....in Spain. Saw this on icDP by way of the Geordie Beano. All well and good if it happens, but isn't it possibly a slight better idea to first build facilities just a tad closer to SJP? Just an idea, like.

Douglas Hall is set to be given land on which to build Newcastle United a sunshine training base in return for bailing out struggling Spanish club Real Balompedica Linense.

Hall Jr is now negotiating directly with the mayor of La Linea - the home city of Segunda B side Linense - as he aims to secure a site for a training camp for the Magpies.

The Newcastle vice-chairman met with mayor Juan Carlos Juarez on Thursday to discuss the property deal and his plan to take over the running of Linense.

And although Juarez would not confirm the outcome of their talks, he said: "As well as his interest in La Balona (Linense's nickname), Mr Hall is also planning to invest in the city of La Linea.

"Talks are at a very advanced stage and I hope to make the details of our meetings public soon."

Linense are deep in debt and risked losing their best players until Hall mounted his rescue bid, which he hopes will involve player exchange deals with United.

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

Answers

That'll come in handy for all those European games next season. :-)

-- Anonymous, February 03, 2002

From whence cometh the cash ?

I thought he'd already hocked us up to the eyeballs bailing himself out.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

We need training facilities here not in Spain you t*$$er! (© Clarky)

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

funny how he can "afford" this but not fulfil his obligations and promises to Gateshead.... ne pas?

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Big picture time kids !

If we are going to be playing Spanish sides in Europe it'd be good to have a base to learn and train at. It'd be great, in the middle of the bleak mid-winter, to be able to send the kids out to Spain for a fortnight to OUR facilities.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

No comment! :o{I

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

La Linea is a bit of a tip. (Record unemployment, illegal immigrants, drugs running, ....) It's right on the border with Gibraltar (obviously handy for Surgeon) but not the sort of place you'd imagine building a big training facility unless you want it constantly being burgled. And not the kind of place for a night out with Freddie, Douglas, Dyer, Bellamy, .

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

They just saw Dougie coming, eh?

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002