| Written by S.D., on 12-02-2002 01:00 | ||
|
||
|
(0 vote)
In a surprise twist to the ongoing Wembleygate saga, Howdon has emerged as the most likely site for a new National stadium.
A 30 acre greenfield site by the gasworks has been earmarked for the development, with the existing Metro link being combined with an 8,000-capacity multi-story car park to ensure access is easy for everyone, as long as they don't live south of Leeds.
The bid, submitted by North Shields District Council, has several key advantages over other proposed sites. Firstly, labour costs will be minimal with thousands of sacked Swan Hunter workers directed to work for nothing or face having their benefits stopped. Secondly, Sir John Hall has offered to supply all the building materials "on the cheap, like." Finally, several members of the Cabinet, including Steve Byers, Alan Milburn and (it is rumoured) Tony Blair, are said to favour a site in the North East.
The deal has yet to be finalised, although a senior Council official has been spotted buying a brand new Mercedes with used notes. Strong objections are thought to be forthcoming from Southerners, although it has to be pointed out they don't have any real football teams down there in any case.
Local residents are said to be "thrilled" by the prospect, although very few of them will ever have enough money to even think about buying an actual match ticket. It seems most are just as excited about the multi-story car park as about the stadium, although a spokesman for Northumbria Police told us car crime in the area was down by 100% since all the cars were nicked.
Possible ground-sharing deals have been mooted with Newcastle United, Sunderland, AFC Gateshead and Wimbledon, but it seems the most likely tenants (other than England) will be Inter Howdon, a team in the North Eastern Comedy Alliance.
S.D.
| Published in : Sport, Newcastle | |||||
|
Users' Comments (0) 
|