Newcastle Owners Plan Big Upgrades For Stadium, Training Ground And Academy Facilities

While the potential influx of new money into the playing squad from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has the Newcastle United supporters licking their lips with anticipation, there are other areas which require more than a lick of paint.

Although St James’ Park (Sports Direct Arena) remains one of the largest grounds in the country, it does require some infrastructure upgrading, whilst the Darsley Park training facilities have come under recent scrutiny.

Amanda Staveley, CEO of PCP Capital Partners who were intrinsic in arranging the takeover has said the facilities are "really awful" and must be improved, and that St James' Park "needs a little bit of love."

In terms of the so-called FFP (Financial Fair Play), Newcastle remains in a decent position because they haven't spent too much in recent years, which in turn increases the amount the new owners can spend, because previous owner Mike Ashley was so prudent. Newcastle United don't own the land the training ground is on, so they might build an entirely new training ground elsewhere, similar to the best-in-class facilities we recently saw opened at Leicester City.

As we’ve seen in East Manchester since the Middle-Eastern investment of Abu Dhabi in the City Football Group, the new Saudi owners at Newcastle are likely to replicate improvements to the surrounding area. Unlike the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, Newcastle’s ground sits right at the heart of a vibrant city centre, amongst the bars and restaurants and nightlife, unlike many stadiums these days, and this will definitely have been at the forefront of the minds during the takeover as the potential for investment within surrounding facilities are extensive.

The opportunities will be a work in progress, but the potential to regenerate the club facilities as well as the surrounding area will not have surpassed the new owners at Newcastle.