Eddie Howe has indicated a preference for Newcastle remaining at St James’ Park rather than moving to a new stadium and described the club’s potential relocation as a “betrayal.”
At some point in 2025, Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners are expected to decide on whether or not to expand and modernise their current home or construct a new ground elsewhere on Tyneside. Given that St James’ Park is situated right in the city centre there are strong arguments against moving, but its proximity to terraces of listed Georgian townhouses complicates the idea of expanding the capacity from 53,000 to around 65,000 at a cost of at least £800m. Nonetheless, Newcastle’s manager has warned the hierarchy of the danger of “losing something special”.
“What makes St James’ Park so unique is its position in the city,” said Howe. “That makes it totally unique. I’d hate to see the stadium move because it dominates the eyeline of the whole city and you can see it from miles around. That’s totally inspiring. Wherever you are in [central] Newcastle you get a glimpse and that’s so powerful.
“When you’re in it, the atmosphere, the look of the stadium, it’s a beautiful thing. I love being there, I love experiencing games there. The first time I managed at St James’ Park with Bournemouth I was like ‘Wow, I’ve never managed in a stadium quite like that’. St James’ Park blew me and my staff away. If the club was to move they would lose something special.”
“My natural instinct was always to stay,” Howe added. “St James’ Park is an incredible place to play football. It’s our home. So to sort of think about moving somewhere else feels like a little bit of a betrayal to somewhere that’s served us so well.
“But we are well aware that, as a club, we need to increase our revenue. So people with more brain cells than me will make the decision for the benefit of the long-term future of the club.”
Should a new stadium be deemed the best solution, Newcastle may aim to develop land in Leazes Park, adjacent to St James’ Park. Yet while that would keep them in the city centre, such a plan would face vehement objections from assorted bodies determined to retain the attractive, environmentally-friendly green spaces that distinguish a city, where cattle still graze on the Town Moor, from many of its English counterparts.
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It had previously been thought that Newcastle might aim to relocate to the north bank of the Tyne but the area they had in mind is now set to become the site of much-needed social housing.