Elland Road development to march on, despite failed England World Cup bid

The Yorkshire Post today reported that the Leeds board intend to press on with planned developments to Elland Road despite missing out on funding from the Football World Cup bid. The World Cup development money, which was to come in the form of a Council loan looked vital to be able to push forward with developing - and was assumed to be tied down to a winning England bid. Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, and the Leeds board are hoping that the desired loans can be achieved by proposing improvement of Elland Road as a fitting venue for the 2013 Rugby League and 2015 Rugby Union World Cups.

Harvey said, to the YP:

"Missing out on the World Cup was a huge blow and we all felt let down by the goalposts being moved (by FIFA)," he said. "But the key now is making sure that the work we did as a city is not lost.

"We can't lose the impetus that was gained by bidding for the World Cup because if we do then the danger is we may never get this chance again. Work to improve south Leeds and regenerate the area, using
Elland Road as the catalyst, should not just stop because of 22 people making a decision in Zurich.

"Why should they affect the lives of people in Leeds when we have an ability to do something about it?

"To do that, we would encourage the Council to still move forward with these plans as quickly as possible. In that respect, there has been some early dialogue between us. The question is with them now as to how they want to take things forward."

Regarding development prospects and funding he added:

"We are in a position where the development can go forward as soon as funding is arranged.

"We were to receive the support from the Council in terms of a loan. The offer was conditional of getting the 2018 World Cup.

"We would hope that, in view of the benefits the work will bring to the city and south Leeds in particular, the Council will see the benefit of supporting the club's attempts to redevelop the area.

"We need to understand fully where the Council sits in relation to the whole site and their aspirations. The site needs some enabling funding to deal with the real issues."

Leeds City council told the YP:

"We have received a proposal from Leeds United concerning a possible redevelopment of Elland Road. We are currently considering that proposal and will be responding in due course."

Ken Bates has already informed fans that an infill of the East Stand structure is under way will result in the creation of 22 new executive boxes, six new lounges, improved catering and events capacity and a wider East Upper concourse improving match day facilities for fans - all to be added with no impact to the stand's 17,000 seat capacity.

This is the proposed structure to be added to the East Stand side of the ground:

This involves the Club Shop being relocated to the other end of Lowfields Road, and Billy's statue to a position opposite the structure. It encompasses a 2 and 4-star hotel at opposite ends of Lowfields, one where the current shop sits (the taller structure on the left) as well as a shopping arcade to link the two running along the East Stand's length. This structure's planning permission has already accepted by the Council (who also offered monetary support should England have won the bid) when it was first proposed in 2009 as part of the World Cup bid and proposed regeneration of the Beeston area of Leeds, where the ground is of course situated.

East Stand Development - Gallery

Many fans would rather see any funds spent on re-acquiring the ground that costs in the region of £2M a year to rent, which I think I'm right in saying also rises by a percentage each year.

Shaun Harvey has said:

"We can buy Elland Road back from the landlord at any stage due to having an option in the original lease. There are 19 years remaining on that with an option for another 25 on top of that.

"So, it is not a case of how this is going to be done – we know that. It is just a case of the funding being put in place to do it. In relation to that, discussions have been on-going with various individuals for the past 18 months.

"The general banking crisis has not helped, while neither has going into administration (during the summer of 2007) in terms of our credit rating.

"But I feel we are sufficiently far away from that in terms of our trading record (Leeds are on course to post a profit for a third year running) for it not to be a problem to a potential lender. I think they will see beyond that."

Some fans will also despair at Bates focusing on pouring money to something other than visible improvements on the pitch, and there is an argument to that - Premier League money will far exceed and possible profit from a hotel/shopping arcade. On the other hand, Leeds City council will not lend for us to improve the squad. The option is being considered to add these facilities to provide non-match day income, which, if the club have calculated correctly (you'd have thought they have otherwise why go ahead?) then this should provide more benefits than downsides in regards the clubs finances and income - despite a large loan being required at the outset. The Council, I would have thought would provide the money at a comparatively favourable rate.

It is also worth noting Harvey says we are still struggling with credit rating and the ability to receive loans - no bad thing really in my book, the last thing we need is further financial issues as a club. If the Council can, then, come to an arrangement then hopefully the long term benefits of the added income will match and help improve our playing staff - and go further to making the club sustainable, which is becoming increasingly important. Diversification is security and many Premier League clubs already have such projects up and running.