NEWCASTLE UNITED are consulting with “world-leading” experts as they weigh their options for a prospective extension of St James’ Park, with the Magpies looking to uncover what is achievable while prioritizing fan sentiment. On Wednesday evening, Eales addressed supporters directly at a special supporter engagement event at St James’ Park.
He was joined on stage by sporting director Dan Ashworth and chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone, as well as head coach Eddie Howe, women’s boss Becky Langley, and loan manager Shola Ameobi. The occasion was attended in person by 200 supporters, with an additional 800 joining online.
One of the evening’s final questions to Eales was regarding the future of St James’ Park, which came after talks about present tickets, waiting lines, and membership.
Newcastle are in the process of determining “what can be done” with the stadium as they assess their choices for the future, both in terms of prospective expansion and enhanced amenities, according to Eales.
“We’re doing a stadium feasibility study,” Eales explained. One of the world’s leading agencies is looking into it.
“The entire concept of that feasibility is considering the art of the possible.” We know we have this wonderful location up on the hill, the cathedral on the hill, but we also know we have some boundary difficulties. It’s not as simple as it would be if we had a lot of room.
“But we also want that feedback, and we’ll be sending out a survey in the coming weeks.” There will be a number of questions on anything facility-wise, including what you want to see at the stadium, because we need to determine demand, priorities, and what people want. This is useful while developing the theoretical feasibility study.
“They’re hypotheticals; it’ll ask questions like, ‘What would you think if a brand new stadium was built on this site?'” It’s all about gathering input from fans to assist inform architectural possibilities about what we can achieve and the best route forward.”
“I’m really excited about it,” Eales added. “I’m excited because there’s been a lot of talk for 30 years or more about how we create more supply for our supporters.” And this is how we get the best in the world to tell us the solution.
“At that point, there is more consultation; the first step is to see what is feasible.” You limit yourself when you have preconceived notions. What we’re actually trying to emphasize is that you should think about everything and then move backwards from what’s doable. That is my hope.
“I’m not sure what will come of it.
But the interesting part is that we’re going to do it; we’ll have the best response in class, and then there’ll be a consultation process in which we’ll talk about what we could do and the ramifications.”
Newcastle will soon be accepting applications for its new Fan Advisory Board, which will serve as a direct conduit between the club and its supporters, with the first meeting slated for February 2024.
Newcastle says more information will be available online on Friday, November 24.
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