Jim White reacts to incredible Leeds United news straight from Elland Road
Leeds United expanding Elland Road to 53,000 in the wake of huge demand for tickets is “incredible”, according to Jim White.
Speaking on TalkSPORT (24 September, 12:25), White was astounded as he read that the club currently have a 26,000-strong season ticket waiting list at the 37,600-capacity stadium.
The club announced their plans to expand Elland Road by 16,000 seats on 23 September in order to accommodate this demand, having sold out every single home match for the past six years running.
White said: “Elland Road, and what a stadium it is, can hold 37,600 fans, but here’s the thing – it has been full to capacity for every home match played there, every one of them, for the last six years.
“It’s incredible – they have 26,000 fans on the waiting list for season tickets, and now they’re going to 53,000.
“One wonders what this is going to look like. Leeds United, in say a decade, where will they be and what will they be?”
Leeds United must reflect Elland Road ambitions on the pitch
An upgraded, expanded and modernised Elland Road could prove to be a game-changer for the Whites, and could raise their standing back into the upper echelons of English and European football once more.
However, the most important aspect of the stadium is the green pitch in the middle of it, and at present, United being in England’s second tier will stall the commitment of huge funds to the ground’s expansion.
Winning promotion from the Championship at the second time of asking will likely see the club push the button on their grand plans for Elland Road, but that’s much easier said than done at this stage.
Premier League parachute payments, reduced for the club’s second year in the second tier, will drop considerably if Daniel Farke’s side fail to achieve their goal, putting talk of expansion on the back-burner.
A stadium holding 53,000 is deserving of a true Premier League force, and the onus will now be on Farke to take the first significant step in making Leeds a powerhouse in the top flight once again.
In other Leeds United news, an ex-Peacocks manager has told Daniel Farke what he needs to add to secure promotion this season.
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