Alan Shearer and St James' Park
Alan Shearer and St James' Park
Alan Shearer would prefer Newcastle United to stay at St James' Park - but remaining 'centrally located' is 'really important' to the Magpies legend if the club decide to move.
Newcastle hope to reach a decision by early next year after completing the first stage of an in-depth stadium feasibility study. Brad Miller, who is Newcastle's chief operating officer, has called it a 'once-in-a-generation investment' and repeatedly highlighted how the chosen scheme must deliver strong revenue growth as well as a 'fantastic' experience for supporters.
Miller said last month that a 'transformed' St James' would bring in 'significantly more money' while a new ground 'not too far away' has the potential to earn more than twice as much with a lot more seats to boot. In the latest meeting with the fan advisory board, Miller confirmed planners, architects and project managers were 'working away' on the two options 'previously discussed'.
Executives from the club are aiming to go to the board with conclusions from these experts in the New Year and Shearer has now made his feelings clear on the matter.
"If it’s at all possible to extend the ground and stay there, then that would be my preferred choice," the club's all-time record goal scorer told World Soccer Talk. "I don’t know the ins and outs and the financials and all of those things, but on a level playing field, if everything was normal, I would prefer to stay at St. James’ Park.
"Even if they’re not [staying], I think it would be really important to keep it centrally located because that’s one of the key things. The great thing about our club is that it’s right in the middle of the city and it means so much to everyone."