Leazes End

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Lore & Background

The Leazes End was originally a terraced area. In 1978, the stand was demolished with plans to rebuild, but relegation and financial difficulties meant the new stand was not built for another 15 years. It was finally rebuilt and opened as the Sir John Hall stand in 1993, for Newcastle United's debut season in the Premiership. This was part of a rapid expansion under chairman Sir John Hall, who used his experience in property development to gain approval and invest heavily in the stadium. The 1993 expansion included modifying the Milburn Stand and installing a new pitch, drainage, and floodlights; the Gallowgate End was rebuilt later, completed in 1994. The final corner (Leazes End/Milburn corner) was filled in with seating in 2000, at which point the stadium reached a capacity of approximately 52,000. The Leazes End's development was a key part of transforming St. James' Park into a modern all-seater stadium.

In Their Own Story

For fifteen years, the Leazes End was a hole in the ground, a scar where a stand once stood. Demolished in 1978, it remained empty through relegation and financial hardship. Then, in 1993, as Newcastle United entered the new Premiership, the stand finally rose again, christened the Sir John Hall stand. It was a symbol of the club's revival under a new chairman and a new manager, a concrete promise of a brighter future.

Reader's Guide

The Leazes End is the stand at the northern end of St. James' Park, adjacent to Leazes Park. It was rebuilt and opened in 1993 as the Sir John Hall stand. This was part of a major redevelopment that also saw the Gallowgate End rebuilt and the Milburn Stand modified. The expansion of the Leazes End, along with filling in the corners, increased the stadium's capacity to 36,610 by 1995. The stand is an all-seater, a result of the post-1990s safety regulations. Its construction was a key moment in the club's history, ending a long period of stagnation and providing the capacity needed for the club's return to the top flight.

Did You Know?

• The Leazes End was demolished in 1978 but was not rebuilt until 1993 due to relegation and financial difficulties.
• The rebuilt Leazes End was opened as the Sir John Hall stand for Newcastle United's debut season in the Premiership in 1993.
• The expansion of the Leazes End has further reduced the view of Leazes Park from Leazes Terrace.
• The Leazes End is named for the adjacent Leazes Park, which was historically part of the Town Moor.