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Open Day Attracts 14,000 Fans
Written by Newcastle Utd
Newcastle United's annual family Open Day attracted 14,000 supporters to St. James' Park on Tuesday
Newcastle United's annual family Open Day has attracted 14,000 supporters to St. James' Park ahead of the start of the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League season this weekend.
Fans of all ages were invited to the free event from 9am on Tuesday and they arrived in huge numbers, filling the East Stand and lower Gallowgate End - as well as small parts of the Leazes and Milburn stands - for a special open training session inside the stadium.
Thousands of young supporters also took advantage of the event's largest ever Fanzone. Relocated to a pedestrianised Strawberry Place, it featured specialist football freestylers, a penalty speed cage, human table football pitch, zorbing area, fairground rides and a number of other attractions.
The first action inside the stadium began at 10am, when participants from a range of Newcastle United Foundation coaching courses and the Newcastle United Academy showcased their skills on the pitch.
Fans finally got an opportunity to see head coach Steve McClaren and his coaching team putting the players - including new signings Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrović and Chancel Mbemba - through their paces from 10.45am, with a number of players taking part in challenges against fans on the pitch from noon.
The Open Day was rounded off with a special first team signing session for 125 Junior Magpies members, before Fanzone gates finally closed at 2pm.
Lee Marshall, PR and supporter liaison manager at Newcastle United, said: "The annual Open Day has become an important part of our countdown to the new season and it's great for fans to see the players training so close to Sunday's game against Southampton.
"Our aim was to make this year's Open Day the biggest and best yet so we're delighted that so many supporters came along to St. James' Park to enjoy themselves.
"We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended and to all those behind the scenes - including many staff from the Newcastle United Foundation - for making it such a successful event."
Tickets for the Barclays Premier League fixture with Southampton at St. James' Park on Sunday (kick-off 1.30pm) are now on general sale here, priced at just £13 for juniors and £27 for adults.