I was looking at the official site to see if the match highlights are available yet and I saw this:

UNITED GET GREEN LIGHT ON ACADEMY TRAINING FACILITIES Newcastle City Council have approved the second part of the plans submitted by Newcastle United for their new training facilities at Little Benton and the near 100 acre site, comprising land at Darsley Park and Little Benton, will now encompass both first team and youth academy players. The news delighted United Chairman Freddy Shepherd who said: "It was crucial that the facilities at our senior training ground and academy site matched those we have at St. James' Park and now we can say that they will. It's what we have been waiting for and we can now show people more than just simple plans. I am confident that the people of Newcastle and North Tyneside will be very pleased with the facility. "I never dreamed it would be possible to unite our junior and senior squads on the same site, only three miles from St. James' Park. After several years of moving the two teams around the region, we are now delighted to be coming home. "With regard to the Academy, it is terrific news for the Club. We are making a significant investment into the facility and it will be extremely beneficial for us to have everything under one roof - certainly that is what every manager would want. "We have a lot of local talent coming through, witness the likes of Shola Ameobi, Michael Chopra, Richard Offiong and Steven Taylor to name but a few, and I am sure there will be plenty more to follow in the coming months and years." The plans include five full size grass pitches, one full size artificial pitch and, at Darsley Park, a 4,000 square metre indoor training facility. Newcastle United will also provide football and cricket facilities for community use on a separate part of the site. In addition there will be a wetland area and new woodland around the boundaries of the site.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

Answers

And about time too!

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

And if anyone is interested, the goals by Robert and Lua Lua are available at www.spysports.co.uk

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

Brilliant news. BTW 4000m2 is about 63m long and 63m wide, so not massive but hopefully packed full of the latest gadgets and gizmos on the fitness and technical tip.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

The goals are also available at gusvision.idiot last orders close Wed night UK time!!

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

The new training centre for Troyes is right next to the university where I work. They have two artificial pitches that are great to play on! They built the pitches before putting a fence up so a few of us from work used to have a kick around after work. It's not too far off real grass, and nothing like the old plastic pitches.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

Go on, put me down for one Gus. Or do I have to use the other thread?

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

At long last - just fantastic news.

I'm really pleased that all the Club's players will be using basically the same facilities as I feel it is important for the youngsters to regularly see and be able to talk to the big stars that they will undoubtedly look up to and admire.

"..... it's just another brick in the wall".

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

We stage the fightback of our season against Derby, Bellers gets young player of the year, Shearer says his broken nose is "only a scratch" Dyer claims he is in fact YBR's lovechild and wants to sign an extended contract and now the Academy gets the green light....something very bad is going to happen imminently. Any ideas? Gav?

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

I. obviously, welcome this development.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

...though my lawyers are looking into the use of the term "Little Benton".

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002