DECEMBER 9
New stadium in a different league

Liverpool Echo

New Anfield is the result of a four-year expansion programme by Liverpool Football Club which saw the club scouring Merseyside for a new home and examining ways to increase capacity at their current ground.

But Anfield, which the club has called home for more than 100 years, was eventually considered unsuitable.

After looking at around 18 sites, the club was left with a plot of land on the eastern side of Stanley Park or a site at Speke Boulevard.

But the Speke Garston Development Company decided the club did not fit in with their regeneration plans and attention turned to Stanley Park.

Last month two planning applications were submitted - a detailed scheme for the new stadium and outline plans for the neighbouring area, including the old stadium site.

The New Anfield scheme is a 60,000-seater stadium with conference, banqueting and hospitality suites, a media centre, museum and club offices.

There will also be a new sports centre to replace Vernon Sangster and a base for Liverpool Hope University College.

The club aims to provide park and ride facilities for fans. Six sites around Liverpool, including on the A59 through Aintree and the East Lancs Road, will provide parking, and there will also be parking for around 1,500 cars at the new ground.

Away supporters' buses will remain along Priory Road.

Around the stadium, Stanley Park and Anfield Cemetery will be extensively remodelled.

The south of the new stadium will be the main entrance, fronted by a public space called Anfield Square.

The old stadium, to be called Anfield Plaza, will include a small public park, two community buildings, a hotel, shops, restaurants and residential developments.

DECEMBER 9
Residents grill club over New Anfield

By Mike Hornby - Daily Post

Around 200 people last night (Mon 8 Dec) grilled developers about Liverpool Football Club's proposed new stadium at Stanley Park.

A public meeting was organised by the city council to give Anfield and Walton residents the chance to view the plans and voice their concerns.

Among the panel of experts were representatives of AFL, the architect firm which designed New Anfield and Turley Associates, the company which is coordinating the New Anfield development.

Samantha Ryan, LFC's planning consultant, said: "We looked at 18 sites across Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley to build a new stadium and all were rejected because they were unsuitable or there were difficulties with the current land-owner.

"This led us full circle back to Anfield, the club's spiritual home.

"The club is committed to this part of the city and believes its expansion will be the catalyst for regeneration and the creation of jobs and prosperity."

The scheme, which will be managed by a venture company created by the club, aims to create around 1,500 construction jobs and a further 1,000 permanent jobs in the retail and office sector.

Jean Hill, 60, a member of the Friends of Stanley Park, said: "I grew up in Anfield and watched Liverpool Football Club become an international business worth millions.

"But in all that time, the club has never put anything back into the community.

"We hear about grand plans for regeneration, but there is no real commitment in terms of what will be built and how much it will cost.

"All we know for certain is that this stadium will take over one-third of the park in an area which is sorely deprived of open spaces.

"This is just a land-grab exercise and the promises are meaningless."

If planning approval is granted, construction of the new stadium on Arkles Lane could start as early as August next year, with the first match played in 2006.

Attention would then turn to the current stadium site, to be renamed Anfield Plaza, where a hotel, restaurants, cafes, and open space for a market would be built by 2008.

Around £40m of mainly public money will be spent on refurbishing Stanley Park, Anfield Cemetery and creating the Plaza.

Labour councillor Joe Hanson called for a referendum saying: "Stanley Park doesn't belong to the council, it belongs to the people. It's time all the community had a say in its future and not just a select few."

Lib Dem chair of the Walton Area Committee, Cllr Kiron Reid, said: "Everybody will have the chance to register their views as part of the planning process.

"A referendum would achieve nothing. I urge all those who are concerned about New Anfield to look at the detail of the proposal because they will be surprised and reassured by what they see."

The plans are on full display in an exhibition at Anfield today and tomorrow.

NOVEMBER 17
Stadium plan doomed

By Mark Hookham - Liverpool Echo

Proposals for a shared football stadium for Everton and Liverpool are doomed.

A second set of top-level talks between the clubs has ended in stalemate and only a total change of heart by both clubs can now resurrect the idea.

The ECHO can reveal that the only deal acceptable to Everton - a stadium paid for by taxpayers' money - is not a realistic option.

Insiders say both clubs have now accepted the plan will be ditched by Christmas.

Officials from LFC and EFC met Liverpool council and the North West Development Agency (NWDA) to see if there was any common ground over a shared stadium for the two clubs.

There was no breakthrough and while the NWDA has promised discussions will continue, no further meetings have been arranged.

Everton chairman Sir Philip Carter has said the club would consider a shared stadium if the council or public sector funded and built it.

But sources say city leaders have told the club they cannot bankroll a stadium with taxpayers' money.

Both clubs have been told they will have to find their own funds for any shared ground.

The ECHO also understands that LFC believes the business case for a shared ground is weak.

They fear the backlash from enraged fans would cost the club more than any money saved from a shared stadium.

Everton and Liverpool were urged by the NWDA to consider a ground-share, with the council acting as a broker for discussions.

While Everton announced it had shelved its own stadium plans for the "foreseeable future", Liverpool has pressed on with its own application for a new ground in Stanley Park.

Both clubs today remained tight-lipped about the ground share negotiations.

LFC chief executive Rick Parry said: "We agreed to participate in the debate and we are doing that."

EFC declined to comment.

Meanwhile, NWDA chief executive Steve Broomhead said: "The discussions are ongoing but there is no further news or information.

"The clubs are still looking at this from a business point of view."

A council spokesman said the decision on the stadium would have to be made in "weeks not months".

He said: "This is a hugely complicated issue and a huge amount of work still needs to be done to examine whether any of this is possible or desirable.

"Clearly a planning application has been submitted and it's due to be considered by the planning authority in the spring."

NOVEMBER 6
Anfield on the agenda

By Thomas Martin - Echo Reporter

Anfield residents will be given their say on proposals for the Stanley Park stadium at a special public meeting next month.

A special Walton Area Committee meeting will be held on Monday, December 8, when the only topic for discussion is the new stadium plan released by Liverpool Football Club last month.

Members of the council and representatives from the club will also attend.

Anfield councillor Kiron Reid confirmed this week that suitable venues are currently being considered for the meeting - including Everton's Goodison Park ground.

He said: "Attendance is expected to be high and we have spent a lot of time searching for a venue that is not only big enough, but available.

"We do not think it is appropriate to have a meeting about this at Liverpool's ground.

"Everton has conference facilities and we are currently inquiring to see if we can use them as a venue for the meeting.

"Anfield comprehensive is the other location we are looking at."

Most residents will be glad to finally have the chance to discuss the proposals with the club and the council.

Cllr Reid said: "This will be an opportunity for people to have their say on, what is without doubt, the biggest thing to happen in north Liverpool in decades.

"Whether pro or anti, I haven't met one person who does not have an opinion on this.

"The council's planning committee already has a number of questions about the key matters of transport, disruption during construction and how the restoration of the rest of the park will be paid for.

"Importantly, there will not only be representatives of the club on hand to explain the proposal, but council officers to advise the public about the legal side.

"We need local people to come and voice their concerns so they can be put to the planning committee."

OCTOBER 31
Everton stadium shock

Daily Post

Everton last night revealed it would consider moving into a shared stadium with city rivals Liverpool - provided it was funded by the city council or public sector.

Blues chairman Sir Philip Carter made the announcement to shareholders at the club's 124th annual general meeting.

Everton officials are due to meet their Liverpool counterparts, the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) and Liverpool City Council within the next week for further discussions on a possible ground share.

Liverpool have already submitted plans for a 60,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park, which is the only site being considered for a joint venture.

But the Blues have privately intimated they would be prepared to share a stadium with their rivals provided there was a 50-50 split of financial input and ownership of the project.

And last night Sir Philip confirmed the club would be interested in a ground share if it was suitable for the club, while reiterating a final decision would only be taken after consultation with Everton supporters.

Speaking before a packed shareholders' meeting last night, Sir Philip said: "The position on the shared stadium is that both clubs were approached and asked if we were prepared to share a stadium.

"The question is still under consideration but we have only had one meeting so far. There is another planned within the next week with all parties concerned. We would only consider any more development if the financial situation suited us.

"But if the city council or public sector wish to spend their money and build the stadium and offer it to the club, we would be foolish not to consider it - and I underline consider it.

"If there is a distinct advantage financially to Everton then we as a board must consider it. If it progresses further then we will take the matter out to the fans."

Earlier this year the Northwest Development Agency urged the clubs to look at the possibility of ground-sharing and talks were held between the two camps.

Michael Dunford and Rick Parry, chief executives of Everton and Liverpool respectively, were told that up to £25m of public money could be available if they agreed to share a ground.

Last night, shareholders were told Everton are continuing to investigate alternative sites for a new ground following the collapse of the Kings Dock project, but the Blues are also considering a renovation of Goodison Park.

Reacting to the apparent thawing in Everton's position towards a ground share, Liverpool City Council leader Mike Storey said: "

"If Everton are coming round to the idea of a ground-share with Liverpool, that is a small step forward. In principle, it clearly makes economic sense to have a stadium that could be shared by the two clubs and is not a huge drain on resources that could be invested in players."

OCTOBER 23
Public park plan for Anfield turf

By Mark Hookham - Echo Reporter

The hallowed turf of Anfield will be preserved as a public park if plans for a new stadium go ahead.

The Liverpool Football Club pitch would be the centrepiece for the Anfield Plaza development, which would include a hotel, restaurants and offices.

It is hoped the turf would become a memorial to epic Anfield matches. It would stand opposite the Hillsborough Memorial.

The proposals for the restored pitch were announced as new images of LFC's 60,000-seat stadium in Stanley Park were released.

The new pictures provide stunning close-up and overhead views of the £80mdevelopment.

The blueprint has been drawn together by Peter Swift from Planit EDC landscape architects.

He said: "The stadium is a beautiful piece of work but if it doesn't fit into the wider area it will not work.

"Anfield Plaza is a key element in the whole application. The best way to make it successful is to have developments - if you have it all as open space it will be a disaster."

A Liverpool spokesman stressed all plans for the Anfield Plaza were still subject to consultation with the local community.

He said: "There will definitely be a significant amount of open space and keeping the pitch is an idea that will be debated as part of the much wider consultation exercise."

The possible restoration of the pitch today won fans' support.

Les Lawson, secretary of the official LFC supporters club, said: "It is symbolic for many supporters - hallowed turf really.

"There will be a tear in the eye to when the old stadium is pulled down but it will be good to know that the old pitch will still be there."

Development of the Anfield Plaza would start once the proposed Stanley Park stadium was completed in 2006.

By the end of this month the club hopes to have put together a funding application for £40m for Anfield Plaza and the refurbishing of Stanley Park and Anfield Cemetery.

The club will be applying for European Objective 1 money and cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

OCTOBER 20
Corruption probe on stadium firm

By Chris Brown - Daily Post

A company which wants to build a joint stadium for Liverpool and Everton football clubs is under investigation for corruption in Japan.

Kajima, the world's third largest construction firm, last month put forward a plan for the two teams to share a ground on a site between Stanley and Waterloo docks where landowner, the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (MDHC), wants to redevelop 90 acres of derelict space.

A matter of days after the announcement, on September 30, Kajima was raided by officials from Japan's Fair Trade Commission probing bid rigging in the northern city of Niigata.

The FTC raided about 40 firms and Niigata city hall because it suspects the firms colluded to rig the outcome of civil engineering tenders.

Kajima said it was prepared to help finance a new shared stadium for Everton and Liverpool football clubs. But it now appears unlikely to happen due to the advanced nature of Liverpool's plan for their own ground at Stanley Park.

The move on Kajima in Japan follows a similar FTC investigation in Miyagi Prefecture, when Kajima was accused of secretly rigging tenders for civil engineering contracts last year. Although in June the FTC reprimanded 29 firms including Kajima, it did not have enough evidence to take the matter further.

Liverpool released further details of its plans for a new 60,000-seat stadium in Stanley Park earlier this month and it seems increasingly unlikely that either Merseyside club would be interested in the Kajima offer.

That spells bad news for the Japanese firm's proposals, which included guaranteeing the price the two clubs would have to pay for the new stadium with any cost overruns met by Kajima Urban Development.

The group would also allow its own assets to be used to guarantee bank loans raised by the clubs.

Kajima has already courted controversy in Britain when it won five privately-funded school deals in the last 18 months despite a "Stop Kajima" campaign highlighting its presence in Burma.

No-one from Kajima UK was available for comment last night while a spokesman for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company said he was unable to comment on anything regarding Kajima.

OCTOBER 15
Dalglish backs stadium move

LFC Official Website

Kop legend Kenny Dalglish has thrown his weight behind LFC's plans to build a new 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park and insists the fans can make sure it remains an intimidating place to visit.

Last week Liverpool Football Club submitted a planning application for a new stadium just 300 yards from the present ground and Dalglish believes it's a move that should please almost all Reds fans.

"The time has come for Liverpool to look to the benefits of a new stadium," Kenny told the official LFC magazine this week. "Anfield is a wonderful arena, and everyone who has played in it, worked in it, or visited it as a supporter will cherish the memories of the atmosphere and drama it helped create.

"But change is needed. The Stanley Park site looks great, and the plans for the stadium are also very positive. The prospect of an ultra-modern arena that can take up to 60,000 people is one that should appeal to almost every section of the Liverpool support.

"It would have been terrific if the old Anfield could have been dragged into the modern era but that simply wasn't possible, but this is the best alternative. There's nothing worse than a massive stadium that isn't full to capacity, but that won't ever be a problem for Liverpool.

"The demand for tickets has always been high, and will remain so and 60,000 Scouse voices should make sure that it remains an intimidating place to go and play football."

OCTOBER 9
Millennium Stadium inspires Liverpool ground

Ananova

Liverpool say Cardiff's Millennium Stadium was the inspiration for the plans for their £80million new ground.

Chief executive Rick Parry has claimed that the players and officials were so impressed by the Cardiff venue on their visits there, that Liverpool decided to utilise some of the venue's design.

Liverpool have played in the Welsh stadium on five occasions, winning the league cup twice, the FA Cup and the Community Shield - their only defeat there was the Community Shield reverse against Arsenal in August last year.

Parry said: "When we first played at the Millennium Stadium in 2001 many of the players and staff were completely impressed by it and I actually heard many of them saying 'wow' as we approached it.

"We've taken on certain aspects of that particular stadium which we think work really well."

Liverpool will incorporate an underground tunnel, like in Cardiff, to get teams dropped off by coach. And the sweeping design of the Millennium Stadium roof is very similar to the plans for the new ground.

Liverpool hope to gain permission to start building their new stadium on Stanley Park next May, and insist that it will be built without the aid of grants.

That alone would suggest that ground sharing with Everton is even more remote.

Parry said: "The one thing that the debate about a ground share has teased out over the last couple of weeks is the strength of views from supporters on both sides.

"The reality is that that they have come out thus far strongly against the idea.

"A lot of it is emotion but the day that emotion goes out of football is the day that we might as well pack it all in.

"To say that we would ignore the views that our supporters have expressed is just something that we would never do. It would be ridiculous."

OCTOBER 8
Liverpool submit stadium plans

Ananova

Liverpool have submitted an application for planning permission for a proposed new 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park.

If granted, the stadium would be built less than 300 yards from their current home Anfield and is scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2006/07 season.

The club hope to start work on the new ground by spring 2004, with the project expected to cost around £80million.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: "These plans will have a massive impact on the area.

"Three years have elapsed since they were first mooted and several million pounds and a phenomenal amount of time has gone into reaching the stage where we're at today. The changes to the stadium are not massively different to the ones unveiled last year but it will be pretty unique and one that cannot be compared to any existing model.

"The areas around the stadium are of great interest now and it is a project fitting of Capital of Culture status for the city.

"We believe we have covered every possible angle in terms of the planning application and it's a critically important day for us. We are delighted to have reached this stage but things will get much harder from here on in as the project gets bigger.

"As part of the planning application process, information about what is planned in terms of regeneration for the whole community is included.

"This is something which has followed extensive dialogue with the community in the last three years. The club sees the new stadium as a catalyst for the regeneration of the entire area, which will be to the benefit of the whole community.

"However, we made clear the time scales involved are now critical if the stadium is ready for 2006 and the regeneration package completed in time for the European Capital of Culture in 2008."

Thor Zakariassen ©