‘I would’ - Newcastle United legend gives clear order to owners on St James’ Park future

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Alan Shearer has doubled down on his belief that Newcastle United must stay in the city centre.

St James’ Park’s future remains a hot topic on Tyneside as the Toon hierarchy ponder whether to revamp, rebuild or relocate elsewhere. Social media has been rife with fans-turned-architects giving their thoughts on how Newcastle should move forward.

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Brad Miller, appointed the club’s Chief Operating Officer in the summer, updated supporters earlier this month. Many took his comments - which promised a “once-in-a-lifetime investment” - as a precursor to an eventual new stadium.

However, he insisted a final decision is not expected until early 2025 following further discussions with fans, designers and local authorities. While a new venue appears to have a 50/50 split among supporters, few are calling on the Magpies to move outside the city centre.

No other Premier League club boast a ground as central as Newcastle’s - with St James’ Park a vehicle for local businesses to thrive. The consequences of taking the ground to the suburbs add an extra layer of controversy to an already inflamed debate.

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All-time leading goalscorer Shearer has reiterated his claim that St James’ Park should be expanded before being rebuilt. However, the 54-year-old conceded a new stadium might be inevitable - as long as it stays in the city centre.

“If it does happen, I really hope it’s next door and they keep it in the city centre,” Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast. “There is talk about it moving behind the Leazes End, which I’d be okay with that.

“In an ideal world, if you’re giving me a choice, I would stay at St James’ Park and try and extend. But if that can’t be done, I understand why. But it needs to stay in the city centre.”

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