Liverpoolâs stadium issue has dragged on ever since the previous regime promised a spade in the ground shortly after taking over, but as we now know those words were as empty as the park in which the new ground should, by now, be standing.
New owners FSG have been a lot more proactive in their search for a stadium solution, but they too have encountered issues both with redeveloping Anfield and building from scratch. But, after much research and deliberation, one option appears to stand head and shoulders above the other and it now seems that a conclusion is close.
John Henry, Liverpoolâs principle owner, had previously claimed that it would be âdifficultâ to relpicate the Anfield atmopshere elsewhere. This was seen to be a subtle hint as to the Americanâs intentions and rumours of redevelopment became rife as research was carried out to determine its viability.
But despite initial discussions being positive the possibility of Liverpool remaining at their historic home has been dwindling ever since. Issues have just kept cropping up like fairground whack-a-moles and the Reds quite simply donât have the time to carry on playing a losing game while their rivals continue to pull ahead on commercial activity.
Former Chief Executive Rick Parry was one of the first to make the clubâs intentions of a new build public, in an interview with The Mirror last month.
âInitially we wanted to develop Anfield, that was always the hope, but there were too many complications. The idea of building new actually became increasingly attractive the more we studied the options.â he said.
And in an even more recent interview with the Telegraph, John Henry echoed Parryâs thoughts.
âWe would love to expand Anfield, but there are enough local and regulatory issues to keep that avenue stalled for years with no assurances that once begun it would bear any fruit.â he said.
âIf Anfield cannot be expanded a new stadium is wonderful choice. But the fact is we already have 45,000 seats. If a new stadium is constructed with 60,000 seats youâve spent an incredible sum of money to add just 15,000 seats.
âIf the cost is ÂŁ300m for an extra 15,000 seats, that doesnât make any sense at all. Liverpool isnât London, you canât charge ÂŁ1 million for a long-term club seat. And concession revenues per seat arenât that much different at Emirates from Anfield.
âThatâs why the search is on currently for a naming-rights partner. And that could very well happen.â
The search for a naming-rights partner has been under-way for quite some time now, and talks are said to have been very encouraging.
All signs, then, appear to point to a sponsored build in Stanley Park. In reality, this is the only viable option for a team looking to regain touch with its rivals who have so far been able to enjoy significantly more commercial revenue on behalf of their home ground.
Arsenalâs Emirates stadium is one of the leading lights in English football, pulling in pivotal funds from general sale, season tickets and executive boxes. The latter is something that Liverpool really struggle with, and always will while they remain at Anfield. A move to a new ground could be worth ÂŁ100m+ per season in this department alone, so you can see why they are so desperate to make it happen.
And we now understand that this is exactly what FSG will do; make it happen. Having spoken to key members of the Anfield redevelopment research team, it is evident that the idea is now dead in the water.
The nature of the complications are such that there is no guarantee that they would be resolved in a timely manner, if at all. John Henry & co. are said to have admitted defeat in their initial attempts to preserve and improve the ground that he was so blown away by upon first visiting. And, although they are not closing the door on the idea, they are understood to have abandoned their active efforts to pursue this proposed solution.
It now looks like a matter of time before FSG announce their intentions, but they must first identify their chosen naming rights partner, and that is not something that will not be rushed into completion. The owners are keen to move forward as quickly as they can, but they will not compromise the clubâs long-term security by making a decision before they have explored all avenues of possibility.
But regardless of the route they use to get there, all roads now lead to Stanley Park and, although Anfield will undoubtedly be missed, the supporters would do well to remember that it is not the external structure that creates our âunrivalledâ atmosphere, but the beating heart within.
http://www.kopsource.com/new-stadium-the-only-viable-option-for-liverpool/
