St James’ Park upgrade ‘leaked’ amid Newcastle United stadium tour photo

There’s been a lot of talk about the removal of seats in St James’ Park for the safe standing trial at the beginning of the season. But that isn’t the only seat related update from Newcastle United this summer.

Fans who were on a stadium tour today were confronted with missing seats in the middle of the Leazes Stand as they walked the grounds. Only a section of the away end on Level 7 will be trialling the standing.

The mystery of the missing chairs was quickly cleared up by the tour guide, however, who confirmed to the group that they were being uplifted and painted off-site. According to the guide this will happen systematically so that eventually the painted seats will read out: NUFC.

Many fans have anticipated this news for a while now. One fan said recently on social media: ‘St James’ Park is ruined by the grey seats. It’s all so dull why has it not been changed?’

Football will return to St James’ Park at the beginning of August for Newcastle United’s pre-season matches against Villareal and Fiorentina in the inaugural Sela Cup. Let’s hope the refurbished seats, and the safe standing, contribute to an even better atmosphere- if that’s even possible.