Kevin Keegan spells out St James' Park reality in bold Newcastle United message

Kevin Keegan feels that it will be the Newcastle United fanbase that ultimately decides what happens next with the St James' Park stadium project.

With the two options of staying or going, revamping or relocating, set to be put in front of supporters ahead of the next Fan Advisory Board meeting the general public are also set to see the proposals on the table in due course. It is then expected that supporters and club chiefs will go away and digest the information.

Keegan was boss when St James' Park was transformed from crumbling terraces to a 36,000 all-seater ground and then returned as head coach in 2008 by the time it had grown to over 52,000. But as Newcastle try to keep pace with the big guns in the Premier League, the time has come for an increased capacity.

With a potential 60,000 extension on the current site set to be discussed or a move to a 70,000 seater venue on the outskirts of the city an option, many fans are torn between losing their spiritual home or seeing the chances of getting season tickets increased or not.

Keegan, speaking at Gosforth Park hotel at a fund raiser for NSPCC, told a packed house: "If I am being really honest, I get the connection with where you are now at St James' Park. I had the same situation when I was at Man City all those years ago with Maine Road which had been allowed to decline.

"It was run down, and when we talked about moving to the Commonwealth Games Stadium, which is now the Etihad, there were loads of fans saying: 'If we leave Maine Road, I'm never going to watch this team again'.

"They'd come with their father, and all their memories were at that ground, and I think that is the big thing here at Newcastle. I know there are listed buildings (East Stand), but if you could just put another side on it and get that 10,000 or 15,000 in it, whatever that would give, I think where it is, it's fine. But it's not going to happen because you have those listed buildings."

However, before those plans even emerge Keegan feels that ultimately it will be the people of the city who will decide what is best for their club. Keegan's words come just before stadium project supremo Brad Miller prepares for an announcement that could change history.

Keegan added: "You as a group of fans, not the club, will one day have to decide whether you want to go into that next big league. When I say big league I am talking about the attendance level. Or whether you want to stay in a ground where you love and your memories are there. If you could get an extra 10,000 in, that is a lot of people over 20-odd games, so yeah, it is a tough one for you."

Keegan's comments echo those made by chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone at a Financial Times event last week. Silverstone was talking about the stadium decision and insisted the fans would play a huge role in deciding the outcome.

“We’re at that point where we’re deciding ‘Is it best to renovate and re-invigorate St James’ Park’ – which is renowned as one of the most atmospheric stadiums in the country – or build a new stadium as these projects have shown and other clubs in the Premier League have done," he said. “That is a decision which will be made relatively soon.

"What’s clear is we need to satisfy that demand. Every week we have a very intense fanbase which is determined to come and watch Newcastle but can’t. So you start with the fans and how we can service most of them and then look into what’s the best option from that.”

Keegan's flying visit to the North East came after the Magpies' 2-1 FA Cup exit to Brighton on a day in which the atmosphere was questioned. When asked his own personal favourite atmosphere he revealed that it had to be the day that left Sir Alex Ferguson close to speechless when the Magpies stuffed Manchester United 5-0.

The former Newcastle boss said: "The 5-0 over Man United. I did enjoy that one. Fergie's face when he walked off. I have a picture of it, he didn't want to shake my hand that day. I honestly think the game where we battered them and lost 1-0 that we played better that day, and got beat."