Newcastle fans hail purchase of land key to St James' Park expansion

Newcastle’s buy-back of the land behind St James’ Park has delighted fans and is pivotal to expanding the capacity. CRAIG HOPE explains why Strawberry Place is so important… and what’s next on Tyneside

• Sportsmail revealed Strawberry Place is now back under the club ownership
• Newcastle are exploring whether they can increase St James’ Park’s capacity
• Strawberry Place is initially set to be developed by Newcastle into a fan zone

Newcastle United supporters have reacted with great excitement to news of the club buying back the land behind St James’ Park.

Sportsmail broke the story on Wednesday of Strawberry Place having been purchased by the club’s new owners, four years after former custodian Mike Ashley sold it to private developers.

The acquisition opens up the possibility of increasing the stadium’s 52,300 capacity in the future, with the area behind the Gallowgate End the only feasible avenue for such expansion.

For now, the site will be transformed into a fan zone with longer-term plans being explored to see if ground development is possible.

The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has been down to Strawberry Place to bring you this video explaining the significance of the key plot coming back under club ownership. 

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