AN AUDACIOUS bid to move the Newcastle Jets to Cessnock's Baddeley Park has gained momentum despite getting a bucket of cold water from the football club and A-League officials.
Cessnock councillor Bob Pynsent said the Jets should make Cessnock sportsground their new home ground before EnergyAustralia Stadium's controversial playing surface caused more injury.
Cessnock Rugby League Club, which has exclusive rights to the ground, supports the move.
Cr Pynsent said the $6 million complex was widely accepted as the best in country NSW.
National Rugby League squads from Sydney and international teams regularly used the field, which also hosted a Jets trial game against Adelaide United in 2008.
About 6500 people can be accommodated at the ground which boasts a western grandstand and quality change rooms.
"Why don't they come to Cessnock and play in front of a full house rather than to a ghost stadium in Newcastle," Cr Pynsent said.
Cessnock City Council owns the stadium which the football club leases. It includes two canteens and gymnasium, dressing, umpire, rubbing and media rooms and mezzanine floor.
"Cessnock is very much a soccer town too," Cessnock Rugby League Club secretary David Cleaves said.
"We've got this $6 million purpose-built football ground. We've got to get value out of it."
He said FIFA officials had inspected the ground twice in the past month with a view to using it as a training ground or for minor games in the soccer World Cup.
But Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas said Cessnock was not a consideration at this time.
Despite obvious geographical issues with relocating Newcastle's soccer team to a Cessnock home ground, the A-League had a long list of requirements before a ground was even considered.
"We're a Newcastle team," Mr Tsatsimas said.
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