Newcastle United have begun exploring the possibility of increasing the capacity of St James’ Park as part of a wider-ranging review of club operations.
Club sources have stressed stadium expansion plans remain at a “preliminary stage” and they are still in the exploratory phase of what is possible on the existing site, which is hemmed in by listed buildings on one side of the ground and will require innovative solutions to add more seats.
But i understands the club are in the thick of a wide-ranging review of all aspects of the business with the informal slogan of “maximising Newcastle United’s potential”.
“The attitude of people at the club now is to really dig into what is happening and has happened and look at everything and ask: ‘How can we improve that? How can we be the best we can be in that area?’ It’s a total change in culture,” a source told i.
Part of Newcastle’s considerations are how the club can increase the current 52,405 capacity to match a steep demand for tickets that has seen every home game so far this season sell out far in advance of match day. Newcastle sit third in the Premier League and are in the last four of the Carabao Cup and demand shows little sign of abating.
The Magpies intend to consult with Newcastle City Council and supporter groups when plans for the stadium are more advanced. It’s understood that architects have already expressed interest in what would be an exciting but challenging project but no formal tender process on the work has started.
More from Football
The FA Cup 4th round draw in full as Man City face Arsenal and Liverpool get Brighton18 January, 2023
Yems case shows football cannot draw a line between 'conscious' and 'subconscious' racism18 January, 2023
Sir Jim Ratcliffe enters race for Man Utd but Glazers' valuation still a major issue18 January, 2023Newcastle United’s owners have already committed to staying at St James’ Park and CEO Darren Eales described the stadium’s city centre location as “amazing” and unique – but expanding the stadium’s East Stand and Gallowgate End would be far from straightforward given both the structure of the stands and some of the streets around St James’ Park, which are listed buildings.
Still, there is an acknowledgement inside the club that a bigger and modernised St James’ Park can help lift match day revenue. Newcastle now have the sixth biggest capacity in the Premier League, having recently been overtaken by West Ham, Tottenham’s magnificent new stadium and a refurbished Anfield.
Although the club have enjoyed huge success on the field since the takeover, insiders say work on improving infrastructure and club operations remains at a relatively early stage.
The club’s players have started using part of their refurbished training ground, with state-of-the-art aquatic facilities to open in the coming weeks. The long-term plan is to move to a new custom-built training base which will host the academy and women’s side and also include a small-scale stadium to host matches for the women’s team and under-23 games.
More on Newcastle United FC
The club’s corporate and media offering are also being looked at, along with academy and scouting operations.
It is a measure of their forward-thinking that they are starting to target some of the best young players in global football. 18-year-old Australia international Garang Kuol was signed last year and Eddie Howe has spoken of a “shift in focus towards youth” and developing players.
As part of that Newcastle are hoping to clinch the signing of Sunderland’s England under-16 captain Chris Rigg. The 15-year-old has been likened to Jordan Henderson by insiders and could potentially leave Sunderland in the summer – although compensation would be due.
He is also wanted by Manchester United and Everton, while the Black Cats hope handing him his debut at 15 will convince him to stay. But it is a mark of Newcastle’s planning ahead that they hope to convince him a bright future lies at St James’ Park.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/rvWTR0q
Post a Comment