“Hugely significant”: Journalist shares exciting update for Newcastle fans

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Newcastle fans have been treated to more exciting news amid a very special time for the Magpies – today, St James’ Park is in the spotlight.

What’s the story?

Well, Newcastle’s 52,305-seater stadium has been sold out on a weekly basis this season, as supporters fall back in love with their club following the Saudi Arabian takeover.

Before Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi took over, Mike Ashley neglected Newcastle, failing to invest in St James’ Park or the training ground, while he also sold land beside the stadium at Strawberry Place.

That has previously blocked Newcastle from building on that site, although now, Staveley and Ghodoussi have purchased it back with hopes of expanding St James’ Park, in what is a “hugely significant” development according to Miles Starforth of the Shields Gazette.

The Newcastle correspondent wrote on Twitter: “Newcastle’s owners, looking to expand SJP’s capacity to more than 60,000, have agreed to buy back land at Strawberry Place sold by Mike Ashley.

“Other clubs/owners spend years buying up land around their stadiums with an eye on the future, expansion etc. Mike Ashley sold Strawberry Place for profit after buying it from the club. The land is key to hopes of an expanded SJP. Today’s news is hugely significant.”

It may not be a shiny new £60m signing, but this update will arguably mean more to a lot of Newcastle fans than any transfer would – it goes a long way to reclaiming the club’s identity.

Newcastle may not use land to develop St James’ Park

It was the Daily Mail who initially broke this story, and they believe the land on Strawberry Place is not definitely going to be used for a stadium expansion.

It is said that, if modern technology allows for it, then the reclaimed land may not be needed to expand St James’ Park, and could be turned into a fanzone for supporters which connects to the stadium.

Whatever Staveley and Ghodoussi decide to do with Strawberry Place, it is hugely positive news that the plot of land has been bought back from private developers Helios Real Estate and Marrico, to say the least.