Stanley Park Stadium
Encyclopedia
Stanley Park is a proposed football stadium
in Liverpool
that if built, would become home to Liverpool Football Club
. The stadium would have a capacity of 60,000 to 72,000 all-seated
if built as originally planned. The new owners of Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group
, are currently considering whether to build Stanley Park or to redevelop Anfield
.
The stadium was given planning permission
in February 2003. The new stadium was scheduled to open in August 2012, however apart from some minor site preparation work, no construction has taken place. Work will not start until economic conditions improve, if at all. In April 2010 Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks believed that with fresh capital from a new club owner, the stadium could be operational by August 2014.
Construction was expected to begin in 2006, but the former Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry
announced on 5 October 2008 that although the stadium would still be built, work would be delayed until economic conditions improve. Small scale preliminary site preparation began in 2008 following the City Council's approval of the plans in May, and the stadium was due to be finished by 2011. There is currently no official date for resumption of construction or completion. On 18 September 2009 Liverpool's former co-owner, Tom Hicks, re-iterated that plans to build the new stadium will go forward, although the date is still unknown. Hicks insisted that since so much money had already been put into the development of the stadium, it is necessary that construction begin when the economy normalises again.
to become a tenant on the flagship King's Dock project. The club however rejected the offer because the site would only be suitable for a 50,000 capacity stadium. At the same time, Merseyside rivals Everton F.C.
informally inquired about building on North West section of Stanley Park, Liverpool
but were deterred when told that a Victorian covenant was in place. Liverpool's then CEO, Rick Parry
threatened to move Liverpool into a neighbouring borough on Merseyside
because the only other site he considered viable was to become a residential estate in Garston
. The City Council then offered Everton F.C. the opportunity to become tenants of King's Dock. Everton agreed to this as they would only need to raise £30million for a 50,000 capacity stadium and the rest would be paid for with public money by the Council.
Sensing an opportunity, former chief executive Rick Parry told Liverpool City Council that Liverpool F.C. wanted to build on the South East area of Stanley Park and that they were considering leaving the city boundaries and taking millions of pounds of income that would usually be paid to the council with them. The City Council reluctantly agreed to Parry's demands and Parry told the press that the solution was "under our noses all along". At the time, Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright
chose not to contest the reasoning because they were being given financial support from the public sector. Plans to build on Stanley Park were resisted by local residents and Friends of Stanley Park who did not want to lose parkland for a football stadium.
The stadium was given final planning permission on 19 June 2008 and minor site preparation began on 24 June 2008. On 15 May, Carlsberg stated their interest in a sponsorship deal of the stadium name, proposing Carlsberg Anfield. Subsequentially, on 12 September 2009, Standard Chartered signed a new shirt sponsorship deal with the club, a record deal at the time.
Peter Kilfoyle
MP put forward an Early Day Motion that would prevent Royal Bank of Scotland
from reviewing their loan with Liverpool FC potentially forcing the existing owners to sell the club.
In a further development, it was reported on 26 August 2008 that construction of the stadium would be "delayed in the short-term", but that any delay would be used to "revisit plans" for the stadium to have a capacity of 73,000.
in Kirkby, although this has been strenuously denied by Liverpool's former co-owner Tom Hicks
.
Due to the government's rejection of Everton FC's stadium project and financial problems at both clubs, there has been speculation in the media as to a joint stadium project. Such a project received support from the leader of Liverpool city council and the chief of Liverpool's bid to host matches as part of the failed English 2018 World Cup bid.
Despite media rumours, Liverpool FC have always maintained that a ground sharing situation was never on the agenda.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
that if built, would become home to Liverpool Football Club
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. The stadium would have a capacity of 60,000 to 72,000 all-seated
All-seater stadium
An all-seater stadium is a sports stadium in which every spectator has a seat. This is commonplace in football stadiums in nations such as the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands. Most soccer and American football stadiums in the United States and Canada are all-seaters, as are most baseball...
if built as originally planned. The new owners of Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group
Fenway Sports Group
Fenway Sports Management is a company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts established by Fenway Sports Group in 2004. It styles itself as a "new kind of sports marketing agency," created by FSG to expand its footprint beyond its most famous holdings, the Boston Red Sox of Major League...
, are currently considering whether to build Stanley Park or to redevelop Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
.
The stadium was given planning permission
Urban planning
Urban planning incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities....
in February 2003. The new stadium was scheduled to open in August 2012, however apart from some minor site preparation work, no construction has taken place. Work will not start until economic conditions improve, if at all. In April 2010 Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks believed that with fresh capital from a new club owner, the stadium could be operational by August 2014.
Construction was expected to begin in 2006, but the former Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry
Rick Parry
Rick Parry is the former chief executive of Liverpool Football Club, and the former head of the FA Premier League. He is currently on the board of directors at New York Cosmos .-Career:...
announced on 5 October 2008 that although the stadium would still be built, work would be delayed until economic conditions improve. Small scale preliminary site preparation began in 2008 following the City Council's approval of the plans in May, and the stadium was due to be finished by 2011. There is currently no official date for resumption of construction or completion. On 18 September 2009 Liverpool's former co-owner, Tom Hicks, re-iterated that plans to build the new stadium will go forward, although the date is still unknown. Hicks insisted that since so much money had already been put into the development of the stadium, it is necessary that construction begin when the economy normalises again.
Stadium
The stadium was initially scheduled to open in 2006 with a capacity of approximately 55,000 seats. Plans were later revised to increase the capacity to 60,000 with the option to expand to 73,000 if necessary.History
Liverpool F.C. were approached by Liverpool City CouncilLiverpool City Council
Liverpool City Council is the governing body for the city of Liverpool in Merseyside, England. It consists of 90 councillors, three for each of the city's 30 wards. The council is currently controlled by the Labour Party and is led by Joe Anderson.-Domain:...
to become a tenant on the flagship King's Dock project. The club however rejected the offer because the site would only be suitable for a 50,000 capacity stadium. At the same time, Merseyside rivals Everton F.C.
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
informally inquired about building on North West section of Stanley Park, Liverpool
Stanley Park, Liverpool
Stanley Park is a park in Liverpool, England, designed by Edward Kemp, which was opened on 14 May 1870 by the Mayor of Liverpool, Joseph Hubback. It is significant among Liverpool's parks on account of its layout and architecture. It has a grand terrace with expansive bedding schemes that were...
but were deterred when told that a Victorian covenant was in place. Liverpool's then CEO, Rick Parry
Rick Parry
Rick Parry is the former chief executive of Liverpool Football Club, and the former head of the FA Premier League. He is currently on the board of directors at New York Cosmos .-Career:...
threatened to move Liverpool into a neighbouring borough on Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
because the only other site he considered viable was to become a residential estate in Garston
Garston, Merseyside
Garston is a district of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is bordered by Aigburth, Allerton, and Speke.-History:Gaerstun, meaning 'grazing settlement' or 'grazing farm' in Old English, is one possible root of the name....
. The City Council then offered Everton F.C. the opportunity to become tenants of King's Dock. Everton agreed to this as they would only need to raise £30million for a 50,000 capacity stadium and the rest would be paid for with public money by the Council.
Sensing an opportunity, former chief executive Rick Parry told Liverpool City Council that Liverpool F.C. wanted to build on the South East area of Stanley Park and that they were considering leaving the city boundaries and taking millions of pounds of income that would usually be paid to the council with them. The City Council reluctantly agreed to Parry's demands and Parry told the press that the solution was "under our noses all along". At the time, Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright
Bill Kenwright
Bill Kenwright CBE is a leading West End theatre producer and film producer.He is also the Chairman of Everton Football Club, an English professional football club from the city of Liverpool....
chose not to contest the reasoning because they were being given financial support from the public sector. Plans to build on Stanley Park were resisted by local residents and Friends of Stanley Park who did not want to lose parkland for a football stadium.
The stadium was given final planning permission on 19 June 2008 and minor site preparation began on 24 June 2008. On 15 May, Carlsberg stated their interest in a sponsorship deal of the stadium name, proposing Carlsberg Anfield. Subsequentially, on 12 September 2009, Standard Chartered signed a new shirt sponsorship deal with the club, a record deal at the time.
Finance
Telegraph reported, "there are now serious doubts over whether the two Americans will raise the necessary finance for a project that is estimated to cost £350 million. Within the next year [2009], they must also either extend or refinance the £350 million loan that they took out with the Royal Bank of Scotland and the American bank, Wachovia, in January. The latest setback to the credibility of Hicks and Gillett has prompted renewed calls for them to sell the club, with Dubai International Capital's takeover offer of about £400 million still on the table.Peter Kilfoyle
Peter Kilfoyle
Peter Kilfoyle is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Liverpool Walton from 1991 to 2010.-Early life:...
MP put forward an Early Day Motion that would prevent Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
from reviewing their loan with Liverpool FC potentially forcing the existing owners to sell the club.
In a further development, it was reported on 26 August 2008 that construction of the stadium would be "delayed in the short-term", but that any delay would be used to "revisit plans" for the stadium to have a capacity of 73,000.
Ground share speculation
It has been reported that, should funding prove sufficiently difficult to acquire, there is a possibility that the stadium will be co-financed by Everton FC, who are also looking into the possibility of a new stadiumEverton Kirkby Project
The Kirkby Project was a proposed new football stadium in Kirkby, England for . The plan originated in 2006, was the subject of a Public Inquiry in December 2008, but was eventually rejected by central government in November 2009...
in Kirkby, although this has been strenuously denied by Liverpool's former co-owner Tom Hicks
Tom Hicks
Thomas Ollis Hicks, Sr. , is an American 'leveraged buyout' businessman living in Dallas, Texas. Despite Forbes Magazine estimating Hicks' wealth at USD 1 billion in 2009, Hicks was unable to pay off joint loans of circa £200 million the following year...
.
Due to the government's rejection of Everton FC's stadium project and financial problems at both clubs, there has been speculation in the media as to a joint stadium project. Such a project received support from the leader of Liverpool city council and the chief of Liverpool's bid to host matches as part of the failed English 2018 World Cup bid.
Despite media rumours, Liverpool FC have always maintained that a ground sharing situation was never on the agenda.
Anfield Railway Station
In February 2008, it was revealed that Liverpool FC were looking to build a new rail station. Three locations have been looked at; Utting Avenue, Stanley Park Avenue and Pinehurst Avenue.External links
- Club's official website page on the proposed stadium
- Images and Description
- BBC report stadium approval in September 2006
- http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorerAA/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=725796&XSLT=/PlanningExplorerAA/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/PlanningExplorerAA/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNINGPlanning Application (07F/2191) at Liverpool.gov.uk]