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No final decision on Newcastle stadium

Newcastle United hope to reach a “decision stage” in their long-term stadium plans by “early” next year after completing the first phase of their feasibility study into expanding St James’ Park.  The club commissioned an in-depth report into the possibilities of extending the present ground — which is the preferred option of many inside the club, including Eddie Howe, the head coach — and alternative sites for a new purpose-built stadium have also been explored.

While no final decision has been reached, Newcastle insist they are “several steps forward” in understanding what is deliverable and, although there are opportunities associated with staying at St James’, there are also “several risks”.

Expanding St James’ Park’s capacity beyond its present 52,300 is expected to cost hundreds of millions. The East Stand has listed buildings directly behind it on Leazes Terrace, while the Gallowgate End also backs on to Strawberry Place, a through-road, and has an underground line below it.

But Newcastle recognise that there is a keen demand for tickets, plus increased matchday revenue would significantly aid their position when it comes to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), and so merely continuing with the present capacity is not an option.

This is not the conclusive update supporters keenly desire — fans are desperate to know whether Newcastle will remain at St James’ Park or be forced to move elsewhere in search of greater capacity — and it does not confirm potential costings or whether Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the club’s 85 per cent majority owners, will provide the funding to deliver it.

However, the reality is that Newcastle are just not yet ready to confirm their plans. Expanding St James’ Park is extremely tricky and will be very expensive, given most of the stadium needs updating, so understandably the key decision-makers want to have as much information as possible before committing to the rebuild.

One possible solution is to build a new ground within Leases Park.

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