Newcastle’s new council leader has refused to speculate on the future of St James’ Park, insisting the city must wait for Newcastle United to reveal its plans before forming a view on any potential stadium development.
The future of Newcastle United’s home has been one of the most hotly debated issues on Tyneside, with ongoing speculation over whether the club will expand and remain at St James’ Park or relocate to a new purpose-built stadium.
While the club has yet to announce any formal proposals or submit a planning application, any future development could present a significant challenge for Newcastle City Council’s new Liberal Democrat administration.
The prospect of a new stadium being built on Leazes Park, the city’s oldest public park, has already sparked controversy, with more than 28,000 people signing a petition calling for the green space to be protected.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service following his appointment as leader of Newcastle City Council, Gosforth councillor Colin Ferguson said it would be inappropriate to comment until the club’s intentions become clear.
“My position remains what it always has been,” he said.
“I cannot speculate on the shape of thin air. The club needs to say what they want to do and then we need to have a look at it.
“Until there is something out in the public domain, I genuinely don’t know what I can say.”
Asked whether he shared former Labour council leader Karen Kilgour’s preference for Newcastle United to remain in the city centre, Councillor Ferguson again declined to be drawn.
“Everybody wants the football club to do well, everybody wants to see the team succeed and everybody wants to see the club succeed,” he said.
“A thriving Newcastle United is a benefit to the city as a whole.
“I am not going to try and put roadblocks or barriers in the way of the club doing well. But until they say what they want to do, I am speculating on the shape of thin air.”
The council’s relationship with Newcastle United has come under increasing scrutiny since the club’s 2021 takeover by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Human rights campaigners have repeatedly urged city leaders to speak out against alleged human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, while critics have accused the Gulf state of using football ownership as a form of “sportswashing” to improve its international image.
The council has also faced criticism over efforts to strengthen economic links with Saudi Arabia, including promoting Newcastle as the “gateway to Saudi” during a major UK trade mission to Riyadh in 2024.
Former council leader Karen Kilgour previously condemned human rights abuses and met with Saudi human rights activists, but argued that responsibility for raising concerns with foreign governments ultimately lies with the UK Government rather than local authorities.
Councillor Ferguson said he would not shy away from speaking out on issues of principle.
“We are always going to need to have a productive relationship with the football club’s local leadership, that is pretty clear,” he said.
“When it comes to human rights abuses and breaches of international law, then I will not be shy in calling that out.
“But we also have to recognise where the council sits in all of this. We don’t have any control over who owns the club and there is not really anything we can do about that.
“So I will not be shy about calling out things that I think are wrong if it comes to it. But the ownership of the club is the ownership of the club.”
His comments come as debate continues over both Newcastle United’s long-term stadium ambitions and the wider implications of the club’s Saudi-backed ownership, issues that are likely to remain firmly in the spotlight in the months ahead.
