Friday 2nd September 2011

Gateshead Chairman Graham Wood interviewed by BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck on the morning show, had this to say about the New Stadium:

Things went off track when our first choice of tenant which was the Primary Care Trust fell foul of the Government spending cuts, and that put paid to that. It lost us a lot of time, at least a year and we had to look round for alternative tenants of the same calibre.

We have the replacement tenants lined up, and we're looking forward to moving ahead in the near future. The planning application is almost complete, ready to submit at short notice. So we will be two more seasons at the International Stadium.

To listen to the interview, follow the link below and skip to 56 minutes. But be quick as it'll be removed from iplayer at some point.

Monday 6th June 2011, by Evening Chronicle

GATESHEAD chairman Graham Wood is confident the Blue Square Bet Premier club will be playing in a new 7,000 capacity stadium in the centre of town within the next few years.

Monday 21st February 2011

Graham Wood speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle Total Sport (Mon 21st Feb), was asked about the current status regarding the Prince Consort Road Stadium. Everything from the GFC side is in place and ready to go, we now just need to wait on the tenants to dot the i's and cross the t's.

Graham Wood: "The planning application has almost been completed for sometime now, but we've encountered a bit of a delay recently relating to the tenants for the non-football space that we're building into the stadium."

"But once that matter has been resolved, we'll just complete the last few sections of the application and proceed with the submission, which will hopefully be quite soon."

Simon Pryde (BBC Radio Newcastle): "So you envisage that to be resolved sooner rather than later, and still on schedule to be playing at the new stadium for not next season, but the season after?"

Graham Wood: "It's still within the bounds of possibility, but it's (the timeline) getting very very tight now, so we're anxious to resolve this little issue and move forward. But we're working very hard at it."

Tuesday 30th November 2010

The Sunday Sun carried a brief update on the new stadium, with the news being that Gateshead will submit a planning application for the Prince Consort Road Stadium in the New Year. This all but confirms the planned move in date, will be the start of the 2012/2013 season.

Thursday 15th July 2010

Gateshead will almost certainly spend two more seasons at The International Stadium as the planning application submission date is put back.

Speaking to former Gateshead Chairman John Gibson, Chairman Graham Wood told the Evening Chronicle: "We will be in a position to seek planning permission by the end of next month" (August 2010, assuming the interview took place in July).

"The quickest planning permission can go through is 13 weeks which would take us to November."

"The stadium itself will take only one year to build, which means we could probably go in halfway through the 2011-2012 season, but for impact and the benefit of the pitch itself we will probably wait until the start of the new season."

"The main stand will have four floors with the top three all used to generate income, The idea is that the top floor will consist of medical outlets involving GP surgeries and so on. Moves have already been made to setup such a scheme."

"We believe there will be a quantum leap in attendances at the new stadium, we have worked out that with the other income streams we can be self-sufficient at our new ground on attendances of 1,250 in the Conference and 2,000 in the Football League."

www.HeedArmy.co.uk: Whilst the thought of two more seasons at The International Stadium is disappointing, in theory the new main stand should be able to generate income from the lettable space for a full six to eight months before we move into Prince Consort Road. It also gives the fans and New Supporters Club ample time to get organised, ensuring we make as much an impact as possible when moving in.

Wednesday 5th May 2010, by Tynesider

Both Gateshead Chairman Graham Wood and Vice-Chairman Brian Waites appeared on NE1FM's Grassroots Sports Show to talk everything Gateshead FC. Included in the two hour chat was the latest details on the new stadium.

Gateshead's proposed new stadium on Prince Consort Road won't be arriving as quickly as all Heed fans had hoped. The current position is that the club are close to finalising the planning application, with planning consultants and the architects working on this. The delay has been due to various reasons with the most recent being that the planners requested the addition of a visual impact survey.

The timescale once the planning application has been submitted (assuming everything goes through smoothly) is now 16 weeks, with the hope of submitting the application around the end of June/beginning of July to start building in October 2010. With an estimated 9 month construction phase, completion at the earliest would be towards the end of July 2011, meaning it would likely be too tight a timescale to move in for the start of the 2011/2012 season. At this point it's unsure whether the club would opt to move in halfway through the 2011/12 campaign (upon completeion) or look to move in for the start of the 2012/2013 season, with the stated reason being that moving in part-way through a season doesn't have the same grand impact it does for the beginning of a new season (Big stadium opening match in pre-season).

The initial public consutation back in October 2009 returned 77% of local residents who attended in favour of the new ground, but the club also listened to those against and have altered their plans accordingly, such as moving the Main Stand to the East side of the ground away from the houses. The Main Stand (East/PCR side), will have four floors with the ground floor being almost entirely for use by the football club. The first floor will be offices and conference rooms and the second and third floors will be the lettable business space. The types of businesses they've been in discussions with for the top two floors are mainly medical related, discussions have been held with a lot of the GP practices around the area (20 different GPs being interested), along with opticians, dentists and cryogenics businesses. The club also intend to donate space for community use too.

Away fans will be situated in the South Stand, with a small proportion of away seats being available in the south side of the West Stand. This means the clothesline fans will be moved to the North Stand of the new ground, that's the end next to the bowling green nearest the Tyne & Gateshead Metro Interchange.

With both the East (Main) Stand and West Stand now seated, leaving the North and South Stands as terraces, the total capacity of the new ground will be 7,856.

Friday 30th April 2010, by Tynesider

Gateshead fans will have the pleasure of the International Stadium for a little longer than initially anticipated. Today's Evening Chronicle carries confirmation that the move in date at North Durham (start of 2011/2012 season) will be pushed back most probably towards mid-season due to the lengthy planning process.

Graham Wood told the Chronicle, "The site is right and the stadium, which will be covered on all four sides, will be a tremendous facility, but these developments often take longer than you would like.

"While it is unlikely we will be in the new stadium for the start of the 2011/ 12 campaign I am optimistic that we will be able to move in at some point during the season."

Other changes to the plans will see a reduction in capacity from 9,000 to just under 8,000 with the West Stand now becoming seated instead of standing. This leaves the stadium with the two covered standing terraces behind each goal, meaning the Heed Army will have a distinct home end.

A planning application was expected to be submitted last February, after it does go in there will then be a 16 week planning process with construction expected to take 9 months there after (subject to successful application).

Thursday 7th January 2010, by Tynesider

We started the 'Home of the Heed' site way back in May 2007 in order to document Gateshead FC's progress towards a new Football Stadium. It's certainly felt like a long wait for all Gateshead fans, but boy was it worth waiting for!

On October the 28th 2009, Gateshead FC unveiled the location and proposed design of that new stadium. It was the ultimate location of the three we looked at, that site being North Durham Cricket Ground.

Prince Consort Road Stadium (North Durham Cricket Ground)

Prince Consort Road Stadium. Latest rendering unveiled this week.

On an early Saturday morning some ten years ago, climbing onto the supporters coach (another long trek south) the bus passed North Durham Cricket Ground. Turning to a fellow supporter I commented: "That would make the perfect location for our club". It was rather a throwaway comment that can be attributed to any supporter who dreams of better for their club, but for it to become a reality (subject to planning permission) is nothing short of miraculous. Especially as it transpires the club have only had to pay £260,000 for the site subject to planning permission being granted, a great bit of business for such a prime location.

View Larger Map

Establishing that it's always been the ultimate location to take the club, as fans we really have to take our hats off to Graham Wood and Brian Waites in bringing us tantilisingly close to realising the dream. In this article we'll look at where the stadium build is currently, thanks to a fanstastic indepth article appeared in the Journal Business Section this week.

What was outlined in October?

• 9,000 capacity, with 2,000 seated main stand. The remaining 7,000 in terracing.
• Facilities include reception and club offices, dressing rooms, a medical room, press and spectator facilities.
• Executive suites, boxes and multi-functional space for matchday hospitality and lettable business space.
• The pitch will be 105 * 68 meters and will be to FIFA standard.
• On non-matchdays the stadium will be available for exhibitions and conferences, with 600 free parking spaces in the adjacent civic centre.
• Conversion to all seating would put the capacity at approximately 6,000.
• 5 minutes walking distance from Gateshead town centre and the main transport interchange (Metro and Bus).
• Envisaged completion date for the start of the 2011/2012 season.

What's New then?

The major difference you'll notice from the initial design is that the Main Stand has switched sides onto Prince Consort Road. After consultation from the public meeting, Gateshead are getting close to being able to submit a planning application (expected to happen in February, with the hope to secure planning permission in late spring and work starting on the site in June 2010), so the reworked design is likely close to what will be submitted.

The Evolution of the Stadium Design can be seen above from the initial rendering. Note how the main stand is now the East Stand.

The major thing you'll notice about the new stadium is the number of what appear to be executive boxes behind the main stand. The stand itself has four storeys, with three of those looking out on the pitch through windows. In fact only one of those storeys the windows are executive boxes/lounges (2nd storey), the two above are lettable office space. The club are currently working hard in discussions to secure long term tenants for this office space. With potential leases from 25 to 50 years, and possible income of half a million pounds a year. The primary care trust have been mentioned as one of these possible tenants.

So, the main stand (now on Prince Consort Road) will house all the main facilities rather than being stretched across the two side stands in the initial design. With this stand moving to the east side (lower than the west, due to Gateshead's sloping nature) an extra storey has been added to accomodate this change. Subsequently, the ground and first-floor will be for footballing and leisure activities (social club, community facilities and a club shop). The second and third floors, along with the free-standing buildings (in the corners attached to the two ends of the main stand) will house the lettable space.

Comparing to the Stadium of Light build cost, an estimation of £3.5 million can be made but that will increase depending upon the specification and a more realistic £6million is likely, with the club looking to make use of available grants to offset part of the cost. The stadium will utilise materials from sustainable resources where possible.

What's that on the roof of the main stand, is it grass? Well Gateshead Chairman Graham Wood has kindly said he'll provide the answers to our questions, so keep checking back for that Stadium Q&A article.

Tuesday 29th April 2008, by Tynesider

This week saw local journalist Neil Farrington talking about the general decline of the town in his Sunday Sun column. He went on to mention Gateshead Council being firmly behind the football clubs bid to move back to Redheugh Park:

The same goes for the Rocket tower block a couple of miles westwards along the Tyne, long since lying empty and forlorn. I’m not knocking Gateshead Council. Not when the International Stadium – although showing its age – remains an athletics’ Mecca. And when they seem firmly behind Gateshead FC’s plans to move back to their old Redheugh Park haunt, itself only a wind-assisted goal kick away from The Rocket. But what the North East, let alone Gateshead, needs is a far wider variety of sports and leisure facilities.

We're not knocking Neil Farrington, but at the time we thought the relevant to us portion had little basis in fact (most likely putting two and two together). Since then it has been confirmed by Chairman Graham Wood that the club will not be moving back to Redheugh Park.

So with the Redheugh Park location off the table, it hints at the club being close to acquiring their's and the majority of the fan's number one target location, close to the town centre.

Friday 11th April 2008, by Tynesider

Yesturdays Chronicle article carried an interview with Chairman Graham Wood highlighting a few more details of the proposed stadium. A positive article on the whole, mentioning the possibility of the club going full-time within the next couple of years. More specifically regarding the ground:

Wood has also confirmed changes to Gateshead’s planned new stadium, which should be up and running for the 2010-11 campaign.

Only the main stand, with a 2,400 capacity, will now be all-seater.

The other three sides of the ground will be terraced, when originally only behind the two goals had been planned as standing areas.

Wood added: “The stadium will still be covered on all four sides, but one main all-seater stand will be sufficient to start with and would also be an option in League Two.”

The initial capacity will be 6,000 with the potential to increase to 9,000, with Wood also confident of expanding the club’s board of directors.

The specifics:

• 6,000 capacity ground.
  Seated Main Stand with a 2,400 capacity (We're already nominating it the Graham Wood Stand).
  3 roofed terraces on the other three sides of the ground.

Exciting times to be had for all Gateshead fans. The stated attributes of the ground sound very similar to Burton Albions new Pirelli Stadium, which has a 6k capacity (2k seated main stand and the rest in three roofed terraces). With the possibility to expand to 9,000 it would set the club up nicely for the future if, no when we get to the Football League.

So what does this all mean? Without hard facts you can only draw your own conclusions. But hopefully it means the negotiations for the plot of land are getting closer to a positive outcome in favour of the club. Fingers crossed!

Wednesday 13th February 2008, by Tynesider

Having been quiet for a couple of months now, recent activity in the press and on the grapevine has seen the New Stadium back on the agenda, therefore hopefully raising the possibility of a location announcement in the none to distant future.

Today's Evening Chronicle briefly mentioned the New Stadium for the first time in months, quoting Chairman Graham Wood:

Gateshead have also made progress in their plans to build a new purpose-built 6,000 capacity stadium in the town having played at the council-owned International Stadium for over three decades.

“The new stadium is integral to our plans to take the club forward and if we could move in during 2010 it would be exactly 50 years since Gateshead were voted out of the Football League,” said Wood.

Sunday 9th December 2007, by Tynesider

A look back on our previous home, and contender to be our future location - Redheugh Park

Redheugh Park was built in 1930 for Gateshead A.F.C.s first season in the Football League. South Shields F.C. having endured financial trouble decided it was time to move to horizons new. The possibility of Newcastle was investigated, but the existence of Newcastle United helped to persuade the council against this idea. Gateshead Council was more welcoming, so a location search for a new ground was on.

Sites at Low Fell and Sheriff Hill were considered, but were deemed too far out of town. The chosen location was in the rundown Teams area of Gateshead, a worked out clay pit (known as Johnsons Clay Hole) edged by Ropery Road and Derwentwater Road. The site was prepared by filling the holes, tunnels and craters with lorries full of the town's refuse.

Redheugh Park. The greyhound track can be clearly made out. The main stand is at the back next to the Iron and Steel works.

The Stadium offered terracing all round. The Main Stand was a two-thirds pitch length seated stand (Purchased from a Greyhound Stadium in Carlisle) with covered standing extensions added on either side and paddock standing in-front. Opposite the Main Stand was a large covered terrace that ran the full length of the ground. The North end of the ground had a small covered terrace, whilst the opposite Ropery Road (South) End was a small uncovered terrace (That latterly included a large totaliser scoreboard introduced with the Greyhound racing).

Gateshead run out in their Claret 'n' Blue shirts for the first league game at Redheugh versus Doncaster Rovers.

Redheugh Park was officially opened by Mr. Sutcliffe, the Football League's then Vice-President on August 30th 1930 when Gateshead AFC played their first ever Football League game winning 2-1 against Doncaster Rovers in front of 15,545 spectators.

Gateshead Greyhound Stadium. Gateshead were one of the earliest clubs to have floodlights, these can be seen on the main stand roof in the background.

Greyhound racing at Redheugh Park commenced in 1937, which brought a boost to the Football Clubs financial status and subsequently eased the burden for the upkeep of the stadium. However the inclusion of the Greyhound track reduced the size of the playing area, the terracing at either end of the ground and subsequently the capacity.

September 25th 1937, 20,752 people (All time record attendance at Redheugh Park) watched a top of the table (Second Division) clash between 1st place Gateshead and 2nd place Lincoln City finish in a 1-1 draw. It was the 1950s that saw the height of Gateshead AFC including some famous cup runs. 1951/52 season Gateshead were drawn in the 4th round at home to West Bromwich Albion, the game was switched to Newcastle United's St James' Park which saw Gateshead's all time record attendance of 39,287 witness West Brom run out 2-0 winners.

Gateshead's greatest season came the following year (1952/53) as the club went on their greatest FA Cup run, making it all the way to the Quarter Finals. In the First Round Crewe Alexandra were conquered 2-0 at Redheugh. Gateshead won at Bradford Park Avenue by 2-1 in the Second Round.

Gateshead players in training for the Liverpool match. Skipping on the terraced corner between the main stand and the Ropery Road end.

Stretching exercises in-front of the main stand. The light poles above the greyhound track can be clearly seen in this photo.

15,193 spectators arrived at a foggy Redheugh Park for a Third Round tie to witness one of Gateshead's greatest ever victories, the mighty Liverpool FC were brushed a-side 1-0 by a goal from Inside-Forward Ian Winters. Gateshead travelled with over 4,000 supporters to Boothferry Park in the Forth Round as Hull City became the next victims. Johnny Ingham hit two goals for The Tynesiders to win the game 2-1. A long journey to Plymouth Argyle in the Fifth Round was the reward, the team stayed overnight in Devon and the next day put up a dogged defensive display which highlighted the worth of the Callender brothers and Goalkeeper Bob Gray as Ian Winters once again scored the only goal with a header from 10 yards out to set up the biggest game in Gateshead's history - The FA Cup Quarter Final at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Gateshead play Bolton in black 'n' white stripes. The packed terraces of the capacity crowd can be seen in the background.

Cup fever hit the Town like never before with thousands queuing as tickets went on sale at Gateshead Town Hall. One woman had to have her leg amputated because of injuries sustained in the stampede for tickets. 17,692 fans turned up for the game as Gateshead changed from their regular all white shirts to an unfamiliar Newcastle United style Black 'n' White striped top. The team played their hearts out and could possibly have won the game late on when Bolton defender Bell handled inside the penalty box (He later admitted the offence), the referee waved play-on Bolton broke away and England International Nat Lofthouse headed in past Bob Gray to break the home fans hearts.

The middle to late 1950s saw the club slowly decline, The ultimate body blow occurred in 1960 with the loss of Football League status. The 1960s saw Gateshead continually slide down the leagues, a further heavy blow was dealt with the cessation of greyhound racing at the stadium in 1966. This put both Redheugh Park and Gateshead AFC in serious financial troubles. Other sources of income were investigated, this included allowing showmen to have a small fair on the car park, allowing advertising to be placed on the wall facing Askew Road (Permission was refused) and even converting the refreshment bar into a transport cafe to catch passing trade. In 1967 Gateshead AFC made a vain attempt to fill the void the Greyhound racing had left with staging Speedway racing at the Stadium.

Early 1970s - The last days of Redheugh as Gateshead play a Midland League match. Holes can be made out in the main stand roof.

By the early 1970s Redheugh Park had become run down, this combined with a fire in the 1971/72 season saw Gateshead AFC move to the Gateshead Youth Stadium (Now known as The Gateshead International Stadium). However the new venue proved no easier on the finances of the club, bringing the liquidation of Gateshead AFC in late August 1973.

October 1971, Gateshead have moved to The International Stadium. A vandalised Redheugh is starting to look the worse for wear.

1972 saw Redheugh Park fair no better, a year after the Football Club moved out the ground was in a derelict condition. Weed infested with crumbling terraces and dilapidated stands it was demolished.

The late 1980s - Demolished Redheugh is a rubbish tip. The grass hump on the right is the old main stand.

Trees grow on the demolished Ropery Road end.

For nearly twenty years the outlines of Redheugh Park could be made out with the terraces appearing as grass humps on the land. The area was completely leveled for the 1990 Gateshead Garden Festival and used as a car park. A few years later saw football return to the area in the shape of the Pitz 5-a-side soccer centre which is still in place today.

Redheugh Park as it is now. A five-a-side soccer centre stands on the sacred ground. The footprint of the football ground can be made out by the white outline. At least football is still there and not housing.

Tuesday 30th October 2007, by Tynesider

On Monday 29th October 2007 Gateshead Chairman Graham Wood talked of his plans for the Football Club (including the New Stadium) to the local radio station NE1fm. He outlined how he'd like to take the club forward. The points of interest regarding the construction of a new stadium were:

• The club are hoping that Newcastle Reserves may possibly play there.
  The club has a clear view of the preffered location, with a fall back and third choice in place.
  Hoping to announce the location in the not too distant future. "So far as the location is concerned, I'm hoping that we should have some news on that within the next couple of weeks".
  Planning Consultants have been engaged to help with the planning application. Architects are at an advanced stage with the plans, which includes a variety of options for earning income between matches.
  The club will put the project out to tender soon.
  The stadium will likely start life with a 6,000 capacity. It will have the capability to be expanded.
  The cost of the stadium will depend on the chosen specification. £6 million will be the top spec.
  Funding for the stadium will come from a mixture of grants, sponsorship and equity capital.
  The club have been researching what the best adons to the stadium (e.g. Offices, hotel etc) would be that can generate funds in the location.
  The club are also looking to acquire other businesses that will be allied to the football club to fund it. Three or four organisations likely to be in the sports and leisure industry.

Thursday 23rd August 2007, by Tynesider

With progress on the New Stadium expected to take longer than originally hoped for, we've decided to put the Home of the Heed into hibernation for a few months. Don't worry, if any major announcements happen we'll be there to cover it, however in reality it's likely to be a quiet period for the next six months or so, whilst negotiations take place behind the scenes.

Graham Wood - Chairman's Report (Tynesider Matchday Magazine 22/08/2007)

Off the field, progress with our plans for a new stadium remains slow but, nonetheless, steady. There is still much preliminary work to be done before we can announce the location of our new home and begin construction.

The club's architects and planning consultants are working diligently through the process and it's appropriate to report that they're receiving excellent advice and assistance from Gateshead Council.

I had hoped that we would be moving out of the International Stadium at the end of the 2008/9 season, but it now looks as though it will still be our home for the next three seasons. However, I consider the delay is a small sacrifice for ensuring that the job is done right.

My plans to further strengthen the board of directors are in place but will not be implemented until the new stadium project is further advanced.

Some rough (Disclaimer: quite possibly dodgy) calculations, with the aim to move in at the start of the 2010/2011 have us guessing a timescale from similar stadium builds of:

• Formal planning application and processing. 3/4 of a year.
  Construction. 1.5 years.

So taking that into consideration we'd expect an announcement on the location to come towards the backend of this season, until then it's likely to be quiet...

...So we'll just enjoy what hopes to be a great season on the pitch!

Monday 13th August 2007, by Tynesider

This summer has been more about getting the right players in than concentrating on the new ground, however it was good to hear a little bit of news at the end of a recent article in the Sunday Sun. The downside is that we're gonna have to be patient (I'm not too good at that).

The Tynesiders hope to match success on the field with progress off it, and the club expects to be in a new purpose-built stadium within two years.

The plan is to move from the council-owned International Stadium into a 6000 capacity stadium covered on all sides.

“Progress is being made on the proposed new stadium,” said millionaire chairman Graham Wood. “Undertakings of this scale inevitably take longer than we would like but the new ground will become reality.

“A new stadium will be built in the town and this will give us the impetus to push on to reclaim Football League status which was unjustly taken from Gateshead back in 1960.”

Tuesday 26th June 2007, by Tynesider

The Evening Chronicle - Tuesday June 26th 2007.

Meanwhile, Gateshead Chairman Graham Wood has allayed fears regarding the club's prospective new stadium, with a preferred site having been identified.

Wood said: 'Major undertakings such as this often take longer than expected or hoped for, but it wouldn't be right to publish step-by-step reports on the preparatory work currently being conducted.

I can understand the fans' frustration at the lack of news but progress, albeit slowly, is being made and we look forward to announcing the venue and detailed plans for the new stadium'

Saturday 5th May 2007, by Heed Army

After visiting all three proposed site's to take photo's, i felt that each location has its own little charm. Maybe this charm is just masked excitement that a new home for the Heed could just be round the corner.

North Durham

The first site I visited being North Durham at the end of Princes Consort Road. Surrounded by trees, this site is rather picturesque for being in the town centre.

With there already being two full size football pitch on this location worries about size drift to the back of the mind, when viewed up close.

Although the proximity of the local house's are rather close, noise pollution shouldn't be a major issue with the site with only two sides of a potential ground being near residential areas.

Chandless Estate

At the second second site, behind the Chandless Estate there is a plot of land which also seems to be ideal for Gateshead's purposes of a small football stadium.

This site seems to have two chances to hold a football ground with the near by primary school due to be closed in the near future, therefore opening up more land in the location.

Road access seems to be no problem with the location being just at the end of Sunderland Road.

Redheugh Park

Last and not Least the third of the possible sites is Redheugh, on the site of the old Bridon's factory next the The Pitz 5 A-Side complex.

This is the biggest site by far and is set right next to the A1 Motorway, great for access.
With this site not being in the middle of residential area, little complaint could be had for redeveloping this area for a new football stadium.

In my round up after visiting all three sites I would have to say any of them would really suit the needs of Gateshead FC. Ideally a town centre location would be what most fans want, but Redheugh isn't to be sniffed at either.

I think every GFC fan agrees that a if the club is to grow and prosper, we need a new base with a club house and facilities more suited to football than compared to the International Stadium.

Although Gateshead Stadium has been a good home over the past 30 odd years, it's time for the Gateshead revolution to get rolling and hopefully that will start with a beautiful Ground purpose built for the HEED.

Friday 4th May 2007, by Tynesider

So where to build? The debate amongst the fans has been going on for years. Some wanting the history of Redheugh Park, some wanting to be close to the Town Centre and a select few even wanting to remain at The International Stadium.

Well from what we can gather it's likely to be between three locations. 1. Redheugh Park, 2. North Durham Field and 3. Behind the Chandless Estate.

From our point of view all three locations have advantages and disadvantages making none the clear favourite. That's not to say any are bad locations, all three would suit our purposes very well. Let's face it having only ever known The International Stadium, whilst it's been a home that's given us great memories and some not so great, you have to admit it has served us well. However for the club to have a future that can be built on, everyone recognised a move away was crucial, and thankfully Chairman Graham Wood has made it top priority.

We'll be looking at the three locations in further detail leading up to the reported announcement of the final location (Hopefully later in the month).

Friday 4th May 2007, by Tynesider

North Durham, a long time favourite of many fans. Located across the road from Gateshead Civic Centre, as a location you can't get much more central to the Town. Locating here would be challenging but could also be very rewarding for both the Football Club and helping to revitalising the Town Centre.

Advantages:

• Location. In the Town Centre, so plenty of pre/post match amenities.
  Transport. 5 Minutes walk from Gateshead Bus/Metro Interchange.
  Local potential fanbase. To the west and South of the location is large housing estates.
  Self promotion. On a main thoroughfare so the problem regarding the local populations awareness of the club would be greatly improved. Also good match day advertising position.
  Empty site. North Durham is currently playing fields, so building wouldn't include demolishing too much existing structures.
  Town Centre Boom. The Council are planing to redevelop the Town Centre and the possible income a successful football club could bring to the local traders.

Disadvantages:

• Property value. It is rumoured the current owner is holding onto the land hoping to have the covenant decreeing it to be only used for leisure activities removed. They are then hoping to sell the land for a large amount to a property developer.
  Plot size. A stadium the size of for example Chester City's Deva Stadium would fit on the plot. But future expansion of the end stands would be made difficult because of the Masonic Temple and Bowling Club on the North of the plot.
  Parking. The Civic Centre over the road would be a likely venue for parking, but any success along with clashes with Council working hours could cause minor problems.
  NIMBYs. Could be a problem with any of the Locations, however North Durham has large residential housing estates to the West and South.

It may appear to be ideal, but unfortunately the chances of it becoming a reality because of the first and last disadvantage points, probably put it at the bottom of the list of the three.

Our rating 4.5 out of 5

Friday 4th May 2007, by Tynesider

The Chandless Estate is located on the East of the Town Centre, the other side of Gateshead Highway. This location presents opportunities and challenges.

There are two assumed plots possible to build on:

• Lindisfarne School. The school is closing at the end of this school year.
• Lindisfarne Drive. An empty field across the road from the school.

Lindisfarne School

The school site by itself is not quite big enough to fit a stadium on, therefore the factory (shown in red) below the school would need to be acquired also.

Lindisfarne Drive

The Lindisfarne drive site stretches from the Flats to Sunderland Road including a demolished building and an existing bus depot. The Metro line runs underneath the land, and not too far under it as well, it tunnels not too far to the East.

Advantages:

• Location. The Chandless Estate would be in the Town Centre if it wasn't for the Gateshead Highway cutting it in two. This gives the location all the advantages that the future Town Centre can bring.
  Regeneration. The Councils regeneration draft plan includes the Chandless as part of the Town Centre (South West Quadrant). The draft plan states that they would like to re-open Sunderland road under the Gateshead Highway to connect the two. The area has also been designated for social buildings such as restaurants, pubs, leisure etc.
  Transport. With the Town Centre on the doorstep Gateshead Bus/Metro Interchange could be a ten minute walk in one direction, whilst Gateshead Stadium Metro would be a ten minute walk in the other direction.
  Self publicity. With the Gateshead Highway going right passed the location hundreds possibly thousands of commuters a day would see the Stadium being built, generating awareness.
  Other Space. Building on either Lindisfarne Drive or Lindisfarne School would free the other site up for possible development such as astro turf pitches allowing the club to generate a seperate revenue stream from the traditional football side of things.

Disadvantages:

• Existing buildings etc. Both sites have problems. To build on the school it would need to be first demolished, and the factory below would also need to be acquired and demolished. To build on the field (Lindisfarne Drive) the Bus depot would need to be acquired and demolished. Also as mentioned above the Metro tunnel runs under the field, so this could cause building restrictions due to weight limits allowed on the tunnel.
  Crime. The Chandless currently has a bad reputation for vandalism and worse. With the Council spending money on some of the housing there currently, it looks unlikely that the estate would be flattened, therefore solving that problem.
  Lack of space. Putting a Stadium on the school site would be a squeeze, and cause problems with possible future expansion if the housing stays.

The Chandless offers challenges but it's also a good opportunity. Being close to the Town Centre with the regeneration plans could work out fantastic in the future if they come to fruition.

Our rating 4 out of 5