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St James' Park

St. James' Park
SJP, Gallowgate
Aerial view of St James Park - geograph.org.uk - 472327 (cropped).jpg
Aerial view of St James' Park
Full name St James' Park
Location St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4ST
Coordinates 54°58′32″N 1°37′18″W / 54.97556°N 1.62167°W / 54.97556; -1.62167Coordinates: 54°58′32″N 1°37′18″W / 54.97556°N 1.62167°W / 54.97556; -1.62167
Public transit St James Metro station
Owner Newcastle United
Capacity 52,354
Field size 115 × 74.4 yards (105 × 68 metres)
Surface Grass
Construction
Opened 1892
Expanded 1998–2000
Architect TTH Architects, Gateshead UK
Tenants

St. James' Park is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Championship club Newcastle United F.C. and has a seating capacity of 52,405.

St James' Park has been the home ground of Newcastle United since 1892 and has been used for football since 1880. Throughout its history, the desire for expansion has caused conflict with local residents and the local council. This has led to proposals to move at least twice in the late 1960s, and a controversial 1995 proposed move to nearby Leazes Park. Reluctance to move has led to the distinctive lop-sided appearance of the present-day stadium's asymmetrical stands.

Besides club football, St. James' Park has also been used for international football: it was used as a football venue for the 2012 Olympics, and also as a rugby venue for the 2015 & 2016 Super League Magic Weekend and for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. In addition to professional football, the stadium has hosted charity football events and rock concerts, and been used as a set for film and reality television.

The site of St. James' Park was originally a patch of sloping grazing land, bordered by Georgian Leazes Terrace, and near the historic Town Moor, owned by the Freemen of the City, both factors that later affected development of the ground, with the local council being the landlord of the site. Leazes Terrace was built c1830 by notable Newcastle residents, architect Thomas Oliver and builder Richard Grainger. Once the residence of high society in Newcastle, it is now a Grade 1listed building, and, recently refurbished, is currently being used as self-catering postgraduate student accommodation by Newcastle University. The site was also near the gallows of the city, last used in 1844, lending the Gallowgate End its name.


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