Leeds United last year announced plans to expand Elland Road by demolishing the West Stand and replacing it with a new build to take capacity up to 50,000.
Speaking on The Square Ball’s podcast in the summer, chief executive Angus Kinnear laid out the very latest on the plan, first mentioned last October, to transform United’s home.
In artist’s impressions shown around the club’s centenary last year, the West Stand was visualised at the same height as the East Stand.
Kinnear admitted during the interview in September that the process has moved forward to establishing how they would go about the demolition and build, during a season, while limiting the existing capacity for matches.
“Redeveloping the West Stand can take the capacity up to 50,000 and that’s what I think is a very achievable level for Leeds United to ensure you’re always sold out,” he said.
“That’s the key. You want to make sure, even for smaller games, you’re sold out.
“We’ve now started to formalise the plans for how do you redevelop that stand while you have to do it within a season, so how do you manage your capacity and keep your capacity high during that time.
“There are ways that can be achieved so you’re not losing too many seats.
“It would also be about professionalising the whole of that side of the ground. Ultimately, the changing rooms on that side haven’t changed, the referee’s facilities, the media facilities, they are all outdated.
“We’ve got seats in the upper tier of the West Stand which have restricted views because there’s pillars in the way.
“The press areas aren’t big enough for the Premier League, the floodlights aren’t bright enough for the Premier League.
“So, not only will we be able to get 15,000 more supporters in the stadium, but we’ll also be able to make it more professional and get that functional environment for the first team on a matchday as well.”
Elland Road needs to be expanded because demand far outstrips supply on matchdays among home supporters.
Kinnear revealed the waiting list for season tickets was up to 20,000 before the current season started, while all other metrics are also on the rise under Andrea Radrizzani.
“By the end of this week (August 16), we’ll have 20,000 people on the season-ticket waiting list we started a week ago,” he said.
“We put membership on general sale yesterday (August 12) and sold 6,000 memberships in three hours.
“Shirt sales are four times what they were two-and-a-half seasons ago.
“The scale of the club does continue to surprise me, but in a delightful way.”
After previous experiences at the top of Arsenal and West Ham United in the top flight, Kinnear is very familiar with the high-quality problems that come with successful, well-supported outfits.
“It feels like how it should be. Arsenal have got a waiting list, West Ham have got a waiting list,” he said.
“We should have a bigger stadium, the stadium should be at 50,000 and that is a further part of our plans.
“What’s also great is you have the hardcore fan base, but it’s also great for the city. We want people to walk through the city and feel proud about what’s happened and what they’re part of.”
