New Anfield [Archive] - SkyscraperCity

kung_fuzi

July 27th, 2006, 01:47 PM

Cash is in place for new AnfieldJul 27 2006

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL FC have assured European moneymen that cash to pay for their new stadium is in place.

Club officials will not attend a key meeting today when the future of £9m of European Objective One funding earmarked for the Stanley Park scheme could be decided.

But the Reds have already told the European Objective One committee that they have the resources to press ahead with the £190m, 60,000-seater stadium.

The European money will not be used to pay for the ground, but for the regeneration of the deprived Anfield and Breckfield communities nearby.

The Objective One committee had set a deadline of today for the club to confirm it has the privatemoney to pay forits share of the project.

In theory, it could now decide to take the money away from Liverpool if it is not happy with what the club is saying.
But it is far more likely that they will instead accept that progress is being made and extend the deadline to give the Reds more time to firm up their proposals.

Liverpool are hopeful the funding will remain in place, although club insiders insist if the decision goes against the club, it will not spell the end of their stadium plans.

Club officials acknowledge the loss of the European grant would be a significant blow, but would not derail the process of leaving the current site.

Chief executive Rick Parry recently spoke of his confidence Liverpool will secure the multi-million pound investment they need to build the complex on Stanley Park.

The club has been in talks with several interested parties, with at least one thought to be at an advanced stage.

The overall project needs more than £18m from Europe and the government to pay for the regeneration of Stanley Park and the surrounding area.

Land occupied by the current ground will be turned into Anfield Plaza, a new public square lined with homes, shops and leisure facilities.

Two weeks ago, senior councillors voiced their fears that this part of the scheme could fail if Liverpool are unable to come up with their share of the stadium cash.

Cllr Flo Clucas, executive member for economic development, said: "Even though European funding will not be used for the stadium itself, the stadium is seen as a vital part of the regeneration project.

"If the stadium money is not forthcoming, regeneration will not take place in the way currently envisaged.

"If this particular package does not come together, it will not be the public sector's fault, it will be LFC that failed to bring cash to the table."

City on The Water

July 27th, 2006, 09:03 PM

This peverse notion that a stadium will regenerate an area. There have been two large stadia either side of Stanley Park foe over a 100 years and only decay has set in.

Get them away from residential areas, that is not where they belong.

eyeam

July 27th, 2006, 09:23 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2006/07/27/sfnbo228.xml

Liverpool ground to a halt
By Mihir Bose
(Filed: 27/07/2006)

Everton might get one over on their Merseyside rivals Liverpool by moving into a brand new stadium before them.

Liverpool's plans for a new ground have become so bogged down that they are in danger of losing up to £20 million of European funding, which has been earmarked for stadium infrastructure work.

The clock on this European funding, which comes via the north-west regional development agencies, is ticking and the club has been told that as this money is coming from this year's budget Liverpool must convice them that they are serious about this new stadium by the July 31, or the money will be allocated elsewhere.

However, progress on the new stadium has been so slow that costs have risen inexorably. Having started with an original estimate of £70 million the stadium could cost £190 million. One of the main problems has been finding an investor. On Tuesday rumours swept Merseyside of yet another consortium bid, which would be Liverpool's seventh potential bidder in the last year.

The latest rumoured bidder consists of Dermot Desmond, Celtic's largest shareholder, with John Magnier and JP McManus, once friends of Sir Alex Ferguson and investors in Manchester United.

Everton, in contrast, have no potential investors and a long-term stand-off in their boardroom between chairman Bill Kenwright and director Paul Gregg to deal with.

Despite this, the club is looking at three sites and confident they could build a 50,000-stadium, with an option to increase the capacity to 70,000, for around £100 million, at a cost of £1,500 a seat.

There are three potential sites, the first is near Aintree, which Peel Holdings, a major property developer of the region, may help to build. The other sites include one near Speke airport and another in Kirby, which will involve a Tesco development, the company's chief executive Sir Terry Leahy being a keen Everton supporter.

Everton's income of £60 million may be half that of Liverpool's, but their debt of £27 million is also a third of Liverpool's debt which is nearly £80 million.

But Goodison sources are confident that if all goes well they could be in their new home by 2009, unlike Liverpool who have said that even in a best-case scenario their new stadium will not be ready until 2010.

Pietari

July 28th, 2006, 08:49 AM

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17459721%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26headline=cash%2dis%2din%2dplace%2dfor%2dnew%2danfield-name_page.html

Cash is in place for new Anfield Jul 27 2006

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL FC have assured European moneymen that cash to pay for their new stadium is in place.

Club officials will not attend a key meeting today when the future of £9m of European Objective One funding earmarked for the Stanley Park scheme could be decided.

But the Reds have already told the European Objective One committee that they have the resources to press ahead with the £190m, 60,000-seater stadium.

The European money will not be used to pay for the ground, but for the regeneration of the deprived Anfield and Breckfield communities nearby.

The Objective One committee had set a deadline of today for the club to confirm it has the privatemoney to pay forits share of the project.

In theory, it could now decide to take the money away from Liverpool if it is not happy with what the club is saying.

But it is far more likely that they will instead accept that progress is being made and extend the deadline to give the Reds more time to firm up their proposals.

Liverpool are hopeful the funding will remain in place, although club insiders insist if the decision goes against the club, it will not spell the end of their stadium plans.

Club officials acknowledge the loss of the European grant would be a significant blow, but would not derail the process of leaving the current site.

Chief executive Rick Parry recently spoke of his confidence Liverpool will secure the multi-million pound investment they need to build the complex on Stanley Park.

The club has been in talks with several interested parties, with at least one thought to be at an advanced stage.

The overall project needs more than £18m from Europe and the government to pay for the regeneration of Stanley Park and the surrounding area.

Land occupied by the current ground will be turned into Anfield Plaza, a new public square lined with homes, shops and leisure facilities.

Two weeks ago, senior councillors voiced their fears that this part of the scheme could fail if Liverpool are unable to come up with their share of the stadium cash.

Cllr Flo Clucas, executive member for economic development, said: "Even though European funding will not be used for the stadium itself, the stadium is seen as a vital part of the regeneration project.

"If the stadium money is not forthcoming, regeneration will not take place in the way currently envisaged.

"If this particular package does not come together, it will not be the public sector's fault, it will be LFC that failed to bring cash to the table."

kung_fuzi

July 31st, 2006, 03:08 PM

No regeneration? Then no stadium Jul 29 2006

By Larry Neild City Editor

LIVERPOOL Football Club should not be allowed to build its new £180m stadium on Stanley Park unless the rest of the Anfield Regeneration programme goes ahead, councillors were told yesterday.

The city council's executive board was told by Executive member Cllr Flo Clucas that, if a public funding package was lost, the entire programme to breathe new life into the Anfield area would also collapse.

Cllr Paul Clein told the meeting that he would oppose any bid by the club to build a go-it-alone stadium, irrespective of the public sector works.

The club has until the first two weeks of September to come up with a solution to draw down £18m-worth of funding, including £9m from European Objective 1 funding, which would trigger a further £9.1m from the Northwest Development Agency.

Last night, club chief executive Rick Parry insisted it was still on target to fund the proposed stadium, despite this week losing its "front runner" status for the £9m Objective 1 cash.

Liverpool FC already has planning permission to build its new stadium in the area.

But the scheme is linked to a widescale New Anfield Regeneration plan that will see new and improved homes and leisure facilities for thousands living in the shadow of the club.

Cllr Clucas told the executive board that, if the stadium does not proceed, the regeneration package also falls.

She said talks were planned with the club as well as government officials about the scheme.

"I believe the club has until the first week in September, or the early part of the second week, to come up with funding," she said, adding that any further would mean a schedule for European and regional aid would not be spent to a laid-down timetable.

The stadium itself does not depend on public aid, and will be funded entirely by the club.

The public money is earmarked for infrastructure work around the stadium. Cllr Clein said: "There is a possibility of the stadium going ahead without any public funding. But if the club wants a new stadium it must be part of a full package.

"There is no way we will allow a stadium to be built without all the benefits for the community. If Liverpool FC think they can go ahead without the public projects, they can think again."

Cllr Clucas said the club was signed up to a full regeneration package.

Yesterday, Mr Parry said the decision by Objective 1 managers was not a setback for the club. He said the club would provide assurances being sought by a September deadline.

The decision means the club now has to compete with other projects for financial aid from Brussels.

The money is conditional on it being spent by 2008, otherwise it will be lost. Last night, a spokesman for Liverpool FC said: "We understand the deadlines that lie ahead."

Let's see Clucas and Clein change their tune if LFC said they were thinking of moving out to Kirkby or somewhere. :cheers:

Toadboy

July 31st, 2006, 07:02 PM

Let's see what Clucas and Clein do when Liverpool FC announce the move is off and they're staying at Anfield.

There's £60 million of spending within the perceived £190 million budget for the area, the stadium element is around £130 million. That's a lot of money to lose, a lot more than £9 million.

Scarecrow

July 31st, 2006, 11:58 PM

If you fuck off to Kirkby, then its a hell of a lot more...

westisbest

September 4th, 2006, 09:24 AM

AT LONG, LONG LAST!!!

City to sign LFC stadium lease Sep 4 2006

Exclusive By Larry Neild, Daily Post

CITY politicians are set to lease a slice of historic Stanley Park, paving the way for work to start on a new stadium for Liverpool FC early in 2007.

It means the club could host the first game at its new home at the start of the 2009 season, a report to Liverpool City Council's executive board reveals.

The board will meet on Friday to make the landmark decision that will trigger the biggest-ever regeneration programme in north Liverpool, worth more than £240m.

The next few weeks will be critical as LFC officials put together a financial package that will fund the club's £180m contribution to the project.

That will trigger funding from the public sector worth millions of pounds before a deadline set for the end of this month.

Story continues

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Sources at the city council close to the deal are confident the funding package will be in place before the deadline. Despite more than 400 objections from individual residents and organisations, the executive board is being recommended to agree to release land in Stanley Park for the new football stadium.

Liverpool FC will be granted a 999-year lease, with the area managed by a new joint venture company set up on a 50-50 basis with the city council.

The club will pay the city council £300,000 a year ground rent.

This week's expected support for the strategy will finally test the threat of opponents who say they will legally challenge what they claim is a sell-off of open spaces and parkland.

A programme outlined in a report to the council's executive board envisages a start on the new stadium early next year.

Full planning permission for the stadium has already been granted, leaving the park deal the last major hurdle to face.

Club officials are expected to satisfy European Objective 1 funding monitors within weeks that money is in place to pay for the new ground.

That will trigger the release of £15m to pay for public works around the new stadium. A total of £40m - including European funds - in public sector cash is expected.

Councillors have been issued with a 640-page report outlining the arrangements for what is described as the New Anfield.

Three leading executive board members, Cllrs Mike Storey, Berni Turner and Keith Turner, have worked alongside acting regeneration chief Ben Dolan, on the strategy.

Cllr Storey will be making a presentation to the executive board at the town hall on Friday morning, seeking approval from his cabinet colleagues.

A yes vote from the cabinet will pave the way for:

* Granting of a 999-year lease for the site of the proposed new stadium;

* Design and restoration work for Stanley Park and the Gladstone Conservatory;

* Demolition of the 1960s Vernon Sangster sports centre in Stanley Park.

City council leader Cllr Warren Bradley said last night: "Liverpool Football Club is one of the best known and most successful clubs in the world.

"Yet it stands in one of the poorest areas, not only in the city, but in the country.

"What we are looking to do is not just provide a new home for the football club fitting for their status as one of the world's best, but use their success to spark a dramatic revival of the Anfield and Breckfield areas.

"For the past five years, we have worked with the Anfield Breckfield Partnership Forum on the strategy to regenerate the area and every consultation with the local community has shown overwhelming support for this scheme.

"There have been some objections to the loss of open space and clearly we will consider these very carefully before making any decisions.

"However, this is a golden opportunity for North Liverpool to be transformed."

Liverpool FC's chief executive Rick Parry said: "We are committed to the regeneration of the Anfield Breckfield area and intend that our investment in a new stadium benefits this neighbourhood and Liverpool."

Cllr Storey said last night: "The new stadium will provide a 21st-century business and tourist destination and a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider areas.

"The entire project will be delivered between 2006 and 2010."

The aim is to carry out the New Anfield Project in three phases. The first stage will see the building of the new stadium as well as a Community Partnership Centre.

The remainder of Grade II listed Stanley Park, one of the country's recognised Victorian parks, will be restored to its former glory.

That work will include the refurbishment of the Stanley Conservatory.

Phase 2 will see the refurbishment of the adjoining Anfield Cemetery. Phase 3 will see the creation of Anfield Plaza on the site of the old ground. It will include spaces for businesses, retail and leisure.

The development will be led by the new joint venture company which will have two directors each from the city council and the club.

The company will be responsible for the regeneration of the area covering the stadium, as well as the new Anfield Plaza, but will have no influence over the remainder of Stanley Park.

Officials at the council say the regeneration scheme and new stadium will create more than 1,000 new jobs, 766 full -time and 260 jobs in construction work.

The number of tourists flocking to Anfield will rise from the current 480,000 a year to 1.74m.

The city council will take charge of public sector funds, dependent on Liverpool FC confirming private sector investment.

The new Community Partnership Centre will have facilities for education, sport and community activities.

larryneild@dailypost.co.uk

Timetable for action

* SEPTEMBER 8 - Council Executive Board to vote on releasing Stanley Park for new stadium

* End of September - Final decision on public sector funding

* Spring 2007 - Work starts on new stadium

* May 2007 - Vernon Sangster centre demolished

* Spring 2009 - Work on new stadium finished and handed over to club

* August 2009 - First match at new stadium

* December 2009 - Existing Anfield stadium demolished

* May 2010 - Building of New Anfield Plaza on site of old ground

The sparkling new Anfield will hold 60,000 spectators

THE new stadium will increase Anfield's capacity by 15,000 to 60,000.

There will be an underground car park, club shop and museum as well as the Community Partnership centre.

Extensive CCTV systems will be installed, making the areas around the stadium, the new Plaza and Stanley Park safer.

Liverpool FC will pay an annual ground rent of £300,000, increasing in line with inflation.

The football club will be allowed to use part of Stanley Park to store excavated soil from the new stadium for 18 months.

Liverpool FC has ruled out developing the existing stadium or moving to a new site in Speke.

Properties in Anfield Road will have to be cleared to make way for the stadium. They are already owned by either the club or the city council.

Three council tenants in Anfield Court are to be given priority for relocation.

kung_fuzi

September 4th, 2006, 11:08 AM

Paul D

September 4th, 2006, 12:19 PM

I hope this gets sorted soon it's been decending into farce for years now,then Everton can put to bed this stupid groundshare notion and finally move on.

kung_fuzi

September 4th, 2006, 12:34 PM

I hope this gets sorted soon it's been decending into farce for years now,then Everton can put to bed this stupid groundshare notion and finally move on.

I'll drink to that. :cheers:

City on The Water

September 4th, 2006, 12:40 PM

I hope this gets sorted soon it's been decending into farce for years now,then Everton can put to bed this stupid groundshare notion and finally move on.

Everton are not pushing for a ground share. They are pushing for Kirkby. The first ground share proposal in Vauxhall, after Hillsborough, was rejected outright by Everton. Everton were receptive to council suggestion about 2 to 3 years ago.

There have been two large stadia around Stanley Park for 112 years and they have done nothing for the areas. A larger stadium will do exactly the same. How they think a large stadium can improve matters is beyond me. Once all the money is spent decline will them take hold...again. Stadia should not be in residential areas, no more than a nuclear power station should. And then to build one on a listed park is way out of order.

And the stadium to built at the park is 2nd rate - a bigger Reebock. The stadium and loction are just not good enough.

bluesnapper

September 4th, 2006, 04:05 PM

There have been two large stadia around Stanley Park for 112 years and they have done nothing for the areas.

LFC has never built its own ground in its history and some say it won't this time round either.

City on The Water

September 4th, 2006, 06:30 PM

LFC has never built its own ground in its history and some say it won't this time round either.

Everything is in place, planning permission, blessing of Westminster, etc. If they have the lolly it will be built, and yes for the first time they would have built something. By then Everton would be into sorting its 4th venue.

LABlue

September 4th, 2006, 09:58 PM

Cant believe this has been held up over 9M - The Spanish Gordon Kaye lookalike (have you ever noticed the resemblence) over at Analfield pisses that amount away on shite players very year.

Time will tell what effect it will have - perhaps Arsenals stadium will show what will happen..

I am happy it will allow for EFC to get the hell on with thier own plans now even though I dont want to go to Kirkby which looks likely. I think the long term effect on the community will depends on what happens with the old site - and although I hate to lose green space the money to restore some of Stanley Park cant be bad can it including the Gladstone Palm House (I never knew it was called that !)

Wonder what the plans are for the Goodison footprint when they move - my money's on a new Tescos!

eyeam

September 4th, 2006, 11:53 PM

One thing missing off the above list.
There will be a huge waiting list as the new ground isn't big enough.

Always assuming of course that football hasn't priced itself out of everyones reach by then. :)

Several cup games, mid week games and CL group stage games don't sell out every season

There will be no big waiting lists

Gherkin

September 5th, 2006, 12:06 AM

There isn't room for expansion is there? :(

Toadboy

September 5th, 2006, 01:00 AM

Several cup games, mid week games and CL group stage games don't sell out every season

There will be no big waiting lists

Demand is there, fulfilment is another question.

And no, there is no room for expansion, the concept is obsolete before a sod has even been cut.

kung_fuzi

September 5th, 2006, 10:03 AM

Several cup games, mid week games and CL group stage games don't sell out every season

There will be no big waiting lists

I suppose we will just have to wait and see when the capacity is 60,000 but you may be right.
However the point I was trying to make in saying the ground will be too small is the fact that there is no room for expansion IF NEEDED in the future.

If the club suddenly find that a good few matches are sell outs and the demand looks to be sustainable they're stuck,they can't do a thing about it.
Now of course this might not happen and 60,000 might be sufficient but surely the capability of future expansion should be built into the new ground.
After all the original plans were for 70,000 and were only changed due to costs.
This may make sense but obviously the club saw the demand for 70,000 when they first decided to move to a new ground,so why not allow for this in the future?

Tuesday

September 5th, 2006, 11:50 PM

Steve C

September 6th, 2006, 10:19 AM

I can't believe some people think it wont sell out. There's an absolutely ridiculous waiting list for season tickets, we've got just as many fans as the Mancs have. It's not like they have trouble filling theirs.

But most of the people on the waiting list make up a chunk of our current crowd anyway with individual tickets.

It will sell out, 6000 of the additional seats we'll get our for corporate hospiatality and there's massive demand for those seats/facilities. The other 9000 extra day tickets and season tickets will sell out easily. Apart from the usual couple of cup games, Portsmouth/Fulham on a midweek it'll sell out every game no problem.

Tony Sebo

September 6th, 2006, 11:40 AM

Steve C

September 6th, 2006, 12:04 PM

Of course it will sell out every week!

My main concern is that the design, especially the integral roof, does not allow for expansion... once it is built we will be stuck with the stadium until we knock it down.

The design is such that you cannot demolish one 'stand' or roof and expand, you would have to remove the roof from the whole stadium.....

Personally I think the look of the new designs are really shite... second rate, they have been around for ages... just compare it to Arsenals new ground for a start?

It is like just a bit posher than the Reebok.

They're all going to look like this now though. Especially those with a tight budget. This is from another poster on a football stadium message board I frequent:

The reason the Emirates is similar to The Stadium of Light or other big stadiums is simply it provides the maximum number of seats with the best view for the most economic cost.

Ever since the emergence of the 'Stadium For The 90's' project back in the early 90's which produced the McAlpine Stadium and then the Reebok, the idea of curved seating decks where more seats are situated in the centre and less in the corners - giving a circular 'viewing distance' plan, means the parameters have been set out.

Planning a stadium has become a scientific art with viewing distances and 'c' values - thus all glitches have been ironed out, and a 'perfect' bowl will be that shown at The Emirates.

Wembley will follow the same parameters but allow more seats in the upper corners to 'up' the capacity - in fact it is now a given that 90,000 is the maximum capacity for a football stadium, whereby all seats have 'acceptable' views of the pitch. Any larger and the uppermost seats will be too far from the pitch to have an acceptable view.

Likewise smaller stadiums will follow the exact same footprint but cutting bits out (upper tiers/ corners etc).

Therefore the only possible design variants are the depths of each tier, the steepness and the roof construction. The Emirates proves this by being SIMILAR to The Stadium Of Light in terms of seating decks, although rakes have been amended and a completely different 'drooping' roof design has been used on the Emirates.

So to conclude, if you don't like 'bowl' stadia you will be disappointed as most stadia that require a decent capacity, will be opting for this layout as it is the most efficient. It may be that less seats are used at the ends and more on the sides, but it will always be a variant of the form now set out.

Doesn't really give the architects much to work with. It'd be interesting to see if Abramovich ever decides to build Chelsea a new stadium. An architect with a near limitless budget could produce something far better than the Aldi off the shelf designs like LFC are getting. It's the lack of attention to detail which lets new grounds down in my opinion.

Paul D

September 8th, 2006, 02:26 PM

LCC have agreed to lease Stanley Park to Liverpool for 999 years but Liverpool now have a limited time to prove that they have the funding package to build the stadium in place,if they do it's a goer. :)

Paul D

September 8th, 2006, 04:29 PM

Liverpool get go-ahead on stadium

Liverpool are set to leave Anfield after 114 years
Liverpool have received the go-ahead from the city council to build a new 60,000 all-seater stadium.
Council leaders approved a 999-year lease on Friday for a piece of land in the city's Stanley Park, just 300 yards away from their Anfield home.

"It's all systems go. All we need now is the club to confirm the funding," said council leader Warren Bradley.

Liverpool have until the end of September to convince the council it can come up with £180m for the project.

If financing is approved, building work could begin early next year with the first match pencilled in for August 2009.

Bradley added: "If Liverpool have the funding in place, they can start on the site from January."

The overall cost of the first phase of the project will be £215m.

It includes the new stadium which incorporates a centre with facilities for education, sport and community activities, along with a fully restored Stanley Park.

westisbest

September 8th, 2006, 04:59 PM

do u think if every member on ssc put £2 in the kity LFC will have enough, well minus the obvious ppl hu wouldnt chip in

Steve C

September 8th, 2006, 05:43 PM

I've asked Bammy to upload some new renderings of the project, hopefully he'll have time to do it soon. So be sure to thank him if he does :)

We should now pretty soon whether we've got the cash for this. Can't help feeling pessimistic though...

paulmac35

September 8th, 2006, 08:09 PM

Doesn't really give the architects much to work with. It'd be interesting to see if Abramovich ever decides to build Chelsea a new stadium. An architect with a near limitless budget could produce something far better than the Aldi off the shelf designs like LFC are getting. It's the lack of attention to detail which lets new grounds down in my opinion.[/QUOTE]

they have trouble now filling the 41,500 library (stamford bridge).

terryfied

September 8th, 2006, 08:14 PM

do u think if every member on ssc put £2 in the kity LFC will have enough, well minus the obvious ppl hu wouldnt chip in

This is the mighty Liverpool we're talking about here, not Brighton & Hove Albion. :)

Steve C

September 8th, 2006, 09:44 PM

Doesn't really give the architects much to work with. It'd be interesting to see if Abramovich ever decides to build Chelsea a new stadium. An architect with a near limitless budget could produce something far better than the Aldi off the shelf designs like LFC are getting. It's the lack of attention to detail which lets new grounds down in my opinion.

they have trouble now filling the 41,500 library (stamford bridge).

I know that. I was making the point that if he did ever do it he could afford to splash out on something special.

LABlue

September 9th, 2006, 05:51 AM

do u think if every member on ssc put £2 in the kity LFC will have enough, well minus the obvious ppl hu wouldnt chip in

Ive got no loose change .

Point taken about all these new grounds being Reeboks - very predictable.

Only someone like Abramovitch with a huge bank balance and ego to match would break the mould on this one.

Cant see our new 'Tesco Towers' being any different either.

Tony Sebo

September 9th, 2006, 09:32 AM

Steve C

September 9th, 2006, 11:58 AM

The two things aren't even comparable Tony.

City on The Water

September 9th, 2006, 12:14 PM

Presses the case for a joint stadium, bigger capacity even more, etc, etc, etc!

This is more than 'financial sense' here!
I do not understand those who object as doing so retards their club's futures!

The 'sentiment' is the same as the EH inspired stuff about 'sacred skylines and buildings'!!!! Idiotic and completely counter productive.

Hows about that on derby Day!!!!

As long as this large stadium is not at Central Docks. An ideal site is at Sandhills complete with an adjacent Merseyrail line. A part of the Edge Hill siding were suggested once for EFC, and as many rail klines as you want there, and the old Edge Lane Fruit market - even Bowring Park, between Huyton and Netherley, next to the M62.

I think matters are too far advanced for any joint stadium.

Paul D

September 28th, 2006, 03:41 PM

Liverpool close in on new stadium

The club aims to start building the stadium later this year
Liverpool's plans to build a new 60,000-capacity all-seater stadium have moved a step closer after the club secured crucial European funding.
The European Union Objective One grant of £9m will be spent on regenerating the area around the Stanley Park site.

Liverpool were given the money after guaranteeing that the £180m funding for the entire project is in place.

They can now claim £5m from Liverpool City Council and £8.9m from the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

The city council approved a 999-year lease on the stadium site - which is 300 yards away from Anfield - on 8 September.

Planning permission for the scheme came with the proviso that investment would be made in the surrounding area, including the park.

The European money will not be spent on the new stadium but on schemes such as the creation of a shop-lined plaza on the site of their current Anfield home.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: "It's another significant step forward in our plans for the building of a new stadium, which we have always seen as a catalyst for the regeneration of the whole area."

Councillor Flo Clucas, chairman of the Objective One project selection sub-committee, added: "This is a major step forward for the people of Anfield.

"It will underpin substantial investment by other partners, whose commitment will help transform the neighbourhood."

Tony Sebo

September 28th, 2006, 06:13 PM

The two things aren't even comparable Tony.

Sorry Steve, I genuinely see it as being exactly the same... frail maudlin mindset, tainted with ironic, latterday dislike of fellow scousers because they fell blue or Red... very strange and a tad disturbing.

Templinho

September 28th, 2006, 10:38 PM

The renders shown in North West Tonight's item (below) were quite different from those on Liverpoolfc.tv (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/newstadium/):

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/matthew.temple/images/new%20anfield%201.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/matthew.temple/images/new%20anfield%202.jpg

Can anybody shed any light on these? I've not seen them before. Of course, I'd expect those on the official site to be correct!

Evertonian

September 29th, 2006, 02:06 AM

The Echo are reporting that this is now a 55,000 seater project. If it keeps getting downgraded the way it has, will there really be any point in risking bankrupting the club to pay for this.

They might as well stay at Anfield.

I don't say this as a "bitter blue" either. I'd dearly love to see both clubs moving into 2 brand new state of the art and world class stadiums, of high capacity.

DJ Billy

September 29th, 2006, 02:24 PM

That new render looks similar to Emirates

Toadboy

September 29th, 2006, 03:25 PM

That 'new' render is a very old one. It's the original 70,000 seat 'bowl' stadium. It's not like North West Tonight treating it's Liverpool audience with contempt, strange...

The actual anticipated capacity will be around 61,000, it's not like the Echo to get facts and figures wrong, strange...

Paul D

September 29th, 2006, 04:07 PM

Dare we believe we can start?

WORK should start on Liverpool FC's new stadium as soon as next spring.

Teams of workmen are expected to move on to Stanley Park within the next six months, with New Anfield ready to throw open its doors at the start of the 2009 season.

Club officials can now start finalising timescales after Liverpool council was given £9m of European cash for the long-awaited project.

The grant will be topped up with £15.6m of club and taxpayers' money to pay for regeneration of the Anfield community.

That work includes:

* Anfield Plaza, a shop-lined concourse leading up to the new stadium on the site of the current ground

* Restoration of Stanley Park to its Victorian splendour, including re-laying football pitches and the return of the park's lost third lake

* Converting derelict Gladstone Conservatory into a smaller version of the Sefton Park Palm House, hosting catering and conference events.

Regeneration work must be finished by the end of 2008 or the European money will have to be returned to Brussels, putting pressure on Liverpool to get started.

Cllr Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool council, said: "It is great news for the people of Anfield that this grant was agreed. At long last, after 20 years of decline, we are sure we can deliver a better life for people there.

"Improvements around the stadium must be completed by the end of 2008 and it would be a fantastic legacy of Capital of Culture year if a real future for the area is in place.

"I would now like to see the club come out and tell people with real confidence how they are going to pay for it. This issue has gone on for three years and they let it go right down to the wire."

Approval of the European grant was crucial because the council would not let Liverpool build a new home without improving the area around it.

Equally, the regeneration scheme cannot go ahead without the stadium at its heart.

That is why the Reds' board had to give guarantees to the European Objective One committee that the club can afford the £180m ground before the money was released.

No taxpayers' money will be used for the stadium.

Cllr Flo Clucas, who chairs the decisionmaking panel, said that pledge finally arrivedafter months of speculation about Liverpool's finances.

"The committee was assured that if we approve the Stanley Park restoration, the stadium will go ahead.

"It is a matter for the club to speak about the funding package."

Cllr Paul Brant, opposition spokesman on regeneration, said: "I am surprised the committee has not expressly confirmed why it is satisfied with Liverpool's assurances."

Despite yesterday's decision, opponents of New Anfield are still hopeful the scheme might be moved.

Liberal councillor Steve Radford said: "This is a short-sighted decision. A worldclass stadium should be built somewhere with world-class transport links."

Local resident Harry Moyles, of Douglas Road, Anfield, said: "A lot of people were against a newstadium at the startand some are still concerned about the extra traffic brought by 15,000 more supporters. But regeneration is certainly needed."

How will you pay?

FANS were today calling on Liverpool to reveal how they plan to pay for New Anfield.

Richard Pedder, from Liverpool FC supporters' club, said: "This £9m is good news, but we do not know which direction the club is going. Has a sponsor been found or is a takeover imminent?

"I hoped all that would be announced together at this meeting.

"The ground move has the majority of fans' support, but after five years of talks, we want to know what is going on."

But Liverpool would not be drawn on how they plan to pay for their share of the project.

In a short statement, chief executive Rick Parry said: "It is another significant step forward in our plans for the building of a new stadium, which we have always seen as a catalyst for the regeneration of the whole area."

The Game Is Up

December 14th, 2006, 08:18 AM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2502901,00.html

Liverpool planning to complete new stadium for 2009-10 season
Oliver Kay

As Steven Gerrard joined Rick Parry, the Liverpool chief executive, in singing the praises of the club’s prospective new owners yesterday, it emerged that the captain could be leading out his team at a new 60,000-capacity stadium on Stanley Park within 2½ years.

With Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private- equity investment arm of the Arab state, and its banker, JPMorgan, continuing to scrutinise the club’s accounts as part of the due diligence process, Liverpool are understood to be close to awarding a contract for the construction of the new stadium. It is rumoured that the company in question is Laing O’Rourke plc, which built the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the City of Manchester Stadium, and the plan is that work on the Stanley Park site, barely quarter of a mile from Anfield, could begin by March, with Liverpool to relocate in time for the start of the 2009-10 season.

The speed of progress has delighted the Liverpool board, which has been unstinting in its commitment to the stadium project. The new stadium is also highly attractive to DIC, which regards the construction as crucial to future revenue streams, although it is not clear whether it will consider selling the name of the stadium, as Parry has hinted the club may be forced to do.

Parry reiterated his confidence in DIC yesterday — adding his belief that David Moores, the club’s chairman, would stay as part of the new regime — while Gerrard expressed similar sentiments after being encouraged by an informal meeting the squad had with Sameer al-Ansari, DIC’s chief executive, as he attended the 4-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday.

“I think the future is bright,” Gerrard said. “There has been a lot of talk in the media about the takeover and I’ve been fortunate enough to meet the people who are going to be taking over. I’m very excited. They assured me and the rest of the players that the club is going to be in safe hands.

“The first thing they said was they were very interested in making sure that the club was going to be very successful on and off the pitch. That’s what we wanted to hear. I think the players share the same feelings as the fans.

“The fans have been reading the same things as I’ve been reading and they’ve got every right to be excited. Having met them, I’m even more excited now because I’ve heard their thoughts face to face.”

Parry, while eager to dispel the notion that DIC would approach its investment as Roman Abramovich has his ownership of Chelsea, was similarly upbeat in an interview with the club magazine. “We always look forward with a focus on the challenges ahead, not least the new stadium and the need to get on with that rapidly,” Parry said. “In that sense it is a proposal not without risk, but we are all very excited about the long-term future of the club and hope we have found an ideal partner.

“We are focused on success, but we want a club that will not be ludicrously profligate. It is not just about throwing money at a challenge — that is not a sound long-term strategy. It is not about being a rich man’s plaything. It is about taking Liverpool FC to the next level and securing the future of the club for the next hundred years.

“The most important aspect of our heritage is success and winning trophies. That is the thing that matters most to everyone who follows Liverpool and that will always remain the focus.”

Marco Amelia, the Livorno goalkeeper, could be a firm target for Liverpool during the January transfer window, according to the Italian’s agent, Carlo Pallavicino.

Paul D

February 6th, 2007, 06:10 PM

Liverpools new owners have said that they expect the new stadium to be on site with the next 60 days.:)

Tony Sebo

February 6th, 2007, 08:02 PM

that will mean no re-design for the ugly, cheap loking horror then?

"just like the Reebok, but bigger!"

Paul D

February 6th, 2007, 08:44 PM

I thought building stadiums was their speciality? surely it's not too late in the day to make ammendments to the current design?

b4mmy

February 6th, 2007, 09:02 PM

It's not fair! (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11652861&postcount=206)

Gotcha! ;)

kung_fuzi

February 6th, 2007, 09:56 PM

I thought building stadiums was their speciality? surely it's not too late in the day to make ammendments to the current design?

I think the major problem would be getting the city council to agree to a new design with potentially larger capacity.

Toadboy

February 6th, 2007, 10:02 PM

It would be worth the hassle to get what's required instead of what was chosen.

kung_fuzi

February 6th, 2007, 10:06 PM

It would be worth the hassle to get what's required instead of what was chosen.

Couldn't agree more.

UrbaniseD

February 6th, 2007, 10:58 PM

Planning permission has already been granted for the principle of, and the finer details of, a stadium and its ancillary development at Stanley Park. Now this is a complicated planning permission as it involves a massive structure, public realm and legal agreements that the applicants (the club) are tied in to. But I see no reason why in theory, changes in the stadium's design and capacity cannot be rushed through planning over the next 2 months. The principle of the development is already established as being acceptable. Considering it is such a massive and significant project for the city, notwithstanding the associated regeneraiton of Anfield, I'm sure behind the scenes negotiations with the planners would allow relatively minor alterations to take place.

I for one have always been concerned by the fact that the proposed design is limited to a capacity of 60,000. It is madness to limit the future expansion of the ground in such a permanent manner. I'm sure the new (and welcomed on my part!) owners might have some views on this also.

So i hope the design can be modified either to increase capacity or at least permit future growth in capacity.

In terms of the general design I think the stadium looks the part and I would respond to Sebo's disparaging "Reebok Stadium" comments that the Reebok isn't at all bad, in fact it is a good ground. Although about 3 times smaller than what is currently proposed for Stanley Park.

Gazzab

February 7th, 2007, 01:21 AM

Toadboy

February 7th, 2007, 01:46 AM

b4mmy

February 7th, 2007, 01:54 AM

I'm sure when the original details surfaced that something was written down that the new stadium would be designed in such a way that it would be possible to expand the capacity in the future.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

...you're wrong gaz, the application was granted providing the capacity was set at this level...

Gazzab

February 7th, 2007, 01:58 AM

Wrong Gazza.

The way it's been designed, the roof is integral to the whole structure. To alter or expand the ground in the future would take a major engineering programme.

Unless Liverpool FC have lied to the corpy in order to placate the possibility of unrest at the prospect of an 80/90,000 capacity at some point in the future....

...you're wrong gaz, the application was granted providing the capacity was set at this level...

Thanks for the correction fellas. I thought I'd read they would be able to raise the corners higher where they curve lower than the higher parts of the roof.

I'm beginning to wonder if it was wishful thinking.

Paul D

February 7th, 2007, 01:09 PM

Liverpool One group favourite for stadium

THE construction firm which is already building Grosvenor's Liverpool One project is favourite to win the contract to build Liverpool FC's new Stanley Park stadium.

Laing O'Rourke said it was in talks with the Premiership club - on the day the club agreed a sale to two American sports moguls in a £450m deal.

A source at the firm last night said: "We are in discussions with the club about the build. We are in talks, but no contract has been signed." Multi-millionaires George Gillett and Tom Hicks yesterday became the new owners of the club.

Work on the new ground could commence within weeks.

Rick Parry, chief executive of Liverpool, said the pair "made clear their intention to move as quickly as practicable on the financing and construction of our proposed new stadium at Stanley Park".

He added: "This has been an important time for the club. We now have the right partners for the future. I am absolutely certain we have now ended up in the right place, with owners who will help the club succeed and prosper."

Laing O'Rourke also built the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which was opened in October 1999. It took two years to build and has a retractable roof.

Laing O'Rourke Building North is the division that would undertake the building of the Stanley Park stadium, if its bid is successful. The division is currently building Grosvenor's £920m shopping complex in Paradise Street, known as Liverpool One, as well as the new stand at Aintree Racecourse.

Other Laing O'Rourke divisions have built the new Ascot Racecourse, the Snow Centre in Dubai and the Cardiff International Sports Centre.

Based in Dartford, Kent, Laing O'Rourke is the largest privately owned construction firm in the UK. The company has offices in Germany, India, Australia and United Arab Emirates, with over 23,000 employees worldwide. Led by chairman and chief executive, Ray O'Rourke, the business has grown rapidly since the merger of Laing and R.O'Rourke & Son Ltd in 2001.

The company's Construction North Liverpool Office is situated at Columbus Quay, Riverside Drive.

Dello

February 8th, 2007, 08:17 PM

I'm sure when the original details surfaced that something was written down that the new stadium would be designed in such a way that it would be possible to expand the capacity in the future.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Interestingly, planning permission was only granted to allow 45,000 people to use until transport and infrastructure problems where/are resolved. i.e. to allow the full capacity to be utilised.

UrbaniseD

February 8th, 2007, 08:23 PM

What would be ideal is an underground rail terminus linking up with the Merseyrail network. That way large numbers of people could reach the ground without having any impact at all on the surrounding reisdential areas.

Toadboy

February 8th, 2007, 08:34 PM

Urb, I can't for the life of me understand why these sorts of capital programmes don't kick start that sort of scheme. Instead of looking at why we shouldn't build a stadium there surely we should look at how big we can make it, what infrastructure we can put in, what other businesses will it support etc.

That helps to underwrite the 7 days a week impact of such a development.

Gazzab

February 9th, 2007, 01:16 AM

T0M

February 9th, 2007, 10:24 AM

I read that the new stadium's name is up for sale... any local ideas 'The Greggs Pasty Stadium', 'The MerseyTravel Stadium' 'The Cains Stadium'....

Scarecrow

February 9th, 2007, 10:26 AM

The Fred Olsen Arena. ;)

For the 'local' Kopites.

Toadboy

February 9th, 2007, 12:41 PM

The everton/Tesco deal has collopsed.

Good news is Lidl are taking over the proposed scheme, a Tesco spokesman said it was for the best as everton have always been a lidl club.

T0M

February 9th, 2007, 12:57 PM

The everton/Tesco deal has collopsed.

Good news is Lidl are taking over the proposed scheme, a Tesco spokesman said it was for the best as everton have always been a lidl club.

:lol: That's bad Toady.. works best if you say it in a Mexcian accent..

Toadboy

February 9th, 2007, 01:13 PM

Or doing a Rolf Harris impersonation.

Scarecrow

February 9th, 2007, 06:40 PM

Or a dity, out-of-own Woolyback voice. Eee bye gum

Spot on in that case Turdbag. :)

:cheers:

*England*

February 14th, 2007, 05:26 PM

Paul D

February 14th, 2007, 05:36 PM

whats the crack with stanley park then, when is the stad gonna start and finish, and what design of stadium are they using cos i seen 2, is it the one with 4 masts on each corner? anyone got a pic to post?

It starts in about 2 months and finishes for the start of the 2009/10 season,the 4 mast scheme is an old design I think? No new renders are available.

Awayo

February 14th, 2007, 05:41 PM

And Hicks's Texan chums are working on designs for nuke-proof hospitality bunkers underneath each stand, where visiting oil bosses and, maybe, Dubya himself can "catch the game" on tv and feast on pretzels without ever having to go into the open air.

Well, if they're paying...

Paul D

February 16th, 2007, 04:41 PM

House price boom hits Anfield after Reds US sale

THE SALE of Liverpool FC to two American sports moguls has sparked a property boom in Anfield.

Houses round Stanley Park where the club’s new stadium is to be built are being snapped up as soon as they go on the market.

They have also shot up in value, with an average three-bedroom home going for £7,000 more than six weeks ago.

Joan Berry, manager of Sutton Kersh’s Anfield office, said: “Over the past few weeks we have noticed a significant increase in the prices houses are going for around that area.

“In the area around Ince Avenue they were going for around £85,000 but now we are getting offers of around £93,000.

“We had a house in Stanley Park that we recommended should go on at £88,000, but the vendors were looking for £92,000. Then they got an offer for £95,000.

“Houses in the area are also being snapped up as soon as they come on the market. The football club has had an influx of money and that means the area could become the next hot spot.”

The boom comes as the city council plans to hold public information sessions at Vernon Sangster Sports Centre at Stanley Park on February 26 and 27 to keep residents in touch with regeneration plans.

*England*

February 16th, 2007, 11:53 PM

i thought robbie fowler owned all the properties :bash:

Paul D

February 20th, 2007, 04:50 PM

New stadium plans go on display

Plans for Liverpool Football Club's new stadium and the regeneration of Stanley Park are to go on show.
Residents are being asked for their views on the proposals for the park, which houses the Isla Gladstone Conservatory.

Liverpool FC's new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks agreed to make funds available to build the new stadium as part of the purchasing deal.

The exhibition is at the Vernon Sangster Sports Centre.

The Stanley Park work is part of wider plans for New Anfield and Breckfield.

The £215m project is expected to bring new community facilities, jobs, homes and business to the area.

The exhibition will be open on 26 and 27 February.

Councillor Berni Turner said: "This will be a chance for residents and others to see what the Stanley Park of the 21st Century will look like.

"It involves major works in restoring the park to a standard which will make it one of the leading recreational spaces in the region."

The wider regeneration project will be one of the largest urban parks restoration schemes in the country.

It involves the repair and restoration of the park's structures including bridges, walls, pavilions and the park lodge.

The new 60,000-seater stadium includes a Community Partnership Centre, a replacement for the Vernon Sangster Sports Centre.

It is due to open at the start of the 2009/10 Premiership season.

buggedboy

February 27th, 2007, 05:54 PM

If anyone gets a chance, theres a really clear image of the new stadium plan, along with all the proposals for the surrounding area, in the latest LFC magazine. I aint got a scanner so cant get hold of it. It details almost a hundred individual aspects of the plan, including 3 pretty cool looking fountains and other gubbinz.

Paul D

February 27th, 2007, 06:02 PM

or if you live by the exhibition go and have a look and take your camera.:)

John Matrix 1985

February 27th, 2007, 06:54 PM

There's also a video of it on youtube but I think the plans are older versions. I think that it would be a hell of a lot better if it was a squarer design like Dortmund's Westfalstadion, it's probably sponsored now and changed it's name!

UrbaniseD

February 27th, 2007, 06:57 PM

So err, where's the friggin piccies like?

UrbaniseD

February 28th, 2007, 01:37 PM

I took this on Monday when I was flying back from Riga. You can see Anfield and Goodison, and where the new stadium will go...

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r142/cslgap07/AnfieldnGoodison.jpg

The Bugged Out Egg

February 28th, 2007, 02:39 PM

thats is a great photo

Paul D

February 28th, 2007, 03:22 PM

Top picture UrbaniseD,here's a couple of small images from the new Anfield,it doesn't appear to have changed.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=this-is-anfield-%2D%2D8211%2D-the-%2Dpound%2D200m-stronghold-of-the-future%26method=full%26objectid=18686549%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

John Matrix 1985

February 28th, 2007, 05:09 PM

Shame, as I think that the actual stadium plans can be improved upon but they are good for the area as a whole

PunkyPaul85

February 28th, 2007, 06:12 PM

I took this on Monday when I was flying back from Riga. You can see Anfield and Goodison, and where the new stadium will go...

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r142/cslgap07/AnfieldnGoodison.jpg

Amazin picture Urbanise! How much of an impact does Westie have on the city in that shot, fantastic! :cheers:

westisbest

February 28th, 2007, 07:20 PM

Urbanised, i put you at approx 2400ft, thats the view you get from the obvservation deck in the BUrj Dubai :(

UrbaniseD

February 28th, 2007, 08:16 PM

Cheers lads,

I was waiting for the last hour of the flight with my camera ready to take that pic. In the past I have flown directly over the Liver building etc, but I like this view more.

buggedboy

March 1st, 2007, 12:12 PM

Link to following article at the bottom. Pictures too!

A digger has been spotted! Demolition of Verson Sangster in 15 days!

We have lift off....

Plans for Liverpool Football Club's new stadium and the regeneration of Stanley Park have gone on show in Merseyside.

Steve Leftley, Managing Director of Newanfield.co.uk visited the Public Exhibition on Tuesday 27/2/7 at the Vernon Sangster Sports Centre.

Companies at the Event included Liverpool FC. Liverpool City Council, Lang O'Rouke, Plantit, AFL Achietects.

The ground tests began today and the demolition of the Vernon Sangster will commence 16/3/7.
The stadium capacity is just over 60,000 as that is what is in the planning application, although the ground can be extended in the future it will have to get new planning permission to extend in the future.

There will be a "kop" like stand and it will be the biggest of the four stands which are each individual as the ground has a bowl shape feel to it as they have enclosed the front of the corners but not all the way up.The stand will have 22,000 seats compared with the 12,000 now.

The concorses are 10 metres wide and for those wanting a bet most will have 4 people on the stands.
The pitch is 8 metres back from the stands which is quite a distance but this is to enable newanfield to host a World Cup Match or Champions League Final in the future.

The urban park regeneration plan will be one of the biggest ever undertaken in the UK.
It will involve the repair and restoration of the park's structures including bridges, walls, pavilions and the park lodge.

The building of the childrens park has already started and should be completed by the end of March 2007. The playground has both infant and childrens parts and has been designed in consultation with the local community and school children. "The bigger the better" was one quote by the children for a climbing frame!

Previous Comments:
Councillor Berni Turner said: "This will be a chance for residents and others to see what the Stanley Park of the 21st Century will look like.

"It involves major works in restoring the park to a standard which will make it one of the leading recreational spaces in the region."

City council leader Cllr Warren Bradley said: "Liverpool Football Club is one of the best known and most successful clubs in the world.

"Yet it stands in one of the poorest areas, not only in the city, but in the country.

"What we are looking to do is not just provide a new home for the football club fitting for their status as one of the world's best, but use their success to spark a dramatic revival of the Anfield and Breckfield areas.

"For the past five years, we have worked with the Anfield Breckfield Partnership Forum on the strategy to regenerate the area and every consultation with the local community has shown overwhelming support for this scheme.

"There have been some objections to the loss of open space and clearly we will consider these very carefully before making any decisions.

"However, this is a golden opportunity for North Liverpool to be transformed."

* April 2007 - Work starts on new stadium

* 16th March 2007 - Vernon Sangster centre demolished

* June 2009 - Work on new stadium finished and handed over to club

* August 2009 - First match at new stadium

* December 2009 - Existing Anfield stadium demolished

* May 2010 - Building of New Anfield Plaza on site of old ground

There will be an underground car park, club shop and museum as well as the Community Partnership centre.

Extensive CCTV systems will be installed, making the areas around the stadium, the new Plaza and Stanley Park safer.

Liverpool FC will pay an annual ground rent of £300,000, increasing in line with inflation.

The football club will be allowed to use part of Stanley Park to store excavated soil from the new stadium for 18 months.

We will be bringing more news/pictures as and when we get it.

www.newanfield.co.uk/publicplans.html

buggedboy

March 1st, 2007, 12:17 PM

And a video too!

www.newanfield.co.uk/designs.html

UrbaniseD

March 1st, 2007, 01:23 PM

Good link Buggedboy. According to that site, under the "New Ground Info" section, the ground can be extended in future, which allays fears I had that they would be stuck with 60k permanently.

buggedboy

March 1st, 2007, 02:09 PM

I spotted that too. That would be great if we could expand in the future.

T0M

March 1st, 2007, 02:10 PM

Although why don't htey just expand the capacity now? I assume it's a cost issue...

UrbaniseD

March 1st, 2007, 02:43 PM

Although why don't htey just expand the capacity now? I assume it's a cost issue...

Probably more a planning permission issue. The time it would take to determine an application for an extension would wreck the timetables for contractors getting on site, etc.

JUXTAPOL

March 1st, 2007, 06:29 PM

Great little video of the new stadium, looks impressive, and i think the parkland setting is great.

dups45

March 2nd, 2007, 12:30 AM

Do you think we will be able to see the spires from the different places around town?

I really wish this was pushing 70 thousand, 200 million just doesnt seem worth it to get an extra 15000 in, 250-300 to get 70-75 thousand seems such a better prospect

Scarecrow

March 2nd, 2007, 08:25 PM

I think the additional income will be greatly boosted by the increase in hospitality/corporate dosh coming in, rather than Mr Regular blue (redshite) collar fan. Same with the new Wembley.

Gazzab

March 3rd, 2007, 02:30 AM

I thought the new kop was going to be a one-piece stand as it is now.

The video looked exactly the same as the old one to me but my memory is failing.

westisbest

March 3rd, 2007, 08:25 AM

Yes but because they haven't thought of how to do it yet, imagine a 1 tier, 220000 stand, it would be like climbing a mountain @ 50 degrees

the golden vision

March 3rd, 2007, 11:07 AM

Yes but because they haven't thought of how to do it yet, imagine a 1 tier, 220000 stand, it would be like climbing a mountain @ 50 degrees

Unless that ground is completely redesigned it's not possible for a 22,000 seat stand behind the goal.Does this mean the "new kop" is going to be one of the side stands, are you Reds happy with that?

John Matrix 1985

March 3rd, 2007, 01:13 PM

Unless that ground is completely redesigned it's not possible for a 22,000 seat stand behind the goal.Does this mean the "new kop" is going to be one of the side stands, are you Reds happy with that?

No not at all, it has to be behind the goal. I think the stadium will end up looking like Eastlands/City of Manchester with red seats, i'd rather that the ground was a bit steeper like the Westfalstadion or Valencia's Mestella stadium. Best ground I've ever been to for atmosphere was the Bombonera, Boca Juniors' stadium, they had a high steeped stand behind one of the goals, the fans call it "the 12th man".

Gazzab

March 4th, 2007, 12:51 AM

Yes but because they haven't thought of how to do it yet, imagine a 1 tier, 220000 stand, it would be like climbing a mountain @ 50 degrees

See your point Westy.

They should charge half price for the higher seats as compensation :)

Paul D

March 5th, 2007, 04:16 PM

Youtube video of the new ground.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBAKhOcU3Qs

LABlue

March 5th, 2007, 09:23 PM

As a lifelong blue and hater of anything red I really do hope this development reviatlises the area.

Indecision and uncertainly by both clubs hasnt helped the area and maybe now LFC are moving ahead forces our hand even though I dont want to go to Kirkby.

As for the Kop - it lost its reputation when they stopped standing much like Gwladys St and seems to be full of Sky inspired psuedo supporters these days according to my red friends

It would be apprpriate to name part of the new ground the Kop - is pissing down peoples legs going to be reintroduced? :)

By the way - I support giving Paisley a 'Sir' - Met both him and Shankly and liked them both - represented your club far better than Foolier and the fat Spanish waiter currenlty there.

UrbaniseD

March 5th, 2007, 09:42 PM

the fat Spanish waiter currenlty there.

:hahaha:

WirralWilson

March 5th, 2007, 10:18 PM

Looks like it's going to be a nice stadium and an all round improvement in the area so that's great. :-)

With the increased capacity I hope that LFC can just be a little more generous with away ticket allocations so I'll have a chance to see a game there too.

LABlue

March 5th, 2007, 11:39 PM

OK ones French (sort of) ones Spanish but they must have been separated at birth.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4940/gordonkayewm3.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3345/mediumbenitezhands3ux0.jpg

You should call the new ground Cafe Renee

PS some of you 'younger' crowd may not get this!

Tony Sebo

March 5th, 2007, 11:45 PM

dups45

March 5th, 2007, 11:50 PM

Im a red...and i dont like the new stadium, should be bigger capacity, should be better design, its got to last us for another 100 years, it should be something that is set apart from everyone else

paulmac35

March 5th, 2007, 11:57 PM

looks much of a muchness to the rest of the very bland stadiums that are being built. ie. the emirates, the city of manchester stadium. it just doesnt inspire me. i think it will end up devoid of atmosphere when you compare it with how noisey its gonna be tomorrow against barca. in fact, i would much rather they develop the present anfield ground (and the whole area). there is so much space behind the main stand (whole streets of derelict houses) that they could easily get to the 60,000 figure without having to move. at least then we can stay where we are (man united have the right idea on how to increase their capacity). i reckon both clubs should stay exactly where they are and develop. everton have the space to build the biggest cantilivier stand in the country at the park end! (of course i realise thtis is never gonna happen!)

b4mmy

March 6th, 2007, 12:13 AM

Im a red...and i dont like the new stadium, should be bigger capacity, should be better design, its got to last us for another 100 years, it should be something that is set apart from everyone else

what are you comparing it to... the old stadium? Was that design unique or outstanding...?

dups45

March 6th, 2007, 12:35 AM

no, but i want it to stand out, i want it to be unique

LABlue

March 6th, 2007, 05:54 AM

Sorry folks but the ground is shite.. ugly, heavy, graceless shite!

The should go for a redesign asap.

As for Bob Paisley - I would urge that nobody backs the call... if they gave him one it would do nothing for the man... it would only be for sentimental Liverpudlians to gloat that now we have one too!

Better let history see that those who give out these gongs ignored the greatest footbal manager ever.... and then ruminate on what possible reasons there could be for doing so....?

I am probably reacting to the number of people who seem to get awards these days for services to sweet fuck all other than themselves. This fella deserves one easily when compared to those but again I do detect a certain -'if Alex Ferguson gets one than so should we' about the current campaign. Not arsed one way or another quite franckly. Now Sir David Moyes of Tesco has a ring to it - one he actually wins something :)

Agree with the lack of ambition shown on the New Analfiald design but it may be too late unless the yanks have to balls to take a step back and have a rethink. I would guess the grant authorities may baulk at more delays.

John Matrix 1985

March 6th, 2007, 09:50 AM

I don't think that they can redevelop the present Anfield, the new stadium website originally had 3 plans of what it would be like if they rebuilt the Anfield Road end or the Main Stand, they would have had to have knocked either stand down and completely rebuilt it, resulting in a loss of money from one side of the ground for the whole season. The Centenary Stand should have been built with a bit more ambition in 1992, could have got an extra few thousand seats if they had built a complete monster.

Most new grounds are bland as fuck these days, if you look on the stadiumguide.co.uk most of the future stadiums look the same.

Toadboy

March 6th, 2007, 12:05 PM

Nail on the head Mr Matrix. When Liverpool redeveloped the Kemlyn it effectively started the beginning of the end for Anfield. A lack of foresight, ambition and understanding of the heritage and culture of the club. This goes right back to the late 70's/early 80's when the Kemlyn expansion was initially mooted to give the club a 60,000 capacity. At that time average gates were regularly at the 48/49,000 mark, capacity was around 54,000. Liverpool FCs response was to first seat the Paddock, then the Road End BEFORE they even got close to getting planning permisssion for the Kemlyn. The result - a stadium that held 4,000 less people than present demand.

We're making the same mistake on a far bigger scale. The design is too generic, cold and restrictive in terms of capacity and scope.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the new ownership, who's due diligence indicated that 80,000 was closer to the mark, will resubmit an application.

John Matrix 1985

March 6th, 2007, 12:25 PM

Yep defo Toadboy, you'd think with the amount of hassle they went through purchasing the last 2 houses in that road they would have built something massive or had a bit of ambition, there is no scope to redevelop it now even though the car park still has a bit of space. With the amount of open space now on stanley park there is no excuse for lack of ambition.

The worst thing Liverpool could do would be to have something like the Delle Alpi where the fans hate it, there is no atmosphere and its just like playing footie in the Grand Canyon. Juventus have learnt the error of their ways and have proposed plans for a 40k all seater keeping the fans very close to the pitch.

buggedboy

March 6th, 2007, 12:26 PM

I'm not sure if the current stadia are actually that more generaic than the older ones.

As an Anfield attendee since the age of four, I still think that the design is remarkably similar to many of the older stadia, including Goodison, Maine Road, City Ground (though on a smaller scale), Roker Park, Brammall Lane etc.

Its not like every stadium back int' day was completely unique..far from it.

It would have been nice too see something really distinctive about the new Anfield, although the arch thing has been done to death now, so I wouldnt want to see something like that. However, anything that causes even one day's delay in getting this thing built now is automatically bad in my books.

I couldnt bear having to wait another few (probably more like six) months for a re-submitted planning application.

John Matrix 1985

March 6th, 2007, 12:33 PM

Thats the problem with this all over - it could have been built 2 years ago for about 80-100 million but because the club have dragged their feet and there have been countless objections to building on a public park the project has been delayed so much that just getting it started is a bonus, even though the stadium isn't the most awe inspiring and it costs 210 million pounds.

Was at the Emirates stadium last week while I was in London - it is an impressive arena but reminds me so much of Benfica's Estadio Da Luz, it's almost a carbon copy of it. The new Wembley looks very similar also. Just wish we could break the trend and have something different.

UrbaniseD

March 7th, 2007, 06:06 PM

looks much of a muchness to the rest of the very bland stadiums that are being built. ie. the emirates, the city of manchester stadium. it just doesnt inspire me.

I don't know what people are expecting here. I can't think of any stadium in this country that is particularly unique really. Certainly all of the pre twenty first century ones have a warehouse/industrial look about them. They are designed to do a job, they are utilitarian.

The same is true of the new generation of stadia. They are designed to do a job. They do seem to look a lot more aesthetically pleasing now than the old ones (including current Anfield.) But ultimately they are just made to do a job. I think the new Anfield is very smart as far as a utilitarian structure can be. It shows off the spires with hung covers, and the industrial looking structures are covered with panelling. The inside of the stadium is clean, airy-looking and very modern.

What exactly do people want? Fake columns and arches stuck on to the exterior? I can think of only a few excepotions across the world where something genuinely unique has been created (in a manner that is structurally necessary and not purely frivolous) and that is the Munich stadium. But personally I don't like it.

dups45

March 7th, 2007, 06:45 PM

Allinaz Arena

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c147/dups45/800px-Allianz_Arena_Pahu.jpg

Valencia's Stadium

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c147/dups45/valencianew12.jpg

Tony Sebo

March 7th, 2007, 07:18 PM

I was a little worried last night to hear that they are looking at incorporating a 'special Kop end'... does that read, bland, one tier end.. just like the fuck up they made for the old end at cardiff Arms Park/Millennium stadium?

UrbaniseD

March 7th, 2007, 07:44 PM

Allinaz Arena

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c147/dups45/800px-Allianz_Arena_Pahu.jpg

Valencia's Stadium

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c147/dups45/valencianew12.jpg

Sorry, I don't like either of those, at all. They too are much of a muchness. They are monolithic, and the first one in particular, thew lack of any building detail just doesn't do it for me. I prefere Emirates and new Anfield to those if I'm honest.

dups45

March 7th, 2007, 08:05 PM

Both are better than what we are getting

T0M

March 7th, 2007, 08:32 PM

I agree with Urban to an extent - (although I wouldn't mind either of the above buildings) - it would be 'nice' to have some iconic architectural masterpiece as Liverpool's new ground - but then it would also be 'nice' if every new office block and housing estate was an architectural masterpiece as well... but it's hardly the club's fault that they're ending up with a run of the mill 'new build' - because finances will always be a limiting factor, and it's better than a run of the mill old build...

LFC is one of the most famous football clubs in the world, and Anfield one of the best known grounds, but that's all to do with what happens on the pitch, not what surrounds it..

I think the new design is fine, and, like most projects of this scale it'll look much more impressive once it's finished.

Tony Sebo

March 7th, 2007, 10:30 PM

Anfield was only ever the Kop.. a fantastically spiritual place and sociological experience, but as a place to stand, as a piece of architecture and as a safe environment it stank (quite literally at times)

I love the idea of the old Kop but it would never be recaptured... what we need is a good, functional ground.. much bigger capacity and one that looks good! Not a lot to ask for!

Toadboy

March 7th, 2007, 11:08 PM

There's thousands of Rd Enders who'll disagree Tony and they have a strong argument to say they influenced modern popular and football culture as much as the 1960/70's Kop did.

I actually like the Millenium stadiums design 'flaw' which sees an old part of the previous stadium forming a Kop type end which breaks up the functional bowl. It gives character and a focal point.

Architecturally Anfields always been a basket case, maybe it's that dysfunctionalilty that adds to the raucous atmosphere.

Kenrick

March 8th, 2007, 04:41 PM

I'm all for having a new one-tier Kop end at the new stadium. The rest of ground two-tier, yes, but the new Kop needs to be one tier, as fans who want to sing should sit together. It's not always easy to join in a chant when the crowd's broken into different tiers, no matter how architecturally pleasing they may be.

Tony Sebo

March 9th, 2007, 12:40 AM

I fully agree about the influence Toad... but they would not be rebuilding the old Kop, with it's 27k scousers in it!

A two tier system at that end would just mean more kopites at that end... as we could have had at Anfield instead of that shite theatre we have now.. the planners killed the idea of a double decker straight away... for being 'too tall for Breck Rd'... like its a fucking conservation area!

I would much rather have 20k singing from one end than 12k siting in some replica church anyday... and that is exactly what a single decker 'offer' would be in the new ground.

I would insist that the single deck at millennium is an obvious mistake... on every point.

cambrian

March 9th, 2007, 12:58 AM

Millenium's atmosphere is fantastic and we seem to get the single tier every time which has helped up the decibels IMO.

The new Anfield needs the pitch close to the stands, A 'KOP' area behind the goal for fans who like to sing/shout and a roof that keeps the noise in.
This will hopefully give the stadium whats needed for an atmosphere point of view.

As for the design i can live with it as long as there is a way of expanding if required.

Agree with buggedboy please no more delays it is almost impossible to get tickets for friends/relatives who are not regular attendee's and all the new hotels opening in the next couple of years will be guaranteed to be fully occupied during home games.

Tony Sebo

March 9th, 2007, 01:11 AM

oh lord... it is not the architecture that makes anfield, remember.

Bill Shankley said that the whole ground was the biggest public toilet in the city when he joined... he wasn't slagging the fans he was just stating the truth... we don't need a Kop END, i.e a single piece of infrastructure, to make the singing loud... just tens of thousands (instead of just thousands) down one end.

cambrian

March 9th, 2007, 01:22 AM

we don't need a Kop END, i.e a single piece of infrastructure, to make the singing loud... just tens of thousands (instead of just thousands) down one end.

Yes but i think it helps if it is a single tier and fans who enjoy shouting/singing are encouraged to sit there.

Ask man city fans there view on eastlands a great stadium but on my
(1 visit) soulless.

TheBoy

March 9th, 2007, 10:36 AM

am sure i have read on here recently about the new 'kop' having a capacity of 22,000, but i just cant see it somehow, i mean think about it, the kop at the moment holds around 12,000 so the new one would have to be twice the size, plus with new regulations on legroom and width of seats it would have to be alot bigger, i mean i hope its right as a current season ticket holder in the kop.

Another point the stadium is to hold 61,000 so the capacity is always above 60k ;) so this kop would hold over a 3rd of the capacity of the new ground, when the design cleary shows the sides being substantially bigger. if there is a current redisgn of this scale then it would takes months if not years to gain new planning permission, something LFC or the new owners will not be willing to wait 4.

That saying i do like the design altho i do think it could/should be improve, unless you have an rich russian oil tycoon i cant see that any team would afford to build an iconic stadium... but lets just think, its a million times aesthetically pleasing than the current anfield which at the moment looks like it has been designed by 4 architects, and its the fans that make the stadium.

If you look at the Camp Nou of the Bernebeu they look awfull from outside but brilliant inside, an sure our new home will look better than 99% of stadiums.

the golden vision

March 9th, 2007, 12:13 PM

TheBoy

March 9th, 2007, 01:57 PM

I posted a similar message the other day but nobody seems to accept that maybe the intentio is to have the "new kop" as one of the side stands. As you state it would be impossible to have a 22,000 seat stand behind the goal without a complete redesign and a larger capacity. Over to you rednoses.

i dont think that the intention is to have the kop as one of the sides, i cant see any of the stands holdin 22k, there is no point doin that on a 60k stadium, the kop has to be a end

UrbaniseD

March 9th, 2007, 02:12 PM

I don't see why there needs to be a "kop" at all, that is bigger than the other sections. Some times the sentiment and obsession with tradition goes over the top imo.

TheBoy

March 9th, 2007, 02:14 PM

but this isnt sentiment, this is by far the most famous name stand in the world.

UrbaniseD

March 9th, 2007, 02:24 PM

TheBoy

March 9th, 2007, 02:34 PM

Yes but why must there be a section that is slightly bigger than the others in order to mimic what the present stadium has? The fact that the new stadium will have thousands more reds supporters in will keep up the noise and the good atmosphere. I also hear that the new owners have a history of adapting ticket prices so that the less well off can participate- I imagine this would help the atmosphere.

I only hope the seating doesn't start too far back from the pitch as it is this which creates the cauldron atmosphere as much as anything. Altyhough I hear they need a bigger gap in order to make the new stadium eligible for internation events.

i have never said i wanted a bigger end, just a slightly different design is fine by me. the gap issue is worring, altho i do think the benefits of being able to stage a international an other events appealing i dont no whether it would happen anyway, i mean, the champs league final, i dont think we have much hope of that, in england it will always be wembeley now anyway i think, or if not OT an its not like its in england often, twice in the last 25 years?? but am not sure about that!

Gazzab

March 12th, 2007, 04:47 AM

I posted a similar message the other day but nobody seems to accept that maybe the intentio is to have the "new kop" as one of the side stands. As you state it would be impossible to have a 22,000 seat stand behind the goal without a complete redesign and a larger capacity. Over to you rednoses.

Problem is with side views, you have to pay more usually.

I'm hoping they can eventually raise the capicity even further in order to reduce the price of tickets.

No good playing to a half full stadium.

Damon

March 12th, 2007, 02:01 PM

Apologies for chucking in a bit of YouTube action here, but this is on topic (kind of) and absolutely priceless. Not a replica kit in sight...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=631v3Dh8p5Q

T0M

March 12th, 2007, 02:12 PM

Brilliant clip Damon, what it's all about...

Paul D

March 12th, 2007, 03:53 PM

Parts of Stanley park have been fenced off for preparatory work on Liverpool’s 60,000 seater stadium.

It includes digging boreholes to check ground conditions in the park, a few hundred yards from the existing ground.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=new-anfield%2D-the-first-picture%26method=full%26objectid=18741200%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

Steve C

March 12th, 2007, 03:58 PM

John Matrix 1985

March 12th, 2007, 07:36 PM

Strong rumours floating around the lfc web community that the new owners have halted this project. www.redandwhitekop.co.uk www.raotl.co.uk etc

They apparently aren't happy with the capacity - nor it's lack of potential for future expansion - and have called in their architects for a redesign.

They had planned to tweak the design anyway, but it seems they want to go futher.

In the short term this would mean missing out on the european money and it'd mean no new stadium until around 2014. In the longer term though I think this would be a good thing.

Nothing official yet and it may just be a case of crossed wires and chinese whispers, but wouldn't be surprised to see yet another twist in a major Liverpool project...

That would be a pain in the arse time-wise but better to get a great stadium that a very average one.

Going slightly off topic, I've just seen the youtube video "muppets on a fence" which was mentioned in todays' Echo. It is done in "retaliation" to "Munich Karaoke" which although it has the Liverpool badge in it's video is actually sung by a bunch of Man City fans. God knows why these dicks ever bother singing things like this, none were ever born in 1958 and most are too young to remember Hillsborough.

Tony Sebo

March 12th, 2007, 08:30 PM

God - I hope that is true.

JUXTAPOL

March 12th, 2007, 08:36 PM

Sounds good if they could ammend design so it could be extended to say 80k easily in future, without going through planning by saying they want an 80k stadium. Get it built first, then put in planning to extend it in future.

Paul D

March 13th, 2007, 05:20 PM

More than a new stadium

A – Liverpool FC’s new 61,000-seater stadium, complete with a replacement for the Vernon Sangster sports centre, higher education facility run by Liverpool Hope university, expanded museum and tour centre, conference suites, club offices and underground car park.

B - The restored Stanley park, which will feature new football pitches, tennis courts, lake and a repaired Isla Gladstone conservatory. Park bridges, walls, pavilions and the lodge will all be brought up to scratch.

C - Anfield Plaza, a new residential and commercial centre built on the site of the current ground. Created around a central walkway leading up to the new stadium, it will include shops, homes, restaurants and cafes.

D - Regenerated housing - streets of boarded-up homes around Anfield are due to be demolished and replaced with brand-new properties. Many others will be refurbished to create a 21st-century community around New Anfield.

JUXTAPOL

March 14th, 2007, 10:22 AM

bluesnapper

March 14th, 2007, 01:12 PM

The new Yankee owners have borrowed nearly £300milllion in the name of LFC from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The annual bill for this is said to be worth £20million.

T0M

March 14th, 2007, 03:29 PM

The new Yankee owners have borrowed nearly £300milllion in the name of LFC from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The annual bill for this is said to be worth £20million.

Which is probably less than the extra revenue an additional 20,000 seats would bring in each year...

Paul D

March 14th, 2007, 05:52 PM

This has now been mentioned on Radio city news, they want 80,000 seater stadium so as to compete with whats their faces. :banana:

That would be more like it,are they seriously considering this or is this all heresay?

TheBoy

March 14th, 2007, 05:53 PM

Reds owners halt work on stadium
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Liverpool have put preparatory stadium work on hold
Liverpool's new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have halted work on their proposed new stadium and ordered a review of the plans.
BBC Sport understands the pair want to examine ways of increasing the 60,000 capacity of the arena in Stanley Park near their Anfield home.

Preparatory work has started on the ground, but major external changes would need a new planning application.

Liverpool's new ground is currently expected to cost around £215m.

The Bugged Out Egg

March 14th, 2007, 05:54 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6450893.stm

Reds owners halt work on stadium
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Liverpool have put preparatory stadium work on hold
Liverpool's new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have halted work on their proposed new stadium and ordered a review of the plans.
BBC Sport understands the pair want to examine ways of increasing the 60,000 capacity of the arena in Stanley Park near their Anfield home.

Preparatory work has started on the ground, but major external changes would need a new planning application.

Liverpool's new ground is currently expected to cost around £215m.

TheBoy

March 14th, 2007, 05:54 PM

T0M

March 14th, 2007, 06:21 PM

I wonder if Liverpool's new owners have put preparatory stadium work on hold? :nuts:

Paul D

March 14th, 2007, 06:47 PM

It's about time someone saw sense and started to think big,even if it does mean another delay it'll be worth it in the long run.

John Matrix 1985

March 14th, 2007, 08:40 PM

Is 80,000 optimistic? - I hope not

They would need to lower the prices of tickets if they had a ground this big you won't fill it if the tickets are £28 for a 3rd round Carling Cup tie. With the new TV deal they could afford to do so even though it won't happen for a few years. It would be great to go to Anfield and pay to get in rather than ringing the shitty ticket office for hours on end, making speculative postal applications or wasting my lunch time going up to Anfield to get tickets.

I have been impressed by the new owners so far, they seem far more down to earth than the Glazers and actually seem to have a vision for the club rather than simply making tons of cash.

Tony Sebo

March 14th, 2007, 09:30 PM

pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease...oh God, please let this be true!

kung_fuzi

March 14th, 2007, 10:08 PM

pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease...oh God, please let this be true!

It's true Tony,just let's hope the council pass the new plans.

beddiebyes

March 15th, 2007, 09:27 AM

I think people are getting extremely ahead of themselves here. They were already reviewing the design and have only delayed the start for a few weeks. A major capicity increase means they have to get renewed planning permission I doubt very much that they will increase the capacity to 80,000 and I dont think they should either. An 80,000 seater stadium would never get planning permission anyway.

GreenwichSE10

March 15th, 2007, 10:26 AM

Listen im a londoner..but to me this makes perfect sense...60,000 is too small for Liverpool FC.Liverpool have a massive untapped market of fans who dont go to games ..nearly very British asian ive met supports Liverpool.then there is the fans from the far east plus the huge number of supporters in Ireland and merseyside who would like to get tickets.

T0M

March 15th, 2007, 11:39 AM

People are currently waiting years to get season tickets, so it's not as if there isn't any demand. If it was only a new stadium being built I could see it would be a problem to increase the capacity by that much, but now that such a large scale regeneration is underway in the whole of Anfield, I think a larger capacity fits better with the scale of the plans, it's not as if space is an issue when you look at the proposals. Had they tried to rebuild the old stadium this wouldn't have even been considered, but now they're in the middle of a park, surrounded by space - and the council knows there's huge support for the new stadium anyway, so why not score some extra brownie points with the hundreds of thousands of voting Liverpool fans....

bustcapl

March 15th, 2007, 01:43 PM

The Bugged Out Egg

March 15th, 2007, 01:47 PM

wouldnt be suprised if its mainly more exeuctive boxes that are introduced. overall capacity wouldnt be that greatly effected but revenue would be much better from those new suites

T0M

March 15th, 2007, 01:48 PM

kung_fuzi

March 15th, 2007, 02:00 PM

The point I'm making though is that the climate and circumstances have changed considerably since the original planning application, and the current climate is probably much more amenable to to new application for a larger capacity.

I'd be quite happy with the 60,000 capacity as long as they redesign it for possible expansion later.
it will probably be easier to get planning permission thet way.

the golden vision

March 15th, 2007, 02:05 PM

This is an impartial view from a Blue. LFC's original plans were for a 70,000 seater but later Parry said they were scaling down as a stadium of that size couldn't justify the costs. As regards an 80,000 seat capacity, this could be done without increasing the footprint(building higher with overhanging tiers) so there wouldn't be any more land needed. The big problem will come from the professional objectors and in particular councillor or ex-councilor Kenny( i'm not sure) he waged a vociferous campaign against the stadium,so expect him to be at the forefront of the anti brigade.Kenny is an oppurtunist of the worst kind.

Scarecrow

March 15th, 2007, 02:08 PM

GV, there's an article on Toffeeweb you might like to read. :cheers:

the golden vision

March 15th, 2007, 02:54 PM

GV, there's an article on Toffeeweb you might like to read. :cheers:

Cheers Bunny.

b4mmy

March 15th, 2007, 09:39 PM

i ams sure one of the condiions of planning consent was that the ground was not any bigger than 60,000....

:yes:

Martin S

March 15th, 2007, 11:13 PM

Wasn't the reason given that a larger crowd size would put too much strain on the local area and infrastructure, rather than the physical size of the stadium?

It appears that what they are after is some means of allowing the stadium to be expanded in the future, rather than building it in one go to the larger capacity.

In a few years, the reopening of the freight line through Anfield to passenger services might allow the planning restriction to be relaxed.

paulmac35

March 15th, 2007, 11:49 PM

good point martin. its bad enough now around there with only 44,500. imagine how it would be with 70,000 - 80,000! it would be simply unworkable. they need the infrastructure in place to support such a plan. eg. open that much needed railway station.

i still wish they would stay were they are. ( i realise i am just about the only one who thinks this!). your never gonna recapture the atmos of the ground as it is. they could easily extend the main stand right back (after knocking all them empty streets of houses down that they own) and reach 60,000. i went to the city of manchester stadium last year and couldnt get over how quiet it was. the old maine road would have been rocking. in fact i cant think of a new stadium that has been a success. arsenal (though looks impressive has hardly been an advantage to the home team and is devoid of atmosphere). adding to the list reebok (bolton), the riverside (boro), stadium of light (sunderland), etc. they are lacking in atmos when compared with their old stadiums. and all this talk of an 80,000 stadium is all very well when your playing Barca or Man U. But what when we are playing Watford on a wet monday night in november and the match is live on sky!

Steve C

March 16th, 2007, 11:16 AM

Part of the stadium proposals were to open up the old freight line and reopen the station on Walton Lane. LFC want to do it, but I'm note sure how it all works in getting it up and running.

There are also extensive plans for park and ride systems and better integration with local public transport.

There was a huge, 100 page document outlining all the proposals for dealing with the extra numbers and it was incredibly thorough.

It'll still put a lot of pressure on the area but I think we'll be pleasantly surprised at the transport plans.

Gazzab

March 17th, 2007, 02:24 AM

beddiebyes

March 17th, 2007, 06:07 PM

I think they were mainly concerned with the fact that with the way the stadium has been designed you wont be able to increase the size in the future. Maybe they wont even increase the capicity at all in the short term, just tweak the design so that at a future date they would be more able to increase capicity. Who knows what their plans are, we'll just have to wait and see

John Matrix 1985

March 18th, 2007, 02:04 PM

It is on a big open plan park so I find it a bit stupid that the original design did not include scope for expansion. The transport may be a worry, read a few articles about the new Wembley, if you go by coach or car you are fucked because there are less parking areas now and no road improvements in the area. Your only option is to go by train/tube. Lets hope that this idea of a station being re-opened is more than just a rumour.

I've been to Real Madrid and Benfica, both have tube stations over the road from the ground which helps shifting people as quickly as possible, however at Real the night I went there was a Metro strike and the traffic round the area stood still for almost two hours, a lot of people including myself had to walk miles before getting on a non jam packed bus or hailing a cab.

Gazzab

March 19th, 2007, 12:31 AM

I also can't believe the short-sightedness of building a new stadium without the designs built in to allow for future expansion.

61,000 might be ok now but in 10 - 15 years time, most of the top clubs may expand again and Liverpool will be once more left behind.

If the designs aren't changed to allow for further expansion, I can see the club being back to square one in years to come.

oritelad

March 19th, 2007, 12:48 AM

i heard it is happening anyone got more info on it i know it used to be used for passangers but is now a freight line

John Matrix 1985

March 19th, 2007, 11:36 AM

Where would the new station be built? - i'm not familiar with the freight line

Steve C

March 19th, 2007, 07:14 PM

See if you recognise this:

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/w/walton_and_anfield/index.shtml

:)

John Matrix 1985

March 20th, 2007, 01:06 AM

Cheers, I know where it is now, the comment about "notorious for a child murder in the 1990's" (JB)is a bit creepy though.

Pietari

March 21st, 2007, 01:36 PM

Cheers, I know where it is now, the comment about "notorious for a child murder in the 1990's" (JB)is a bit creepy though.

Cheers, I know where it is now, the comment about "notorious for a child murder in the 1990's" (JB)is a bit creepy though.
__________________
You're a funny guy Colquhoun, that's why I'm going to kill you last.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Nevertheless open up the rail links for `Anfield` and other places will also eventually benefit.

John Matrix 1985

March 21st, 2007, 07:35 PM

Indeed, very ironic!

Toadboy

March 21st, 2007, 09:03 PM

Cheers, I know where it is now, the comment about "notorious for a child murder in the 1990's" (JB)is a bit creepy though.
__________________
You're a funny guy Colquhoun, that's why I'm going to kill you last.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Nevertheless open up the rail links for `Anfield` and other places will also eventually benefit.

Spot on Pie Eater. Surely a capital project which alone would attract between 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 people per annum to it would be trigger enough to spark off a mass transit scheme. The number of retail and business commuters thrown on top make it a no brainer.

unless you live in no brain Britain.

John Matrix 1985

March 22nd, 2007, 11:14 AM

Spot on Pie Eater. Surely a capital project which alone would attract between 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 people per annum to it would be trigger enough to spark off a mass transit scheme. The number of retail and business commuters thrown on top make it a no brainer.

unless you live in no brain Britain.

We also live in "professional objection territory" - Liverpool

JUXTAPOL

March 28th, 2007, 07:05 PM

Another ground share request (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6503097.stm)

This keeps happening every time there is a slight delay or twist to the new Anfield. I was all for the idea, but this city should aim to retain two big clubs with a great ground each within the current boundaries.

You never know though, especially when it goes on about American big business and getting the most out of assets.

Pietari

March 29th, 2007, 05:34 PM

Yet another case of it not all being over until the fat lady sings........

Craigie_Mann

March 30th, 2007, 12:26 AM

Would it not be possible for LFC to build a bigger stadium under the present planning permission but until the situation regarding transport is sorted they r restricted to selling 60000 tickets?

Paul D

March 31st, 2007, 05:02 PM

Liverpool wouldn't be able to up the capacity to 76,000 without a fresh application which could take up to two years.Instead I think they are intending to building the stadium with a view to extending it in the future,I'm sure they'll be able to make the stadium slightly bigger without a fresh planning application though? They're now looking at a June start depending on the outcome of some talks they're having.

kung_fuzi

March 31st, 2007, 05:32 PM

majormystery

April 2nd, 2007, 11:40 AM

On BBC News now:

Reds to begin stadium work in May
Liverpool will start the development of their new stadium in Stanley Park in May after plans were agreed at a meeting held over the weekend.

Reds new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, along with chief executive Rick Parry, met key figures from Liverpool City Council, who approved the plan.

But the news ends any possibility of a new joint stadium with Everton.

It is hoped that once tenders have gone out, construction will start in July and be finished by the end of 2008.

majormystery

April 2nd, 2007, 11:55 AM

Full report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6517517.stm)

Awayo

April 2nd, 2007, 12:10 PM

wrong thread...

John Matrix 1985

April 2nd, 2007, 02:14 PM

This story appears every 2-3 weeks, the plans will stop once the club state that they want to increase the capacity after consultation with the fans.

kung_fuzi

April 2nd, 2007, 02:41 PM

News

Final whistle on shared stadiumApr 2 2007

by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

A SHARED stadium for the city’s two football clubs was today killed off for good.

Council leader Warren Bradley resurrected the idea last week when he told the ECHO he would support it.

But in announcing that work would start on the new Anfield in May, Liverpool FC said there was no chance of Everton becoming involved.

A joint statement by the Reds and the city council said that despite “full and frank talks” about stadium sharing, it had “too many unknowns” and would cause “significant delays”, putting the entire redevelopment of Stanley Park and the Anfield area at risk.

Today’s announcement made it clear that Liverpool are fully committed to their own £215m project, despite the ongoing review of the proposal by their new American owners. It says:

Work can start next month on the 60,000-seater stadium, as long as there are no major changes which require fresh planning permission.

A joint venture company between the club and council will be set up by the end of April to oversee the scheme.

Tenders for the restoration of Stanley Park will go out within the next four weeks, with work starting by the end of July and finishing by the end of 2008.

The announcement followed talks over the weekend between Reds owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks and chief executive Rick Parry, and council leader Warren Bradley and regener-ation director John Kelly.

Mr Parry said: “Our new owners have taken the sensible decision to review the plans to enable us to create an even better stadium that will serve the needs of the club and the fans for the next 50 years.

“Already, some exciting ideas are emerging and we are working closely with the council on the best way forward.

“We are all endeavouring to ensure the plans can be implemented as soon as possible.”

Cllr Bradley said: “The final agreements are now almost in place to allow the work to start in a matter of weeks.

“A world-class stadium, fit for a world-class club and a word-class city, is now a real prospect.

“The benefits will reach out much further than football. Our agreement will secure the massive regeneration of the Anfield area and the transformation of Stanley Park.”

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

tommygunn

April 2nd, 2007, 02:52 PM

I would of stopped supporting Liverpool if that shared stadium went ahead.

John Matrix 1985

April 2nd, 2007, 04:30 PM

Shared stadiums are stupid ideas - Lazio are looking to build their own one because the Olympic Stadium rarely reaches capacity - even AC Milan have looked at moving away from the San Siro. I just couldnt imagine Liverpool and Everton ever sharing a soulless ground with bland coloured seats

Templinho

April 11th, 2007, 01:52 AM

BBC North West Tonight are running a series of interviews with Tom Hicks this week. You can view the first part here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6540000/newsid_6543100/6543111.stm?bw=nb&mp=rm#).

According to this report, the new Kop will seat 18,000 people, 6,000 more than at present, and will remain a single-tier structure with seats being amongst the cheapest in the stadium.

Durbsboi

April 30th, 2007, 10:34 AM

What I think the new Anfield should look like,

keeping in the trends of the mordern design trend but with the added kop, with enclosed walls to echo the cry from the kop, the stadium is compact so the vide & sound of the stadium will be kept in. It seats 85 000 people also has 2 tiers of luxury suites.

what you guys think of my design?

http://i18.tinypic.com/625ts28.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/4yqtlp3.jpg

http://i18.tinypic.com/5zns778.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/6f4sz7k.jpg

http://i18.tinypic.com/4zvejww.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/4qp54ja.jpg

http://i17.tinypic.com/4uaycll.jpg

Scarecrow

April 30th, 2007, 11:01 AM

You want the redshite to play in a Campina boiled sweet? :?

Change the roof, and you'll probably be close to the actual design. :)

Paul D

April 30th, 2007, 12:30 PM

LFC poised to ask for bigger stadium

AMERICAN billionaire Tom Hicks and his Liverpool FC co-owner George Gillett are to meet for key talks with council officials this week, city leader Warren Bradley said last night.

The duo, in town for tomorrow’s crunch Champions League semi-final return leg against Chelsea, are expected to discuss plans for their new multi-million pound stadium.

One plan is to preserve the turf of the existing ground as the centrepiece for a new plaza, to ensure fans’ dreams and memories can forever be played out on the world- famous Stanley Park turf.

The council can expect to receive a new planning application for both the existing and new sites, which lie virtually side by side in Anfield, this summer. That will delay the opening of the new stadium until at least the start of the 2010 season.

It will also send the cost rocketing from the current £180m to well over £200m.

Although work on the new stadium will still start this summer, the Americans are thought to believe that a new planning application is the best way of getting their plans sorted out from the outset.

As the area needed does not change, work can start simul- taneously with consideration of the amended plans.

By seeking a new planning approval for much enlarged stadium, Liverpool FC will have to carry out a new traffic impact study. The previous assessment was based on a crowd capacity of 61,000, but if the stadium is going to hold between 75,000 and 80,000 people the whole process will have to be redone.

There will be pressure on the club to provide a new Merseyrail train station along the Utting Avenue cutting to offer public transport links to the enlarged ground.

The owners will be meeting a city council group led by Cllr Warren Bradley, council chief executive Colin Hilton and regeneration director John Kelly.

Last night Cllr Bradley said: “My guess is that Liverpol FC will opt to go for a new planning application.

“The owners are not going to increase the footprint (the overall site size) of the new stadium, but the capacity will be significantly increased. We have to respect the fact that many people live in the area and we will make sure that the impact is properly assessed.

“I can see the sense in a fresh application because they have their own ideas of how they see the stadium being used and it is much better to get it right at the very beginning.

“It will mean the opening being put back, but we will have a world-class facility in our city. The plans they are talking about for Anfield Plaza are extraordinary.

“They want to change the original concept and leave the existing pitch as a grassed area. They want people to be able to relive the moments of glory on the existing pitch."

Durbsboi

April 30th, 2007, 12:51 PM

You want the redshite to play in a Campina boiled sweet? :?

Im not getting you, I havent seen a Campina boiled sweet.

kung_fuzi

April 30th, 2007, 03:18 PM

Paul D

April 30th, 2007, 03:55 PM

Well they seem determined to deliver a first class facility.
Best of luck to them and also of course the team tomorrow night. :cheers:

They'll definitely need the new train station which is a bonus for the surrounding area,the new plaza sounds like it's going to be just what the area needs aswell.

kung_fuzi

April 30th, 2007, 04:06 PM

They'll definitely need the new train station which is a bonus for the surrounding area,the new plaza sounds like it's going to be just what the area needs aswell.

Yes,looks like Anfield will be the place to live.
Except on matchdays though. :)

Scarecrow

May 1st, 2007, 02:10 PM

http://forum.geizhals.at/files/5216/campino.jpg

Durbsboi

May 2nd, 2007, 09:26 AM

http://i18.tinypic.com/4m193id.jpg

http://i15.tinypic.com/4ml6vte.jpg

http://i17.tinypic.com/4qhrmlt.jpg

Awayo

May 2nd, 2007, 09:29 AM

Bunny would prefer one of these, Durbs:

http://www.justjars.co.uk/acatalog/everton1.jpg

T0M

May 2nd, 2007, 11:26 AM

I like it Durbs, especially the way you've recreated the kop to keep the atmosphere.

Evertonian

May 2nd, 2007, 04:12 PM

That is exactly how I imagine in my minds eye that it should be done, with the Kop raising up out the top of the stadium as you suggest, almost like a shoe horn.

I like your attempt.

T0M

May 2nd, 2007, 04:31 PM

Send it to the yankees and see what they make of it.. i reckon they'll like it, quite American in style.

kung_fuzi

May 2nd, 2007, 07:51 PM

Send it to the yankees and see what they make of it.. i reckon they'll like it, quite American in style.

I think they have already decided on something similar to this with their idea of a single tier 'Kop'.

Durbsboi

May 3rd, 2007, 09:39 AM

Thanks guys, yeh the owners did say they are planning for a kop, that was just how I thought the design will look like, it could be totally different, who knows. lets wait & see, Im sure it will be great.

Tony Sebo

May 3rd, 2007, 05:47 PM

please guys... I know we have promoted the function as being more important than mere easthetics, but...... (the concept rather than your work Durbs) that is fucking horrible! They did things like that in the 1920s'!

Pietari

May 4th, 2007, 11:01 AM

I just hope it doesn`t take as long as `Wwwwwwwwemberly` ugh!

Toadboy

May 4th, 2007, 11:28 AM

Look at the Chicago stadium Tony, I think we'll see the modern sweeping style with a well balanced yet focussed Kop.

Tony Sebo

May 4th, 2007, 06:15 PM

have you got a link or pic toad?

Toadboy

May 5th, 2007, 01:41 PM

http://www.kennyconstruction.com/images/SoldierFieldDone.jpg

This will give you an idea Tony.

I think we'll see the sweeps and curves of the North American stadiums, multi tiered and multi priced side stands, something for everyone.

Doug Roberts

May 6th, 2007, 10:24 AM

Wow, great pic Toady something like that with a roof on would be just about right.

Evertonian

May 6th, 2007, 11:54 PM

I think a design similar to Australias Plympic Telstra stadium (albeit with only one out-jutting end and covered), would be great......

http://www.hok.com/projects/selectedprojects/576BD61C-93EF-4ABC-A456-D5A1EC9B05AF/projimages/mouseover1_1.jpg

Tony Sebo

May 7th, 2007, 02:15 AM

thanks toad. That does look good, but the capacity being talked about with the Kop would mean an end that would have to be completely out of context with the rest of the ground!

Something like your pic would be good for LFC... lets see what the actual plans look like when they're released.

Scarecrow

May 7th, 2007, 11:14 AM

I know it's a raw nerve to be touching, but seeing as Everton have come forward to 'experiment' with small terraced areas at any possible new ground, similar to those in Germany, do you think the R.S. would follow suit for a section of the new Kop end? Would this be a more likely possible method of increasing capacity, as opposed to building a bigger shell?

Tony Sebo

May 7th, 2007, 12:04 PM

I don't think that they should. To have any worthwile atmosphere etc it would have to be a huge area of terracing.. a small bit would provide nothing... and a large end, as we know is simply not on.

Terraces where for the early 20th century and hung on a little too long, tragically!

I loved the old Kop and as I have mentioned before, when I was young I used to spend more of my time studying it, rather than the game that was being played.... but you could not get that back...and we should not even begin to try.

I do get the feeling that those who mainly campaign for such things actually suffer from piles, rather than wishing to revive and soak up an old atmosphere though!

Toadboy

May 7th, 2007, 03:23 PM

18,000 out of 74/80,000 (which are the figures Bradley and LFC have implied) aren't so out of context, although given that the 'footprint' and external mass of the stadium are said to be staying the same, it'll mean a much smaller opposite end, possible a 8/10,000 capacity.

Now that could make for something very special and eye catching or it could make a pigs ear, what is good is seeing the accountants favoured method of calculating current seat revenues, multiplying them accordingly and balancing them off between construction costs and loan repayments being ditched by a more entreprenueral approach. What the new blood are signalling is a dynamic, forward thinking and exciting shift away from breeze block and steel sheds.

Arsenals ground is boring, functional and well equipped, it has many layers of revenue generation but the burden still falls on the average gooner. The implication is we'll see the high standards and multiple business models in place at Anfield but the cost to the fan will follow the more flexible and equitible US/European model. I'm actually expecting a cut in seat prices for much of the new Kop, more kids capacity (without the need for an accompanying adult) as well as the long overdue introduction of higher priced seats for the best views etc.

Say £20 up to £70 for most games, with the bulk of the seats being offered at between £30 and £45. That's a big step change from £35 x 60,000 x 19 games - loan repayments as a method of calculating the model.

Tom Hughes

May 24th, 2007, 02:30 PM

Its doesnt look that bad............. does it :?

some interior shots

http://i18.tinypic.com/4m193id.jpg

http://i15.tinypic.com/4ml6vte.jpg

http://i17.tinypic.com/4qhrmlt.jpg

I quite like the concept, I'm a blue and I think there is a need to preserve some kind of exclusivity of the Kop. I think this is more important than symmetry. However, I'm not sure how you medelled it, but just to be picky, from the renderings, I'm not sure the upper tier has any view of the near touchline, would be interested to see the cross section...... also, there's no where near enough vomitaries on the Kop in the image. It would take all week to empty. I have 2d dwgs of a redevelopment scheme for Goodison, would be interested to see them modelled similarly if anyone's intereseted.

1878EFC

May 24th, 2007, 02:34 PM

I have 2d dwgs of a redevelopment scheme for Goodison, would be interested to see them modelled similarly if anyone's intereseted.

i'm interested

Templinho

May 24th, 2007, 04:57 PM

Here are a few more details about New Anfield, taken from an ITV interview with Tom Hicks.

He claims to have a very sure and well-plotted plan for exactly what the 'new Anfield' will be and it would seem his ambitions for Liverpool have no bounds.

"First of all it's going to be unique to Liverpool. It's going to be built where the most prominent feature will be the new Kop.

"The new Kop will be bigger than the old Kop. It'll be more prominent. It'll be, our architects referred to us, like the symphony stage playing to the rest of the symphony hall.

"We'll create the stadium where it is an entertainment hall around the Kop. It's not going to be symmetrical. It's going to be unique.

"Each side is going to be a little different, which is the way stadiums have grown up in England. I think it'll tie into the tradition. But it'll be centred on the Kop.

"We have to get permission to let it grow, we're going to build it where it can have a much larger capacity than we have the approval for right now.

So it may be even bigger than the proposed 61,000 seats?

"We're going to build it where it has the capacity to be much larger than that. We'll build it at the smaller size to start if that's what we need to do, but somewhere along the line we hope to get the approval from the transportation authorities to be able to handle more people. Somewhere in the mid to high 70s."So, what do we know about the new stadium so far?

It will be designed around the Kop, which will seat 18,000 people (6,000 more than at present) and will remain a single-tier structure with seats being amongst the cheapest in the stadium.
Each side of the ground will be "a little different".
The eventual capacity will be "in the mid to high 70s", though it may begin as 61,000 as originally planned.
If anybody else hears anything, be sure to post it here. I can't wait to see the plans.