Blue Square Premier club Gateshead has unveiled the site and impressive plans for their eagerly awaited new stadium development in the centre of town.
To build on its goal to take the Club back into the Football League Gateshead FC will build a new state-of-the-art stadium on a derelict site opposite Gateshead Civic Centre.
The Prince Consort Road stadium will have a capacity of around 9,000, with a 2,000 seater main stand, and all four sides of the ground will be covered.
The proposed stadium is planned to a high specification which will enhance the surrounding area and easily satisfy the criteria required for Football League status.
On non-match days the stadium will be available for exhibitions and conferences, and there will be free parking for 600 cars at the adjacent Civic Centre.
The standing areas on three sides of the stadium will be capable of conversion to seating, in which event the capacity would be reduced to 6,000.
The unveiling of a new stadium follows the recent announcement that Gateshead will switch to full-time status from next season.
Chairman Graham Wood, the driving force behind the exciting developments at his hometown club, is confident Gateshead FC can rekindle former glories.
"Negotiations to purchase this prime site - our first choice for the new stadium - were protracted and took two years to come to fruition," said Wood.
"We have achieved an awful lot over the last few years and the construction of our own stadium in a central location is pivotal to our aspirations," said Wood.
"It is ideally placed for the transport network. It will also be within walking distance for many supporters and will enable us to increase our fan base.
"Having our own stadium will also enable us to further develop our income streams and allow us to continue to drive the club forward.
"These are exciting times for Gateshead Football Club. The new stadium will be a great addition to the town and give the club a real identity amongst the community."
If everything goes to plan the club are hoping to move into their new Prince Conort Road stadium for the start of the 2011/12 campaign.
• Gateshead FC initially played at the now demolished Redheugh Park in the west of the town from 1930-1971, which included a 30 year stay in the Football League.
• The Tynesiders then moved to to another council-owned stadium in the east of Gateshead, the Youth Stadium, now the 11,800 all-seater International Stadium.
• The new stadium on Prince Consort Road will be the first to be owned by the club.
