Stadium Plans

[Monketron]

It was 16 million to extend the steve bull stand and 64 million to extend the south bank.
How are we going to raise that kind of money?

Part loans, Part sponsorship, Part owner funded. Just like how every other club does it.

 

[WasStefan]

Agree in principle with that but not sure that the current capacity is restricted just by price. I know of several that just don't bother looking anymore because they found it a hassle to get seats together and refuse to sit in the Graham Hughes stand.
The prices for games on an individual basis is too high imo but still think we could comfortably sell 40,000 for most games if the completely outdated Steve Bull was rebuilt and possibly the Southbank made bigger as well, along with getting rid of the ridiculous open stand.
But like most I don't think the current owners have any interest in developing the ground anyway which is a great shame.

At current prices we could probably sell another 2,000

Plenty of games go down to members over the past 12 months

They aren’t gonna drop prices so we don’t really need a bigger ground, sadly

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

At current prices we could probably sell another 2,000

Plenty of games go down to members over the past 12 months

They aren’t gonna drop prices so we don’t really need a bigger ground, sadly

Think that's a bit chicken and egg though. It's priced to maximise revenue, so if the ground is bigger at least some prices would come down to fill it. If you want a roof over your head then the top games are £48 behind the goals, that's just ridiculous, but hardly any available so they sell anyway. Double the size of the South Bank, drop the prices 25% everyone wins (although makes the economic argument more difficult of course).

 

[hollo]

Part loans, Part sponsorship, Part owner funded. Just like how every other club does it.

Sorry, 46 million for south bank.

 

[Oliwolf44]

They aint building a new stadium or stand. werent before, arent now, and wont in the near future. No matter how many people on here can do some maths or once worked in construction

 

[Oakhamwolf]

Did the stadium tour on Sunday, and it’s very clear not much money being spent. Very shabby inside and out, and even the bits that have been done have been done on the cheap. It’s a real shame they are letting the ground get this bad, bricks and mortar do cost millions, however paint and repair no where near as much, plus don’t we partner with local building companies ? You used to walk round the ground and marvel how colourful and splendid it was (ok not Steve Bull), now it’s like a ground that had a couple of years in the prem, and then the money ran out 5 years ago when we got relegated…. Which we haven’t.

 

[Matt]

It does need work, I just can't see FOSUN ever spending the money on it. They've never indicated that they were keen to. Even pre-covid plans were cheap temporary measures. Molineux development will come from the next owners, whoever they may be.

 

[ricki herberts moustache]

Did the stadium tour on Sunday, and it’s very clear not much money being spent. Very shabby inside and out, and even the bits that have been done have been done on the cheap. It’s a real shame they are letting the ground get this bad, bricks and mortar do cost millions, however paint and repair no where near as much, plus don’t we partner with local building companies ? You used to walk round the ground and marvel how colourful and splendid it was (ok not Steve Bull), now it’s like a ground that had a couple of years in the prem, and then the money ran out 5 years ago when we got relegated…. Which we haven’t.

Given the amount of money going on players it would be a mere fraction to do a bit of painting and tidying up

 

[Monketron]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1737080530653290705

Surprised at this as Villa's owners seemed to have made this a priority. Shows how weak they may feel the economy is going to be in this part of the world over the next few years.

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

I wonder, there is after all very little merit, in terms of a business case, to spend money as a football club on the ground.

It is a massive investment over a long period of repayment, all of which is dependant on unknown variables which themselves rely on heavy spending. It doesn't really 'add' much to the overall revenue and ties up large amounts of capital which are better used in securing the more lucrative investment streams ie better players keeping you on the gravy train of Premier league football

Equally the news from Villa park may well be the reality of where costs lie at present, it may also reflect that one of the 'specialist' contractors who did our North Bank have now gone bust and most established contractors don't really like stadia as they tend to have a higher risk profile. Maybe a down turn next year it may be a more favourable opportunity to people and likewise price reflect this.

I don't see much being spent on our ground if at all now, when they replicated the previous temporary stand with a new one with equally awful views and no roof tells you how concerned they are about the match going fans

 

[Kashmire Hawker]

Villa putting the North Stand’s expansion on ice for now, is a real indicator of the extraordinary cost of raw materials to get it done.

Knowing however they are committed to getting it completed ahead of EURO 2028, they actually have a bit of time to play with and with plans progressing for a whole scale redevelopment of Witton Railway Station, aligning both together would sound sensible.

 

[sillytuna]

I wonder, there is after all very little merit, in terms of a business case, to spend money as a football club on the ground.

It is a massive investment over a long period of repayment, all of which is dependant on unknown variables which themselves rely on heavy spending. It doesn't really 'add' much to the overall revenue and ties up large amounts of capital which are better used in securing the more lucrative investment streams ie better players keeping you on the gravy train of Premier league football

Equally the news from Villa park may well be the reality of where costs lie at present, it may also reflect that one of the 'specialist' contractors who did our North Bank have now gone bust and most established contractors don't really like stadia as they tend to have a higher risk profile. Maybe a down turn next year it may be a more favourable opportunity to people and likewise price reflect this.

I don't see much being spent on our ground if at all now, when they replicated the previous temporary stand with a new one with equally awful views and no roof tells you how concerned they are about the match going fans

Mate of mine turned down a huge contract for everton for that reason. He also said stadia tend to have more basic errors so contractors take extra risk as they have to offer guarantees. His company make some of the metal components required.

 

[Berlin Wolf]

Villa putting the North Stand’s expansion on ice for now, is a real indicator of the extraordinary cost of raw materials to get it done.

Knowing however they are committed to getting it completed ahead of EURO 2028, they actually have a bit of time to play with and with plans progressing for a whole scale redevelopment of Witton Railway Station, aligning both together would sound sensible.

Villa would need to be on site, ideally latest summer 2025, to give them three years and breathing space to complete the expansion. Could start later, into 2026, but time would begin to run, and pressure build to complete on time for EURO 2028.

Liverpool have partially opened their Anfield Road End expansion, an extra 7,000 seats. Everton are putting seats into their 53,000 seat new stadium. Man City have started their 7,700 seat expansion. Leicester got the final green light yesterday for their 8,000 seat main stand expansion.

If raw materials are so expensive, how are those clubs managing to press ahead with their stadium expansions and new build?

 

[lets all have a disco]

Didn't Villa get the Euros games on the back of their expansion plan..

 

[SteveBullsKnee]

Villa would need to be on site, ideally latest summer 2025, to give them three years and breathing space to complete the expansion. Could start later, into 2026, but time would begin to run, and pressure build to complete on time for EURO 2028.

Liverpool have partially opened their Anfield Road End expansion, an extra 7,000 seats. Everton are putting seats into their 53,000 seat new stadium. Man City have started their 7,700 seat expansion. Leicester got the final green light yesterday for their 8,000 seat main stand expansion.

If raw materials are so expensive, how are those clubs managing to press ahead with their stadium expansions and new build?

Raw materials are exceptionally expensive now. Build costs currently are 15-30% more than pre covid. Look at the amount of builders going into administration currently or the sheer overspend Everton are looking at (it’s £100 million over budget)

 

[greco wolf]

if we are not going to press ahead I would like to see the corner filled in between SB and Steve Bull - and ideally some kind of roof on it - Blackpool have had a temp stand for years and is fine with a roof on. At least it adds 1,000 or so and increases atmospehere as close to pitch. Ideally wew would just do that in the corners and sort roof out. It will do for now

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

if we are not going to press ahead I would like to see the corner filled in between SB and Steve Bull - and ideally some kind of roof on it - Blackpool have had a temp stand for years and is fine with a roof on. At least it adds 1,000 or so and increases atmospehere as close to pitch. Ideally wew would just do that in the corners and sort roof out. It will do for now

Actually not sure a roof would even matter that much there. The irony of Molineux is that we have an uncovered stand in the corner where the weather generally comes from!

 

[Berlin Wolf]

if we are not going to press ahead I would like to see the corner filled in between SB and Steve Bull - and ideally some kind of roof on it - Blackpool have had a temp stand for years and is fine with a roof on. At least it adds 1,000 or so and increases atmospehere as close to pitch. Ideally wew would just do that in the corners and sort roof out. It will do for now

Agree greco. If absolutely no major development is going to happen in the foreseeable future.. Fill both corners to the height of the South Bank, and extend the roof to cover the seats. Extra capacity, dry fans, and a more balanced looking stand.

 

[Wandsworth Wolf]

Reading between the lines, it appears that Villa’s decision isn’t a cost one: it looks like they are using it to apply pressure on the local council to speed-up investment in local transport infrastructure.
Also, understandably, they are concerned about reducing capacity at a time when they are experiencing an upturn in footballing fortunes (European fixtures next season).

 

[lets all have a disco]

Agree greco. If absolutely no major development is going to happen in the foreseeable future.. Fill both corners to the height of the South Bank, and extend the roof to cover the seats. Extra capacity, dry fans, and a more balanced looking stand.

Been saying for years the logical way to do the ground without too much disruption would be to take the roof of the south bank for a season or so....2 new corner stands and extend it back a bit t....increase capacity by say 4k...in a similar way to how Liverpool have done there stand ...with the current south bank remaining open while the work is done .

That would give us the increase we need and put the extra seats we need in the correct area....then the Steve bull would just need a refurb....with the wasted office space at the back of stand utilising into concourse space and facilities, without the need for much of a increase in capacity...just better facilities...

 

[Wandsworth Wolf]

Been saying for years the logical way to do the ground without too much disruption would be to take the roof of the south bank for a season or so....2 new corner stands and extend it back a bit t....increase capacity by say 4k...in a similar way to how Liverpool have done there stand ...with the current south bank remaining open while the work is done .

That would give us the increase we need and put the extra seats we need in the correct area....then the Steve bull would just need a refurb....with the wasted office space at the back of stand utilising into concourse space and facilities, without the need for much of a increase in capacity...just better facilities...

Agreed.

Create a mirror of the North Bank, with the bonus that the South Bank can remain open the whole time - so no reduction in attendance.

I guess the only commercial down-side of South Bank redevelopment is the lack of revenue generating hospitality - a single tier means no middle layer of VIP boxes/facilities.

But maybe they could build something on the back that could help mitigate - e.g. offices/co-working spaces to let.

 

[lets all have a disco]

Agreed.

Create a mirror of the North Bank, with the bonus that the South Bank can remain open the whole time - so no reduction in attendance.

I guess the only commercial down-side of South Bank redevelopment is the lack of revenue generating hospitality - a single tier means no middle layer of VIP boxes/facilities.

But maybe they could build something on the back that could help mitigate - e.g. offices/co-working spaces to let.

Could always put some hospitality as such in the two corners or as you say at the back....

I've noticed the new Liverpool stand behind the goals appears to have hospitality in the middle....it's like one single stand but in 3 blocks or sections with hospitality in the middle...

If ya notice the hospitality bit is still empty..

 

[Lou Pine]

The South Bank should always remain single tier.

 

[JohnB]

The South Bank should always remain single tier.

Yep - South Bank - build overhanging roof; remove current roof; build standing seats behind current seats; open up enlarged single tier; replace/fill in the 2 corners. Creates 4-5,000 extra seats.

Phase 2 - lower pitch slightly; dig down and forward from Steve Bull; expand concourse and create segregation; put away fans 60% in NB and warp around remaining 40% into SB lower (which would only be 33% of expanded SB lower).

 

[Spitfire]

Yep - South Bank - build overhanging roof; remove current roof; build standing seats behind current seats; open up enlarged single tier; replace/fill in the 2 corners. Creates 4-5,000 extra seats.

Phase 2 - lower pitch slightly; dig down and forward from Steve Bull; expand concourse and create segregation; put away fans 60% in NB and warp around remaining 40% into SB lower (which would only be 33% of expanded SB lower).

They can’t dig down. There’s not enough room between the North bank and South bank, it’s already at the allowed minimum distance from the stands to the pitch after the Morgan rebuild.

 

[Irish_Wolf]

They aint building a new stadium or stand. werent before, arent now, and wont in the near future. No matter how many people on here can do some maths or once worked in construction

Fosun have severe ADHD, they arrived like a whirlwind with great intent only to be distracted by a fly walking up the wall.

 

[NewarkWolf]

It needs a revamp but not necessarily an increase in capacity, we’re at where we’ll always be for the foreseeable. A 1000 or so from another corner added would be the maximum to go at imo

 

[Coshamwolves]

It needs a revamp but not necessarily an increase in capacity, we’re at where we’ll always be for the foreseeable. A 1000 or so from another corner added would be the maximum to go at imo

It needs an increase in capacity, the majority of games would be upper 30,000.

 

[NewarkWolf]

It needs an increase in capacity, the majority of games would be upper 30,000.

Only if we’re a consistent top 8 side, which we won’t be for a considerable amount of time.

 

[Coshamwolves]

Only if we’re a consistent top 8 side, which we won’t be for a considerable amount of time.

Absolute crap, only a few games at the moment go to general sale and that`s only because of re sales

 

[Rhoswolf]

Very best we can expect from Fosun, based on their current strategic approach, is stagnation and ultimate inevitable decline.

 

[WickedWolfie]

Very best we can expect from Fosun, based on their current strategic approach, is stagnation and ultimate inevitable decline.

Hate to say this but we feel like the new Albion....

 

[Edinburgh Wolf]

Absolute crap, only a few games at the moment go to general sale and that`s only because of re sales

And it's nigh on impossible to get 2 seats together for a weekend game just now. I've tried several times to get tickets for me and my son when we've been down visiting family, but have never been able to get 2 together.

 

[WickedWolfie]

And it's nigh on impossible to get 2 seats together for a weekend game just now. I've tried several times to get tickets for me and my son when we've been down visiting family, but have never been able to get 2 together.

That's probably because, outside the Gene Kelly at least, many of the tickets on offer are returns.

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

That's probably because, outside the Gene Kelly at least, many of the tickets on offer are returns.

Something I think that has happened (maybe) is that the Chelsea game has sold out easily with just odd single popping up, because they've let STHs buy 2 extras each. Everton has loads left still (lots of the corner and pairs on resale, because it's only available to members.

 

[WickedWolfie]

Something I think that has happened (maybe) is that the Chelsea game has sold out easily with just odd single popping up, because they've let STHs buy 2 extras each. Everton has loads left still (lots of the corner and pairs on resale, because it's only available to members.

TBH as a ST holder, albeit one who resold his Chelsea ticket, l don't really keep tabs on ticket availablity for home games.

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

TBH as a ST holder, albeit one who resold his Chelsea ticket, l don't really keep tabs on ticket availablity for home games.

No, me neither, except that I have been after an extra for each of these two games. Got one in the South Bank eventually for Chelsea, but can't buy one for Everton still without shelling out £40 for a membership. People who come back for Christmas and take in a game aren't really helped with the current system.

 

[Wandsworth Wolf]

About 18 months ago, Russell Jones talked about a more cost-effective redevelopment solution for the Steve Bull.

I’m assuming that meant new exec boxes and a new re-profiled lower tier.

Was there ever any further info / leaks?

 

[Berlin Wolf]

About 18 months ago, Russell Jones talked about a more cost-effective redevelopment solution for the Steve Bull.

I’m assuming that meant new exec boxes and a new re-profiled lower tier.

Was there ever any further info / leaks?

Wandsworth, 18 months on, as far as I am aware, no further info or official update, on what Russell talked about to Johnny Phillips on Ask Wolves.

I always hope the club are working on the mentioned Steve Bull nine stage plan behind the scenes, but no visible movement so far.

 

[YouGottaRaulWithIt]

Very best we can expect from Fosun, based on their current strategic approach, is stagnation and ultimate inevitable decline.

Merry Christmas.