Newcastle United fans must be patient as PIF takes their methods to the extreme before approving the development of a new stadium in Leazes Park.
Ever since the takeover in 2021, the question on many fans’ lips has been whether the club will decide to expand St James’ Park or build a new stadium with much more commercial potential.
While no final decision has been made, the feeling is that Newcastle United executives have already quietly decided that a new stadium is the right move, meaning the end of St James’ Park.
Despite that, fans have been left waiting a long time to hear any clarity about stadium plans. Reports suggested that Newcastle promised a stadium update in April, but that has come and gone without anything.
Now, a new report has suggested the extreme lengths PIF are going to before approving plans for a new ground.
A view of St James' Park during a Champions League game between Newcastle United and PSG.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
PIF refer Newcastle United’s stadium plans to an internal committee
At this point, fans would like some sort of clarity on what is happening behind the scenes over a new stadium. Reports earlier this year stated that Newcastle insiders were frustrated with PIF, citing their ‘process-driven’ decision-making, which slowed things down a lot.
However, there appears to be some movement behind the scenes, as, according to inews, new stadium plans will need to be approved by two internal PIF committees before getting approval.
The report states that a vision of a new-build stadium was presented to Newcastle’s board members back in February, and while redevelopment of St James’ Park was considered, the feeling is that those inside the club want a new stadium.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
The committees will reportedly look at ‘mountains’ of documents before making their decision, which will be passed on to the board investment committee, who will make the final call.
CEO David Hopkinson recently addressed Newcastle’s stadium plans, but his answer left many with more questions than answers. For now, it is evident that a final decision is still far away on this one.
Newcastle United must get the stadium decision right for the next generation of fans
It comes as no surprise that Newcastle’s stadium plans are being referred to as ‘once in a generation’, because they truly are. The club has never moved away from St James’ Park for the entirety of their history, but the stadium’s future has been left hanging in the balance due to new plans.
Issues with listed buildings and natural light appear to be a major problem for St James’ Park’s redevelopment. The East Stand cannot be expanded anymore due to the grade I listed Georgian terraced houses behind it, and the Gallowgate end would need to be taken care of due to the Tyne and Wear metro line underneath.
PIF know Newcastle fans want a stadium update, and while there has been no official correspondence from the club, these reports are trickling minor pieces of information out as they come.
There was also a feeling that Newcastle were waiting for Hopkinson’s arrival before confirming stadium plans.
Perhaps a new stadium will be more beneficial for the Magpies, with a lot of financial benefits coming from it. However, PIF will also be aware of its significance to the fans, and do not want to rush into a decision like this one.