An aerial view of St James’

HERE’S a view of a very different St James’ Park.

Around half a century on from this spectacular aerial shot, the 21st century home of Newcastle United has been totally transformed.

The photograph was one of four that recently came into the possession of Colin Whittle, a member of the fans’ group, NUFC Supporters’ Trust.

They were found when an old building was being renovated.

Colin said: “They are brilliant old photos. There was something magic about the ‘old ground’.”

Colin told us there is no information on the back of the hardcopy copyp photos otosot othere t thana astca stickere bearing the words ‘inter-imagining, 14 Blandford Square, Newcastle’.

Today that particular city address is home to a bespoke fireplace company.

Colin has been trying to work out the date of the photographs, which shows in great detail the long-gone Leazes End, Gallowgate and Popular Ends, and the West Stand.

There are one or two pictorial clues on this and the other images.

The old Wellbar House office block, behind the Gallowgate, was built in 1963.

And, in another picture, you can just make out Civic Centre, which opened in 1968.

As for the ground itself, the absence of the huge NEWCASTLE UNITED sign that was emblazoned across the West Stand is another majorajo c clue. ue. By our reckoning, that appeared in the summer before the start of the 1971-72 season.

So (we think) the aerial pictures were taken between 1968 and 1971 - unless you know different!