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Newcastle – Old West Stand

Graham Salter

Friday, February 14th, 2014

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Of all the vertical things in my life
Saint James’ Park stands proud.
On the cover of an old programme
A magpie preened, enjoying a birds’ eye view
Of the soaring pylons at the Gallowgate end.
Along one side was a long barrel stand
With a curved gable, like a paddle-steamer
And windows in the gable, where a pressman peered down
Like a meditating dreamer
up in the stand
up on the hill
In Newcastle
upon the Tyne

Notes

Editor Note:
To see some wonderful images of the West Stand as it was click here:West Stand-Newcastle United

Officially opened in September 1905 (a 2-2 draw with Manchester City), the 4,600 seater stand itself replaced earlier less solid erections that had existed since 1897 – although the pitch was resited a few yards to the West, further away from Leazes Terrace.

Constructed by a Dunston based firm, the stand included a swimming pool, billiard room and gym plus a curved central section housing the press box. Standing terraces were positioned in front of the seating deck – of which the Centre Pavilion was the Victorian equivalent of the Platinum Club. (Info courtesy NUFC)

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/newcastle-old-west-stand/