Newcastle United have implemented new safety measures at their training ground after a player was left shaken by a near miss involving a fan who stepped into the path of their car.
The Premier League club has long allowed supporters to wait outside Darsley Park to collect autographs and take photos with players.
However, that tradition has now been curtailed after what has been described as a “concerning incident” when a supporter came close to being struck by a player’s vehicle on the narrow access road leading to the facility.
The senior player involved was reportedly “alarmed” by how close the collision came to occurring, prompting the club to act swiftly.
According to The Daily Mail, fans have also been seen approaching players’ cars while they are stopped at nearby traffic lights, raising further safety concerns.
In response, Newcastle have issued a detailed statement urging supporters not to gather near the entrance to the training ground or along surrounding roads.
“To ensure the safety of all supporters, players, staff and members of the public, we are asking people to avoid gathering at our training centre entrance and surrounding roadways,” the club said.
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“The only entrance for players, staff, deliveries and construction vehicles to the current training centre site is a narrow, single public lane that is shared by vehicles and pedestrians.
“As the number of people gathering at the training centre increases, so too does the risk of serious injury with so many vehicles and people sharing a small space.”
The statement continued: “As crowds gather, people are stepping into the lane and creating a risk to their own safety and to road users.
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| REUTERS“Individuals also continue to pose a risk to themselves and others by entering busy roads to approach players’ vehicles while at traffic lights up to a kilometre away.”
The club stressed that the move was made purely for safety reasons and reassured supporters that their relationship with the players remains a priority.
Players and coaching staff have now been instructed not to stop their vehicles when entering or leaving the site under any circumstances.
“To support public safety, we have instructed players and coaches not to stop their vehicles upon entry or exit,” the statement added.
“We do not take this step lightly. We value the incredibly strong connection that exists between supporters and our players and coaches, but safety must come first.
“We trust our fans will support the club, players and staff by adhering to this request.
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“We will continue to organise opportunities for supporters to meet the players throughout the season, which will be communicated through newcastleunited.com and official channels.”
The changes mark a significant shift for Newcastle, whose players have traditionally interacted with fans outside the training ground.
The club’s management, however, believes that prioritising safety is the only responsible course of action following recent events.
The incident comes amid a positive run on the pitch. Newcastle recently defeated Tottenham Hotspur to secure their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and face West Ham on Sunday (2pm).