city centre location | OneFootball

The debate and speculation continues on the future for Newcastle United, whether the club’s home will remain at St James’ Park, or move to a new location.

A decision had appeared imminent from the club, with Darren Eales and other senior staff saying before this current season kicked off that there would be an official announcement soon.

Redevelop St James’ Park and increased the capacity as best they can, or build a brand new stadium on another site.

However, when that ‘announcement‘ did finally come last week, it was only to say that at the very earliest the club would announce their choice of future location in early 2025.

Now, the Newcastle City Council chief has made her feelings known on where she would like to see Newcastle United sited in the decades to come.

Having recently been elected Council leader, Karen Kilgour says that her view is that show would ‘love’ Newcastle United to continue with a city centre location, whether that is staying at St James’ Park, or another nearby location.

The Labour councillor is also a season ticket holder at St James’ Park but has confirmed that as yet she has held no talks with the Newcastle United hierarchy, regarding future stadium plans.

Obviously, the much talked about potential alternative location, is Leazes Park/Castle Leazes, with the possibility of an 80,000+ capacity brand new stadium in the eyes of many.

A location which would naturally need the backing of Newcastle City Council and the Freemen, if it were to have any chance of happening.

It doesn’t do any harm to have a Newcastle United fan as Newcastle City Council leader.

However, regardless of that, whoever is in the positions of power locally, would for sure be expected to do everything they can to help ensure that Newcastle United stays in the city centre. Whether at St James’ Park, Leazes Park/Castle Leazes, or wherever… just so long as within walking distance of all those city centre businesses.

The Newcastle City Council leader telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service her views on where she’d like Newcastle United’s future home to be:

“As a fan, I would love to have a state-of-the-art stadium in the city centre.

“It s a cliche but it is the cathedral on the hill.

“There is nothing like that walk to St James’ Park on matchday.

“My personal preference as a fan would be for the stadium to remain in the city centre.

“Apart from the atmosphere and the history and all of those personal stories that every fan has about going to St James’ Park, it is really important for the economy of the city.