LFC heading for new stadium as Anfield refurb ‘unlikely’

LFC fans stand in the Kop as the reds defeat Benfica 4-1

Liverpool FC have insisted that the refurbishment of the current 44,000 capacity Anfield looks increasingly unlikely, with the tide turning strongly in favour of a new stadium.

Many of Liverpool’s original plans were based upon the provision of a new stadium, in the adjacent Stanley Park area.  Liverpool Football Club and Liverpool Council recently extended an agreement for the club to take an option on taking over the Stanley Park site, but it is believed that this extension will only last 3 months – meaning Liverpool are quickly running out of time to decide.

The new owners are believed to have been looking at all the options, including developing the two least developed stands of Anfield – the Anfield Road end and Main Stand.

Ian Ayre, the club’s Chief Executive said:

“In the nine months since the new ownership, an enormous amount of work has been undertaken in conjunction with leading architects, consultants, other industry experts and with Liverpool City Council to explore the building of a new stadium as well as exploring a refurbishment solution that could deliver the necessary growth in capacity, whilst maintaining the heritage and atmosphere that make Anfield uniquely Liverpool FC.

“However, with land/property acquisition, environmental and statutory issues creating barriers to our ambition, it looks increasingly unlikely there is any way we can move forward on a refurbishment of Anfield unless there are significant changes in those areas.”

The city council is also firmly opposed to a redevelopment – insisting that only a new stadium will provide the kind of regeneration needed for the L4 (Anfield) area.

Cost

Ayre added:

“In terms of a Stanley Park stadium versus redevelopment, there is absolutely no question that a refurbishment of Anfield would come at a significantly lower cost than a new build. A new stadium of course also has its merits, being modern, more functional, and easier to construct.

However, a new 60,000 capacity ground also comes at a significantly higher price, while at the same time only delivering roughly the same amount of revenue as a refurbishment of Anfield – with both options offering an uplift of approximately 16,000 seats each.”

Naming Rights

“It’s disappointing that based on where we are at the moment, we seem to be unable to press on with the more viable economic option of a refurbishment, but we remain committed to finding the best possible long-term solution.

We already have a very healthy dialogue in place with several leading brands regarding naming rights for a new stadium, but like every major deal we have ever done, that just takes time to explore in full.

We also have ongoing discussions with various parties around the financing of either facility. Our challenge now is to try to find a way to bring all of those elements together in a solution that is in the best interests of Liverpool Football Club and its fans.

There are a whole range of financial and even psychological decisions that we at Anfield Online believe are affecting the decision.

1. Increase in Season Tickets and changes to ticket purchasing

Liverpool have recently increased the number of season ticket holders at Anfield.  They are also splitting large parts of the ticket sales in to two parts of the season.  Essentially meaning fans will be purchasing their tickets longer in advance. (Season Ticket holders purchase all their games at the start of the season – then have the following year to effectively pay no ticket fees and save up again).

Liverpool need to plan ahead for a larger stadium, that could see as many as a further 15,000 season ticket holders required (let’s assume 45,000 ST holders in a 60,000 seat stadium).

Therefore this strategy is getting fans more used, and prepared to a switch to season tickets.

2. Effect of redevelopment

Following on from the last points this means there are more season ticket holders at Anfield.  If the current ground was to be refurbished then this would almost effectively mean there were very few tickets available for fans to purchase per game, a season long development of either the Main Stand or Anfield Road, would significantly reduce tickets and therefore match revenue also.

3. Temporary housing of away fans

A redevelopment of the Anfield Road would also mean away fans would need a new section creating – this could result in unnecessary temporary development in another part of the ground.

4. Extensions of costs/reducing in time to complete

Redeveloping Anfield would take much longer than a new stadium.  Work could not be carried out on matchdays for instance, plus the site would effectively need to be ‘made safe’ for every weekend and possibly midweek.  This will not only add on to the cost, but also the time taken on the project.

Summary

Sadly, but inevitably, the redevelopment always looked like the least likely option.  Regular matchgoers will be aware of the compacted space in the area on the Main Stand and Anfield Road for further development.  They will also be aware of the importance the local council – effectively the landowner of surrounding areas – has in this decision and their requirement to regenerate the local residential area which has suffered through the clubs house purchasing scheme over the recent decade.

A move of 200 yards across the road still retains the clubs stadium in Anfield – it’s home for it’s entire history.  Anfield today bears no resemblance today to the ground it was 100 years ago and we believe all fans will still call the new ground Anfield despite whatever brand name teams up with the club.  Sponsors are for people on the TV to refer to, or for newspapers to write in.  It’s not what Liverpool fans will call the ground.

Our current ground has served us well, but the bricks and glass are nothing on their own.  The fans who filled it are what have always made our stadium great.  And it will be those fans who make a new Anfield great as well.