Why Newcastle United are Prioritising Training Facilities over Transfers & Stadium Expansion

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is a carefully managed investment portfolio to enable Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy revenues, in order to move away from oil. This project is called 'Vision 2030' and is driven by the global effects of climate change.
The PIF invest in a number of industries and companies that include shipping, renewable energies. entertainment, hospitality and tourism. In a drive to increase their populations interest in sport, they have had desires to purchase a Premier League club for many years. For this reason, they chose Newcastle United, based on the clubs potential for massive fan interest, both locally but potentially globally. A successful Newcastle United will generate huge revenue streams in Saudi Arabia amongst its population, as they invest in their own football infrastructure.
The current owners have made it clear that they are not the owners of the club, but the custodians. The inference in this statement is that they are passing through. At some point in the future, 'ownership' of the club will change hands. To me this could conceivable mean 20 years or so.
Our new owners have made it clear since they purchased the club in October 2021 that we are a long term project whereby they hope we are challenging for the Premier League title in 5-10 years. Amanda Staveley has gone on record to state that their immediate concern is to build the foundations of the club through a state of the art training facility and our academy system.
She states - "To reach the top of the premier league, you don't just need great players, you need robust, strong foundations and we have to build them". This will take a few years to come to fruition.
Back in March 2022, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Amanda Staveley stated in an interview with 'The Athletic' that they wouldn't be building a stadium somewhere else and would look to extend St James' Park to 60-65K, once other larger objectives have been fulfilled. They will then work closely with Newcastle City Council to try and achieve this. It's my view that they will look at expansion around the middle of this decade.
It's from these fundamental pledges and economic positions that I draw my opinions on a gradual growth of the club and that they won't be 'throwing' money at the club to expedite perceived success as quickly as possible. I don't believe they will make astronomical financial decisions in regards facilitating stadium expansion either. That means I don't believe they will spend potentially billions on attempting to relocate Leazes Terrace (for example), in order to increase our capacity by around 15 - 20K seats. It makes no economic sense to their wider objectives under Vision 2030. Neither do I believe that they will seek to compromise the history of our city, for stadium extension objectives.
I attempt in my videos to be balanced and see these complex circumstances from different positions that consider, planning, development, history, heritage, conservation and politics.
I enjoy well thought out and balanced views and I'm always looking to learn new things. My opinions are my own.

[@TynesideLife]

I read all of my messages and I appreciate the support. I am however no longer in a position to engage with everyone and therefore have prepared some explanatory notes in the vide description. Please take the time to read the video description, as it may answer many questions you have but also sets out where my views and opinions come from. If you'd like to be part of a priority system to interact with me more fully in the comments section, please consider becoming a member of the channel. Thank you.

[@kenloughran7186]

How do you become a member of the channel

[@TynesideLife]

@@kenloughran7186 hi Ken, visit my KZbin channel home page from a computer and you’ll see a ‘Join’ button. Many thanks 🤛🏻

[@davidhoward5392]

It's a no brainer, they are starting from scratch, this club will be built on real solid foundations and meant to last... the football team is at the pointy end, but below them is the all the working parts..

[@stevelavis473]

As jimmy nail said..this is a mighty town,built upon solid ground..

[@maw86]

This is actually some of the best nufc content out there. Informative, friendly, witty, positive, insightful. Keep it up 👏👏👏

[@TynesideLife]

Thank you 🙏

[@gingp64]

Eddie is the man zero click bait ! Onward

[@kenloughran7186]

I can see Pif rebuilding Newcastle not just the club good times ahead Eddy

[@TynesideLife]

The Reuben brothers already are 🤛🏻

[@kenloughran7186]

@@TynesideLife very true Eddy very true mate

[@gazmo71]

Excellent, well researched and spot on video as ever Eddie. The Golf Course is the obvious location at Parklands. I've heard the same and that they are going to shut the East Entrance to the site. Close to the A1 too so makes sense

[@steviemitch69ok]

There’s roadworks starting in a few weeks on the A189 Peter barratt roundabout. The changes likely pre empt what’s to come. There’s space on the other side of sandy lane mind between the auto park all the way to wideopen. Take a look - it’s all brownfield land until it reaches the weetslade park. 👍

[@markbolam1383]

best way really to start from the foundations and build up a bigger stadium is like the cherry on top

[@stevehenke678]

Mint video again cheers Eddy lad. 👍 Exciting times ahead eh, in years gone by I didn't want the new season to start, me and the Mrs chucked our season tickets a few years ago after Ashley didn't sign anyone, them days are gone though. Mandy and Merdad are aiming for the stars!

[@TynesideLife]

🤛🏻

[@daveelliott5855]

Love your vids Eddie.To build a empire you need solid foundations and strong leadership, that starts with the training facilities and academy. Build from the bottom and the top will be easier. We have a really good squad atm and is well capable of top 6-10 finishes. I've waited all my bar the first 3 months for Newcastle to win a major trophy, I can wait a few more seasons. our owners are very shewd in their business. Which I like, not being held to ransom by clubs or players wage demands. For those fans who maybe are getting frustrated at player signings not happening as they seem they might just remember where we were this time last year, no signings (or maybe Willock) getting beat by York, Ashley and Bruce at the helm and no hope what so ever only a relegation battle. For the first time since dear Sir Bobby was in charge I look forward to the start of the season. HWTL

[@TynesideLife]

Great message Dave 👍🏻

[@daveelliott5855]

@@TynesideLife thanks Eddie

[@j_vasey]

Anyone think we might build WORLD CLASS!!! Training facilities? Great video again, It’s exciting times and I enjoy all the speculation. One of my faves was the riverside campus and stadium.

[@clarencechanxy]

Quality content and a very mature opinion. Especially the parts where you compared the sites n facilities with other clubs. Loved how u started with the context of why before you dived in. Top draw. Thank you and please keep the content coming. Magpie from Singapore. 🇸🇬

[@TynesideLife]

That’s appreciated thank you Clarence 🙏

[@warwickhunt]

I still think Blagdon/Shotton is quite a likely site, doesn't really matter who owns the land as the club would still have to purchase or lease it

[@TynesideLife]

👍🏻

[@bentaylor4490]

Great content yet again Eddie, it’s exciting times ahead for Newcastle United. I only live 5 mins walk from here. It would be great to have our state of the art training facility built here without taking too much of our lovely woodland areas taken away.

[@BeastedPk]

Good shout Eddie, can’t help but feel bullocksteads next to Kingston park would also be a good shout

[@garymillican4343]

Great content Eddie again! I just wish I was ten years younger to se all of this come to fruition! Exciting times ahead!👍

[@peak_flow]

Superb analysis, Eddy. Given the PIF's involvement and investment in golf, it would be a bit of an own goal (or, more appropriately, an out of bounds shot) to close the course at Parklands for NUFC development, without building a new golf course somewhere else, so I wonder if they are looking at that option as well? Totally agree that these foundational projects are as, if not more, important than signing a team of world-class players at this stage. All of that will come in time, but they need a world-class infrastructure in place first.

[@TynesideLife]

Great observations Keith. The golf course would be a sacrifice and of course I’m not in a position to say exactly where it is. I can only say that it’s the only area of land big enough in the area they’ve stayed. Time will tell 👍🏻

[@geoffbell6247]

Top drawer as ever

[@Plymonk666]

4:07 like the Boarding School system/network that Rugby used to do with us… Improving its Catchment Area & Thumb the Scale of Natural (and beings of nurtured) talent ‘that lives in the area to qualify as their residency.’ Even host international Football Clubs Youth Teams; to let them train, workout and experience our academy level & offer suggestions for improvements. And if they want to get scholarships to our

[@TynesideLife]

🤛🏻

[@purplepillsification]

Been thinking this for a while, only makes sense to build training area near the race course as Reuben brothers stated they want to make Newcastle one of the sporting hubs of Britain, bringing in a super fancy training ground and surroundings next to race course will drive price of race course right up

[@TynesideLife]

Great view point Matt 🤛🏻

[@marcdinning2249]

Love this channel your bang on there is no shite click bait . Well done Eddie

[@TynesideLife]

Thanks Marc 🤛🏻

[@markmartin9745]

Seem to make perfect sense to move training site to Park land as we wouldn’t need to pay / squire land etc and most of the budgets goes on the development.

[@peteylang3401]

Cracking vid. My only other suggestion was that they buy the Blue Flames training facility from next door to the existing site. Not sure if that is possible/big enough or not but that has a lot of room for expansion.

[@TynesideLife]

It’s far too small and not really in the calibre they’re looking for I’m sure Petey

[@antd6993]

I think it's a pretty good place and with it belonging to the co-owners Reuben family, nailed on! Gr8 video as per Eddy and I appreciate you will no longer comment but a thumbs up will do me mate, hopefully catch you at the matches this season, would love to appear in a video! Keep up the well researched content canny lad😎

[@TynesideLife]

Great message Ant. I recognise your support and I will definitely message when I can. Catch me at the next game 👍🏻

[@IanEckert1977]

I went to see the Newcastle United under 19's a few years ago...Canny good...It's coming up...

[@TynesideLife]

I bet they’re really good Ian 👍🏻

[@IanEckert1977]

It's all looking forward for Newcastle United...I'm In the Gallowgate End...Fcuking Mint...I bet Sara-Jayne the Everton USA Chairwoman has got something up her sleeve because she Will-Not divorce me...

[@TynesideLife]

@@IanEckert1977 are you being serious about this Ian?

[@IanEckert1977]

@@TynesideLife Yes...I Married her In Chicago Illinois USA In 2009...Check the American Marriage Register...

[@simonmoran67]

Great vid. Delivered as promised. Good lad! 🙂

[@jr9channel]

Thanks you for sharing Bro.. Good Luck NUFC.. Support JR9 Channel..

[@daveyeddie8176]

As you say Parklands would be ideal, but there would be hell on wouldn't there, it's a lot of folks leisure life that golf course, I have played there numourous times, I realise times are changing a bit, I just hope they can come up with an alternative.

[@jeffdbaker71]

We need something. Turn the old training facility into a Golf course and take this one you are talking about.

[@cannyscott]

Cheers for another great video Eddy mate 👍🏻

[@TynesideLife]

My pleasure Scott glad you enjoyed it 🤛🏻

[@thomasconboy4636]

I’m interested in Newcastle as a football club to watch I have friends t hat support your side

[@archiebald4717]

Sounds good! Love that horse sculpture.

[@chrisbanks5925]

Great report . . after so many false dawns, this is finally the start of something big.

[@waynemathison2381]

luv that horse statue in the background quality bud👍

[@benshield4295]

Cracking again . Cheers

[@TynesideLife]

Cheers Ben 🤛🏻

[@Tom_murray89]

Freddy shepherd was on course to expand st James’s park to 60,000 before the Mike Ashley takover

[@TynesideLife]

He wasn’t Tom. That’s a popular myth. Because it wasn’t cost effective to expand the Gallowgate due to the extensive complications and staggering costs at the time, he put forward plans to build a new stadium that straddled Castle Leazes and Leazes Park. These plans were blocked through petitions and protests. In 2000 he developed the stadium into the stadium it is now. There were never any plausible plans made by Sir John Hall after this

[@memyselfandi36]

A mean have you ever heard a new signing mentioning the world class training facilities... Ya do at Sunderland as its quite new that's all

[@TynesideLife]

👍🏻

[@224Vince]

My point being we could get paqueta this summer and STILL invest in stadium/training facilities within the limits of FFP

[@TynesideLife]

It’s my view that we won’t splash out, exactly for the reasons that the owners have stressed to supporters

[@carlthornton1892]

It'd be completely consistent with what they're doing elsewhere at the club. They're bringing in the right personnel off the pitch, upgrading the current training facilities and giving SJP some much needed TLC They haven't put a foot wrong yet in my opinion

[@TynesideLife]

🤛🏻

[@markbolam1383]

here here they are bringing in people who know what they are doing unlike the last regime who stumbled from one crisis to the next

[@peterarmstrong3298]

I'm thinking up near the Airport maybe near Kingston Park or Bullocksteads. Plenty of land near Callerton where a new housing estate is being built.

[@TynesideLife]

What do you think of the Parklands area in the video that the club have prioritised?

[@peterarmstrong3298]

@@TynesideLife it would be perfect Eddie if the golf course could be retained.

[@TynesideLife]

@@peterarmstrong3298 there’s no other land that I can identify anywhere near big enough that’s called Parklands 🤷🏻‍♂️ I wish I knew exactly!

[@keithrichardsom1898]

Another class video Eddie

[@pennycatterick5148]

Fab-u-lous update Eddie,.....luv listening to your calm informed reflections. Mind,...closing a golf course breaks my heart, but needs must I suppose. PennyXxx

[@TynesideLife]

Thank you Penny! That’s of course if it’s there but I can’t identify anywhere else large enough

[@pennycatterick5148]

@@TynesideLife You know Eddie,......this is a curious state of affairs. Remember Sir John's vision of a sporting academy, involving NUFC, the Falcons and the Eagles, well,...this feels alot like that. Remember the Saudi's love of horse racing, their recent investment in LIV golf, whatever you think of that, and of course now NUFC. Yes,....this is where the training ground will go, but more importantly, its going to be alot more than we ever imagined,.....aint that just wild!!! Imagine being a world leading footballer and you're being courted by NUFC, with its incredible training facility, the likes of which there is no other in the world. With golf courses around it and a world class horse training and racing facility next door,....never mind London's lights, isnt this where you'd want to come,....Ohhhh I get it Amanda,....go girl!!! Enjoy a wonderful day. PennyXxx

[@TynesideLife]

@@pennycatterick5148 great message Penny! You have a great day too 😊

[@kevinporter3212]

another great video

[@paulstones1451]

Would they not look at land out side of newcastle again like back in Durham or do you think it needs to be in Newcastle

[@TynesideLife]

They may do Paul but it seems likely they’ve plumbed for Parklands

[@cliveberriman8633]

Eddie - Thanks for the informative info. There is a large area of land immediately north of Parklands in between Weetslade Country Park and Sandy Lane. Any thoughts ?

[@TynesideLife]

It could be Diana 🤷🏻‍♂️ but that areas not called Parklands which has been named and it looks like agricultural land. The RB don’t own this area from my research Diana. But who knows

[@bobatwell7505]

What exactly is wrong with Dardsley Park their current training ground , sure it probably needs rebuilding . If its a big enough site it must be cheaper than Parklands ! Cheers

[@TynesideLife]

I think you’ll find the answer abundantly clear in the video Bob 👍🏻

[@thomasconboy4636]

Sound like there getting smart academics for youth is the way

[@BryAron.]

Better add too the squad our they be in trouble striker need asap

[@TynesideLife]

I don’t share that view that we’ll be in trouble

[@224Vince]

I researched this, so tell me if I've been misled, but doesn't it say in the documents that FFP doesn't concern itself with stadium builds or training facilities (obviously, if you struggled to pay back the costs, it would have an impact)? As far as I understand, money spent on players and other staff (including academy) is affected by FFP, but money spent on stadium or training facilities are not. Is that not right?

[@TynesideLife]

That’s right yes. The point I’m making is that they’re not going to spend over the odds on players of this calibre, until the club foundations are in place. That’s the owners words (paraphrased) not mine

[@224Vince]

@@TynesideLife Ah, I see. Makes sense. Paqueta would be a great signing, tho. Also keep Bruno happy 😊 You make great videos btw. Like fans keep commenting, we'll researched and interesting content 👌 👍

[@andrewmcgee4146]

World class training facilities will attract world class players this is a priority before a new ground etc etc eddy lad toon toon

[@michaellionart4841]

Interesting as always Chief. Thank you. In recent years housing developers have tried and failed to build in that area. As you mentioned, a lot of people will be against it. Just saying 🙏

[@TynesideLife]

You’re right Michael and of course I can’t say for definite it’s there but I can’t identify anywhere else big enough. Since the place already belongs to the Reuben Brothers it seems likely that any objections would be futile anyway

[@michaellionart4841]

@@TynesideLife interesting isn’t it. I’m no great football supporter but this is huge for Newcastle.

[@NupoNupsNupsie]

Why not spend money on it all at the same time. They have the money

[@TynesideLife]

Can you clarify what you mean Michael

[@adamc4576]

Hope the hosses will be alright 🤜🐴

[@TynesideLife]

The proposed site won’t encroach on the racecourse Adam

[@iananderson2677]

Where will the racecourse relocate to?

[@TynesideLife]

Ian, the proposed site isn’t the racecourse 😅 It’s Parklands

[@iananderson2677]

I should have watched the whole video before asking the question 😱😂

[@TynesideLife]

@@iananderson2677 Ian, have yourself publicly flogged 😂

[@andyallom4357]

Seems like a win win to me. Fantastic location for training facilities, AND get to piss off a bunch of golfers. See you Sunday for the walk!!!

[@TynesideLife]

Hi Andy, you had booked on the walk for yesterday on my booking system. 😅 there isn’t a tour arranged for next week

[@TynesideLife]

Please drop me an email at [e-mail]

[@andyallom4357]

@@TynesideLife Ah shite. Oh well. Buddha must have had his reasons. I was up at Felton at my niece's yesterday. Never mind. I'll say hello if I see you at either of the matches this weekend 😀

[@TynesideLife]

@@andyallom4357 you can have a free tour the next time Andy 👍🏻

[@mjchilds83]

With all their money they could build a floating stadium that hovers over the Tyne... and bring Jackie Millburn back from the dead!

[@TynesideLife]

You’ve just ruined my next video. How did you know about this?

[@mjchilds83]

@@TynesideLife 😆 get them telt!

[@robtudor3785]

I told you this months ago and you said it wasn’t true 😂

[@TynesideLife]

That was for a stadium location, not training facilities. And I’ve only said no chance to those suggesting the racecourse land

[@robtudor3785]

I can understand if they keep St James and develop this as a training facility. They are further along than you realise. Try joining Parklands…

[@TynesideLife]

@@robtudor3785 I don’t think you’ve watched the video bud as your comment doesn’t make any sense?

[@robtudor3785]

@@TynesideLife I’ve watched it from start to end! I’m confirming your thoughts. And also said it 5 months ago before Craig Hope reported it.

[@TynesideLife]

@@robtudor3785 you seem to be a man in the know then Rob. I enjoy adult conversations and hearing other points of view. I block people on my channel who come across badly, or in some way are attempting to ridicule. If you’d like to discuss what you know and how you know this kind of thing and you feel it would help me produce more accurate content, please drop me an email at [e-mail] Cheers 👍🏻

[@memyselfandi36]

Maybes cos the current training facilities are a shit hole.. Dating back to the 50s

[@TynesideLife]

👍🏻

[@jimipurple123]

Another excuse. Just sign a striker

[@TynesideLife]

I don’t think the owners are making excuses Jimi. The vision and priorities they’ve made are set out in the video 👍🏻

[@xeron4134]

On a match day, how many hours before kick off do the players get to the stadium? 🖤🤍

[@TynesideLife]

About 2 👍🏻

[@xeron4134]

@@TynesideLife Thank you 👍 (fantastic video as always!)

[@waynemathison2381]

hellow eddie never heard from you in a few days very good content yet again bud🖤🤍🤟👍😉

[@TynesideLife]

Hi Wayne, I release a video 2-3 times per week 👍🏻