Football won't return at St James' Park for another two months but Newcastle United supporters, and music lovers, piled into the stadium on Friday night for the first of two highly-anticipated Sam Fender gigs. The local musician wowed a packed crowd with his greatest hits on the opening night as he achieved a lifelong dream to play at the 52,000-seater.
Despite a ball not being kicked, it had the feel of a football match. Wor Flags were out in force as ever and the show opened with Magpies classic 'Local Hero'. Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley and club legend Alan Shearer took their place in the stands together too.
Wor Flags gave fans a glimpse of what is to come next season, not only for their incredible matchday displays, but also by sharing a look behind the scenes at the new safe-standing area in the Gallowgate corner. Approximately 1,800 Newcastle supporters will be allowed to safely stand in the section of the stadium once work is completed between the Gallowgate End and East Stand.
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For the first time since 1995 fans will be able to stand at St James' Park, with a similar provision already installed for visiting supporters on Level 7 of the Leazes End. 75 per cent of 4,000 fans surveyed were in favour of licensed standing being introduced at Newcastle.
By the time football does indeed return to the north east later this summer, excitement will be at fever pitch as those historic Champions League nights edge ever closer. Any Newcastle fans in the crowd on Friday evening were given a small taste of what it will be like the first time the Magpies play in Europe next term as Fender surprisingly walked on stage to the famous Champions League anthem.
The Newcastle-supporting concertgoers enjoyed the spontaneous walk-on music but will have to wait until September to hear it on Tyneside for real. The group stage draw takes place on Thursday, August 31 and the first matches will be played on Tuesday, September 19 and Wednesday, August 20.
More significant changes may be completed at St James' Park by then, with the club currently working on a corporate section in the Leazes End and behind the scenes touches on the concourses. CEO Darren Eales also confirmed this week that work will soon begin on designing a new matchday fan zone for supporters.
