Newcastle United in 'extensive process' as club prepare new stadium proposals

Eddie Howe believes that West Ham's move from Upton Park to the London Stadium is a good example of weighing up the pros and cons of staying or leaving St James' Park.

The Magpies are putting the final touches to proposals for both a new stadium or remaining at St James' and modernising the current ground, which last had a serious facelift back in 2000. Back then it was deemed by club chiefs that it would be difficult to go over the 52,000 capacity due to the Metro station behind the Gallowgate End.

And while the eagerly anticipated feasibility study will give the up to date truth on the Gallowgate challenges, the one thing Newcastle would definitely lose if they left St James' Park is the history and aura of the famous old stadium. That is something Howe is acutely aware of and feels the difference between facing West Ham at Upton Park to the London Stadium, where Newcastle have a fine record, is there for all to see.

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The Newcastle head coach indicated that he did not envy "whoever" has to make the final call on St James' Park.

Howe said: "There's always two sides to every story and every decision that you have to make. There's no doubt that the club will be going throw an extensive process of knowledge, debate, figures, facts to try to reach the right decision.

"I played at Upton Park and was lucky enough to play there and it was a brilliant stadium. I loved playing there as an opposition player. There was a lot of history and you could feel the history every time you went there. The London Stadium is unique in itself.

"There is no other ground like that in the Premier League. And in itself it is a brilliant place to play but it is a very different experience. No doubt we have all those decisions to make as a football club and hopefully whoever does make the decision makes the right one."

Club chiefs explained to fans at a recent event at the STACK that the new venue would offer "more seats" and "double" the revenue compared to St James' Park. But as yet there is no clear indication of where that new stadium will be.

Chronicle Live sources ruled out Gosforth Park as an option yesterday but the proposals will be confirmed in early 2025.