Keith Downie has slammed Newcastle United’s current Benton training ground despite summer improvements.
Over the summer, PIF instructed work to start on Newcastle’s very much outdated training ground which has seen small details be upgraded and improved at the current base, including a £1 million hydrotherapy pool, according to George Caulkin (38:50).
However, it is still very much not up to the standard of other clubs, which was even pointed out by Amanda Staveley a year ago just after PIF’s takeover of the club had been confirmed and Downie has now reiterated that point.
Downie has claimed on The Magpie Channel YouTube channel that Newcastle’s training ground is now not fit for purpose.
(7:40) “I mean the improvements to the training ground are ongoing and that will go on for some time. I mean listen, that place isn’t fit for purpose Amanda Staveley said that herself and I think it’s an issue for them, I really think it’s an issue for them in sort of bringing players in as well.
“They need to upgrade it to ensure that these top-class players that they bring in, world-class players, are going to be happy about being based there moving forward.”
Do Newcastle need a new training ground?
Yes!
No!
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s training ground…
It’s no secret that Newcastle’s training ground is outdated and certainly not a selling point when it comes to singing new players, all it takes is a look around it via YouTube, to see how poor and old it looks inside.
Chris Waugh has recently claimed on Pod on the Tyne that PIF are indeed still looking for a location to build a brand new purpose-built training ground for Newcastle, although at the minute, they will have to keep doing improvements on the current one to appease players and Eddie Howe.
PIF will likely be looking over to their Middle East rival owners in Manchester City, to see how top-class their training ground and facilities are and wish to emulate something very similar to that as it will help Howe and the players grow closer together and also, allow younger players and the Women’s team to share the same world-class facilities.