England legend urges Newcastle United to follow Manchester United lead after historic move

Alex Scott was speaking at South Shields’ 1st Cloud Arena as part of BBC Football Focus visit to the North East this weekend.
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England legend Alex Scott has welcomed the news Newcastle United Women will play at St James Park for the first time - and is hopeful it will become a more regular occurrence in future.

Becky Langley’s side currently sit at the top of the National League Division One North after their 2-1 win against their Bradford City counterparts on Sunday.

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That takes them into next weekend’s top of the table home clash with Liverpool Feds holding a four-point lead over their visitors.

Hopes are high that the Magpies can secure promotion into the Northern Premier Division, where they would compete with the likes of Burnley, Huddersfield Town and North East rivals Middlesbrough, although the latter are currently battling against relegation.

Newcastle will hope to celebrate promotion on a historic occasion after it was announced their season-ending home game with Barnsley will be hosted at St James Park - a first for United’s Women.

It is a historic step and one that Scott - who won 140 caps during a 13-year career with England - hopes will become a regular feature in their future.

‘A huge step’

“It’s a huge step for the club,” she told Newcastle World.

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“Actually St James Park is one of the grounds I never got to play at in my career.

“When we had the Olympics, there were teams playing there, but we didn’t.

“I’ve got family up here, my Uncle Micky was a huge Newcastle fan, and he always wanted me to play there, but it never happened.

“The move by Newcastle shows how far women’s football has come, they are able to play at St James Park for a game.

“You’ve got Manchester United playing at Old Trafford too.

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“We need to get to the stage where it’s not even a thing, it’s just normal to see them playing in these stadiums.

“But it’s a great first step for Newcastle to take and I am delighted to see it happen.”

Alex Scott and Ashley Williams with the South Shields squad ahead of their 2-0 win against Stafford RangersAlex Scott and Ashley Williams with the South Shields squad ahead of their 2-0 win against Stafford Rangers
Alex Scott and Ashley Williams with the South Shields squad ahead of their 2-0 win against Stafford Rangers

Magpies shareholders Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Amanda Staveley have been regular attenders at Newcastle United Women’s fixtures since their played a lead role in the takeover of the club back in October.

Staveley has spoken with passion, enthusiasm and ambition about placing significant investment into the Women’s side and pushing them towards the elite.

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Scott is enthused by the news and believes the Magpies can follow the precedent set by Manchester United as their Women’s side push for Champions League qualification just four years after being founded.

‘It’s a path Newcastle can follow’

She said: “It’s taken Manchester United a while to get things going with their women’s side and they are a club with huge impact around the world.

“You look now, with investment and clever planning, they’re now fighting for a Champions League place.

“I think Newcastle can follow that model, the investment will be there, and if there is a young core of players you can work with, for me it’s a no-brainer.

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“Why wouldn’t you want to work and strengthen the women’s side of the club?

“Other clubs around the country have done that and hopefully it’s a path Newcastle can follow too.”

Newcastle United Women will face Barnsley at St James Park on Sunday 1st May and kick off at 2pm.

Tickets are only available on the gate and will be priced at £3, whilst under-16s and concessions will go free.

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