'Absolute priority' - Newcastle United journalist reveals what he's been told about PIF's St James' Park plan
Newcastle United have been urged to ‘sign a big cheque’ to redevelop St James’ Park and reinforce their commitment to the club.
Expanding St James’ Park is estimated to cost around £1billion while a new stadium could cost between £2billion and £3billion. Newcastle have conducted an initial feasibility study and are now entering into the ‘second phase’ of the stadium redevelopment plans.
Building a new stadium on the nearby land at Leazes Park has been discussed with an official update on the club’s next step set to be provided in early 2025.
It has been three years since Newcastle were taken over by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund but St James’ Park has only seen minor updates in that time. Newcastle’s training ground has been significantly upgraded with a £10million investment but the club remains at the same Darsley Park site.
After progress has been made on the field since the takeover, Shields Gazette editor Liam Kennedy stressed the need for the owners to sign a ‘big cheque’ and commit to redeveloping the stadium while speaking on Geordie Journos’ latest Shots TV episode on Freeview channel 262.
“Off the field, there are some big decisions to be made and we're seeing this play out in public with announcements being made regarding the feasibility study,” Kennedy said via Geordie Journos. “I think there's going to be something fairly significant and it's my understanding that there is an absolute priority to remain in the surrounds of the current site. That's what I understand them to want to do.
“There could be problems with what they hope to do, it's not going to be an easy process but writing that next big cheque is going to be huge. If PIF commit to a new St James' Park or a new form of St James' Park somewhere close, which is what they're looking to do, it's not going to be a short-term thing - that's the big cheque I'm talking about and that proves it's a long-term project and commitment.
“So far it has been a lick of paint at the training ground, a lick of paint at the stadium and some football progress.”
Newcastle have finished fourth and seventh in the two full seasons under PIF ownership while also reaching the Champions League group stage and Carabao Cup final. But there are still questions surrounding the club’s current ownership model.
“Three years down the line, it does beg the question where does Newcastle United stand in PIF's priority?” Kennedy added. “Is there a long-term future here? If they commit to anything regarding a development at St James' Park, let's be honest about this, it's not going to be after the next Euros [in 2028] because St James' Park hosts it. So until anything starts you're talking at least another five years.
“Until they sign a big cheque, I still remain with a slight standpoint of scepticism - which is a healthy place to be. They haven’t shown any signs that they’re not committed but I want to see them commit to something real and tangible.
“The football club have committed to players but you can lose players like that. I want to see something that stays and lasts longer than owners and even us.”
Watch Geordie Journos every Monday at 10:30pm on Freeview channel 262 & Freely channel 565, or on ShotsTV.com by clicking here.
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