MAGPIES’ MANAGERIAL MESS: Newcastle United’s Leadership Crisis

Newcastle chief operating officer Brad Miller delivered an update on the stadium feasibility study last month where he told supporters “we aren’t quite at a decision-making stage yet, but we are targeting the early part of 2025 to complete the next essential tasks”.

United’s preference has always been to remain at St James’ Park but as communicated by Miller, the study has identified risks around expanding on the current site, one of which relates to the Gallowgate End and it being close to St James’ Metro station. Adding a substantial number of seats to the stand would mean significant extra weight above the station, which require Newcastle to find and fund “complex and innovative” solutions.

However, experts have told iNews that “not only is it possible, something ‘quite spectacular’ could be built spanning the nearby Strawberry Place if the club are prepared to dig deep. As per the same publication, Magpies officials plan to open talks with Tyne and Wear Metro operators in the New Year.

But that does not hint at a final decision. Sources close to the football club insist a final call on whether to stay on the current site or move to a new purpose-built stadium has NOT been made.

Earlier this year, stadium concept designer and 3D animator Damián Bosio proposed three stadium expansion suggestions via his YouTube channel, Bondibot.

Option A involved expanding the Gallowgate End and Gallowgate West Corner to the same level as the Milburn and Leazes Stands.

Option B looked at raising the St James’ Park pitch and moving it north west to allow more space to expand the East Stand and Gallowgate Stand so they are similar height to the Milburn and Leazes Stand.

However, the design isn’t viewed as realistic currently due to the properties on Leazes Terrace and the ‘right to light’ easement. That said, advances in technology could allow light to pass through an expanded East Stand.

Meanwhile, option C showed a new stadium being built next to the current site on Leazes Park. That would, however, almost certainly face a series of complaints from those who want to protect the city’s green spaces.