Red Bull will bring football-style fever to Newcastle: Steve Diamond

Steve Diamond believes Red Bull’s takeover of Newcastle will give one of rugby’s forgotten outposts a major shot in the arm.

Diamond says that he has seen with his own eyes how Newcastle United excites the sports-mad city whenever they play at home, and believes that a successful Newcastle Red Bulls can do the same, but on a smaller scale.

And the Mancunian points out that, unlike in his home city, where football divides, they don’t have the same problem in Newcastle, which is something they can tap into.

While Newcastle have confirmed Kingston Park as their home ground, it will be interesting to see if the club take any games to Newcastle’s St James’ Park, as they have done in the past.

It would be in keeping with the trend in the PREM rugby, to showcase the league to a wider audience by staging selected games at bigger venues.

Newcastle beat Northampton 25-22 at St James’ Park in front of a crowd of 30,000 in 2018 and won 22-17 against Sale Sharks the following year, with just over 27,000 in attendance.

“We see the excitement when Newcastle United play at home. I’m not suggesting for a minute that we can replicate that, but a successful Newcastle Red Bulls will generate a huge amount of support in this region,” he said.

“It’s a sporting area very similar to Manchester, where I come from. The difference here is there is one football team, and Manchester is split in half. There is always conflict, whereas in Newcastle, there is no conflict.

“If we can show some positive steps forward, and I’m not suggesting we can win the league, certainly in years one and two. But what I am saying is that we are a very good community club, and we care about the supporter base.

“Friday night rugby is fantastic. I’m not suggesting motorcycles will be coming off the roof in the first game, but moving forward, it will be an entertainment package which is exciting for Newcastle and rugby.

Diamond says that Red Bull’s investment in Newcastle will not only future-proof the sport in the region but also has awoken a sleeping giant hungry for success.

“I came here 18 months ago in a stressful situation and calmed the nerves of people, and even though we only won two league games last year, for us to beat Saracens with their squad and what we had showed character and belief.

“I think for all involved in rugby, it future proofs the professional game in the North-East and I’m anxious not to say not just the North-East because we are right across Northumberland, Durham, Tyneside and into Cumbria.

“So we are at the top of the country, and that has got to be good. We are not going to be a sleeping giant anymore. It’s been awoken,” he added.