Gateshead FC New Stadium | Gateshead | Proposed

[The Tynesiders]

Gateshead Football Club today held a press launch to unveil the site and plans for their eagerly awaited new stadium development in the centre of town.

To build on its goal to take the Club back into the Football League Gateshead FC will build a new state-of-the-art stadium on a derelict site, formerly North Durham Cricket & Rugby Club, opposite Gateshead Civic Centre.

The stadium will have a capacity of around 9,000, with a 2,000 seater main stand, and all four sides of the ground will be covered.

The proposed stadium is planned to a high specification which will enhance the surrounding area and easily satisfy the criteria required for Football League status.

Facilities at the stadium will include reception and club offices, dressing rooms, a medical room, press and spectator facilities.

There will also be executive suites and boxes and multi-functional space for match day hospitality and lettable business space.

The pitch will measure 105 metres x 68 metres and will be to FIFA standard.

On non-match days the stadium will be available for exhibitions and conferences, and there will be free parking for 600 cars at the adjacent Civic Centre.

The standing areas on three sides of the stadium will be capable of conversion to seating, in which event the capacity would be reduced to 6,000.

The Football Association is most impressed with the proposed new stadium which will form part of the 2018/22 Newcastle/ Gateshead World Cup bid.

It is envisaged that the venue would be utilised to accommodate open training sessions for teams from participating countries.

The unveiling of a new stadium follows the recent announcement that the club will switch to full-time status from next season.

Plans are also afoot to place a reserve side in the totesport.com Central League alongside the likes of Newcastle United and Leeds United's second strings.

Chairman Graham Wood, the driving force behind the exciting developments at his hometown club, is confident Gateshead FC can rekindle former glories.

"We have achieved an awful lot over the last few years and the construction of a new stadium in a central location is pivotal to our aspirations," said Wood.

"It is ideally placed for the transport network. It will also be within walking distance for many supporters and will enable us to increase our fan base.

"Having our own stadium will also enable us to further develop our income streams and allow us to continue to drive the club forward.

"These are exciting times for Gateshead Football Club. The new stadium will be a great addition to the town and give the club a real identity amongst the community."

If everything goes to plan the club are hoping to move into their new stadium for the start of the 2011-12 campaign.

. Gateshead FC initially played at the now demolished Redheugh Park in the west of the town from 1930-1971, which included a 30 year stay in the Football League.

. The Tynesiders then moved to to another council-owned stadium in the east of Gateshead, the Youth Stadium, now the 11,800 all-seater International Stadium.

. The new stadium on Prince Consort Road will be the first to be owned by the club.

www.gateshead-fc.com

[hollow man]

Looks very nice.

[sterock85]

Was just about to post this...

Looks very nice.

Best run football club on Tyneside

[bigchrisfgb]

Looks good, and looks like a good developement for both Gateshead and Tyneside. I can't help but feel that it will also be host to Newcastle Reserves, after recent years their been a bit of difference between Kingston Park and NUFC, with a fair few matches having to be played at the *insert brand name here* Park.

Anyway, it's very good news for Gateshead, but what will it mean for for the international stadium?

[Dan_NUFC]

Originally Posted by bigchrisfgb

Looks good, and looks like a good developement for both Gateshead and Tyneside. I can't help but feel that it will also be host to Newcastle Reserves, after recent years their been a bit of difference between Kingston Park and NUFC, with a fair few matches having to be played at the *insert brand name here* Park.

Anyway, it's very good news for Gateshead, but what will it mean for for the international stadium?

Shouldn't mean anything really. This ground is being built especially for Football. If you get the chance to watch a Football match at Gateshead stadium you will see how much this ground is needed because it is so poor. There are beams blocking the views of the fans at the back half of the main stand and the fans are miles away from the pitch.

So yeah, the stadium was definitely needed and hopefully we see the Heed's attendances pick up.

[johnnypd]

Gateshead stadium is an awful place to watch football and this ground looks very, very nice for a non league club. It would be great if NUFC reserves played there as then i could actually go see them - kingston park is a bloody nightmare to get to from suburban gateshead!

Am I right in thinking the location for this will be the football pitches and bowling club? excellent spot if true.

[The Tynesiders]

Originally Posted by johnnypd

Am I right in thinking the location for this will be the football pitches and bowling club? excellent spot if true.

Yes, across the road from the Civic Centre. The bowling club will stay, it'll be built on the football pitches where North Durham Cricket & Rugby Club used to be.

As there's some nice old pictures on this forum, thought I'd add this one. Here's a picture of North Durham from 1906 off the http://isee.gateshead.gov.uk/ website.

[gregstone]

Originally Posted by The Tynesiders

Yes, across the road from the Civic Centre. The bowling club will stay, it'll be built on the football pitches where North Durham Cricket & Rugby Club used to be.

As there's some nice old pictures on this forum, thought I'd add this one. Here's a picture of North Durham from 1906 off the http://isee.gateshead.gov.uk/ website.

It's going to be a squeeze to get that on the site given they'll need one pitch to play one!

[Smash17]

Is it just me who sees a 9,000 capacity stadium as far too much for a club of Gateshead's size? They've been getting attendances of around 400 for some games lately, I thought the idea was to move to a ground fit for their size.

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Looks like a fantastic stadium and as someone who works just down the road in Gateshead I would love to see this happen, although I too wonder how sustainable the club will be long term if anything happens to the benefactor (a la Gretna, Blue Star, Darlington, Durham City AFC etc etc etc).

Great location though, and could even prove quite a catalyst for much needed development in the city centre.

There's plenty of space on the land, it currently holds 2 football pitches used by the community.

[johnnypd]

Originally Posted by Smash17

Is it just me who sees a 9,000 capacity stadium as far too much for a club of Gateshead's size? They've been getting attendances of around 400 for some games lately, I thought the idea was to move to a ground fit for their size.

yeah, but most of that is terracing, the main covered stand will be 2000 which is about right, for big games this season they've had over 1000. i think with their meteoric rise through the divisions and a central location they'll get more fans watching too.

[johnnypd]

Originally Posted by Irish Blood English Heart

Looks like a fantastic stadium and as someone who works just down the road in Gateshead I would love to see this happen, although I too wonder how sustainable the club will be long term if anything happens to the benefactor (a la Gretna, Blue Star, Darlington, Durham City AFC etc etc etc).

Great location though, and could even prove quite a catalyst for much needed development in the city centre.

There's plenty of space on the land, it currently holds 2 football pitches used by the community.

who is their benefactor?

It is also interesting that gateshead plan to put out a reserve side - which could create the bizarre situation where, if they were to play newcastle's reserves, they'd most likely get their biggest crowd of the season!

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by johnnypd

yeah, but most of that is terracing, the main covered stand will be 2000 which is about right, for big games this season they've had over 1000. i think with their meteoric rise through the divisions and a central location they'll get more fans watching too.

Especially when you see what Ashley is doing at Newcastle - Gateshead based toon fans (and even others in surrounding areas) will undoubtedly be getting put off nufc

[johnnypd]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed

Especially when you see what Ashley is doing at Newcastle - Gateshead based toon fans (and even others in surrounding areas) will undoubtedly be getting put off nufc

that's true, i know some people go to more non-league games now than they used to. i used to watch gateshead when i was younger and they were in the conference. id definitely go back when the new stadium is up.

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Once they move into this stadium, if the tickets are reasonable I might go and see them a few times a season. I hate football at the International Stadium though, and I hold a season ticket elsewhere but I do like supporting local teams (and try to get to Whitley Bay or Blyth etc when they have a big cup tie).

[Godscrasher]

What we need is an ice rink, or ice pad, not another football stadium.

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Originally Posted by johnnypd

who is their benefactor?

It is also interesting that gateshead plan to put out a reserve side - which could create the bizarre situation where, if they were to play newcastle's reserves, they'd most likely get their biggest crowd of the season!

His name is Graham Wood... How he made his money I dont know.

[The Tynesiders]

Originally Posted by Godscrasher

What we need is an ice rink, or ice pad, not another football stadium.

Is there not a plan for an ice rink next to the Gateshead International Stadium?

[Godscrasher]

No i think thats been abandoned now. Along with the proposed indoor snow slope. 1 ice rink between Edinburgh to Sheffield. Not good enough, Ice time is primarily scarce and becoming expensive now. From a region that used to have 4/5 we are now down to one.

Indoor snow slope is a must for the region. Nearest one to Newcastle is Leeds but it is rubbish so Manchester is the next stop. I hear they are building a one in Blackpool on the sea front.

I think we would benifit greatly with an indoor snow slope. Kids love the snow.

[bigchrisfgb]

Originally Posted by Godscrasher

No i think thats been abandoned now. Along with the proposed indoor snow slope. 1 ice rink between Edinburgh to Sheffield. Not good enough, Ice time is primarily scarce and becoming expensive now. From a region that used to have 4/5 we are now down to one.

Indoor snow slope is a must for the region. Nearest one to Newcastle is Leeds but it is rubbish so Manchester is the next stop. I hear they are building a one in Blackpool on the sea front.

I think we would benifit greatly with an indoor snow slope. Kids love the snow.

Yeah, Sunderland have now taken up the Ski Slope with the Villege project. Though I'm not sure at what stage it is at, and if NCC came and got someone like Xscape to take an interest then I'm sure the Newcastle one would be more succesful.