Leazes Park is the obvious site if/when Newcastle United move from St James’ Park but… | OneFootball

For the uninitiated, and those not as old as I am, I distinctly remember why our hallowed St James’ Park failed to showcase any matches during the memorable 1966 World Cup – despite being originally chosen, along with ‘Joker Park’, to represent the North East.

In simple terms it was because of the council. Though that’s not the entire story.

Many fans, of course, know that the club does not own the land where we watch our team play. The council does.

And while, as a nominated stadium, a certain degree of modernisation was required, the then board, understandably, decided that such expense could only be agreed upon after the club had renewed its 99-year lease with the said council.

This made a lot of sense to the fans. We waited with bated breath.

I was quite young then but my grandfather spent many years indoctrinating me in all things concerning NUFC, good and bad. And there was plenty of both!

I do recall, and look back now, at the intransigence of both parties. I have to be fair here. But the council’s stark refusal to renew that lease meant that our scheduled World Cup ties were transferred 40 miles away to that hellhole known as Ayresome Park!! Yes, MIDDLESBROUGH!!!

It is my firm belief that Newcastle Council should still be hanging their heads in shame over this farce.

But back then, the Newcastle United board was as unpopular with our loyal followers as at any time since. The fans’ big question during the first half of the 1960s was, “where did all the 1950’s FA Cup money go?” It certainly wasn’t invested in recruiting better players! I should know – I went to every home game that decade and a good number of away matches.

Like most fans today I much prefer the prospect of staying within the city, either where we are now or at Leazes Park. Speaking of which, there can only be a tiny percentage of our fanbase who have fished its lake overnight as much as I have. Take it from me, it’s a very dark place indeed. And I don’t mean the lack of sunlight!! I’ve seen many disconcerting events there, over many years and at all times of day.

I would miss the old ground but we have to change with the times and Leazes Park would be ideal, for both football reasons and local developments.

But past experience screams at me that the PIF would be fools if they chose to build a new stadium on rented land. And I don’t think they’re fools.

The ideal solution as I see it is to sell the land to the club or, at the very least, agree to a far longer lease subject to the club fulfilling all agreed conditions – and with future options available.

And (no names, no pack drill) don’t be surprised if we again come up against strong opposition from the same people who objected successfully last time the club tried to relocate within the city!