THE Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall told members of the teams' Irish Supporters Club in Dublin last night that he hoped to formalise links with Bohemians initiated last year when Jim Crawford moved from Dalymount Park to Tyneside.

Newcastle will visit Dublin for a friendly match against Turlough O'Connor's side in August, but Hall said that he wanted his club "to link up with Bohemians, we can support them and build on our association with them".

The multi millionaire chairman who revived the then bankrupt Newcastle United when he took control of the club, had earlier told those attending the Dublin function that he felt Bohemians could act as a feeder club for his side.

The move follows the establishment of similar links between Everton and Home Farm, while negotiations between Cork City and Manchester City are said to have taken place in recent weeks.

Hall also said that Newcastle would almost certainly be leaving their present home, St James Park, in the near future.