East Stand may be dwarfed but it's spectacular

PERCHED high over the city of Newcastle, and undoubtedly one the UK's most spectacular sporting locations, St James' Park's only visual flaw is its disproportionately small East Stand.

- By DAVID MORTON

A long-time bone of contention, the close proximity of the 1970s-built stand to the Georgian-built, grade-l listed Leazes Terrace has repeatedly put the legal mockers on expanding that side of the stadium, meaning we are left with three giant stands - Leazes, Gallowgate and Milburn - dwarfing the remaining East Stand.

Away from aesthetic concerns over the lack of architectural symmetry, however, it seems the stand does have some historical merit. In a recent report Newcastle United's East Stand has been included on the 20th Century Society's list of landmarks vulnerable to neglect, dereliction or demolition, with worries the oldest surviving part of the stadium could be subject to future redevelopment.