Newcastle Falcons open to Kingston Park stay - Paul Varley

Executive director Paul Varley has said Newcastle Falcons would welcome the opportunity to stay at Kingston Park if it suits the club's long-term future.

The club sold their Kingston Park home to the Northern Rock bank in August 2007 and Northumbria University in turn purchased it in December 2008.

"We've got to make sure we deliver a sustainable future wherever that may be," Varley told BBC Look North.

"But we're a north east club and called Newcastle Falcons for a reason."

Varley continued: "We've been very happy at Kingston Park and, if there was an opportunity to stay here, then we'd welcome that.

"We'll work through that in due time and due pace and, as and when we've got something to announce, then we'll announce it."

Despite rumours of a switch to Darlington and the prospect of leaving Kingston Park, the Falcons have more immediate concerns such as returning to the top flight after relegation from the Premiership in 2011-12.

Dean Richards' appointment as head coach has had an instant impact on the field, with seven wins from seven in all competitions leading the Falcons to the top of the Championship.

"We're hoping always to raise the profile of the Newcastle Falcons," Varley added.

"First and foremost it's important that we say attendances for the Championship game are up 20-30% on last year, so Dean is doing something right.

"Of course our aspirations are to get back into the Premiership and it's a case of so far so good in that case.

"It's about sustainability. We want to be in the top four of the Premiership and in the Heineken Cup on a regular basis."