Leeds United Elland Road expansion: Changed plans, 'agreement' and new capacity aim revealed — YEP 26/5/24
By Toby Bryant
Wembley is the focus for Leeds United players, staff and
fans this afternoon as the Whites take on Southampton for a place back in the
Premier League. Throughout the last few seasons, talk of Elland Road and a
potential expansion have been rife.
Under previous ownership and the 49ers, the topic of Elland
Road has never been far away. A return to the top tier will surely help any
plans with the famous ground, and on the cusp of the huge Championship play-off
final, we thought we'd take a look at all the latest news and updates
surrounding a potential Elland Road expansion dating back the last couple of
years.
New capacity aim revealed
One of the latest updates on the stadium situation has come
from The Independent last month.
"Stadium development would also swing back into focus.
i understands further talks have been held with stakeholders in the city
recently, a sign that Leeds are continuing their due diligence around a
possible expansion of Elland Road over the 50,000 mark. That feels fairly
essential if Leeds are to keep pace with Premier League middleweights."
Clear criteria to meet for Elland Road expansion
The Yorkshire Evening Post understands that while the
hierarchy at Leeds United remains committed to developing Elland Road and
enhancing the matchday experience, any plans are to remain on hold until the
team return to the top flight.
Daniel Farke's side are pushing for an automatic promotion
spot this season, although are still catching up ground on leaders Leicester
City and Ipswich Town after a slow start to life under the former Norwich City
man. The Yorkshire club's owners know what it takes to improve a stadium thanks
to links with the 49ers. Leeds United recently appointed a new chief operating
officer in Morrie Eisenberg, who played a key role in the 49ers' move to the
revered Levi's Stadium a decade ago.
Tram link plans
Fans heading to Elland Road on a matchday might soon be able
to take the tram with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority recently announcing
proposals for a new public transport network across the city. Phase one of the
'Mass Transit Scheme' is due to begin development in 2028 and would see two
lines operating, one of which will go from St James' Hospital, through Leeds
city centre and on to Elland Road.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: "This
will be transformational for the North, helping our communities to thrive and
our economy to flourish - benefiting generations to come with greater
opportunity and prosperity. We know that mass transit systems have successfully
helped to regenerate areas right across the country by boosting connectivity,
opportunity and prosperity – and we will work tirelessly to make sure that
happens here in West Yorkshire.”
New talks
Phil Hay of The Athletic has reported that Leeds have met a
major architectural firm. Redevelopment of Elland Road would naturally lead to
potentially higher revenues and strengthen the club commercially. Hay wrote:
"When 49ers Enterprises lined up its takeover in the summer, it was
suggested that the fund might be in a position to unveil more concrete plans
before the end of this year. Leeds are known to have spoken with at least one
major architectural firm about redeveloping their ground.
"A larger, more modern home is seen as the most crucial
way of giving United greater commercial strength; the key to pushing up the
worth of a club that, at one stage, had a valuation of close to £500million
($630m) in the Premier League."
The plans that changed
It was agreed in 2021 that Leeds would build a new training
ground, as well as expanding Elland Road. But those plans were later withdrawn,
with Leeds instead opting to expand the stadium to 55,000 seats, up from the
current capacity of 37,608. It was said at the time that further investment
from the 49ers would be needed. Angus Kinnear said at the time: “If we stay up
this year, then construction wouldn’t start next year, but the process would.”
‘Agreement’
New Leeds owners 49ers Enterprises are expected to assume
ownership of Elland Road from previous owner Andrea Radrizzani, according to
The Athletic.
“As yet, there are no updates on Companies House about a
change of ownership, but the 49ers’ buy-out of Radrizzani included an agreement
for the group to acquire 100 per cent of Elland Road and sources with knowledge
of the deal — speaking anonymously to protect confidentiality agreements — have
told The Athletic that the handover is due to be registered at Companies House
in the near future.”
49ers’ previous promise
Paraag Marathe is keen to preserve the personality and
history of the Elland Road culture. In an interview with the BBC, Marathe said:
“I’ll be honest with you, the main thing is to protect the magic and
electricity that is in Elland Road. The answer then is [it] probably means that
it’s more of a stadium expansion than a new stadium because I don’t want to
take away from that.
“Players from the other 19 [Premier League] clubs, if they
are going to list the three worst places that they want to play on the road for
an away match, Elland Road is probably one, two or three for them. I don’t want
to take that away.”
Leeds looking at ‘tens of millions’ to expand
The proposed Elland Road redevelopment could cost Leeds
United ‘tens of millions’ of pounds. That’s according to football finance
expert Daniel Plumley, who spoke with MOT Leeds News about the club’s stadium
expansion plans.
