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Should we stay or should we go? Deadline looms for Liverpool FC

by Chris Bradley. Published Fri 01 Jun 2012 16:54, last updated: 01/06/12
Liverpool FC's spiritual home, Anfield
Liverpool FC's spiritual home, Anfield

Liverpool FC are poised to choose to stay at Anfield rather than move to a new stadium after the city council revealed plans to demolish houses to build an extension.

Residents surrounding the stadium where made privy to council plans to demolish derelict houses to make way for development of the main stand.

That meeting was attended by the club's managing director Ian Ayre and plans to knock down rows of houses which would end speculation of a move to Stanley Park .



For 20 months plans to move to Stanley Park have not been confirmed, frustrating council chiefs who have imposed a one month deadline to make a decision.

A stay at Anfield was favoured by American owner John W. Henry rather than a multi-million pound new structure planned to be around 70,000 capacity.

Liverpool City Council's assistant director of regeneration Mark Kitts has said the redevelopment plans of the area would allow the stadium to be developed.

He said: "We have been working with the club very closely and they have said this will accommodate their needs if they stay at Anfield and refurbish the current stadium."

But he added the plans to regenerate houses was not connected to the plans to grow the home of Liverpool FC.

The main issue surrounding the expansion was local residents "right to light" but Mr Kitts said the demolitions would solve those problems.

He added: "We are having a great deal of dialogue with them."

A decision has yet to be made, however, and LFC insist that any plans for local housing is not "indicative of any decision the club may or may not take in relation to their new stadium".

A spokesperson for Liverpool FC added: "No decision has yet been made by the club about their stadium plans.

"The city council continues to work closely with the club, but the club will determine which is the best option for them.

"The city council plans to refurbish and demolish properties in the surrounding streets around Anfield are about driving forward much needed housing renewal in the area."

Plans for the Stanley Park stadium were announced in 2007 when former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett claimed they would have "a spade in the ground within 60 days".

But their plans for the club, which added a £49.6m bill with Anfield bosses, have been shelved.

Planning permission still exists so the new venture may not be written off completely yet.

However, what is crucial for the new stadium is obtaining a lucrative naming deal that would greatly subsidise the £300m project.



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"China Airlines are going to fund a New Stadium....The deals being done as you read this. Things are looking good for the future of LFC :-)" RazorRed, Anfield around 1 year ago

"This means a smaller than useful stadium AND the name WILL be changed! Cheapskate result and was to be expected. Still will lose revenue!" Blindside, Liverpool around 1 year ago

 
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