A park bandstand and trees, with a large football stadium in the background
Leazes Park in Newcastle, with Newcastle United's St James' Park stadium behind
Newcastle United's relationship with Newcastle City Council has been described as key by club insiders ahead of the stadium announcement coming up this year.
The Magpies appointed Roger Thornton on to the board to help make progress on plans to either improve the current St James' Park or switch to a new venue close by. Chronicle Live understands that the partnership between the City Council and the club has never been better.
Thornton has been a key part of that relationship, and a walk down Strawberry Place underlines that the council and Newcastle United feel they can go places together. In the wake of the club's Carabao Cup victory and this weekend's derby clash with Sunderland for the women's teams, banners have been hung on each lampost behind the Gallowgate End in association with the council.
On some lamposts a message reads: "Howay the lads and lasses". While others congratulate Newcastle for winning the Carabao Cup with pictures of the players.
They will be on display ahead of a big weekend for Becky Langley's side against Sunderland. Before the trip to Wembley, City council leader Karen Kilgour told ChronicleLive: "I wish Eddie and the lads all the luck in the world, it's definitely our time. This is huge for the city and we're so grateful."
Down the decades, Newcastle's relationship was not so warm and friendly, with both parties at each other's throats at one stage over plans to develop the ground before the Sir John Hall era. With Thornton a key figure in the stadium project, along with Brad Miller, one city source told Chronicle Live last week: "Roger is basically the Reuben brothers' guy in Newcastle. Roger works closely with Newcastle City Council and has done on the Reuben developments in the city such as the redevelopment on Grey Street.
"Having him on the board is like a new signing in terms of the stadium! He knows to get the club and the council what is needed for stadium redevelopment. Nothing can happen without Newcastle City Council and Roger has so much experience."
The next steps are yet to be announced by the club and are eagerly anticipated. As Chronicle Live reported earlier this month one source said that "no decisions" have yet been made.
But there are some sources in the city that are leaning to the prospect of the council and the club announcing a rebuilt venue on Leazes Park. We have learned that the architects have quizzed key figures behind the scenes about the current stadium and things that have gone right and wrong down the years.
One source also indicated that the reality is dawning around the club that a move to a new stadium is likely to happen and it could allow Newcastle to play at St James' Park as it stands now while work is ongoing. The slow process has been because figures such as Miller and Thornton have been keen to pick as many brains as possible in recent months.
The idea appears to be that Newcastle will look to make the move "home from home" with certain features, such as Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer's statues given pride of place, and the much-loved East Stand "Newcastle United" logo also potentially set to be reflected in any new designs.
CEO Darren Eales said last month: "We have to find some way to increase that capacity of the stadium, whether that's a new build or a refurbishment of St James' Park, to get us to those levels of revenue that we need to be able to compete in this PSR or squad cost environment.
"Also, we've got this massive demand, so we want to get more people to be able to watch Newcastle United."
Newcastle United Carabao Cup WINNERS 2024/25
At last, Newcastle have their hands on silverware!
After an agonising 56-year wait, the Magpies' amazing army of fans can celebrate watching their side lift a trophy after their Carabao Cup final win. And to celebrate, the Newcastle Chronicle have produced this souvenir special, marking the Wembley triumph.
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It is packed full of reaction, analysis and quotes as well as amazing pictures from the day, and a centre-spread poster.
It is the perfect souvenir of an historic day for Newcastle.
Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in the North East from March 20, 2025.