The former home of Blue Star, the Wheatsheaf Ground next to Newcastle Airport, will be significantly upgraded and become the Falcons’ new training base, while Thompson has also revealed that he is in advanced negotiations for the Wheatsheaf to become the permanent home of Gosforth Rugby Football Club and the Northumberland Rugby Union.

“Today’s announcement comes after a huge amount of planning, and represents a significant day for north-east sport,” said Thompson.

“My vision for Newcastle Blue Star FC is for it to be a community club for the people of Newcastle, and for the facility at the Wheatsheaf to become a focal point for grass roots sport in the region.

“Local people have often found themselves priced out of football in this area, but Blue Star will keep its community base with free entry for children on match days and affordable ticket prices while maintaining a burning desire to progress up the national ladder. We want local people to make it their club, and that is at the heart of everything we are doing.”

Founded 77 years ago as a social Sunday team, Newcastle Blue Star has won every competition going in the north-east non-league system, as well as the national FA Vase. Since November 2004 Director of Football, Bob Morton, has guided the club from Arngrove Northern League Two as champions to League One, where they won the league and cup double.

Blue Star will now play in Unibond North for the first time in the club’s history, with the next step up being Unibond Premier, Conference North, National Conference and then league football.

“Blue Star are extremely ambitious, and it is only right that the city of Newcastle has a team to support at this level,” said Thompson.

“The response so far from the region has been fantastic. We have agreed a five-figure shirt deal with local recruitment company M-Trek, as well as a playing and training kit deal with Nike.

“While that side of the Football Club remains vitally important, the community aspect can’t be emphasised enough, and the new synthetic pitch at the Wheatsheaf Ground will be opened up to local youngsters, women’s teams and disabled groups during the day and to five-a-side leagues on the evenings.”

As well as boosting local football the partnership between Thompson and Blue Star will also have a significant effect on the rugby scene.

In addition to the Falcons utilising the facilities for training and academy games, local amateur club Gosforth could resume their links with the Falcons on the IRB-approved synthetic surface, as well as the Northumberland Rugby Union.

“It’s for the good of everyone that we make this work for the local community, and the rugby plays a significant part in that.

“The benefits of an all-weather surface to the Falcons are obvious, especially during the winter when Kingston Park is frozen over or waterlogged, but getting Gosforth and the Northumberland Rugby Union on board really signals our intent to make the most out of what will be a fantastic facility.”