St James’ Park is Newcastle’s soul – leaving would be a terrible mistake

Newcastle play Arsenal at St James' Park in November 2024, view from behind goal
Newcastle are trying to decide whether to redevelop St James’ Park or move to a new stadium - Getty Images/Stu Forster

It is a highly evocative subject that is bound to split opinion, possibly to the point of acrimony among supporters, but no matter how strong the financial argument might be for relocation to a new stadium, Newcastle United need to remain at St James’ Park.

There are some things that still matter in football far more than money. That might be dismissed as a simplistic, overly romanticised argument, but for some of us, it is true. The thought of Newcastle leaving St James’ Park is unpalatable.

In the rush for greater revenue streams to help the club comply with profit and sustainability rules (PSR), this is being forgotten. The emotional attachment to St James’ Park must not be ignored. It sits on a hill, overlooking the city, like a shining beacon, a point of focus that symbolises everything that makes Newcastle such a football-obsessed city. It is football heritage and needs to be preserved.

It is the club’s home; it represents its history, it is the heart and soul, not just of the football club, but the city. It is one of the most brilliantly located stadiums, not just in English, but European football.

Within walking distance of the station and the city’s famous nightlife, it is the most popular away trip for vast numbers of travelling fans precisely because of its location.

The walk to the stadium is a magical one, a cliche perhaps, but it feels like people once did when they travelled to a mighty cathedral, like the one a few miles away in Durham.

It has been a rite of passage passed down from generation to generation. Children holding hands with their parents, in excited anticipation of their first trip to St James’ Park, just as the parents once did with their own. Supporters, no matter how old, still get that same buzz every time. Memories, joy, despair, heartache – love.

Young Newcastle fans at St James' Park
Going to St James’ Park has been a rite of passage passed down from generation to generation among Newcastle fans - Getty Images/Alex Dodd

The Normans built a new castle shortly after their invasion of England in 1066 (hence the city’s name) to project their power and influence on the region. The football club did the same.

The Newcastle hierarchy know they can expand, modernise and rebuild their home. They have had those plans for months. It is not simple or straightforward and it will be expensive, with an estimated cost of around £1 billion.

There are listed buildings behind the East Stand, a metro line under the Gallowgate End. Telegraph Sport revealed last month that even if Newcastle stay put, it will be a complete rebuild rather than a simple expansion and modernisation. There are problems regarding where Newcastle will play while the building work takes place, but these can be overcome.

Sources have reassured that it would be a magnificent, multi-purpose arena with a capacity of around 65,000.

That is big enough. It would be the second-largest club stadium in the country and would hit that sweet spot, sold out every week, with no empty seats. Corporate facilities would also be expanded. It is a bold, brave project but in staying, Newcastle will retain one of the things that has always made it special and unique. It will preserve and nourish its soul.

There is a persuasive argument being made for a relocation. More space to build, a bigger stadium with less complicated construction issues. It would be the symbol of a new era.

But that new era belongs as much to Saudi Arabia as it does to the city of Newcastle and the Geordies.

A new stadium in a new location will be the ‘Saudification’ of Newcastle United. It will be a projection of their power and influence as much as anything. And in doing so, Newcastle’s link to the past, its former magic and glory, will be eroded.

The vast majority of supporters are extremely grateful that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund chose to buy Newcastle United.

Newcastle fans dressed as sheikhs drink beer and give the thumbs up outside the stadium
On the whole, Newcastle fans have supported their club’s takeover by a Saudi-led group - Getty Images/Ian Forsyth

They have been willing to ignore the more questionable aspects of the project from a sportswashing perspective, because they believe their precious football club will grow, improve and eventually compete for silverware again. They are excited about what the future holds.

This should not mean the new owners can ride roughshod over history and tradition in the search for a few extra million a year in gate receipts. New sponsorship deals, which have been rather slow in materialising since the takeover, can do far more to help with PSR than bums on seats on a match day.

The key phrase this week, used by Brad Miller, the man brought in to oversee this “once-in-a-generation project”, is that a new stadium relocated to elsewhere in the city could “potentially” double match-day and non-match-day revenue.

Potentially is doing a lot of heavy lifting. The emotional attachment to St James’ Park should not be ignored or dismissed because of it.

There will be concerts and, possibly, NFL, as well as rugby league and union games, held at the new arena to aid with PSR. But this is the home of Newcastle United we are talking about, it belongs to them, first and foremost. Everything else is secondary to that.

And St James’ Park has always been Newcastle United’s home. These things matter. They are the things that make a club what it is, that provide the bonds between generations.

Joe Willock of Newcastle United takes to the field for the Premier League match against Arsenal at St James' Park on November 2, 2024
St James’ Park has been Newcastle United’s home since 1892 - Getty Images/Serena Taylor

Newcastle United are a unique football club because they are at the heart of the city and belong to the city. St James’ Park is the most eye-catching and important daily reminder of that.

So rebuild it, modernise it and expand it, but keep it where it is. That is the way Saudi Arabia can do something truly special for the football club and the city. That is what they promised, not a relocation and a new home.