Lost Newcastle United gates set to make triumphant return to St James Park after being unearthed in ex-club owner's garden Gates were removed during St James' Park stadium renovation 14 years ago Former club owner Sir John Hall stored gates on farmland Iconic entrance lay buried beneath nettles on farmland until their rediscovery Famous gates to be reinstated before first home game in early August Iconic gates which once adorned Newcastle United's St James" Park are set for a triumphant return home - after being rediscovered in undergrowth on a farm. The "Toon-gates" were taken down around 14 years ago during a redevelopment at the stadium in 1999 and, for all intents and purposes, lost. They were put into storage on farmland near Woolsington Hall in Northumberland by the club's then owner Sir John Hall where they soon became overtaken by the weeds and nettles. Iconic: Former Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall poses with the newly rediscovered gates which had been lost on farmland at Woolsington Hall, Northumberland But now they are officially returning home to St James" Park after a campaign by a fans' group, the club and a new sponsor. Lee Marshall, PR and supporter liaison manager at Newcastle United said the gates were taken down when the Milburn stand and Leazes end were redeveloped. He said: 'The gates were taken down around 14 years ago when the stadium was redeveloped under Sir John Hall's ownership and they were taken off site to be stored on his farmland. Discovery: The iconic gates which had been in pride of place at St. James' Park stadium until 14 years ago were found among nettles on farmland Revealed: A workman cuts back the forest of plants which had grown over the huge wrought iron gates being stored at Woolsington Hall, Northumberland 'They've been under a few feet of nettles and weeds ever since. The iconic gates were installed on December 1989 to replace ones which had hung there since 1936. The wrought iron gates, which bear the club's famous coat of arms, weigh two tonnes and stand 13ft 6ins tall. They were constructed by local fabricators M Aynsley and Sons based in Heber Street, only a few yards away from the club ground. 'With the help of our fans, Sir John's Magpie Group and our sponsors, Wonga, we're delighted to be bringing them home to stand proudly at St James" Park once again.' The gates have now been lifted from the garden of Sir John, who owned the club from 1992 until 2007 when he sold his entire 41.6per cent shareholding sports retail magnate, Mike Ashley, for £55 million in a deal that valued the club at £133.1 million. They will be transported to a dedicated workshop where extensive refurbishment work will be undertaken prior to installation. It is anticipated that the gates, which are set to be located outside the entrance to the main Milburn Stand reception, on Barrack Road, will be unveiled some time before the club's first Premier League home game in early August. Clear up: The process of cleaning up the recovered gates in time to be reinstated at St James' Park stadium is well underway Emerging: Former club owner Sir John Hall inspects the rediscovered gates where they have sat for more than a decade at Woolsington Hall, Northumberland Glory days: The iconic gates, pictured in 1993, had pride of place at the entrance of St James' Park until 14 years ago An NUFC Fans United spokesperson, said: 'The re-installation of the gates permanently safeguards the feature of St James" Park as a name and its ties to the stadium and city. NUFC Fans United views this as an ongoing and lasting tribute to every Newcastle United supporter, player and club official who has ever entered the hallowed shrine that is St James" Park. Over time the gates can become a focal point that all Newcastle United supporters, as well as visitors to this great city will embrace. Centre of attention: The return of the gates to their rightful place after remaining in undergrowth at Woolsington Hall, Northumberland, has gained huge interest Homeward bound: The gates are to undergo a thorough renovation before being returned to Newcastle United's St James' Park stadium Malcolm Dix, on behalf of Sir John Hall and the Magpie Group, added: 'We are delighted that the gates will, in due course, take their rightful place outside the stadium. We sincerely hope that they will become a great attraction for all supporters, young and old. They will be a huge attraction for visitors to the city and the North East. Darryl Bowman, marketing director, Wonga, said: 'Every fortress needs some imposing gates and it's time for St James" Park and the fans to be reunited with these old friends. 'We wanted to help as soon as we heard about the exciting plans that were being developed between the club and NUFC Fans United and I can't wait to see them reinstated.' Newcastle Re-United: The Gates had been installed in 1989 before a major stadium revocation, completed in 2000, saw them put into storage at Woolsington Hall, Northumberland Safe keeping: A workman carefully guards the famous club crest as the gates are transported from where they have remained in storage for the past 14 years at Woolsington Hall, Northumberland Coming home: The gates are set to be located outside the entrance to the main Milburn Stand reception of St James' Park stadium, pictured