JULY 18
Agency calls for shared stadium

By Larry Neild - Daily Post

The region's leading regeneration executive last night called on Liverpool and Everton football clubs to build a joint stadium.

Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), believes the debate should be re-kindled following a decision that public funds could not be used on a new ground for Liverpool FC.

Following his comments, Everton FC's chief executive last night said he would be prepared to take part in fresh talks to explore the idea.

Liverpool have participated in previous talks, but the club has always maintained a view that a joint ground would not be supported.

However, the spiralling cost of a new home at Stanley Park could force Liverpool to look again at its strategy.

One source close to the debate said: "While the discussions about public funding have continued, the costs of a Liverpool ground have spiralled and possibly put a single-use ground out of reach. A lot of people were wondering how soon the shared-ground debate would reopen."

Making his comments about a shared ground, Mr Broomhead said: "The principle of a shared ground is worthy of consideration. We have promoted such an idea for some time and the ball is firmly with the two clubs. We at the NWDA have made very clear our view on this issue.

"I have also made it clear that the NWDA will not put any public funding into what would be a commercial scheme for Liverpool FC.

"Our view has been that we will be considering grants for the regeneration of the Anfield and Breckfield area of Liverpool, but we are not going to pay towards what will be a private car park for the club."

Mr Broomhead's new call comes after an influential property conference in Liverpool discussed the ambitious idea of a joint stadium on the waterfront at Central Docks.

Mr Broomhead added: "The business case for a joint stadium is as clear as before and there is a lot of sense in the clubs sharing a ground.

"The Anfield and Breckfield area needs to be regenerated and we are reaching make your mind up time."

Liverpool's victory in the European Cup Final is likely to put the prospect of a joint ground even further off the radar map, with the club eager to reap the financial benefits of its winning streak in Europe.

Everton fans are said to be split 50-50 on the question of a shared stadium.

The biggest question will be the ownership arrangements should a joint stadium ever get off the starting block.

Everton FC chief executive Keith Wyness said: "We will be happy to engage in a debate but a lot will depend on what level of funding is made available."

Everton's view is that, to make a shared ground an attractive proposition, the public funding bodies, NWDA, the UK Government and European funding, would need to offer far more than the amounts suggested so far.

Sums of between £60m and £100m would need to be put on the table.

Mr Wyness added: "It seemed there was a drive by the Government to drive forward shared facilities, using Everton and Liverpool as an opening gambit on the debate. There seems to be little appetite around the country for a shared ground. You never hear of talk about, say Arsenal and Tottenham wanting to share a new ground. We would be the first of not many to go down this road."

The big advantage of a new debate is that fans will have the prospect of a new ground shared by the clubs, or face the prospect of make-do and mend improvements to the existing grounds.

Mr Broomhead added: "This does need to be seriously debated. I was speaking at a business event in Liverpool this week and, when I mentioned the need to look at the principle of a shared ground, there were many nods of approval. The business case is strong, but it is up to both clubs to decide. I would say, though, that we will not put public money into a wholly commercial operation such as a football club."

Several weeks ago, the NWDA announced that public funding of around £22m for the club would not be forthcoming. Within days Merseyside Objective 1 Committee is expected to decide on whether it will pay £9m in European funding to Liverpool FC.

Liverpool FC already has planning permission for a new stadium at Stanley Park. A revised plan would have to be submitted for a joint stadium.

A spokesman for Liverpool FC said: "Our position remains unchanged."

JUNE 22
Shabby way to treat Reds

By Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo

I cannot believe the way Liverpool are being treated by the powers that be in the north west.

The news this week that a £23m grant won't be given to the club seems, at first glance, baffling.

If the Northwest Development Association are going to help Liverpool in other ways which are still as valuable to the club, then maybe all will still be okay.

The club has not yet commented and it will be interesting to hear what they think about the stadium situation now.

But, to me, it seems the NWDA are suggesting there is no public benefit in Liverpool FC building a new stadium in Anfield and therefore they don't feel it's right to cough up a penny.

What planet are these people living on?

Football is the lifeblood of Merseyside, with both Everton and Liverpool crucial to the city. It has been that way for decades, with the Reds in particular, through all their European success, helping give this city its identity at home and abroad.

I go to America regularly and when I'm there the two things people immediately associate the city with are the Beatles and soccer.

It is impossible to imagine Liverpool without either club. And what about the money Liverpool brings into the city, with 40,000 supporters spending cash in and around Anfield and other parts of the city every week or so.

The NWDA just don't seem to want to help Liverpool. Only recently, they were still bleating on about only considering giving the Reds any money if they shared the stadium with Everton.

What the hell has that decision got to do with them? And don't they know that fans on both sides simply don't want it?

Down the M62 in Manchester there are two clubs with their own stadiums. No-one has ever suggested they should share and I don't recall it being forced upon clubs anywhere else in the country. So why has it been put forward here in Britain's most successful football city?

In Manchester, City have been given massive help by virtually being gifted the stadium built for the Commonwealth Games. But a bit of help for Liverpool? It seems we can forget it.

Shame on these petty-minded men in suits. They just don't understand what football means to the people in this city - and how important it is to its economy.

JUNE 22
New Anfield faces second cash blow

By Thomas Martin - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool's ambition to build a new football stadium faced another funding setback today.

Days after the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) refused to hand over £23m of a government grant for the stadium project, it emerged that Merseyside's Objective 1 programme may withdraw its financial offer.

It had already agreed to give Liverpool its own £9m grant towards the cost of the stadium and associated developments around Stanley Park in Anfield.

But it will now reconsider that decision at a monitoring meeting scheduled for next month.

Objective 1 programme director John Flamson said the crunch time would be the meeting scheduled for July 20.

"The programme monitoring committee might remove the offer. We have told Liverpool council that we want assurances as to the deliverability of the project.

"We were not surprised by the NWDA decision as they will not want to put their money into something that is so obviously a football club.

"Instead, it needs to be tied in with associated regeneration projects for Anfield and Breckfield.

"As a result, we have to ask do we want to keep our £9m offer alive? There will be people on that committee who will want to withdraw it.

"We will not hold our position for ever and a day. We need to look at this as sensible stewards of public money at the end of the day.

"If we don't do it, that could deny us the chance to put this money into other schemes on Merseyside that could work."

Liverpool has applied for £23m of NWDA money, but was told at a recent meeting that £9m of the application did not fit the agencies criteria for public funding. It is understood that Liverpool had originally tried to finance the stadium with only private sector money.

Liverpool FC Chief executive Rick Parry has not commented on the funding issue since the ECHO first broke the NWDA story on Monday.

JUNE 22
Europe may pull stadium funding

By Bill Gleeson, Daily Post

Liverpool FC's ambition to build a new home at Stanley Park faced a setback last night after it emerged that Merseyside's Objective 1 programme may withdraw its funding offer.

The revelation comes just days after the North West Development Agency (NWDA) refused to hand over £9m of a Government grant for the new ground.

Merseyside's European Union-funded Objective 1 programme had already agreed to give Liverpool its own £9m grant towards the cost of the stadium and associated developments around Stanley Park.

But it will now reconsider that decision at a programme monitoring committee meeting scheduled for next month.

If the meeting takes the decision to withdraw the money, it would almost certainly scupper Liverpool's dream of a new home.

Objective 1 programme director John Flamson said the crunch time would be the meeting scheduled for July 20.

Mr Flamson added: "The programme monitoring committee might remove the offer. We have told Liverpool City Council (which is promoting the Stanley Park stadium scheme) that we want assurances as to the deliverability of the project.

"We were not surprised by the NWDA decision as they will not want to put their money into something that is so obviously a football club. Instead, it needs to be tied in with associated regeneration projects for Anfield and Breckfield.

"As a result, we have to ask do we want to keep our £9m offer alive? There will be people on that committee who will want to withdraw it.

"We will not hold our position for ever and a day. We need to look at this as sensible stewards of public money at the end of the day. If we don't do it, that could deny us the chance to put this money into other schemes on Merseyside that could work."

Merseyside's Objective 1 programme finishes in 2006. By that time, all of the £840m of Brussels' cash must be committed to schemes and it must be fully spent on these by the end of

Any part of the money not spent by those dates would have to be returned to Europe. Given the lead times it takes to deliver major regeneration projects, it is essential that only those schemes that have a very high chance of being delivered are approved for Objective 1 funding.

Liverpool's stadium was meant to cost £80m to build when it was first announced five years ago. Once completed, it would seat 60,000 spectators.

Since then, though, the price has escalated to around £140m. Liverpool has raised most of the money it needs from private sector banks, but there is still a need for public subsidy.

Liverpool has applied for £22m of NWDA cash, but was told at a recent meeting that £9m of the application did not fit the agencies criteria for public funding. It is understood that Liverpool had originally tried to finance the stadium with only private sector money.

No-one from Liverpool was available to comment last night.

JUNE 21
Anfield stadium should go ahead

By Nick Coligan - Liverpool Echo

A Liverpool MP today led calls for the new Anfield stadium to go ahead, despite £23m public funding being withdrawn.

The stadium remains the key to a huge regeneration programme, community leaders say.

They still want the Reds to build their new ground at Stanley Park as it will spark the transformation of neighbouring Anfield and Breckfield.

The ECHO revealed yesterday that government officials have knocked back Liverpool's bid for £23m of taxpayers' money for the stadium project.

The club wanted to spend about £9m on the roof, soundproof wall cladding and an under-ground car park.

But the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) says it will not allow public money to be spent on construction costs, although it will back the regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield.

Liverpool council is now drawing up a set of proposals which the NWDA could support instead.

Walton Labour MP Peter Kilfoyle said: "There is a simple solution here, which would see items objected to by the NWDA funded with private investment.

"As long as we get the same overall result, I will be happy. I am confident there is a way through this.

"The regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield is still the most important aspect of this scheme. The ground is vital to football supporters, but residents want the regeneration proposals that go with it.

"This is also the firmest commitment we have had to date that NWDA money will be spent in the area."

Anfield Cllr Kiron Reid said: "Many people would not support the building of the stadium with public money, but my main concern is the regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield.

"It is good news that the NWDA are prepared to negotiate. Until now, they were an obstacle because they supported the unrealistic idea of a shared stadium.

"I still think the best result for this area would be for the stadium to go ahead."

JUNE 20
£23m blow to new Anfield

By Nick Coligan - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool FC's bid for £23m of taxpayers' money for their new stadium project has failed, the ECHO can reveal.

The Anfield club has waited months for a decision on whether the Northwest Development Agency would grant public money for the scheme.

But the ECHO has learned the funds will not be provided by the regeneration agency because some of it has been earmarked only for club facilities.

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

Government officials say they cannot use public money to pay for the construction costs of the planned £120m, 60,000-seater ground at Stanley Park.

No one from the club was available to comment.

Agency officials are 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 recognise the positive spin-offs for a new stadium for the Anfield area, including a job-creating plaza on the site of the current ground.

So instead of putting money towards the direct costs of the stadium, the NWDA has earmarked #23m for the regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield.

Liverpool council is now drawing up detailed proposals for projects that the NWDA can fund.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: "The agency is a public organisation with public money. We cannot directly support a private sector organisation with public sector cash.

"There are all sorts of rules preventing us doing that.

"If we were to pay direct costs, we would have a large queue of football and other sport clubs forming, all wanting similar investment.

"Our interest in this project is not in the stadium, but the economic regeneration and revitalisation of Anfield and Breckfield, which are desperately in need of a lift.

"We have asked the council to come to us with proposals about how we can support investment around Stanley Park and surrounding areas."

Council chief executive Sir David Henshaw said: "We are very pleased that the NWDA has earmarked #23m for the regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield.

"Now our job is to redraw the project so NWDA funding is not used for any

direct football-related activities and is instead used for other elements of the scheme.

"This public sector investment will produce around #180m of private sector investment, which is a great platform for the regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield."

Richard Pedder, spokesman for Liverpool Independent Supporters Club, said: "£9m is not a lot for a top football club when it comes down to it.

"The club is bringing in a lot of extra revenue now and they should just go ahead with building the new stadium."

MARCH 31
New talks over Stadium funding

By Nick Coligan - Liverpool Echo

New talks will be held to try to break the funding deadlock over Liverpool FC's stadium plans.

The Northwest Development Agency today confirmed it will hold discussions with "all relevant parties" after the club voiced fears about the project's spiralling costs.

The NWDA has yet to decide whether to release an £11m grant to pay for improvements around the Reds' planned new stadium in Stanley Park.

And it still backs the idea of a ground-share between Liverpool and Everton, despite failed talks between the two clubs.

NWDA chief executive Steve Broomhead said: "We have always supported the principle of a shared stadium.

"It would have the potential to make an important contribution to the regeneration of north Liverpool and provide significant wider economic benefits.

"We have not committed funds towards the direct costs of a new stadium. Our funding will continue to focus on regeneration projects that will benefit the local economy and communities of Merseyside.

"We have a responsibility to ensure public money is spent on projects which produce long-term economic, social and regeneration benefits for Merseyside."

Mr Broomhead insisted the NWDA has a "strong commitment" to Merseyside with £118m invested in regeneration projects over the next 12 months.

The ECHO revealed yesterday that rising construction costs are forcing up the price of Liverpool's planned 60,000-seater stadium by more than £750,000 a month. The overall cost has rocketed from £80m to £120m since 2003.

Countdown

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

September 2000 - First images.

January 2001 - Speculation that the club has lined up Speke as a possible substitute.

May 2002 - Consultants GVA Grimley say new stadium better than rebuilding Anfield.

October 2002 - 19,000 residents support new ground.

October 2003 - Planning application for £80m, 60,000-seater stadium submitted.

July 2004 - Planning permission given.

August 2004 - John Prescott agrees not to call in plan.

January 2005 - Talks over sharing new stadium end in failure.

February 2005 - Liverpool still waiting for decision on £11m funding from Northwest Development Agency.

March 2005 - NWDA says it still wants clubs to ground-share. Cost of the stadium is estimated to be rising at £750,000 a month.

MARCH 30
New stadium delay costs £750,000 a month

By David Prentice - Liverpool Echo

The soaring price of delays to Liverpool FC's new stadium plans is costing the club more than £750,000 a month.

As rising construction costs force up the price of the planned 60,000-seater stadium, some experts say the monthly rise is nearer £1m.

It comes as the North West Development Agency continues to stall on releasing an £ 11m grant for the club, in a bid to resurrect the failed groundshare plan with Everton.

Stanley Park Stadium project has already escalated from £80m in 2003 to £120m.

Yet three government departments involved in the saga have no plans to pressurise the NWDA to make a decision.

NWDA chairman Bryan Gray wants the ground share plan to go ahead, even though sports minister Richard Caborn has already declared it a non-starter.

Now industry experts have warned that buildings costs will soar again as the north west construction boom continues.

Over the past year tender prices in the building industry have risen by up to 7% and, driven by higher demand and rising material prices, building costs have risen by 7.3% over the past year.

The office of the deputy prime minister had the chance to "call in" the stadium proposal for closer examination after it received planning permission from the council, but chose not to.

A spokesman said the department's involvement ended there as the NWDA was the responsibility of the Department for Trade and Industry.

But the DTI said how the NWDA distributes its money is completely its own decision.

MARCH 7
Parry still hopeful over stadium

BBC Sport Online

Chief executive Rick Parry has insisted Liverpool will secure the investment for their new Stanley Park stadium.

The cost of the scheme is reportedly about £130m but Parry is confident it will happen, and he also denied reports chairman David Moore could stand down.

"It's more than we first thought, costs are increasing and the nature of the project has changed but we're confident we can fund it," said Parry.

"And despite what's been said there has been no talk about David's position."

Parry launched a passionate defence of the club's plans after Sports Minister Richard Caborn declared the idea of a ground-share with Everton "dead in the water".

Parry added: "We can't start talking about a start date. There is the rest of the funding to be put in place.

"Outside this city people can assume what they like, but we are confident that it will happen.

"Investment is very much part of taking the club forward, not just the stadium but improving on the pitch. It is clearly something that we are paying a lot of attention to.

"We are looking for the right investment, a lot of effort is going into that and when the process has been completed we will then announce something."

Parry is still in talks with would-be investors and admits the club's third largest shareholder Steve Morgan is still in the frame.

FEBRUARY 11
Stadium facing shortfall of £50m

By Bill Gleeson - Daily Post

Liverpool Football Club's ambition to build a new stadium at Stanley Park faces a £50m shortfall.

Soaring steel prices have been a key element in driving up the projected cost of the 60,000-seat stadium from £80m to £140 in the five years since the original plan was announced.

The club has been unable to raise all the money it needs by borrowing from City investment banks, and is now trying to tap into public sector grants.

This week, it emerged that Liverpool is turning up the pressure on the Northwest Development Agency for a decision on a £21m grant application.

And last night a source close to the stadium funding negotiations told the Daily Post: "They have tried to raise money from the private sector, but the problem is the costs keep rising. They are now £140m. No wonder they want the NWDA's money quickly."

Chief executive Rick Parry says Liverpool is also considering trying to raise cash by selling the naming rights to the new ground. Liverpool has been inspired by how Arsenal successfully clinched a lucrative £100m naming rights deal with Middle Eastern airline Emirates.

When the plan for Liverpool's new stadium was first conceived in 2000, the club used the services of financial advisers Schroders to raise around £80m for a 70,000 seat ground.

But that plan proved too expensive and a scaled back version now sees the club seeking to build a 60,000 seat ground.

However, since then the price of steel has rocketed on the world's commodity markets.

The club hopes to be playing at its new ground in time for the start of the 2007/8 season, but that deadline is looking increasingly unlikely to be met.

Liverpool is applying pressure on the Northwest Development Agency to make a quick decision about financial support for infrastructure around the stadium.

However, the NWDA is thought to need convincing that contributing towards the cost of a new stadium at Stanley Park would make best use of its money.

The Warrington-based agency had hoped that both Liverpool and Everton would share a stadium. Both clubs have now rejected the idea of a shared stadium, but the NWDA does not want to have to pay out a second grant to Everton, should the club be in a position to build a new home of its own.

Liverpool FC did not respond to our requests for a comment on the situation yesterday.

FEBRUARY 7
Liverpool FC anxious for
decision on stadium grant

By Andy Kelly - Daily Post

Liverpool FC is hoping for a swift decision on a crucial £20m grant as the club seeks to finally make progress on its proposed new stadium.

The Anfield club won planning permission for a 60,000-seat ground on Stanley Park last July and confirmation from the Government it would not intervene the following month.

But it has since endured delays after agreeing to consider the possibility of a stadium share with rivals Everton - an eventuality the club never truly believed would materialise.

Despite talks with Sports Minister Richard Caborn, the groundshare issue was finally ruled out last month and Liverpool are now anxious to proceed with their own plans.

Costs have already risen steeply from original estimates of £80m, with many observers now predicting a final bill of around £130m.

LFC chief executive Rick Parry does, however, believe the stadium is still affordable and recently wrote to the North West Development Agency (NWDA) to check the progress of a major grant application.

The £20m grant - a joint application from the club and Liverpool City Council - would pay for various regeneration initiatives and infrastructure in and around the new Anfield.

But no reply has yet been forthcoming from the NWDA, prompting concern on the timetable of the LFC move.

The new Anfield will take two years to build and with the club hoping to be in their new ground for August 2007, the next six months will prove crucial.

Chief executive Rick Parry said: "We fervently hope that our application is considered soon because it is vital to the success of the stadium development."

Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle has criticised what he sees as unnecessary delays by the NWDA, which was a keen supporter of the joint stadium proposal.

He believes the lack of action on the project is hindering vital regeneration in his north Liverpool constituency.

Mr Kilfoyle said: "The only hold-up as far as I am concerned is the NWDA.

''They raised the totally artificial obstacle of the groundshare in the first place and at one point wrote to me and said unless the clubs shared it would imperil the regeneration of North Liverpool.

''They are dragging their heels over things. I don't want to force the issue, but if Liverpool come back to me and say they are still not making progress I will raise the matter in Parliament."

Liverpool Council confirmed last night they had submitted a joint bid with the club to the NWDA in October, 2003.

But the Warrington-based agency insists the application is only "recent" and still has an appraisal procedure to go through.

NWDA chief executive Steve Broomhead said: "We have received a grant application but only recently.

"The previous application was not detailed and not for the same scheme.

"In fact, my first detailed presentation on the scheme from Sir David Henshaw (Liverpool Council chief executive) was only last week.

"We are talking about more than £20m of public money here.

"I have to look at it for value for money, and we've got to make sure that it is properly appraised."

Mr Broomhead added that he could not give a definite timescale for a decision on the grant but said he was aware of the importance of speed.

"I would not want to commit to a specific timescale but I

understand the matter may need a decision quickly. But all schemes over £10m also need Government approval so something this size will also go to them," he explained.

The £20m grant package relates to certain aspects of the regeneration around the new ground, the Anfield Plaza leading up to it and a series of projects in Stanley Park itself.

JANUARY 11
Parry eager for new stadium progress

By Paul Eaton - LFC Official Website

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is hoping the club's new stadium project can now be moved forward as quickly as possible following the announcement that a groundshare scheme between the Reds and Everton has been rejected.

Sports minister Richard Caborn was keen for both Merseyside clubs to explore the idea of a joint stadium, but that idea has now been shelved leaving the Reds free to press ahead with their plans to build their own new super stadium on Stanley Park.

Parry said: "The joint stadium proposal has been thoroughly examined over an extended period of time and has now been rejected.

"But as we have consistently pointed out, this is much more than just a new ground for Liverpool Football Club. It has always been about the regeneration of North Liverpool and the benefits it will bring to a local community that desperately needs them.

"With the issue now finally resolved, we hope that all parties involved can pull together to get this project delivered as quickly as possible."

JANUARY 11
Mersey groundshare idea is dead

Sporting Life

Liverpool and Everton will definitely not share a stadium.

The clubs had agreed to consider a proposal to share Liverpool's planned new £120million stadium just yards from their current Anfield home in Stanley Park following pressure from the local authority and regeneration body the North West Development Agency.

They met Sports Minister Richard Caborn last month, although neither club ever displayed a great enthusiasm for the idea.

A spokesman for Liverpool City Council said both clubs had formally rejected the proposal.

He said: "It is disappointing both sides have been unable to reach agreement on a joint stadium.

"However, the existing plan for a new Anfield is part of a major regeneration of the Anfield-Breckfield area and we fully intend to help deliver that because of the economic benefits it will bring to an area that badly needs them.

"Of course, we will also do everything we can to help Everton find a 21st century solution for the club and its fans."

Peter Kilfoyle, the Liverpool Walton MP who helped to broker talks between the clubs and Mr Caborn, said: "It is not really surprising. There was never much enthusiasm for the idea.

"Liverpool was well down the track with its own plans and Everton was struggling to raise the money needed."

Thor Zakariassen ©