The Newcastle Jets have confirmed reports they are trying to secure David Beckham’s LA Galaxy side for an exhibition match at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The club confirmed on Tuesday morning that they are in negotiation with LA Galaxy and FFA to stage a match in Newcastle sometime in the near future.
Beckham drew a massive crowd of more than 80,000 when the Galaxy played a friendly against Sydney FC at Stadium Australia almost three years ago and the interest in the game in Newcastle would be expected to create a similar sort of frenzy.
The Jets media manager Andrew Licata stressed that it was important to confirm that no arrangement has been finalised but they continue to discuss this exciting opportunity in the best interests of the community.
The step to secure Beckham’s appearance is another positive step for the future of the club under the new ownership of mining magnate Nathan Tinkler, who took over then ailing club last month.
In the few short weeks Tinkler has been in control there have been some monumental changes made at the club designed to reconnect with the broader Newcastle football community.
The appointment of sports administration icons Ken Edwards and Richard Fisk has been well received and the pair announced last week a shirt sponsorship deal with the Hunter Medical Research Institute, where the Jets will pay the institute $5000 for every home goal the team scores and $2500 for every away goal the team scores.
In addition, the club has introduced a reduction in ticketing prices to make the Jets home games more accessible to the fans.
These include a general admission ticket for just $10, a family season pass that guarantees grandstand seats for two adults and two children for the just $100 for the remaining 11 home games, and the offer for children 15 years and under to claim a season pass for the rest of the season for free.
Fisk also announced the club will throw open the gates to the first 10,000 fans for the match against Melbourne Heart on Sunday, October 31.
To take up these offers fans must register on the Newcastle Jets’ website.
In other news the club also confirmed they were chasing a high profile overseas player for a guest stint at the club this season.
“Branko (Culina) has spoken to over a dozen agents and players of the past few weeks,” Edwards said last Friday.
“But it is proving very difficult to secure the type of player we are looking for at this point in the season, who is off-contract and fits our criteria but we will keep looking.”
