JULY 17
Parry: Stadium plans will not fail

By Paul Walker - PA Sport

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is insisting Liverpool's new stadium plans will not collapse as Rafael Benitez continues his search for new players.

It is believed that Benitez returned to Spain after Saturday's friendly win at Wrexham in an attempt to tie up deals and, back on Merseyside, Parry was intent on allaying fears over the club's new ground plans in nearby Stanley Park.

Doubts have been expressed over the scheme to replace Anfield with a 60,000-capacity stadium as the cost is claimed to have spiralled to nearly £190million.

Liverpool must also come up with proof they have raised the money for the new ground by the end of the month, or they could lose grants totalling almost £20million to cover the new stadium's outside infrastructure from the EU and the Northwest Development Agency.

Liverpool have been in lengthy negotiations to raise the capital from the private sector, and Parry - in a BBC Five Live interview - said: "There is a lot of work going on and the situation is coming to a head relatively soon.

"It is a hugely important project and we are certainly looking at a matter of weeks and it is still something we are determined to bring off, too much work has gone into it for us to fail at this hurdle."

JULY 13
Two weeks to save new LFC stadium

By Sam Lister - Daily Post Staff

Liverpool FC plans to build a new stadium face collapse if they do not come up with funding within two weeks.

Club executives must prove they have the financial backing and a timetable for construction in place by a crucial meeting on July 27 or £9m of European funding will be withdrawn.

It would almost certainly spell the end of the Stanley Park plans in the near future.

Contingency plans have been drawn up to make sure the cash earmarked for the scheme will be used on other regeneration projects if the club cannot find the finance.

Cllr Flo Clucas, executive member for Economic Development, said: "Contingency plans for the money to be used elsewhere within the timescale have been drawn up.

"If this package does not come together it will not be the fault of the public bodies, it will be Liverpool FC that will have failed.

"By July 27 we will know if that package is there." Last month, the Daily Post revealed that the club had not raised all the money needed to build its proposed new home at Stanley Park, according to the chief executive of the Northwest Development Agency.

Steven Broomhead said that the club's ability to finance its new stadium remained unclear.

In addition, it must raise the rest of the money needed to finance the construction of the stadium from the private sector.

The club has been in lengthy negotiations with banks and other potential private sector investors about financing arrangements for its new ground.

It asked Merseyside's Brussels-funded Objective 1 programme for £9m to assist with the infrastructure work.

Although the money cannot be used to fund the stadium it is vital for the works around it, which were promised to regenerate the area.

The July 27 deadline has been set because the funding pot must be allocated by December this year and all projects must be completed by December 08.

A further £9.2m has been applied for from the NWDA, although that cash is unlikely to be withdrawn in the near future.

The cost of the 60,000-seat stadium now stands at £190m and Liverpool has applied to the NWDA to provide £11m of funding for infrastructure work around the ground.

No one from the club was available for comment last night.

JUNE 5
Liverpool struggling to pay for new stadium

By Bill Gleeson, Business Editor - Daily Post

Liverpool Football Club has yet to raise all the money needed to build its proposed new home at Stanley Park, the chief executive of the Northwest Development Agency has told the Daily Post.

Steven Broomhead said that the club's ability to finance its new stadium remained unclear. He met LFC chief executive Rick Parry last month and was told that club officials would know the full picture regarding the finance they still have to raise later this month.

Mr Broomhead also revealed that the cost of the planned 60,000-seat stadium had risen again to £190m. The last figure put in the public domain was £160m.

Liverpool has applied to the agency to provide £11m of funding for public realm and infrastructure work around the ground.

The club has also asked Merseyside's Brussels-funded Objective 1 programme for another £9m to assist with the infrastructure work.

In addition, it must raise the rest of the money needed to finance the construction of the stadium from the private sector.

The club has been in lengthy negotiations with banks and other potential private sector investors about financing arrangments for its new ground.

Asked about the NWDA's commitment to finance the Stanley Park scheme, Mr Broomhead said: "That is still under active consideration.

"We are actively looking at making an investment in Anfield, Breckfield and in particular in Stanley Park, subject to the stadium being finally agreed.

"I know it has planning permission but we are waiting now for Liverpool to come forward with absolute clarity that they have the resources in order to complete the building of the stadium.

"They have yet to do that." Mr Broomhead said he last heard from the club last month.

"I met with Rick Parry, the chief executive. It was a very positive conversation.

"Clearly, Liverpool at that point were going through some discussions about the future business structure and shareholder arrangements.

"They did promise me that in June some decision would be made and clarity about the amount of money they need to raise and monies they already have to complete the building of the stadium."

Mr Broomhead also spoke about Everton's plans for a new stadium, which include options of moving to Kirkby, Speke or Switch Island.

MAY 22
New Reds' stadium in cash delay risk

By Nick Coligan - Liverpool Echo

Cash for Liverpool FC's new stadium may be at risk from another delay, it has been claimed.

Plans to publicise the loss of part of Stanley Park, where the club's new home would be built, are now on hold.

The advertisement, agreed by the council less than twoweeks ago, would prove that the project is still on track and help convince European officials to hand over about £10m.

But ahandful of city councillors want the proposal investigated further and have ordered it beforea town hall committee.

It means the advert will not be made for a few more weeks, possibly longer.

With the council and Liverpool FC working around the clocktomeet tight deadlines on the £160m scheme, community leaders fear the delay could cause real problems.

The Reds have less than three months to provide a cast-iron guarantee thatthe 60,000-seater stadium will be built - or millions of pounds of European cash could be lost.

Anfield councillor Robbie Quinn today called on objectors to stepaside so the scheme could progress.

He said: "The stadium plans went through extensive consultation with the community and most people gave them a cautious welcome.

"To call the plans in to a committee now places a real risk on the European funding.

"The club is at a crucial stage of negotiations to secure thatmoney and the last thing they want to hear is that the process is being frustrated. It is ridiculous and irresponsible for councillors with no democratic mandate in this area to halt these developments.

"They need to realise thatareas will remain in squalor while they take this action."

But Tuebrook councillor Steve Radford, one of three to call in the scheme, says there are still many unanswered questions.

He added: "The public have been left in the dark. We want to make sure that residents know what the deal is if Stanley Park is sacrificed.

"We have not had a full explanation about howtraffic and parking will be handled, and what access therewill be to the new Anfield Plaza.

"No one has given us an honest answer to these questions."

MAY 8
Liverpool stadium plans on brink of crunch test

By Larry Neild, City Editor - Daily Post

Liverpool FC's plan to build a new 60,000-seater stadium at Stanley Park will face one of its biggest hurdles within weeks.

The city council's executive board will start the ball rolling next Friday when it agrees to publicly advertise the disposal of a slice of the park.

That will open the door to comments, objections and a potential legal challenge to the use of the historic Victorian park as the new home of the club.

The idea is for the city council and Liverpool FC to form a new joint venture company to facilitate the development of the new Anfield stadium and the surrounding area.

The joint venture company would then hold the freehold of the sites needed for the development, and in turn will lease the site of the stadium to the football club.

If the politicians agree next week to the disposal of the parkland, public notices will be issued within two weeks.

Last night, former city councillor Joe Kenny, spokesman for Anfield Regeneration Action Group said: "The ruling Liberal Democrats are confirming that they are breaking a public vow they made in May, 1998, when they took control of the council.

"Then the leader, Mike Storey, vowed there would be no sell-off of the city's parklands.

"We are already working on a challenge to what they are proposing."

Campaigners from Friends of Stanley Park are also likely to challenge the sell-off of the parkland.

The arena plans have already been given planning consent by the city council's planning committee and the Government has announced it will not order a public inquiry.

To make progress on the project, the council now needs to spell out the land requirements for the stadium and surrounding area.

The report to the executive board says Stanley Park is included on the nation's register of historic parks and is in the ownership of the city council.

There are no restrictions on the title which would prevent the development of the proposed stadium, adds the report.

The original landscaped area of the park will not be needed for the stadium, and will instead be refurbished as part of a proposed "New Anfield"'" Project.

Talks have been taking place between Liverpool FC and the city council about forming a new joint venture company to facilitate the development of the stadium as a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area.

The company would also generate an income stream to maintain public open spaces at Stanley Park and the proposed Anfield Plaza.

Council officers say in the report that before the council can consider setting up the joint company and the disposal of the park it must advertise the loss of public open space and then consider any objections.

Council executive member Cllr Bernie Turner said: "The recommendation is that our officers be authorised to advertise the council's intention to dispose of that part of Stanley Park required for the proposed new stadium." The advertisement for the proposed loss of open space will be the first step in the process leading to the setting up of the new joint venture company.

A spokesman for the city council said last night: "Stanley Park covers 57 hectares and the area being talked about covers 12.4 hectares.

"That includes a hard car park which is not green space, covering 4.2acres, and 5.8 hectares of land needed for the stadium.

"The land will be replaced by new open space on Anfield Plaza, so overall there will be no loss of open space."

APRIL 19
Stadium support

By Nick Coligan - Liverpool Echo

Another hurdle to Liverpool FC's stadium plans was today being removed by council chiefs.

They have started looking for a developer to restore parts of Stanley Park, alongside the planned 60,000-seater ground.

The news will please European and government officials, who had demanded the council and the club show their commitment to the £160m scheme before handing over millions of pounds.

But they still want the Reds to confirm they have the money to pay for the stadium, or the cash may be lost.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: "This scheme has been held up for far too long.

"We gave the go-ahead to the restoration of Stanley Park some time ago so it is good news that we are now advertising for a contractor to carry out the work.

"This work will be done separately from the new stadium, so we can still carry on with the park's restoration, even if the club changes its mind."

Opposition leader Joe Anderson added: "The regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield is long overdue, and residents and businesses are suffering from this project's inertia."

About £20m has been earmarked by the European Objective One programme and the North West Development Agency towards the new Anfield project.

It will not pay for the stadium itself, but for improvements to Stanley Park and the area around the ground.

The scheme will restore the park's fountains, floral displays and the Gladstone conservatory, and install new play areas.

But the Friends of Stanley Park, who oppose the stadium project, claim the public has not been prop-erly consulted over the changes.

APRIL 11
Liverpool stadium plans re-approved

TEAMtalk

The plans for Liverpool's new stadium have been re-approved by the local council without any alterations in the original scheme.

The Anfield club had to re-submit their plans, originally agreed almost two years ago, to make sure they conformed to new planning law.

And at a meeting of Liverpool council's planning committee on Tuesday those plans - for a 60,000 ground on nearby Stanley Park - were once again given the go-ahead.

That approval could have been taken by council officials but it is believed a decision was made for it to go back before the planning committee to allow transparency, and objectors to put their views again.

Liverpool still have major financial problems to overcome, however, with the cost of the Stanley Park venture having spiralled to £160million. Shareholders were told at the club's recent AGM that it could be four years before the stadium was completed.

The club, who insist they are still actively looking for outside investment, have denied claims that they have lost £11million in European Union grants. A decision on that is expected next month.

APRIL 5
Liverpool submits new stadium plan

By Sam Lister - Daily Post Staff

Liverpool FC's plans for a new 60,000-seat stadium in Stanley Park have been resubmitted to the city council for fresh approval, the Daily Post can reveal.

It is the most robust sign in months that the club remains determined to proceed with the project despite mounting doubts about its affordability. And last night the North West Development Agency confirmed it will hand over crucial millions to the scheme as long as the club can raise the necessary private finance.

Costs for Stanley Park have risen from an original £80m five years ago to at least £160m now.

New planning guidelines have forced the club to seek renewed permission after it was originally granted way back in July, 2004.

A number of stipulations have been laid out, including one restricting the stadium to the same crowd capacity as Anfield - 45,000, instead of the 60,000 it wants to seat - until it comes up with an acceptable transport plan to cope with extra fans.

The club will be determined to ensure that happens swiftly because a new stadium would be ultimately pointless if it did not give the club the extra gate power it needs to compete with rivals like Manchester United, whose Old Trafford ground will soon seat 76,000.

The future of the Stanley Park scheme has been in doubt over recent months as costs spiralled and the board struggled to secure the finances.

But last night a Liverpool FC spokesman confirmed: "We remain confident and are very much committed to making sure the new stadium goes ahead."

The club has now signed a formal contract with the council agreeing to put in place infrastructure, such as new roads and parking, around the stadium if it goes ahead.

City planners have cast their eyes over the new application and come up with new conditions - such as the 45,000 limit on capacity - to ensure it meets recent changes in planning laws.

LFC has also been forbidden from starting any building work until it comes up with improved plans for recreation facilities that will be lost because of the development, such as the football pitches at Lower Breck recreation ground.

It is continuing to try to tie up private funding for the scheme, which must be in place by the middle of this month, or it will miss out on around £10m of financial support from Merseyside's Objective 1 programme.

The NWDA, however, last night confirmed that formal approval of its funding towards Stanley Park will be given if the club secures the private sector investment.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: "The NWDA is keen to invest in the regeneration aspects of the new Anfield plan.

"However, alongside public sector funding from the NWDA and the European Regional Development Fund, the scheme also requires a significant private sector contribution for the new stadium to go ahead.

"The agency needs to be certain that this money has been secured before the NWDA can formally approve funding and we look forward to hearing more from the football club on their progress in securing this private sector funding.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that public money is spent on projects that produce long-term economic, social and regeneration benefits and, therefore, any money provided would be earmarked for regeneration projects that benefit the local economy and communities of Anfield and Breckfield.

"The amount provided will be based on independent economic analysis of the project." A number of buildings - from 47 to 71 Anfield Road - would be demolished to pave the way for the stadium, and the club also wants to dismantle the historic bandstand in the park and re-erect it on a new site opposite Everton FC's ground in Walton Lane.

A bowling green pavilion will also be moved to a new site.

Joe Kenny, chairman of Anfield Residents Action Committee, said: "We will be objecting to the plans again at the planning committee and raising a number of new issues. If that fails, then we will take it to the next level, which means taking out an injunction against the council.

"Our lawyers tell us the council has acted against the local and national planning guidelines."

A spokesman for Liverpool City Council said: "Liverpool Football Club has resubmitted its planning application for a new stadium to ensure it meets all the changes in planning law over the last two years."

APRIL 5
Milestones on the road to New Anfield

Key events in New Anfield plan:

June, 2000: Plans for 70,000-seater New Anfield at Stanley Park are revealed.

January, 2001: Speculation mounts that the club has lined up Speke as a possible substitute.

May, 2002: Consultants GVA Grimley say building a new stadium is better than rebuilding Anfield.

October, 2002: Survey of 19,000 residents supports the new ground.

October, 2003: The club submits a planning application for an £80m, 60,000-seater stadium.

July, 2004: Planning permission is given.

August, 2004: John Prescott agrees not to call in the plan.

January, 2005: Talks over Liverpool and Everton sharing a new stadium end in failure.

February, 2005: Liverpool waits for decision on £23m funding from Northwest Development Agency.

March, 2005: The NWDA says it still wants clubs to ground-share and the cost of the stadium is estimated to be rising at £750,000 a month, now standing at £120m.

June, 2005: The NWDA revealed it will not put money into the stadium but will consider funding the regeneration work around the stadium in Anfield.

FEBRUARY 23
Stadium issue top of agenda

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool shareholders will be told tonight the club remains confident plans for a new stadium on Stanley Park will go ahead.

The club's annual general meeting takes place at Anfield with the Liverpool board sure to be pressed on their ongoing pursuit of multi-million pound investment.

No major announcements will be made at what is expected to be a low key meeting.

However, chief executive Rick Parry will confirm the Reds are cautiously optimistic they're closing in a significant deal which will ensure the Stanley Park project goes ahead.

"Nothing will be announced tonight," Parry said today.

"In terms of investment news, it will be fairly low key.

"There is still a lot of hard work going on and I can assure everyone noone is dragging their feet over this.

"It would have been nice to be able to make an announcement before the AGM, but nothing is finalised yet."

Liverpool have been in negotiations with several parties over recent months as they seek to secure stadium sponsor-ship contracts which are the key to the go-ahead of their plans.

"The search for investment and plan for the new stadium are very much linked," explained Parry.

"It's fair to say all the parties we are talking to recognise the importance of the stadium and it's something we are still committed to.

"We're cautiously optimistic it will happen."

Manager Rafa Benitez will also address shareholders, providing his progress report following an extraordinary debut season in English football.

FEBRUARY 14
New Anfield is back on track after £10m grant

By Nick Coligan - Liverpool Echo

A major breakthrough in Liverpool FC's plans for a new stadium is revealed today.

Government officials have privately agreed to pump around £10m into the regeneration of the area around the club's planned £150m ground at Stanley Park, the ECHO has learned.

It means the Reds' stadium project is still on track after months of uncertainty.

A spokeswoman for the Northwest Development Agency, which holds the purse strings, today said no formal decision had been made.

The news of the cash boost comes a day after the ECHO revealed that property giant Peel Holdings has offered to build Everton FC a new stadium at Switch Island.

Last summer, Liverpool was told by the Northwest Development Agency it could not have £23m of taxpayers' money because £9m would be spent purely on club facilities.

Instead, the council was asked to come up with proposals to use government cash for the regeneration of the deprived Anfield and Breckfield areas.

The ECHO today learned that the council's bid has been successful, and that a grant of just under £10m is set to be rubber-stamped.

A source close to discussions said: "The agency has privately agreed to fund a sum just under £10m.

"It will not be used for the stadium itself - it will be for the regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield."

The NWDA told Liverpool last June that it cannot use public money to pay for the construction costs of the planned 60,000-seater ground.

Around £9m of the money was due to be spent on the stadium roof, soundproof wall cladding and an underground car park.

But agency officials were not opposed to Liverpool's plans for a new ground, even though they would have preferred the club to share a home with neighbours Everton.

They recognised the positive spin-offs for a new stadium for the Anfield area, including a job-creating plaza on the site of the current ground.

Thor Zakariassen ©