Burnley are in action at St James' Park this afternoon (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Burnley are in action at St James' Park this afternoon (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Newcastle United supporters are yet to be given an official update on St James’ Park’s future.
David Hopkinson has hinted at Newcastle United expanding St James' Park by up to 15,000 seats.
One of the most divisive issues among supporters has centred around the stadium’s future. PSR restrictions - and the need for added revenue - have forced Toon chiefs to consider whether they should revamp or rebuild their iconic ground.
Chief Operating Officer Brad Miller is the head honcho behind the St James’ Park decision and promised supporters an outcome by early 2025. It is now 2026 and fans are yet to be given a clear update.
David Hopkinson addresses St James’ Park future
Speaking on talkSPORT, new Toon CEO - while insisting a final decision has not been made - hinted at Newcastle looking at adding an extra 15,000 seats to their current home. He said: “The truth is (that) we haven’t decided (on St James’ Park’s future). St James’ Park is a magical place and it’s going to be an extraordinary place on Saturday when we play our next (home) match.
“It’s nearly 53,000… we think it could be bigger. That, of course, is revenue and (would be) a major investment. We haven’t made the final decision on what we’re going to do but we’re working on this every day, deciding whether it’s here or on a new site.
“But we have an opportunity that we’re pursuing and we’re working on it every day. All of our modelling, on the capacity today (for a potential rebuild), starts in the 60,000 range. I don’t think bigger than that is good but we want to make sure that, if we do something, it is material and significant… (an extra) 10 to 15 thousand here would be right.
“A new stadium is something we’re considering but not really moving that far. We don’t want to be in some farmer’s field out in the middle of nowhere. One thing that makes Newcastle so special is its location.”
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David Hopkinson on Newcastle United ambition
When questioned whether Newcastle’s ownership remain ambitious, Hopkinson added: “The No.1 thing I talk to the ownership about is ambition. That’s the magic word here.
“We have total alignment on that. This is a club that, by 2030, will be consistently contending for the top prizes in global football. We have a lot of wood to chop between here and there. When I see Newcastle United, everywhere I look, I see opportunity.”
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