Gateshead planning new 9,000-capacity stadium

Oct 29 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

GATESHEAD have unveiled plans for a new stadium which they hope can help push them into the Football League.

The Conference side aim to move into a fully-covered 9,000 capacity ground (pictured lright) in time for the 2011-12 season. If they do, it will be the first they have owned.

The stadium would be built on a derelict site opposite Gateshead Civic Centre which previously housed North Durham Cricket and Rugby Club. It will have a 2,000-seater main stand with the other three sides standing, but convertible to seating, reducing the capacity by a third. There will also be executive suites and boxes, and areas for matchday hospitality and lettable business space.

The new ground would form part of Newcastle/Gateshead’s 2018/2022 World Cup bid as a training base.