‘Whole new stadium complex’ – Exclusive: Pundit makes huge claim as Leeds PL plans reported
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has said that Leeds could make Elland Road “twice… three times as big and still fill it” and claimed they could build a “whole new stadium complex” if they get in the Premier League.
Angus Kinnear had previously revealed that Leeds had plans to expand Elland Road to 50,000 if they got in the Premier League.
Writing in the Athletic on Friday, Phil Hay expanded on this saying, “The club have tentative plans to rebuild the West Stand to match the height of the East one, increasing overall capacity to 50,000.
“That seems necessary for two reasons: to address the fact that demand for tickets is outstripping supply but also to increase commercial income as Liverpool are doing with Anfield.”
Games have been sold out all season at Elland Road and the demand for tickets will be massive if Leeds get back in the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said, “Listen, if they’re in the Premier League they could make Elland Road twice… three times as big and still fill it, without a shadow of a doubt.
“But it’s an area that needs looking at and the stadium needs modernising and expanding.
“The East Stand is fantastic but the East Stand holds half the capacity of the whole stadium.
“Radrizzani has been brilliant behind the scenes, the corporate stuff, the hospitality, everything behind the stadium.
“Underneath, the bones of the stadium are first class but the actual stadium needs modernising. That’s half the beauty of it, though. It’s a really fantastic famous old stadium.
“There’s plenty of ground around Elland Road to do it. There’s so much space around Elland Road they could actually – I think they bought the ground next to it – they could build a whole new stadium complex and it could be very exciting times for Leeds and the whole city if they get in the Premier League. It would be brilliant.”
So much hinges on Leeds getting promoted, which is why the current suspension of football is so painful for fans.
If Leeds go on to secure promotion – and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone outside Fulham who doesn’t think they deserve it – they will be playing Premier League football under Marcelo Bielsa.
Kalvin Phillips will likely still be a Leeds player and Andrea Radrizzani will probably have taken fresh investment in, possibly from the QSI group.
Elland Road could get expanded to a 50,000 capacity which will still be sold out every week.
The alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.
In other Leeds United news, Massive boost for Leeds as ESPN delivers exact date Championship is hoping to re-start