Stefan Borson: Newcastle to face Man United issue after £2bn reveal

Newcastle United need to factor in where they are going to play if they decide to push forward with their redevelopment plans for St James’ Park.

That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the Tyneside club could face similar issues to Manchester United as rival sides are unlikely to let them temporarily play in their stadium.

Plans for leaving St James’ Park, which has been the club’s home since 1892, were discussed by the Newcastle United Fan Advisory Board on 30 September.

Newcastle’s chief operating officer Brad Miller said they need to “understand alternative options” as part of the stadium feasibility process.

The study has entered its second phase, with more detailed analysis taking place to investigate project-related risks and opportunities before a decision stage begins in early 2025.

The Telegraph reported on 6 October the north-east giants are considering a complete rebuild of St James’ Park, rather than just an expansion, as part of a “massive redevelopment” of the area surrounding the stadium.

A rebuild is expected to cost around £1billion, while a new stadium altogether could set the club back between £2-3billion.

Newcastle could face issues finding temporary stadium

Borson insisted it’s difficult to know what the solution would be for Newcastle if they were forced to play away from St James’ Park while the project is being completed.

He told Football Insider: “You do have to question whether it’s sensible to rebuild the stadium anyway and to spend £1-2billion on a stadium because it’s very hard to get a return on that asset.

“We have talked previously about Man United potentially playing at Wembley because, even though they have stadiums relatively close by, there is no possibility realistically that Man City, Everton, Liverpool or Leeds are going to be prepared to host Man United.

“The distances might be a bit further from Newcastle to Leeds, but likewise, if you have to close your stadium for a year and you are outside of London and so don’t have access to Wembley, it’s very hard to know what you do.

“I’m not sure what the answer is. It’s not like there are any rugby stadiums.

“In the north, there is no Twickenham, which has got 60,000 seats you could also think about maybe utilising.

“We have Wembley and then we have a load of club stadia that I just don’t think are going to take on Newcastle, Man United or whoever else needs to be out of their stadium for an entire year.

“I think they have to factor that in to their redevelopment plan.”

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