NEWCASTLE Falcons insist it is business as usual despite yesterday’s confirmation that Northumbria University have purchased the club’s Kingston Park ground from Northern Rock.

Northumbria have purchased a 23-acre site that includes the rugby stadium, land around the stadium and the car park, and have also announced ambitious plans to work with the Falcons to develop the UK’s first rugbybased Centre of Sporting Excellence at Kingston Park.

The transfer of Kingston Park from Northern Rock to Northumbria University has been mooted for quite a while, and led to suggestions that the Falcons could have been forced to leave Newcastle to secure their long-term future.

Dave Thompson dispelled those fears when he recommitted himself to the Falcons last week, and with yesterday’s announcement finally removing the ongoing uncertainty over Kingston Park’s future, the Newcastle chairman feels a partnership with Northumbria University is the best way for the cashstrapped club to move forward.

The Falcons’ existing lease of the facilities is unaffected by yesterday’s acquisition, and the club will continue to have full use of all facilities at the ground.

Thompson said: “Working together we can have a long and lasting impact on the North-East, putting the region firmly on the map as an area of excellence for rugby and helping to attract the best in the world, as well as nurturing our own rugby talent and developing the stars of tomorrow.”

Three Northumbria graduates represented England in the last World Cup – Martin Corry, Jamie Noon and Toby Flood – and the university hopes the new Centre of Sporting Excellence will offer first-class facilities for up-andcoming rugby stars to work more closely with rugby’s elite, as well as providing the Falcons with emerging young talent.

Northumbria University’s vice-chancellor and chief executive, Professor Andrew Wathey, said: “The university has enjoyed strong links with Newcastle Falcons for a number of years, bringing benefits to the sport of rugby and to both organisations.

“In 2002, we worked with the Falcons on the planning application to develop Kingston Park and the university’s sports ground at Bullocksteads, adjacent to Kingston Park, and it has always been our intention to develop a Centre of Sporting Excellence around rugby in partnership with the club.

“In addition to developing the Centre of Sporting Excellence at Kingston Park, we hope to host Team Northumbria and university games at the stadium in the future, providing first-rate playing experience and facilities for the young rugby stars of the future.”

In a related development, Darlington businessman John Parkinson has returned to the Falcons as a non-executive director, with an emphasis on managing the relationship between the club and Northumbria University.