March 8
Parry denies press speculation 

LFC Official Website

Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry today denied newspaper speculation that the Club had decided against a move to Stanley Park in favour of other locations. 

Said Mr Parry: "Any suggestion that the Club had made a decision to abandon the Stanley Park proposal is completely untrue. It has always been our desire to stay in Anfield. Firstly, because it has always been our home and also as we believe a new stadium would prove to be a great catalyst in the regeneration of north Liverpool."

He continued: "We've consistently pointed out the overriding need to undertake detailed work in order to establish the cost, the timescales and the practicality of building in Stanley Park with particular emphasis being placed on both transport issues and car parking provision. 

"Those of our fans who visited the Millennium stadium in Cardiff for the Worthington Cup Final will understand fully the relevance of those two factors. Equally, as part of the planning process we've always made it quite clear that we are obliged to carry out objective assessments of other potential sites."

Mr Parry added: "It must be pointed out, however, that any move to the Stanley Park site is not a decision that can be made solely by the Club as the question of the availability of Stanley Park ultimately rests in the hands of the City Council itself."

March 7
Reds set to leave Anfield

By Larry Neild/Liverpool Echo

Liverpool Football Club is set to quit its historic Anfield home, it was revealed today.

The club is planning to abandon plans for a showpiece stadium on Stanley Park and is also set to rule out a major extension of its existing ground.

The move, expected to be confirmed within weeks, will pave the way for a new 75,000-seater stadium at Speke.

Club officials and executives from Liverpool city council have been in detailed talks about the club's options.

Today both sides were refusing to speculate on the final outcome.

But sources close to the Anfield debate have confirmed that the odds are now against a new ground on Stanley Park that the scheme will be ditched.

The club would need support from the city council to buy the park, planning permission would be needed with an inevitable lengthy public inquiry, and the cost of infrastructure is millions of pounds higher than expected.

An extended Anfield ground would mean the demolition of at least 250 homes at a time when a housing regeneration package is on the cards.

An official commented: "Even if the club could overcome all of those hurdles, there would still be a major transportation access problem."

The only hurdle now to a move is the most crucial the emotional and historic tie which binds the club to Anfield.

But backers of a move say that once the club directors accept that the decision must be ruled by the head rather than the heart, the link with Anfield will finally be broken.

The site of a car compound at Speke, owned by Railtrack, is now almost certain to be the new home of Liverpool FC.

With good road access, a major luxury hotel nearby, an airport minutes away and a direct rail link, the Speke site has emerged as the hot favourite.

Although leaving Anfield may seem like a wrench, the switch to Speke may be what is needed to give the Reds the chance to rival Manchester United.

Anfield legend Tommy Smith said today: "If we are going to leave Anfield, lets go somewhere that is acceptable to everyone, somewhere that would be an asset to the area with plenty of car parking.

"We are in the year 2001 so why should we be left behind? The likes of Derby and Bolton have got new grounds. Liverpool is the capital of football and we need to show the world that we are leaders in every way.

"The greatest thing at Anfield was the Kop. It used to terrify opponents. When that was demolished a part of the atmosphere and tradition went with it. We need a new stadium in the right place and with the right facilities to match our revitalised ambitions."

Liverpool FC's board is expected to meet to make a final decision within weeks.

Cllr Joe Kenny, who has been critical of the Stanley Park plan, said today: "I have been pushing for a public referendum over Stanley Park. A senior official has told me to hang fire because it might not be needed. That can only mean one thing - there will be no stadium on Stanley Park, so no need for a referendum."

January 30
Reds in stadium talks at Speke

Liverpool Echo


Liverpool FC officials have held a private meeting with bosses at the Speke Garston development company about plans for a new stadium.

The behind-the-scenes moves came as council leader Mike Storey ruled out talks with Liverpool and Everton officials about a shared stadium.

The meeting in Garston yesterday came just weeks after the ECHO published a story about a car marshalling depot off Speke Boulevard being lined up as the new home of Liverpool FC.

The club insists it is firmly committed to its proposals for a new 75,000-seater stadium on part of Stanley Park, close to the existing historic home of the Reds.

But as part of the planning process, chief executive Rick Parry says the club has to demonstrate that it has examined every available alternative.

Liberal Democrat Joe Kenny, a critic of the Stanley Park plan, will ask Cllr Storey at a meeting of Liverpool city council tomorrow night if he will broker a joint meeting with both clubs about a shared ground.

Cllr Kenny made the call saying that both clubs need new grounds, the city needs an indoor arena - so all three parties should meet to discuss a huge joint venture.

Cllr Storey will reject the call on the grounds that both clubs have already indicated that a shared ground is not on the agenda.

He added: "I accept that shared grounds are normal on the European mainland.

"However, if both clubs have closed the door on such an idea, there seems to be little point in talking about it."

January 19
Reds look south in stadium search

By Larry Neild/Liverpool Daily Post & Echo

Liverpool FC has identified two sites in south Liverpool if the club loses out in the bid to build a new 70,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park.

The ECHO has learned that the club has given itself an "insurance policy" by looking at alternative locations in Speke and Garston.

Site One is on a large industrial site alongside the New Mersey Retail Park in Speke Road.

Site Two is on part of Garston Docks close to Grassendale Park.

Today the club confirmed its commitment to building a new Anfield in Stanley Park but it has already confirmed that other sites have to be considered in case the preferred option becomes impossible.

Now the ECHO can reveal where they are.

Most likely of the two is the Speke Road site which is large enough to accommodate a major stadium.

It is currently a massive distribution compound for new cars, mainly Ford models.

For many years part of the site was a freight depot for the shipping line Ellerman.

It already has a direct access to the main Liverpool to London electrified line and is close to the proposed Allerton rail and bus interchange.

A high quality Merriott hotel in the former terminal building of Liverpool Airport is well underway and there are good links along Speke Boulevard to the motorway network.

Another advantage is that there are no houses close-by, eliminating the chances of nuisance to local people.

It is understood that club officials have already looked at the site and expressed an interest.

They had considered a stadium on the old northern airfield, home of the Creamfield concert for the past two years.

But officials of Speke Garston Development Company have ruled out a football stadium on that site.

The second potential site off St Mary's Road, Garston is more controversial and is bound to be strongly resisted by families in the upmarket Grassendale Park.

The extensive site, vacant for many years, is part of the Garston dock estate.

It is currently earmarked in the city's Unitary Development Plan - the planning blueprint for Liverpool - for dock related development.

But that status could be overturned by the city council or the government to pave the way for a £100m stadium.

Last night one senior city councillor commented: "Stanley Park is looking more doubtful and alternatives have to be looked at.

There is no doubt that this development would generate many jobs in South Liverpool and that would be most welcome."

January 13
Reds may seek new stadium site 

TEAMtalk

Rick Parry has admitted he may have to look at other sites for a new stadium in the wake of resistance to the proposed Stanley Park venture.
 
Liverpool's plans to build a new 70,000 all-seater stadium on the park that separates Anfield from Goodison Park have caused a widespread outcry amongst some sections of the local population and today the Liverpool chief executive admitted that the club may have to look further afield. 

Parry has already ruled out the Kings Dock - the proposed site for Everton's new ground - and commented: "We have identified half-a-dozen potential sites, although some can be ruled out straight away due to them not being for sale, transport problems or a host of local objections." 

He said that pressure from local residents had meant that further expansion of the current ground was also out of the question, adding: "Now we are having to examine all possible sites." 

January 8
Prescott to be Reds' referee

Liverpool Daily Post & Echo

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will have the final say on Liverpool FC's plans to build a super stadium on Stanley Park in Anfield.

Club officials are proposing a 70,000-seater stadium on part of the Victorian park.

It will replace the nearby traditional home of the Reds.

A report to Wednesday's meeting of the city council's housing committee reveals a timetable that will be followed as Liverpool FC's plans unfold.

-In March a community regeneration plan will be published to show how the stadium fits into an overall plan for the regeneration of Anfield.

-In May the club will formally lodge a planning application for the new stadium.

-The council's planning committee will have 16 weeks to reach a decision on the plan once it has been submitted.

If the planning committee gives the multi-million pound project the go-ahead, it will be submitted for approval to John Prescott.

This is because of the scale and impact of the project.

If, on the other hand, the planning committee refused to give consent, the club will have the right to appeal - and in that case Mr Prescott will also be the final "referee", deciding whether to say yes or no.

Any of the 99 members of the council who are season ticket holders or regular fans at Anfield will be barred from taking part in any voting.

December 21
Blow to Liverpool stadium dream

By Larry Neild/Liverpool Daily Post & Echo

Liverpool FC's plans for a 75,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park were dealt a blow last night.

City councillors reaffirmed a pledge by the ruling Liberal Democrats to preserve Liverpool's historic parks and open spaces for public use.

A carefully-crafted motion added the council should also resist any encroachment on city-owned parks and open spaces by unsuitable developments.

Coun Joe Kenny, who led the full council debate, predicted the decision would hit Liverpool FC's plans to swallow up a large chunk of Stanley Park for their dream stadium.

He said: "The Liberal Democrat group has supported me because so many of our members are determined to ensure that this beautiful park is not handed over for a football stadium.

"Four group members have even indicated that they will quit if the stadium goes ahead.

"It has been clear to me that many people in Anfield do not want the stadium on Stanley Park and now many councillors are saying the same."

Chief executive David Henshaw advised councillors that the decision on the reaffirmation of the policy would not fetter the council.

"All we are doing is to reaffirm the Liberal Democrat policy. That is not saying it is council policy," he said.

But Coun Kenny replied: "We have 70 out of 99 members. How can you say that Lib Dem policy is not council policy?"

September 22                                        

This is Anfield

Liverpool Daily Post & Echo

This is the first picture of Liverpool's proposed new 70,000-seater stadium.

The new circular ground has been compared to Barcelona's Nou Camp, widely regarded as the most spectacular stadium in Europe.

(Photo: Liverpool Daily Post & Echo)   Click for a larger version

It will be built on the car park of the Vernon Sangster sports club in Stanley Park, in the shadows of the Reds' current home.

The present Anfield stadium is likely to be demolished and the land may be given to the community.

Liverpool FC's chief executive, Rick Parry, said: "This isn't simply a new stadium for Liverpool Football Club, it is part of a wide ranging regeneration package for the area."

Today the Liverpool ECHO was given the first sneak preview of the superb new facility. after they were presented to invited residents representatives behind closed doors at the club last night.

The huge circular stadium has sweeping stands giving fans a total unobstructed view of the pitch. Banks of seats will gradually rise to an outside elevation of 17m - similar to the height of the existing ground.

Fans will enter the ground, which will be the biggest in the country topping even Old Trafford, via a walkway from the direction of the existing stadium.

But, unlike other new superstadia around the world, the new Anfield will NOT have a retractable roof.

Hotel developments and range of new facilities are planned included a 2,000-space car park, train station and park and ride schemes.

It is understood a few houses may have to be demolished as well as the sports centre. Anfield Comprehensive School should not be affected. 

Today Mr Parry said: "We are fully committed to working with the community and the city council.

"There is still a great deal to be done. We need to look at transport, planning and detailed design.

"But our view is that this is a solution that enhances open spaces and a very real opportunity to redraw the parkland and community facilities around the existing stadium.

"We are giving the existing stadium back to the community. We are creating a better Anfield for people to live in, work in and play in as well as delivering a world class stadium.

"There will be limited demolition of houses on Anfield Road and the sports centre will be demolished but we do have plans to replace the sports centre."

Last night's meeting mainly consisted of members of the steering group that represents Anfield.

The plans was thought to have welcomed by many people at the meeting but some residents claimed the meeting was not representative of the area.

Anfield Liberal Democrat councillor, Joe Kenny, boycotted the meeting. He said: "The steering group is not representative of the area.

"I am an elected representative and I will act for the local people. I believe the money given to the steering group by the council should be used for a referendum of the 20,000 in the area. Local people are being kidded by the club."

Fellow councillor Keiron Reid added: "The vast majority of people are opposed to them building on the park or expanding on this site.

"It also seems astounding that they haven't done any work on transport strategy to end the misery caused by parking problems."

Thor Zakariassen ©