NEW CEO LEAVES A POSITIVE FIRST IMPRESSION ON FANS

NEWCASTLE United CEO David Hopkinson has broken the club's silence on the future of St James' Park.

- By Lee Ryder

Just 12 months ago, the options of staying at St James' or moving to a new stadium were put to the fanbase by stadium chief Brad Miller, who had previously spoken of wanting to write just one cheque in discussing either a St James' upgrade or a new ground with “more seats.”

An update in early 2025 was promised, but supporters have stayed patient and hung on every word of the new Canadian CEO on Monday night.

In the session with supporters, Hopkinson stated he wanted to close the gap on Barcelona and Real Madrid, and that the club must strive to be “best in class” and get more “global follower growth”.

Hopkinson, speaking at the We Are United event at STACK in the shadow of St James' Park, said: “We're not ready to yet. What is clear, to be at the top consistently we need to grow revenues.

“SJP today is incredible, whether renovated or reimagined. We have not made that decision. We are working on it every day.

“I know there is pressure - ‘when, when, when. It won't be today, may not be tomorrow. This is a complex project, a project that will be the biggest ever.