NEWCASTLE UNITED chairman Freddy Shepherd has declared that he wants to bring the FA Cup to St James Park  claiming that the credibility of the competition will be undermined if it is played in Wales. The Football Association have stated that the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will host the FA Cup in 2001, due to the rebuilding of Wembley, but Shepherd believes that his club's 51,000 seater stadium should be awarded the rights.

Shepherd, who also wants The Magpies spiritual home to host World Cup qualifiers, said: "We will be asking the FA to consider St James as a venue for the World Cup qualifiers, after Wembley closes for the rebuilding, and for future FA Cup finals.

"It doesnt make sense that England has so many world-class grounds, yet the FA want to take the Cup Final to Wales.

"When England were bidding for the 2006 World Cup, we rightly claimed to have 10 or 12 top-class grounds, yet next May the FA will see the FA Cup final played in a different country."

The FA have chosen Wales as a neutral venue, but Shepherd does not see this as a problem, saying: "All the FA have to do is name three top grounds - ours, Old Trafford, and Sunderlands Stadium of Light for example  before the competition starts. Then as soon as one club is knocked out they can confirm the venue.

"Im sure the vast majority of fans would prefer the final to stay in England," Shepherd added.

Well if we got to the final at least we would be at home!

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2000

Answers

Shepherd's obviously banking on us getting knocked out...:-P

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2000

No he is just talking crap again.

Besides aren't we supposed to be concentrating on the league this season?

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2000