Just got back from SJP after sorting out my 2nd season ticket!

This was a commitment given with the purchase of the Trophy Trail Bond, albeit intended to be the preferential choice of a 2nd seat in a NEW stadium. I had a fear the Club may use the 'small print' again to get off the hook on this one, but they didn't.

I was invited to go along to the Information Centre to choose the seat - I actually passed Bobby Robson on the way in - he seemed very chirpy, despite last night's result. It was all very well organised, and the lady who dealt with me was courteous and extremely helpful - well done NUFC.

They have big boards with seat details of each stand, and artists impressions showing various views of the revamped stadium - which I have to say looks very impressive.

I was rather surprised by how many of the new seats have already been allocated - maybe as many as 33%. Naturally, all the best seats have gone. The new top level of the Milburn Stand is about 50% taken, including all the way back to the very top in the centre section. However, the top section of the Leazes/SJH Stand is still largely unallocated, other than the very front rows. While I'm still a little dazed by the positive assistance rendered, they actually found me an unallocated seat in the existing East Stand, in the same row as my existing seat, about 30 seats away. Given that my wife and 3 kids will variously utilise this seat, this is extremely convenient for us.

The closing date for the TTB holders to choose their extra seats is April 28. So, I should imagine the waiting List people will start hearing something shortly - good luck to you all.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2000

Answers

Thanks for the info Clarky. Kind of resigned to being at the back of the Leazes extension already, but nice to have it confirmed. I imagine the corner above the Sky box would be pretty good for atmosphere.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2000

The official site now has details for next season's prices and a grpahic of the layout. Looks like away fans are stuck in the top Leazes/Milburn corner... will there be a safety net?

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Anyone else apart from me, really looking forward to hearing what 52,000 sound like as opposed to 37,000?

Shame we can't fit 80-90,000 in :))

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

50,000 make an awesome noise. I think we're all going to be shocked at it.

The reasons will be 3-fold .... the roof wil be back on, there will be 40% mroe people to make noise, and there will be away fans right under the roof.

I'm going to try and go for the family enclosure section, my only nervousness is what happens when we grow up and want to get a real seat again.

AND, doesn't look like there is anywhere set aside for pay on the day, or non-season ticket.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Having had another look at the picture, where is it that season ticket holders (and the SOS lot) have had to move ?

The new family enclosure bit looks to have encroached at the back of the existing SJH stand, but it isn't obvious if anything else has changed

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000

Mac, the huge white section of the middle tier of the Milburn (the non Platinum Club bit) and the back of the Leazes have been moved to seats on top of the Milburn and into the East Stand where the corporate boxes are being pulled out for an extra 800 seats. Unless thay can pay the extra for the white section or move to family seats in the Leazes.

That's an awfully big area to risk cutting the atmosphere down in. I know for a fact that the view from the new family enclosure is a bit ropey and it takes yonks to get out again (I sit there now) so look for bored kids and a constant stream of parents leaving early with kids.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2000