Once the plans and the building starts this might earn me a few pages . https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...-st-james-park-expansion-latest-darren-eales/
Renaming the stadium isn't really an issue for me either. Don't care. St James has got nothing to do with Nufc.
I'd like to keep badges names etc because it's all that's left really plus bloody longstaff, but I'm happy to change everything if it means winning a cup before I meet my gruesome end.
I think the big difference with naming rights this time is that, unlike with Ashley, the club will actually see the Sponsorship money, not just provide free advertising for Ashley. Plus I think they'll go with something like "Aramco at St James Park" (note - other potential sponsors are available)
The problem in our case is if we don’t move Previous examples like MAN C & Arse didn’t upset people as much because it wasn’t renaming Main Rd or Highbury New stadium = change of name = more sponsorship money
The fans will just keep calling it St James' irrespective of whatever company slaps their logo on it. If it earns a few bob, who cares, we need the FFP money. Also, if it's a big firm like Aramco or something, it's a bit different than ****ing Oxfam coming over and slapping their name on it
Be really interesting to see the plans. if it's expansion it can only really be the Gallowgate stand and the corner around to the Milburn stand. Spoke to a stadium tour guide called Kevin on the stadium tour when I was up for the Arsenal game - and while not saying much it did make me think something was in the works - I'd suggested the GG expansion but believe he said that was worth probably 6-8k seats so somewhere high 50k's-60k seats. A stadium sponsor is fine - it'll always be SJP while we are there but they can call it whatever they like for £50m extra a year.
Apparently a new stadium is also a possibility and fans will be asked how they feel about that and a number of other options in the next week or 2.
The main issue on the East Stand side is the "right to light" for Uni Halls of Residence more than it being a Grade I listed building. Heard they have been exploring making the upper section of a new stand to include structural glass sections / panels to overcome the problem
Newcastle City Council own the freehold of the land on which SJP is built, although ironically, they do own the land south of the ground where the Strawberry etc is - any proper works need the backing of the council which has often knackered things historically
Honestly think if the club were to say either we build here or we take the ground off to the race course for example the council will fall into place
Speaking of the actual size expansion, will St James' or The Oxfam Arena be about the size of the extended Anfield?
No idea there's been a few numbers banded about , but until the feasibility report comes back it's an unknown. The report itself could take around a year ... think it's a good few months into it.
It's too early to say mate, there's about a dozen different theories going around. Only fact is the club is currently undertaking a feasabiity study with a number of the worlds top architects and designers including those that did the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Seen everything mentioned from rotating the stadium 90 degrees to the removal and rebuilding of Leazes Terrace.
Seems the decision is that St James' will remain the clubs stadium which I 100% agree with. It's placement is perfect.
