Anfield. The name alone conjures up an image of inspiration for every Liverpool fan and evokes memories of legendary afternoons and evenings for football supporters the world over. The place is steeped in history. It’s trophy room has been the residence of the League Championship trophy on no less than nineteen occasions. Yes, nineteen. That is neither a misprint nor an error by the author, as the first of those Championship campaigns came when Everton’s name was above the home dressing room door, two years before the well-documented rent dispute which led to John Houlding forming Liverpool Football club. (by the way, the home dressing room in those early days was not at the Anfield ground at all, instead the players had to change at the nearby Sandon pub and would walk across to the ground prior to kick-off).
From the evolution of the mighty Spion Kop, the addition of the vast roof to the terrace in 1928, the Billy Liddell era, the magical sixties under Shankly and famous nights against Inter Milan, St Etienne, Bruges, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, countless derby day memories etc to the moving tributes to the victims of April 15th 1989, football’s most famous venue has seen just about everything.
When David Moores and Rick Parry decided upon the ill-fated sale of the club to Tom Hicks and George Gillett in 2007, it was because Mr Moores did not have the necessary funds to move Liverpool FC up to the level at which it could compete with Manchester United, insofar as the Anfield capacity was inadequately short of that required.
Enter the new US owners. At their inaugural press conference on 7th February 2007, Gillett confirmed their commitment to abandon the current site and build the proposed New Anfield stadium in nearby Stanley park. He stated clearly:
“The shovel needs to be in the ground in the next 60 days. We are fully supportive of the Stanley park development and of building a facility that we hope will be the greatest facility in this sport.”
This grandiose statement was sadly to prove to be typically wide of the mark and by the end of 2010 the hapless owners had been forcibly removed by a combination of fan-power and foreclosure by the lending banks.
And so to the present. NESV (now FSG) are in control and to the relief of Liverpool’s vast army of followers they have thus far proved to be a model of low-key discretion. There have been no wild claims, no shotgun announcements; just measured statements more in keeping with the fabled ‘Liverpool Way’. So where does all this leave Liverpool FC and their stadium dilemma? Earlier this week new Liverpool chairman gave his first series of media interviews in which he confirmed that no decision has yet been finalised over the stadium issue. Tellingly, he did confirm that the current ground is “not fit for purpose” and that Manchester United had “zoomed past us” in the area of matchday revenue.
So how do LFC narrow the gap in generation of matchday revenues? Basically there are three options on the table (well, two in reality)
- Redevelop current site
- Groundshare with Everton FC (Stanley Park site)
- Relocate to new site in Stanley Park
Let me first of all rule out the second (groundshare) option. There will be no groundshare, in spite of Everton’s obvious leaning towards it and the regular revisitation of the topic by certain prominent members of the Council and local community. Given EFC’s parlous financial state, a shared ground would have to be built and owned by Liverpool with the Blues being tenants. (An ironic proposition, given the circumstances of LFC’s formation in 1892). One end of the stadium would invariably become known as ‘their end’ and there are far too may Liverpool supporters who would simply refuse to occupy those seats during the Reds’ home matches.
So having ruled out the groundshare option, it becomes a straight choice – RELOCATE or REDEVELOP.
Capacity / land constraints
By redeveloping the current Anfield stadium the increased capacity would be limited to the amount of additional footprint available. Both the Kop and Centenary Stands are of a reasonable size and it would be safe to assume that initial development of the Main Stand and Anfield Road End would be high on the agenda. The Main Stand has a small car park area to the rear with terraced houses beyond. However most of the properties in Lothair Road adjoining this side of the stadium are unoccupied and the club has purchased most, if not all of them. (There would be estate issues to be resolved if any were still in private ownership).
Historically the ground has been constrained on it’s north east side by Anfield Road, and when the second tier was added in the 90s the issues of right-to-light was a major stumbling block and curtailed the club’s proposals. Since the planning approval for the new site in Stanley Park was granted, however, the properties on Anfield Road directly opposite the stadium have been demolished and cleared to facilitate the proposed Anfield Plaza. (Luckily the first property to escape the bulldozers on the Arkles side of the ground is no.73 Anfield Road. A grand property which was the John Houlding’s home and where he held the meeting on 15th March 1892 which resulted in the agreement to form Liverpool Football Club.)
This site clearance work for the new stadium has paradoxically opened up the possibilities for redevelopment. The fact that there is now space between the Anfield Road End makes it possible to extend in that direction. A new stand equal in size to the Kop could now be accommodated. What about Anfield Road itself? If permission could not be gained to realign Anfield Road so that it is diverted some 30 metres or so into the park then a new stand could span across the road so that the traffic passes through via an underpass. Of course during construction the road would need to be closed anyway for up to a year so in my opinion the option of constructing a diverted thoroughfare as an advanced works phase would be the preferred option.
I estimate initial redevelopment of Centenary and Main Stands as above would enable an increased capacity of up to around 60,000 as a minimum.
The footprint of the approved site in Stanley Park between Mill Lane (path bisecting the main field) and Arkles Lane is of sufficient area to accommodate a stadium of any size up to 90,000.
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Redevelop. Anfield is like a cathedral or even more to fans like me. If it is possible to relocate for 1 season while we redevelop the current grounds then fans like me would always welcome that alone!!!!!!!!
of course forget about ground-sharing!!! fact is if that particular ground is brought down we won’t get that magic so easily anywhere else, when opponents, people supporters hear the name Anfield Road, it instills fear and anxiety for opponents but passion for the kops but time changes so the final decision is their’s but i do hope that stadium isn’t brought down!!!
Living in the real world of modern football business leaves but one recourse – new ground. Revenue is the name of the game and unless/until we can copete with the likes of 72,000 PLUS gates which are regularily filled at OT we will always remain the poorer.
Must be dispassionate about this if we are not to be left behind. The future is a long time and we must be prepared as best possible. Therefore new ground with maximum capacity making us the most competitive in matchday revenues for the long-term. Temporarily there will be a dramatic loss of magic but the fans will need to stick together to welcome the change and help bring about the long-term ambitions that will become achieveable.
The site must include the name and any other charactaristics of Anfield possible. YNWA.
the only option is redevelop
If there’s a way to stay at Anfield, renovate it and be able to increase the capacity to somewhere in the order of 70 to 80 thousand, then we should. But I’m given to believe that that is not going to be possible.
Should that not be possible, then we should make the brave decision to move onto Stanley Park as planned with a target potential capacity of 80k.
If we were to stay at Anfield with a capacity of anything less than 60k, then the only way we’ll be able to pay for competing with the other top teams is by an increase in ticket prices. And I don’t think we want that, do we?
If we do move, maybe we should keep one eye on the old Anfield site, because in another 100 years time, we might be able to move back.
As time goes on, clubs will lose their history. We must make sure LFC is not one of them, or we are in danger of lowering the club’s awesome status down to that of the majority of other clubs. Passion will be lost permanently, not temporarily, if Anfield is demolished. Not least because a vast new stadium will be harder to fill. Keeping the atmosphere alive will be much harder with large pockets of unfilled seats, which would inevitably happen if capacity is much more than 60,000.
Keep the history, keep the Kop, keep the passion. Please.
not been funny but there are thousands of Liverpool fans out there such as myself who have only ever been to a couple of games due to the limited capacity of Anfield. As much as I respect the history behind the ground and the club surely relocation to a site where more supporters can actually get tickets can only be a good thing. I have had my name on the season ticket waiting list for years now and can only see extra seating as good for the fans and the club from a revenue perspective as well the massive amount of noise all those extra fans can create.
Simple answer for me – Anfield is our home, Anfield has always been our home so redevelop and expand.
Look at other clubs when they have relocated – they have lost ‘something’ with the matchday atmosphere.
Relocate to another stadium for one season, Sheffield or Leeds, then buldoze Anfield and build a new one on the same ground. 75.000 seats. Keep the goal posts, gates and “This is Anfield” sign.
NEW STADIUM! we need to have 75.000 at the very minimum to make sure we have at least the same as the manc scum, If we upgrade to 60.000 we are 15.000 behind straight away with them also being able to expand in the future. DO NOT UPGRADE!
If you could wave a magic wand and money wasn’t an issue the new ground would be great. But we’re in pretty bad economic times and we’ve recently just avoided administration by the skin of our teeth. So if redeveloping is an option why not consider it? Compare the two options side by side… rather that than us be heavily in debt and not able to afford players…
Anyone seen the meal deal in the stands at Anfield? Pie and Coke is about £4.50. Rediculous! If that’s what a new ground brings more of you can stick it!
if we can get 70k in a new redeveloped Anfield then great. Would love to stay,,so much history and glory.
Redevelop Anfield. Kop and Centenary are good enough already. Complete Anny Road first and capacity would increase by 6,000, then redevelop Main Stand, to get capacity to 60,000, with capacity being around 38,000 and 42,000 for the 2 years they are being built. Diverting Anny Road would make sense. 60,000 would be enough except for the biggest games, especially given that a lot of fans are now priced out of going regularly.
You can move to a bigger and more modern stadium but you can’t move the rich history and the fantastic atmosphere. Anfield is our home and has been since the existence of Liverpool FC. Owners should understand what Anfield means to the club and the fans. The Kop, ‘This is Anfield, Shankly gate etc how can you replace that? Anfield epitomizes Liverpool FC and whenever people think of Liverpool, they associate it with Anfield.
Don’t know about you but I know what I want in regards to the stadium situation. I’m sure many would agree with me in expanding Anfield and I hope NESV make the right choice.
For me, there is only one solution: expand Anfield. Stanley Park stadium will be bigger, more comfortable and more modern but it will not have the history and the atmosphere. The idea of ground sharing with Everton is becoming more of a joke, it would be just retarded to share the stadium with your rivals.
Redevelop end of story.
Use another venue bulldoze Anfield and rebuild a Super Stadium on the hallowed site.YNWA
I started watching/supporting the’REDS’in 1953/54,when there was the ‘boys pen’.The team were not too good in those days; 2nd Div;LouieBimpson,Arnell,Jackson on the wing etc;And a bit later watching some good 1st Div stuff over at Goodison,I lived in the ‘Royal Oak Hotel’,Spellow Lane,my father Nobby Clarkson was the manager!It was an easy walk to both grounds,with a crowd of mates who were mixed LFC & EFC supporters!! The ‘Blues’matches were better quality football then for sure! But I never waivered from suppoting LFC-they were and still are my team! My brother’s ashes are scattered in front of the ‘Kop’.
I have lived in Western Aus for some years now but my support for LFC has stayed the same and I have been back and watched some games! The atmosphere is still fantastic!
However I ‘firmly believe’ that the ‘club’should move on and into the future!
To extend or rebuild on the present site,(and I have been to see the start that has been made on the ‘new site’), I think is really not the way to go!
Any renovation ,I think would mean knocking down the properties to the ‘west’ of the present ‘main stand’,and turning the ground so that the ‘goals would be at the ‘east & ‘west’ ends.Anfield Rd & Walton Breck Rd would be the ‘side roads’. I feel that this would be the only way that a ground capacity of approximately 70,000 would be achieved!
Would knocking down the amount properties needed be desirable???
The alternative and better scenario in my mind would be to move to Stanley Park,loads of room there! NO properties would have to be demolished! ANFIELD ROAD would still be along one side of the ground just the same as it is now! The Hillsborough Memorial gates would still be in Anfield Rd but on the other side,which I feel sure would be acceptable to all! ‘IT WOULD STILL BE ANFIELD’
My brother’s ashes would remain were they are,but the ‘club needs to move on and into the ‘FUTURE’.
Another consideration is,if the present ground is redeveloped,where will the games be played during construction! If a ‘NEW’ stadium is built the old one will still be used until the new one is built!
As much as I love ‘Anfield’ with all the memories etc, I feel that a move to the ‘new ground’ is the best future for LFC! FOR THE FANS OF THE FUTURE !
LEAVE IT TO BOARD – THEY KNOW BEST
With attendances dwlinding and the players like Torres not far away from leaving I cant see any need to improve Anfield. The new yanks are clearly not going to spend any money so I think we need to accept we will be a top 10 team for many years to come.
build in stanley park in two stages.
stage one groundworks,
stage two build ground, work it so that 3 summers are taken in. spread the work over 3 years making financing easier, find a ground sponsor, when its finished make anfield a museum and a field of dreams for amature teams to play semi finals finals etc for a fee. plus hold pop events, let the reserves play there etc. it would pay its way.