NUST have previously reported our position that it would be wrong to sell the lease on the land behind the Gallowgate End at St James’ Metro car park, to private developers . Any development should include an extension to the stadium as the club had previously considered in conjunction with the City Council some 8 years ago.
Representatives of the Trust Board met with the proposed developers Tolent and their advisors earlier this year when we were told that the development was due to start in September.
NUST now understand that the proposed development by Tolent is no longer proceeding although we don’t have any further information. If this is correct it will provide an opportunity for the club to extend the ground in accordance with its original proposals.
We all know the question will be why should the club invest in a scheme to increase capacity when we already have one of the biggest crowds in the Premiership? NUST believes there are wider economic benefits with the potential to showcase the city through closer links between the club, the fans, the city council and the local community. With their recently stated ambition for future success, thousands more fans will want to watch their football live at St. James’ Park, and will be able to if the club shows that they really do have ambitions beyond mid table.
The Club’s main source of income is from TV deals for which they have to do nothing more than maintain a top eighteen place in the Premier League, but match-day revenue is an important part of their business plan.
NUST chair Norman Watson said “At a time when other Premier League clubs are looking to extend capacity NUST hope that the club take this opportunity to consider such an option. Whilst there will be a short term capital cost this would be dwarfed by the long term revenue returns which could be ploughed back into the club. The club themselves recognise the importance of increased match day income and therefore any ground extension will be beneficial to both fans and the owner”.
NUST are writing to the club for further details. We will keep members informed of any further news.
The World’s First Football Club needs help from Newcastle Fans
Football is one of the greatest inventions of human kind and has become the biggest sport in the world. But the true pioneers of the game and the cradle of football remain unknown and unsettled until today. Time for us to make a change!
After more than 150 years without a permanent home in the city of Sheffield, we want to locate the World’s First Football Club back to its roots and the game’s original birthplace. We want to bring the English amateur team of Sheffield FC back to the roots and build a new home for football! A home for football fans all over the globe, a home for all of us to celebrate the true values and original spirit of the beautiful game. A home for the games’ heritage and history, for grass roots and football’s next generation. A home for us to remember, what real football is all about.
The following letter explains more :
“Dear Newcastle United Supporters Trust
I would like to invite you to become a part of football history.
Sheffield FC, the world’s first football club, is moving back home and needs the support of the wider football family to be able to go back to its roots.
Football’s oldest club has not had a permanent home since leaving Olive Grove Sports Ground, its original home turf. Today, it plays games at the Coach and Horses Ground in the Derbyshire village of Dronfield.
However, we’d like to make the supporters of Newcastle United FC aware of a chance to join the growing list of football followers who are supporting the club which paved the way for to the beautiful game to get to where it is today, with 350,000 clubs, 300 million active players and 1.6 billion fans.
Our ‘Home of Football’ fundraising campaign aims to bring football together as one, encouraging football fans to donate £1 and professional football clubs to donate an amount representative of the year of their foundation. The hope is that we can raise £2million to bring football back to its original home as well as developing a ‘Home of Football’ centre.
By donating as little as £1, fans can be a part of footballing history. Every donator will receive a signed certificate from the club acknowledging the donation.
Larger donations will be recognised through the chance to play for Sheffield FC or to become a lifetime season ticket holder, whilst other perks include official club memorabilia and a ticket to the opening match at Olive Grove.
You might be interested to know that news of the campaign has already spread to countries across the world – with support coming in from as far afield as Argentina and Australia.
The campaign has already been backed by German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, other European clubs such as FC St. Gallen and FC St. Pauli, as well as German superstar Ilkay Gundogan and former German internationals Sebastian Kehl and Christoph Metzelder.
As well as sizeable donations from these clubs, fans from across the world have already provided more than £20,000 in the first few weeks of the campaign.
Everyone involved with Sheffield FC would be extremely grateful for the support of the wider football family. On behalf of everyone at Sheffield FC I would like to thank you in advance for any support you feel you can give our club.
More details can also be found at http://igg.me/at/homeoffootball.
Together, let’s bring football back home.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Tims
Chairman, Sheffield Football Club”
NUST BOARD
Website: www.nust.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nufctrust
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nufctrust
Email: enquiries@nust.org.uk
Youtube: www.youtube.com/nufctrust
Blog : www.nust.org.uk/blog
Sponsors website www.phoenixtaxis.net
Website : www.justnewcastle.org.uk
Facebook : www.facebook.com/JUSTNewcastle
Twitter : https://twitter.com/just_newcastle
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/newcastle-development-st-james-collapses-9906607
There’s the link – if it works. First time from iPad
Oh yes – technical queen!!
I think I’ve just lost hope having read Ashley plans to develop the site himself! I doubt he’ll build a simple leisure area for us fans to enjoy so objections galore it is. If we’re not careful our cherished view of our ground will be dwarfed by concrete blocks
Where can i read the plans Pat? What’s the bets is a global sports direct superstore.
I don’t think he’s submitted any plans as yet but Chronicle report he’s thinking about office space. Apparently he’s grubbing around in the property market in Chelsea so whatever he does will be for himself. I’m hoping the Trust will have their eyes peeled and keep us informed as to what we can do.