Leeds United chief addresses stalled Elland Road redevelopment timeline and 'cleanliness' concerns - YEP 31/3/23
Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear has spoken with the Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) about the current state of Elland Road and where the club are at in their goal to redevelop the historic ground
Joe Donnohue
Kinnear was the Leeds United board representative at March’s
SAB meeting at which several issues were discussed including the cleanliness
and condition of facilities at Elland Road. Recently, a social media thread
highlighted aspects of Leeds United’s home stadium that supporters deemed not
up to code, something which Kinnear acknowledges following his meeting with the
SAB.
The chief executive also explained the logistical reasons
behind some aspects of the ground fans have been dissatisfied with.
“AK [Kinnear] acknowledged that a lot of work needs to be
done around the stadium and that there are areas that are not fit for purpose.
The club accepts it needs to be better and will look at ways of making some
quick improvements in certain areas, especially with regards to cleanliness,
toilet seats and improving period products for supporters etc,” minutes from
this month’s meeting read.
“AK also mentioned that as we do have such an old stadium a
lot is down to needing significant redevelopment and so the club doesn’t want
to spend too much money on areas that will then be demolished. The club needs
to find a balance between spending a lot of money and being able to make a real
difference, as the club currently has one of the lowest prices for season
tickets that comes along with having some of the lowest levels of facilities
and that can be a vicious circle as poor facilities are often then treated
worse.
“AK mentioned that millions of pounds has been spent on
stadium upgrades, meeting Premier League stadium requirements and installing
safe standing over the last few seasons but it would take tens of millions of
pounds to make the material changes that supporters deserved and therefore a
full stand reconstruction was the best solution.”
As for stadium redevelopment, a long-term goal of the
current board’s, minutes revealed a number of extenuating circumstances had led
to the current stall, such as increased costs and the club’s membership as a
top flight club: “The plans are ongoing and have been stalled recently due to
restrictions with COVID and then our position last season with regards to our
status in the Premier League, which is similar this season.”
"AK did say though that the club has
drawings/commissions for plans. The construction costs have also increased 50%
which has meant that this is one of the worst times to commence a major
construction project. The club will engage in a full consultation with
supporters as well as all other stakeholders and the wider Leeds community.