Newcastle make a major breakthrough on plans to improve St James’ Park
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Newcastle achieve a breakthrough on plans to expand St James’ Park, buying back the land behind the stadium, after it was sold by Mike Ashley.
- Sportsmail can reveal that Strawberry Place is now back under club ownership
- Newcastle United focus on developing a fan zone behind Gallowgate End
- St James’ Park has sold out for every Newcastle game this season
Newcastle United have secured a breakthrough on their plans to expand St James’ Park after repurchasing the land directly behind the stadium.
Sportsmail may reveal that the Strawberry Place site is now owned by the club and long-term options will be explored to see if they can increase the capacity to 52,300.
Fans will greet the news with excitement as demand for tickets has reached unprecedented levels since the Saudi-led takeover in 2021.
However, we understand that the immediate plan is to transform the area behind Gallowgate End into a fan zone, with the long-term aim of development co-existing with the stadium.
It could still be that Strawberry Place is not needed for a land expansion if modern technology allows otherwise.
Either way, the club’s owners were determined to buy the land that Mike Ashley sold to private developers Helios Real Estate and Marrico for £9m four years ago.
Ashley’s move raised concerns among fans that the site would be lost to offices and residential apartments.
Newcastle United aim to make improvements to their St James’ Park stadium
The club have purchased the rear area behind the pitch which was previously sold by Mike Ashley.
Co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi seek to improve the soil
The stadium has been sold for all of Newcastle’s games this season with the club in fine form.
Co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has been leading negotiations for the past 12 months to buy the key parcel, and a deal was finalized this week, said to be “good for both parties”.
Sources have stressed the importance of reclaiming land that is historically part of the club and can now be used to enhance the fan experience.
However, the ultimate goal remains to get as many fans as possible inside St James’, which has sold out for every game this season.
Fans are currently waiting to find out if they have been successful in their attempts to secure tickets to the Carabao Cup final at Wembley later this month.
Such is the hubbub around Eddie Howe’s team that thousands of supporters without tickets are expected to travel to the capital to enjoy the build-up and watch the game against Manchester United, the club’s first final since 1999.