If these new Newcastle United stadium claims are true… | OneFootball

If these claims are true (see here) that a brand new state of the art Newcastle United stadium is going to be built in Leazes Park, it is magnificent news.

Three decades ago when Sir John Hall wanted to relocate, I was against leaving St James’ Park.

I’m now a lot older, if not entirely wiser, and time has considerably moved on.

We are now a quarter of the way into the 21st century and we now have proper and well meaning Newcastle United owners.

I have always been of the firm belief that the Saudi Arabia PIF (not forgetting the Reubens) didn’t invest in Newcastle United to remain at St James’ Park.

It was always the case that they would want the best for their flagship club.

St James’ Park is outdated and after years of neglect by our previous owner, not worth the hassle of persevering with.

Now we are regularly going to be competing at the top end of the Premier League table, we need a beautiful new stadium to go along with the class Toon teams we all hope to be watching for many years to come.

A brand new Newcastle United stadium will bring in substantial matchday revenue and the increased capacity will allow more Geordies to watch their club.

Of course it will attract the corporates in their droves…but do we want to be a really big club or not? You’ve got to move with the shakers and the times.

Am I sentimental about St James’ Park? My answer is surprisingly, no.

I gave up my season ticket in 2008 and boycotted, along with my brother and quite a few of our mates.

Soon after, we formed the Mike Ashley Out Campaign, but I tell you what, it’s hard to try to stop people going to games, even with a greedy, nasty and spiteful owner deliberately holding your club back.

I finally went back to St James’ Park for this season’s game against Manchester City. Sixteen years is a long time.

Memories never die.

I’ll always remember my first game against Arsenal, Keegan’s debut, Kelly’s late goal against Portsmouth in 92, Howay 5 O, Tino’s hat-trick against Barca etc.

I’ve got to say that the rumoured design of the new stadium being based on Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena really impresses me.

There’ll be no red tape put in the way either. Our region needs a successful Newcastle United now more than ever before. The club is the heartbeat of the whole city.

I have no time whatsoever for the whole ‘Sportswashing‘ malarkey that some still bang on about.

If/when the Saudis do depart they are going to leave one hell of a lasting legacy.