Gates to be restored to SJP

More good PR from Mike.

http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20130614/iconic-gates-to-return-to-st-james_2281670_3209064?

The iconic gates which once adorned the home of Newcastle United are to officially return to St. James' Park this summer after a successful partnership between fans, the Club and new sponsors Wonga.com.
Following positive discussions between Club officials, members of the NUFC Fans United group and Sir John Hall's Magpie Group, on whose land the gates have been stored, Wonga has stepped in to provide the necessary funding for a famous homecoming.
The donation has enabled work to begin on lifting the huge wrought-iron gates from Sir John's farmland at Woolsington Hall, Northumberland, which will commence at 9.30am on Friday, 14th June. It also covers the construction of a custom-built frame which is being used to transport them to a dedicated workshop where extensive refurbishment work will now be undertaken prior to installation.
It is anticipated that the gates, which are set to be located outside the entrance to the main Milburn Stand reception on Barrack Road following a feasibility study, will be unveiled close to the start of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season and will remain as a lasting symbol of the relationship between the football club and its supporters.

Derek Llambias, managing director at Newcastle United, said: "We are very pleased to have worked with our supporters to see plans for the gates come to fruition. St. James' Park is already an iconic stadium and the gates will create a focal point that Newcastle United fans will be proud of, and that all football fans will want to see when they visit the ground and the city.
"We look forward to seeing the gates back in their full glory where they belong ahead of the new season."
Darryl Bowman, marketing director for Wonga, said: "Every fortress needs some imposing gates and it's time for St. James' Park and the fans to be reunited with these old friends.
"We wanted to help as soon as we heard about the exciting plans that were being developed between the club and NUFC Fans United and I can't wait to see them reinstated."
Wonga has continued to work closely with fans ahead of its inaugural season of sponsoring the Magpies and has committed to regular engagement with Toon fans.
The digital finance company has already purchased the stadium naming rights and restored the St. James' Park title and this month began work on covering vast Sports Direct advertising on the Gallowgate roof, returning it to its original colour instead of adding further branding.
An NUFC Fans United spokesperson said: "The re-installation of the gates permanently safeguards the feature of St. James' Park as a name and its ties to the stadium and city.
"NUFC Fans United views this as an ongoing and lasting tribute to every Newcastle United supporter, player and club official who has ever entered the hallowed shrine that is St James' Park. Over time the gates can become a focal point that all Newcastle United supporters, as well as visitors to this great city will embrace."
Malcolm Dix, on behalf of Sir John Hall and the Magpie Group, added: "We are delighted that the gates will, in due course, take their rightful place outside the stadium.
"We sincerely hope that they will become a great attraction for all supporters, young and old. They will be a huge attraction for visitors to the city and the North East.
"This will fulfil Sir John and the Magpie Group's original concept of them becoming an example of on-going and future cooperation between the club, fans and the city. They are there for posterity and we are grateful that the Club will maintain and care for them."

 

Read something yesterday about the roof of the Gallowgate being painted in it's original colour.

Never really taken much notice of the colour of the roof before.

 

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/397148/Old-Gallowgate-gates-to-return

It's good PR but how much did Mike Ashley have to do with it, apart from saying "Yes" when the question was put to him?

Whatever, i'm pleased to see them back... let's just hope the level of football improves so it's actually worth walking through them!

 

some nostalgic photo's of days gone by at St James'

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/time-st-james-park-gates-4312555


scroll to the botttom pictures

I can remember those gates on the first page

 

Those nice chaps at Wonga are going all out for some good PR

Regardless of the intent, its nice to see the stadium returned to its former glory

 

It's not really returning it to a former glory since they were only there for about ten years and were stuck in the corner of the ground as a side entrance rather than a grand entrance.
It seems more likely John Hall had ideas for hanging them at a stately home way back when, never got round to it, forgot about them for a few years then thought oh, how can I can get shot of these...
They could have used them as an entrance to a sort of hall of legends somewhere, maybe on that platform behind the Gallowgate ticket/turnstiles area. Or redeveloped that bit where the advertising boards are opposite what was Shearers and is going to be..?

 

....Wonga's?

 

Yes I have heard the mark up on the beer is ridiculous. On the flipside the rum is said to be 1000% proof.

 

You don't want to start the pattern of changing posts. I'm well known for my abuse of changery!! The mackems dedicated a full thread to cry about it.

 

Hang on, will these gates be "like a new signing" and the only things we'll be bringing in this summer?

 

well 90% of it was gate related. and the 10% is stadium altering related.

Abuse of changery? is that something to do with the lady boys? I really love them and had a hard night of passion with one recently. I'm still quite sore but Akapan was really beautiful and worth it. Lady of dreams

 

Not quite, we're bringing in lots of seeds too.

 

Woah

 

So that's another example of abuse of changery? I take it Akapan is the first number in your phone list?

 

Don't want Gates back here. He scored against us in 1990. Him and that bastad ice cream seller.

 

Mark Toney?

The kid in the pic is Obi 93 years ago.

 

Agree 100% with this.

 

I wish you'd change your avatar. I keep thinking you're me.

 

The twin brother you didn't know you had?

 

Three in total it was.
All about two amends with one 'poster'... NMG.