Development of stadiums in English football

A large number of English football clubs have ongoing schemes to redevelop existing grounds, or to move to newly constructed stadiums. A trend towards all-seater stadiums was initially prescribed by the Taylor Report, and was originally a condition only of Premier League admission. It has now become a requirement that within three years of promotion to the Championship all paying spectators are seated, even if the club is subsequently relegated. This page provides an (incomplete) list and description of those clubs who have planned new stadia or refurbishments, or who have already moved/refurbished since around the time of the Taylor Report.

The following list includes clubs that are based in Wales but play in the English football league system.

History

When Scunthorpe United moved to Glanford Park in 1988, it was the first time a Football League club had moved to a new purpose-built home since 1955. Up to this point, most sides were playing in grounds that were more-or-less structurally unchanged for a century.

Ground improvements were seldom, most clubs rarely reached their capacity on a regular basis, and poor facilities were commonplace. The main source of income came from gate receipts, and most additional money was spent on transfers. It was not until the growing concern in the 1980s about the safety of existing stadiums, that clubs began to examine the possibilities offered by redeveloping their grounds.

The Taylor Report recommended the conversion of all top-level football stadiums to all-seater arenas although this was subsequently applied to the top two levels. This was given governmental financial assistance, and while unpopular with many fans, attendances began to rise again having fallen heavily during the previous decade. The new all-seater arrangement tended to be more popular with both the clubs and football authorities, as they had the combined benefits of being safer and more profitable.

The boom in television rights following the creation of the Premier League in 1992 allowed a number of clubs to further expand their stadiums, or even move to new ones. Realising the commercial possibilities of new stadiums, many ambitious outfits constructed purpose-built stadiums often on the outskirts of cities or in urban regeneration areas. It has become common for clubs to tie these new stadia in with residential or leisure complexes.

A number of lower-league clubs had plans for ground improvements halted following the collapse of ITV Digital and the lucrative broadcasting contract they had agreed. Following the re-sale of rights, a number of these programmes have been re-activated in recent years, and some of the heaviest stadium redevelopment has been in the lower divisions. Most teams with ambitions of eventual promotion to the Premier League have plans for continued work on their grounds to bring them up to an appropriate standard. Even the biggest clubs have been affected, Manchester United have totally rebuilt Old Trafford while Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2006.

Premier League

Arsenal

Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, which has massively boosted club income. At present, the capacity is 60,355 (seated), with currently no public plans to expand it despite every Premier League match to date selling out. Emirates Stadium is the second largest club ground in England, after Old Trafford. The Emirates replaced Highbury, where the club had been based since 1913, which itself had been substantially updated in the early 1990s and reduced capacity from 59,000 to an all-seater 38,500. However, this was deemed inadequate by the end of the decade and led to the club's directors deciding that relocation was necessary, prompting the club to build a new stadium.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa have planning permission to increase Villa Park from 42,000 to 50,000 seats by expanding the North Stand, with their American owner Randy Lerner apparently keen to boost capacity. Villa Park has been all-seater since 1994, when the Holte End was rebuilt, but did not reach its current capacity until the Trinity Road Stand was rebuilt in the 2000-01 season.

Birmingham City

Birmingham City have planning permission to redevelop the Main Stand at St Andrews Stadium, which would see capacity rise to around 36,500. The club are currently holding off from completing this, while they are pursuing the more ambitious plan to move to a 50,000-seat stadium. St Andrews was rebuilt on three sides between 1994 and 1999, which brought the capacity to just over 30,000 all-seated.

Blackburn Rovers

There are long-term plans to redevelop the 1988-built Riverside Stand which would raise Ewood Park's capacity by around 9,000 to 40,000. The stadium became all-seater for the 1994-95 season after a two-year reconstruction programme which saw three of the stadium's stands rebuilt. The reconstruction of the Darwen End saw the demolition of the Fernhurst Mill and the new Jack Walker Stand's construction saw the demolition of houses along Nuttall Street. Any further development in the foreseeable future depends on an increase of attendance.

Blackpool

Developments are under way to increase the capacity of Bloomfield Road to 16,000. This will be done by work on the East and South stands, effectively mirroring the existing North and West stands to create a full bowl effect, although the new South Stand has four floors rather than three as with the West Stand and Kop. A hotel with balconies overlooking the pitch occupies the top two floors of the South stand. In March 2008, the Blackpool chairman claimed that plans to build a new ground on the edge of the town were unlikely to be revived. In 1996 Blackpool had been preparing to move to a 40,000 seat superstadium, part of a shopping complex. Instead the club are set on redeveloping Bloomfield Road. On 8 July 2008, the club released a statement from club president, Valeri Belokon stating that work on both the new South Stand and the South-West corner would begin immediately, with Belokon and the Oyston family in a full partnership to fund the building of the stands.

The South Stand was originally projected to be complete by May 2009. Work began on the South Stand and South West Corner in December 2008. The stand officially opened on 10 March 2010 by Jimmy Armfield, former Blackpool player and the stand's namesake. The current stadium capacity is now 12,555.

On 14 November 2009 it was revealed that the football club hope to work with Urban Regeneration Company ReBlackpool to build a new East Stand that would contain both seating and office/retail space rather than as originally planned for just seating. This will mean a larger stand is to be built which will require additional land to be acquired.

On 13 May 2010, Karl Oyston pledged that construction of the East Stand would begin immediately, so long as they gain promotion to the Premier League.

On 14 June the temporary seating comprising the East Stand was removed, which will be replaced with a 5,070-seat covered temporary stand which, when built, will raise the capacity to around 15,500.

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers moved into their new Reebok Stadium in 1997, having previously played at Burnden Park since 1895. The Reebok has an all-seated capacity of 28,723. The plans for relocation were formulated in the early 1990s, when the club was still in the third tier of the English league but had ambitions of reaching the top flight (achieved in 1995). Burnden Park was an antiquated structure that would have been unsuitable for modernisation, and so the decision was made to build a new stadium elsewhere.

Chelsea

Following Roman Abramovich's takeover, Chelsea have examined expanding their current home at Stamford Bridge. Numerous problems over health and safety issues have stalled this, leading to the club being linked with moves to a number of potential sites in West London, including a site at Earl's Court, although the club have indicated no such plans exist. Any move away from Stamford Bridge, would involve the club being forced to change its name, as the Chelsea F.C. name is tied to the pitch. Stamford Bridge was extensively rebuilt between 1993 and 1998, with three stands being replaced, and the only pre-1993 stand at the stadium being the 1974 East Stand structure. The club have stated that they wish to expand the Bridge's capacity to more than 50,000.

Everton

Everton are planning to relocate to a new stadium in Kirkby. This has generated a large amount of controversy, as it is beyond the city limits of Liverpool. In June 2008 Kirkby council approved the new stadium, however, following a public inquiry that was held in December 2008, the stadium was rejected by the Secretary of State in November 2009.

It is planned to have 50,401 seats initially, with potential to increase to 60,000 at a later date. The club's current stadium has been all-seater since 1994, when a new stand was built at one end of the ground. The Main Stand was built in 1970, while the two remaining stands are refurbished interwar structures. The first plans for relocation were announced in 1996, and a site at King's Dock was identified in 2000, but these plans were shelved in 2003 when chairman Bill Kenwright said that the club couldn't raise adequate funds.

Fulham

Since Fulham's promotion to the Premier League, and the conversion of Craven Cottage to an all-seater stadium, the club have been slowly adding to the capacity of the ground every summer. There are periodic reports of a new stadium in White City to be shared with Queens Park Rangers, but such plans are not currently being pursued by either club, with both concentrating on developing their existing grounds. Craven Cottage was the most recent top division stadium to feature standing accommodation when Fulham were promoted in 2001, but closed a year later and Fulham ground-shared with Queens Park Rangers for two years until they returned to an all-seater Craven Cottage. The plan at the time had been for Craven Cottage to reach a 30,000 capacity, but these were delayed due to opposition from local residents and at first the club had to settle for a 22,000-seat stadium. There have been gradual increases since Fulham's return, the capacity now being 26,500. Plans are afoot to increase the capacity of Craven Cottage by an additional 4,000 seats, taking the capacity to over 30,000 mainly through redevelopment of the Riverside Stand; however this is yet to be implemented.

Liverpool

Liverpool are planning to move to a new Stanley Park Stadium. The present plans involve a 66,754 seat ground. Preliminary construction has already started. Anfield has been all-seater since the mid 1990s, when the Spion Kop was rebuilt two years after the completion of the Centenary Stand on the southern side of the stadium. The Main Stand dates back to the early 1970s, while the Anfield Road Stand was already all-seater when it was rebuilt in 1997. Construction was halted in 2008 due to lack of funds combined with the impending recession. The relocation was first proposed in 2000, when the club had been hoping to have a 70,000-seat stadium ready for the 2004-05 season. In 2002 it was decided that relocation was a more viable option than expansion, when the plans were amended for a less expensive 60,000-seat stadium to be built.

Manchester City

New owners of Manchester City, the Abu Dhabi United Group, have announced plans to expand the City of Manchester Stadium after first purchasing the ground and the area around it previously earmarked for the Manchester Super-Casino. Their plans involve an expansion of the stadium, an on-site training ground and youth academy, and a five-star hotel and leisure complex. Talks with Manchester City Council are underway, and options for control of the site to be shared between the council and the club are under consideration.

City have played at the City of Manchester Stadium since 2003, and for the previous 80 years had played at Maine Road, which had been converted into an all-seater format during the 1990s with the construction of two new stands. The decision to relocate to the City of Manchester Stadium was made in 1997, in place of previous plans for Maine Road to be expanded to 45,000 seats.

Manchester United

Since 1990, Old Trafford has undergone a massive facelift converting the stadium into a 76,000 all-seater, the largest club stadium in the United Kingdom. Manchester United could expand it yet further by rebuilding the South Stand to create a bowl structure. This would take capacity to 96,000, making it larger than Wembley. However the presence of a railway line and private houses would make this development very expensive. There are currently no plans to proceed with this, despite Old Trafford selling out every Premier League match since the last expansion.

Old Trafford became all-seater in the 1992-93 season when the Stretford End was rebuilt. Expansion took place in 1995-96 when the 30-year-old North Stand was bulldozed to make way for a new three-tier structure. The other two stands at Old Trafford were expanded in the 1999-2000 season and the latest expansion took place in 2006-07.

Newcastle United

In 2007 under the chairmanship of Freddy Shepherd, Newcastle United announced plans to increase the capacity of St James' Park by 8,000 to 60,000 by rebuilding the Gallowgate End as part of a £300m scheme to redevelop the stadium and its surrounding area. This would cure St James' Park of its current lopsided appearance. The plans appeared to have been shelved upon the 2007 takeover and review of the club by Mike Ashley, who subsequently announced in 2008 he would be selling the club. The club had trouble selling out games in the 2008/09 season as Newcastle flirted with relegation from the Premier League, a fate which was eventually confirmed on the last day of the season.

St James's Park was initially revamped in the early to mid 1990s to give it a 36,000-seat capacity, but the most recent expansion did not take place until 1999-2000, in time for the 2000-2001 season. In 1995, there had been plans relocate to a new 50,000-seat stadium at Castle Leazes, but these were abandoned in favour of expanding the existing stadium.

Stoke City

There are currently no plans to expand the Britannia Stadium, which holds 28,000 seated spectators, although the corners could be filled in at a later date to boost capacity over 30,000. The stadium was built in 1997 to replace the 119-year-old Victoria Ground as the club complied with the requirements of the Taylor Report, with the decision to relocate something of a surprise as the Victoria Ground had good road connections and sizable car parks.

Sunderland

Sunderland's Stadium of Light is designed to allow expansion to 64,000 seats. In 2003 the club received planning permission to add another 7,200 seats to the South Stand which would have taken capacity to 56,000 but the plans were put on hold due to Sunderland's relegation. In 2007 chairman Niall Quinn said the club had no current plans to increase capacity, as with many top flight clubs Sunderland struggle to fill their current capacity.

The Stadium of Light was one of the first new stadia to be built during the modern era, opening in 1997 as replacement for 99-year-old Roker Park, with then chairman Bob Murray deciding in the early 1990s that a new stadium was the best option as Roker Park was unsuitable for converting into an all-seater stadium as its confined location would have given a capacity much lower than the club would have wanted.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham are planning a larger stadium. For some years it was undecided whether this strategy would involve expanding White Hart Lane or moving to a new site.

It was announced on 30 October 2008 that Tottenham plan to develop on both the current site and also to the north where they have purchased land, creating a 56,000-seater stadium. The new area will include leisure facilities, shops, housing, a club museum, public space and also a new base for the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. The first public consultations took place in December 2008 and a further public consultation on the Northumberland Development Project's more detailed plans were held at the start of April 2009. A planning application was submitted to Haringey Council in October 2009, however following criticism by English Heritage and other conservation groups about the proposed demolition of listed buildings, the club withdrew the plans in May 2010 in favour of a revised plan which retained the buildings, and improved the public areas around the stadium. The White Hart Lane name may be abandoned in favour of a sponsorship link.

West Bromwich Albion

If the club can establish themselves in the Premier League there are plans to increase the capacity of the Hawthorns from 26,500 to over 40,000. This would be achieved by rebuilding the Halfords Lane Stand. There are also plans to expand the Woodman Corner joining the Birmingham Road End to the East Stand.

West Ham United

West Ham United shelved plans for a new stadium in east London at a Parcelforce depot adjacent to West Ham tube station following their chairman's bankruptcy in the Icelandic financial crisis. They still have hopes of converting the nearby 2012 Olympic Stadium to football use, but it was a condition of the Olympic bid that the stadium continue as an athletics venue. It is considered too expensive to install retractable seating over the athletics track, and British football fans don't like sitting at a distance from the pitch, beyond a track, so at present this option is not considered viable. A converted Olympic stadium would be part of the 2018 World Cup bid.

If nothing happens with the Olympic stadium proposal, the club have planning permission to redevelop the East Stand at their existing ground, increasing the capacity of the Boleyn Ground from 35,000 to between 43,000 and 44,000. The Boleyn Ground was upgraded to be an all-seater venue during the 1990s.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves may expand Molineux to 36,000 by adding extra tiers to two ends, and by filling in the corners of the ground. Plans were announced in May 2010 to expand the capacity by the 2014/15 season from 29,303 to 36,000 depending upon the club's consolidation in the Premier League. There are future plans for a longer term redevelopment of the ground to increase capacity to around 50,000.

Three of the stadium's four stands were built in the early 1990s, while the first stand was built in 1979. On the new-look stadium's completion in 1993, it was one of the largest club stadiums in England but has since been eclipsed by many other clubs who have relocated to new stadiums or expanded their existing ones.

Championship

Barnsley

Barnsley have announced that they are to demolish the old West Stand and replace it with a new 9,000 seater stand similar to the current East Stand. The stadium currently holds 23,000 all-seated spectators and has done so since the mid 1990s. The plans for the reconstruction of the West Stand were first announced in the late 1990s.

Bristol City

On 29 November 2007 it was announced that after over 100 years at Ashton Gate, Bristol City would be moving to a new stadium in South Bristol. This proposed new stadium will have a capacity of 30,000 seats and possibly extend to 42,000 if England are successful in their bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Ashton Gate currently holds more than 21,000 all-seated spectators and has done since the mid 1990s, as the initial plan was to upgrade the existing stadium rather than relocate to a new site.

Burnley

Burnley have an ongoing £20m development of Turf Moor planned. This will involve refurbishing some of the older stands, and will see capacity raised slightly above 22,000. Further development after that is probable, with the Chief Executive Paul Fletcher confirming a second tier would be added to the Bob Lord Stand after the club won promotion to the Premier League. This would increase the capacity to around 28,000. The redevelopment will also include the new Stadiarena stand which effectively converts an outdoor stadium stand into an indoor arena and exhibition space within six minutes.

Cardiff City

A new all-seater stadium, planned since the late 1990s, for Cardiff City opened in 2009 and is shared with the Cardiff Blues rugby union franchise. The new Cardiff City Stadium initially holds 27,000, with short term possibility to increase to 30,000. It is be the second largest stadium in Wales, after the Millennium Stadium, also in the Welsh capital.

Coventry City

Coventry City moved to the 32,500 seater Ricoh Arena in 2005, leaving their historic home Highfield Road which was the first all-seater ground in England. Coventry had long planned a move to a purpose-built 45,000-seat stadium, with original suggestions including a retractable roof and pitch à la Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem. Coventry had even hoped to become the home of the new national stadium, joining Birmingham and London in the race to be the new Wembley, but were unsuccessful in their bid. The Ricoh Arena includes a vast exhibition centre built onto the main stand. Despite a slight increase in attendance figures since moving from Highfield Road, Coventry City's continued failure to regain their place among the upper echelons of the League structure means there are always many empty seats at the Ricoh Arena.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have reportedly attempted to move from their Selhurst Park home to return to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre (on the site of the original ground the club left in 1915), but Bromley Council will not give them permission to move there. The heavy residential surroundings around Selhurst Park make any expansion unfeasible to the club, and as such it seems likely that the club will remain in the 26,309 capacity ground for the time being. The only other option likely for expansion at the moment is a plan to build extensions to the Holmesdale end to fully enclose all the corners within the ground which would raise it to 32,000 and then eventually to 40,000.

Derby County

In April 2007, Derby County released details of a proposed £20m development around their Pride Park stadium which would create about 250 jobs. The Pride Plaza project would include a 165-bed hotel, bars, restaurants and office space. On November 9, 2007 Derby City Council agreed to let the plans go ahead.

Additionally the club has announced plans to expand the capacity up from 33,500 to 44,000, with the work due to take place during the 2007–08 close season., provided the club avoided relegation. The plans include adding rows of seats to the north, south and east stands. If completed, this would allow the club to break its current club record home attendance, Pride Park was opened in 1997 when Derby left the Baseball Ground, as one of the first clubs to relocate to a new stadium to comply with the Taylor Report. The new stadium was opened just 18 months after the decision to relocate was made public; the previous plan had been for the Baseball Ground to be rebuilt with a 26,000-seat capacity.

Doncaster Rovers

In December 2006 the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster held its first sporting fixture. even though it did not have its official opening until August 2007 when they played Manchester United in a pre-season friendly.

The stadium's construction began in 2005 and cost an estimated £32 million. The stadium has a capacity to hold 15,231 people, however if demand for ticket sales goes up and Doncaster Rovers establish them selves as a league contender the stadium can be expanded by placing second tiers on both the north and south stand ends,the goal ends, this would increase the capacity to about 20,000.

The ground has many facilities, and is being considered as a training ground for the 2018/2022 England world cup bid, the second pitch with track and 500 seater stand, as well as 6 mini-pitches helped with this. it also has international standard changing room facilities. As well as a top quality hospitality service centre.

Hull City

Hull's KC Stadium, which opened in 2002, is designed to provide for future expansion to a capacity of approximately 30,000 by the addition of a second tier on the Arco East Stand. In March 2008 the Hull chairman said an expansion could potentially take place within two years if there was a clear need for further capacity.

When Hull moved to the stadium in December 2002, they were still playing in Division Three (they reached the Premier League in 2008). For the 56 years prior to that, they had played at Boothferry Park but the decision was made to build a new stadium when a takeover by Adam Pearson in 2001 the club's new owner declared his ambition to build a stadium suited to top flight football, as Boothferry Park was too confined to develop a stadium fit for top division football.

Leeds United

At one point, while flying high in Europe, Leeds were examining a potential move to a new 67,000-seat stadium in nearby Stourton, while there were also plans to redevelop Elland Road as a 60,000-seat "Wembley of the North". Following the club's collapse into administration and dropping down two divisions, the sum of Leeds stadium ambitions at the present is simply to regain ownership of Elland Road, which had to be sold to offset debts.

The current stadium has been all-seater since 1994, when the Kop (now the Don Revie Stand) was refurbished. The most significant recent development took place in 1992/1993, when the 17,000 seat East Stand was built, on the old Lowfields Road end, pushing capacity up to just over 40,000.

There are now plans to redevelop the land around Elland Road with a shopping arcade, new club megastore, two hotels and nightclub. There are also plans to increase the seating capacity to 50,000-60,000 should Leeds United return to the Premier League within the near future, or should England win the rights to host the 2018 World Cup

Leicester City

Leicester have plans to extend the Walkers Stadium if they reach the Premier League and begin to settle there. The stadium plans could possibly extend the south, north or east stand into a 2 tier stadium, bringing the final capacity to around 40-45,000 seats.

The club have played at their 32,500-seat stadium since relocating from nearby Filbert Street in 2002. They had spent 111 years at Filbert Street and converted it into an all-seater format in 1993 with the construction of one new stand and the refurbishment of the three others, but a run of success in the top flight prompted demand for tickets vastly outstripping supply, and the stadium's confined location made expansion difficult, so by 1998 the decision was made to build a new stadium.

Middlesbrough

Currently Middlesbrough F.C. appear happy with the size of their 35,000 seat Riverside Stadium, with average crowds well below the current limit. However they have planning permission to expand by another 7,000 seats. If England is successful in bidding to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the expansion would be likely to occur to ensure consideration as a World Cup venue. Middlesbrough have played at the Riverside since 1995, when they moved from Ayresome Park in the first relocation of a top division club's stadium for 72 years. The stadium took a mere 32 weeks to build and the relocation decision was only made public just over a year before the stadium was opened.

Norwich City

Norwich City are expected to increase the capacity of Carrow Road to 27,000 over the Summer of 2010. There are also plans to expand Carrow Road by around 9,000 to 35,000 by adding another tier to both the Jarrold and the Geoffrey Watling stands. This is unlikely to happen unless Norwich are promoted back to the Premier League, or the next round of TV deals generates more income.

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest currently play at the 30,602 capacity City Ground. The club had plans to move into a 50,000 seat new stadium in the Clifton area of the city. The club is unlikely to move to Clifton as it initially announced, Nottingham City Council is in favour of a location closer to the city centre. There have also been plans for the Main Stand (the oldest part of the ground) to be rebuilt, but nothing definite has yet been confirmed.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth had the smallest stadium in the Premier League during the 2007-08 season. The board planned to remedy this by rebuilding Fratton Park turning the pitch round 90 degrees. This was then abandoned in favour of a 35,000 'Pompey Village' plan, and then superseded by the current proposed Portsmouth Dockland Stadium which is planned to hold 36,000 seated spectators, which they had been hoping to have ready in 2011. However it has been revealed that Portsmouth FC are now preparing to build a 36,000 seater stadium at Horsea Island

Portsmouth have been considering relocation since the early 1990s, but had upgraded their stadium to an all-seater capacity as a short-term measure.

In May 2009 all stadium relocation plans were put on hold. The club are looking to expand the current Fratton Park stadium by going back to its original plan of turning it around and increasing capacity to 30,000.

Preston North End

Preston NE completed its Invincibles Stand in 2008. Deepdale's capacity is 24,000.

QPR

Queens Park Rangers have long harboured ambitions of playing in a larger stadium. This will either be done by expanding their existing Loftus Road ground from its current 19,000 capacity or by locating to a new stadium elsewhere in West London, with a ground share in White City with Fulham commonly mentioned. The recent takeover of the club by Bernie Ecclestone prompted increased speculation that they were going to move, but it seems that the new owners are currently more interested in securing promotion and raising attendances.

Loftus Road has been all-seater since 1993, when the club was still in the Premier League. A further relegation to Division Two (now League One) in 2001 saw a lesser need for a bigger stadium, but promotion in 2004 has seen further speculation regarding expansion or relocation.

Reading

Reading announced plans for the expansion of the Madejski Stadium. The proposal involves increasing the stadium to 38,000 seats by expanding all stands except the West Stand, and rebuilding the roof. These plans were dependent on Reading staying in the Premiership.; following relegation in 2008, the plans are uncertain. A new railway station Reading GreenPark is opening near to the ground.

The Madejski Stadium was opened in 1998, having first been proposed in 1994 as Reading climbed up the league and construction of an all-seater stadium was necessary. Elm Park was deemed unsuitable for renovation due to its confined location and the ambitions of chairman John Madejski to establish Reading in the top flight, so the decision to build a new stadium was made.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United are keen to build up their non-football related income. In light of this, the club have built a new four-star hotel at the complex. In addition the Kop Stand is to be redeveloped and expanded by 3,000, and should the club ever be promoted back to the Premier League, the South Stand would be increased by 4,000, to take total capacity to just over 40,000. Plans to then further the capacity of Bramall Lane to 45,000 were granted permission in October 2009.

Bramall Lane became all-seater in the mid 1990s after the completion of two new stands and the refurbishment of two existing stands.

Swansea City

Swansea moved to the purpose built 20,520 all-seater stadium Liberty Stadium in 2005 replacing Vetch Field which had been their home since they were founded. Construction commenced in the autumn of 2003 with the opening game taking place in the stadium between Swansea and Fulham on 23 July 2005.

Watford

Watford play their home games at the 20,000 seater Vicarage Road Stadium. In 2007, the club announced renovation work to the stadium, including a new stand, the filling in of two corners with media centres, and a new dugout/changing room area. The £32.5 million development will also include key worker housing to the rear of the Rookery Stand, primarily for workers at adjacent Watford General Hospital.

League One

A.F.C. Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth's Dean Court ground was completely rebuilt in 2001, with the pitch rotated ninety degrees from its original position. The stadium was also moved away from adjacent housing. Although it was rebuilt as a three sided stadium, seats were placed on the undeveloped South End in the autumn of 2005. These seats have since been removed.

Brentford

The club are hoping to move to a new 20,000 capacity stadium in nearby Kew Bridge. After several years of effort, the club announced in December 2007 that they had been given an option on the site at Lionel Road, and announcing two months later a link-up with property developer Barratt Homes to develop the site. The proposed move is strongly backed by fans, particularly as it will keep them in the London Borough of Hounslow. The new stadium may be shared with a professional rugby club.

At one point it was reported that the club would increase the capacity of their existing Griffin Park ground from 12,500 to 17,000 but these plans now appear to be hold in relation to the new stadium.

Brighton and Hove Albion

In 2007 Brighton were finally given permission to construct a new 22,500 stadium in Falmer on the outskirts of Brighton, more than a decade after they left their traditional home at the Goldstone Ground. The new Falmer Stadium has been under construction since April 2009 and is due for completion in May 2011. The stadium was first proposed in 1999, when Brighton moved into their current temporary home at Withdean. For two years previously, they had ground-shared with Gillingham after selling the Goldstone Ground to pay off rising debts.

Bristol Rovers

In 2007 Bristol Rovers were given permission to redevelop the Memorial Stadium into a 18,500 seat complex, with a hotel and restaurant. Construction was due to begin in 2008 and finish in 2010, but the redevelopment stalled after a major contributor pulled out shortly before development was due to begin. The work is now due to begin in summer 2009 with the redevelopment expected to be finished around 2011, during which time the club will continue to play at the ground with the capacity never dropping below 8,500 during the redevelopment. Originally, it was planned that Rovers would play at Whaddon Road in Cheltenham.

Charlton Athletic

Charlton have planning permission from Greenwich Council to rebuild the East Stand, increasing capacity to 31,000. Potential future improvements could see this raised to 40,000 but this is unlikely to happen unless the club is promoted back to the Premier League or comes under new ownership.

Colchester United

Colchester United took possession of a new stadium, funded by the local council, in July 2008. The Colchester Community Stadium cost £16 million to build and has a capacity of 10,000 seats. There is potential for future expansion to 18,000.

Leyton Orient

Leyton Orient hope to move from their existing Brisbane Road stadium to the new Olympic Stadium in 2012. Following the Olympics, the stadium is to be reduced from 80,000 to a more manageable 25,000 and given over to athletics. The club appear the most likely of any potential new tenants, a bid by West Ham having previously been rejected.

Milton Keynes Dons

MK Dons opened their Stadium:mk home in 2007. Capacity is currently 22,000 and plans were in place to expand to 32,000 as MK Dons build a larger fan base in the town. However, with Milton Keynes now a part of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, plans are now in place to increase the capacity to 43,044 seats so the stadium meets FIFA's requirements to stage World Cup matches.

Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic are currently planning to move to a new 12,000 capacity stadium in Failsworth, one the site of the Lancaster Club, costing £20 million. The club made an agreement with BAE Systems to purchase a 30-acre piece of land, on which the club plans to build a the 12,000 capacity stadium along with other leisure and corporate facilities. This should be ready for the start of the 2011/12 season.

Plans to redevelop Boundary Park, starting with the Broadway Stand, were scrapped in on 5 September 2008, after Simon Blitz told podcast World Soccer Daily that although Oldham still plan to continue the development of Boundary Park and surrounding areas, the plans are on hold for now because of the financial crisis of 2007–2010 and the subsequent downturn in the UK property market. This was despite the Broadway Stand already being demolished.

Boundary Park has been all-seater since the mid 1990s, though the improvements were very much a task of refurbishment rather than reconstruction.

Peterborough United

Peterborough United have played at London Road since 1934, although due to its age and the fact that it has terracing the club are considering options to move. A number of alternative sites have been put forward in Peterborough council's January 2009 Area Action Plan for the City Centre Area. This document's consultation period has now closed and thus the publication of the final AAP is awaited for more information on preferred sites for a new stadium.

Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth Argyle are undertaking a long-term transition of Home Park. The next stage will involve converting the remaining standing areas of the ground, turning it into a 18,500 all-seater (a slight capacity reduction from the current 19,500). Further expansion would be possible from there, by adding additional tiers, though this is not part of present plans. The most recent development at the ground took place in 2001, with the replacement of three stands with a new all-seater horseshoe-shaped stand. Before that, there had been plans to move to a new 25,000-seat stadium elsewhere, but these were scrapped in favour of regenerating Home Park. A bid by Plymouth to become a candidate city for the English bid for the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 was announced on August 21, 2009. This included plans for a new, 40,000-seater stadium to be built in Central Park, close to the site of the current stadium Home Park.

Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday announced in the summer of 2009 plans for a £22m upgrade of the stadium and an increase in capacity to 44,825 with no viewing restrictions. These plans will be completed by 2013 and will bring the stadium up to FIFA standards for hosting World Cup matches. To remove any viewing restrictions the current pillars that support the roof of the Kop and West Stand will be removed. An 'iconic' roof structure will support the Kop's roof while the West Stand will have a completely new roof. The North West Terrace will get a roof and a corner of seating will be added between the Kop and North Stand with a roof. The current layout of tiers on the West Stand will be radically changed and a new tier of seats will be added as well as a 'new specific learning zone' between the new upper tier and present upper tier. The mega-store and gymnasium behind the North Stand will be demolished and the North Stand will be expanded to create the 'biggest classroom in Europe' as well as 'enterprise zones' and 17 boxes. The South Stand floor plan and stadium surroundings will be improved to comply with FIFA requirements. Stadium parking and access will be improved as will the exterior appearance of all stands. Planning permission was granted for the entire scheme in 20 October 2009 but work hasn't started yet as of 21 January 2010.

Southampton

Southampton moved to their current stadium St.Mary's Stadium in August 2001, leaving their historic home The Dell. Apart from the Itchen stand, all stands can be built upon and expanded if ever deemed necessary, which would give an approximate capacity of around 50,000. However this would cost a similar amount to how much it cost to build the stadium in the first place, and unless the club is promoted to the Premier League then it seems unlikely that the ground will increase its capacity.

The 32,000-seat stadium opened in 2001 as replacement for the 103-year-old The Dell, which had been converted to all-seater in 1993 but held only just over 15,000 spectators and was in an unsuitable location for redevelopment, although a 90 degree rotation was considered.

Walsall

Walsall F.C. have announced they have gained planning permission to rebuild the William Sharp End, adding an extra 2,300 seats and raising overall capacity at the Bescot Stadium to 13,500.

Bescot Stadium was opened in 1990 to replace nearby Fellows Park, and originally had a capacity of just under 10,000, of which approximately two thirds was seated. The construction of a new all-seater stand on the site of the terraced section took place in 2002.

League Two

Chesterfield

Chesterfield are building a new stadium with a 10,600 capacity at Whittington Moor. Work started in July 2009, and it is planned to be completed for the 2010-11 season.

Gillingham

Priestfield Stadium has been entirely rebuilt since 1997, but Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has made clear his intention of moving to a new stadium, despite Gillingham dropping from the Championship to League Two since 2005. Although the club have since bounced back to League One, the chairman has announced plans for a new stadium are on hold due to the current financial climate.

Hereford United

Edgar Street is to be redeveloped in line with a wider transformation of the northern outskirts of Hereford.

Morecambe

Morecambe are due to move from their present ground at Christie Park to The Globe Arena at the end of the 2009/10 season. Construction began of the Globe Arena in May 2009 and the stadium is due for completion by June 2010. The ground is due to have a capacity of 6000, comprising 2000 seats and 4000 standing spaces.

Oxford United

Oxford United have plans to purchase the Kassam Stadium and to build a fourth side to it. Now that they have regained Football League status and attendances rise to sufficiently justify it, this is increasingly likely. The stadium was first planned in 1995 and construction began in 1997, but financial difficulties saw construction suspended shortly after it begin, and the relocation from the dilapidated Manor Ground was not completed until 2001. By then, two relegations in three seasons had dragged the club from Division One to Division Three, coinciding with a fall in attendances, and this was the reason for the stadium initially only having three sides incorporating 12,500 seats. The planned fourth stand would take the capacity to around 16,000.

Rotherham United

Rotherham United have expressed dissatisfaction with their current Millmoor home. Because of this the club are looking in to the construction of a new stadium in the town. Any move is unlikely in the near future because of the current financial difficulties at the Yorkshire club. Since the 2008-09 season Rotherham have been playing their home games at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield due to ownership disputes over Millmoor. The Football League has said that the club must return to Rotherham by 2012.

Shrewsbury Town

Shrewsbury Town moved to the New Meadow in Summer 2007. In November 2007 the club announced that the New Meadow would be expanded by filling in the corners between the Roland Wycherley Stand, South Stand and West Stand, bringing the overall capacity up to 12,500. Work was hoped to commence summer 2008, however, plans were put on hold to concentrate on events on field.

Southend United

Because Roots Hall is difficult to expand, Southend United have committed to moving to a new home at Fossetts Farm which will have 22,000 seats. The development proposal was finally given full approval by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in July 2008. Following delays associated with obtaining the necessary funds, minor changes to the scheme were submitted to and approved by the council, and it is now hoped that work could start in Summer 2009.

Stockport County

Edgeley Park has been under discussion for redevelopment of the away end, called the Railway End, as they planned to add an extra tier and roof to the stand. However due to land behind the stadium being owned by the council, who are currently not willing to sell the land, these plans have been put on hold. Another plan was to build the Popular side and add another tier with executive boxes, but all these plans have been put on hold.

The stadium achieved an 11,000-seat capacity in the late 1990s, when the club was playing in Division One. At one stage there were plans for County to relocate to Maine Road once Manchester City vacated it in 2003, but these plans were scrapped and Maine Road has since been demolished.

Wycombe Wanderers

In 2007 it was announced that Wycombe Wanderers in partnership with London Wasps were looking to build a new 20,000 capacity ground in High Wycombe to replace the current Adams Park (only built in 1990 to replace Loakes Park) where the capacity is capped, and further expansion is not possible. The current Adams Park stadium was taken out of the Green Belt in April 2008, allowing expansion of the ground if additional access routes are provided to cover emergency access. Two sites are currently being considered, the site of the current Sports Centre at Handy Cross is ideal as it has motorway links with the M25 and M40. Another possible site is at the nearby Booker Airfield, which is roughly a mile away from the Handy Cross Site and motorway links. It is under 3 miles away from the current ground Adams Park. The Wycombe Board are contemplating a new stadium so that their partnership with Wasps can continue. As the minimum capacity of a Premiership Rugby ground will be 15,000 in the near future and Adams Park cannot be expanded beyond 12,500, which itself can only be a temporary increase, a new stadium is required to keep the partnership intact. If the partnership were to stop, it would mean a loss of revenue for Wycombe Wanderers through rent, publicity etc.

Conference National

AFC Wimbledon

On their foundation in 2002, AFC Wimbledon moved in with Kingstonian at Kingsmeadow, purchasing the ground. They do have long term plans to relocate the club to the London Borough of Merton, the traditional home of Wimbledon F.C., whom they claim descent from. There was speculation that the club might try to purchase Wimbledon Stadium, currently used for greyhound racing, which was put up for sale in September 2007.

Barrow

Barrow A.F.C. are investigating building a new stadium in the Docklands section of the town, which would be shared with the Barrow Raiders rugby league side.

Bath City

Bath have had plans to join with Bath Rugby at The Rec with an attendance of 10,600. There are long term plans at the club to find a new home.

Cambridge United

Cambridge United had been investigating the possibility of improving their Abbey Stadium home, but now appear to have abandoned redeveloping the stadium, and are instead proposing a move to a new stadium in Milton.

Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood Town have invested a lot in Highbury Stadium recently following many promotions and increased attendances in recent years. In February 2007 the new Percy Ronson Stand was opened. A £500,000-plus development the stand is all terracing, and holds 1,243. making the ground suitable for the Conference National if they should get promoted in future. In July 2007, further plans for the stadium development were announced which included three new stands. The plans were finalized in December 2007 and in March 2008, planning permission was given for the first phase, construction of the north and west terraces. Construction began in May 2008, and will be complete by the opening game of the 2008-09 season. The new west stand will initially be seated while the final phase of redevelopment, all-seater west stand is built which will include facilities such as function rooms, new changing rooms and club office. Once completed, the west stand will have its seats removed. In May 2010, a couple of days before Fleetwood's playoff final at the stadium work began on the new stand. Progress can be seen on the club's website here: http://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/Matchday/Highbury/Revelopment_2010/index.php

Grimsby Town

The club is hoping to relocate to a new ground on the western outskirts of Grimsby at Great Coates, adjacent to the A180 dual carriageway. Planning permission has been granted for the provisionally-titled Conoco Stadium, and if all goes to plan this will be ready for the 2010-11 season, about a decade after relocation was first planned Blundell Park is the lowest football stadium in the United Kingdom, at a height of only 2 feet above sea-level. While not in immediate danger from rising tides, it is prudent for Grimsby Town to pursue a move to higher ground.

Histon

Histon are rebuilding the Bridge Road End, bringing the seating capacity of the stadium up to 1700 and the overall capacity of their Glassworld Stadium to over 4000.

Kettering Town

Kettering have aspirations to move to a new stadium somewhere in the borough, with problems lying in securing funding and securing the lease on current ground, Rockingham Road. Chairman Imraan Ladak insists plans are on track, with a site identified and potential funding sourced.

Luton Town

The club were planning to move to a 20,000 seat stadium near the M1, outside of Luton, but these plans have been delayed because of the club's financial difficulties. Relocation has been in the pipeline since the early 1990s, even though Kenilworth Road was converted to all-seater capacity of around 10,000, and at one stage there were plans to move to an indoor stadium but these were scrapped in 1998 when club ownership switched.

York City

At one point York City were investigating improving Bootham Crescent, but have now switched their plans to the construction of a new stadium to be shared with the York City Knights rugby club.

Conference North

A.F.C. Telford

A.F.C. Telford United play at the New Bucks Head It was originally built for Telford United to play at before they went bankrupt. The stadium is on the same site as the original Bucks Head, which had been home to Telford United and Wellington Town for over a century. The stadium was completed in 2003, and has a capacity of 6,300. It is covered on three out of four sides. The stadium lease and assets are currently held by Telford and Wrekin Council, completed in 2003 and was the 111th largest football stadium in England

Solihull Moors

Solihull Moors have secured a ground share agreement at their Damson Park home with Birmingham & Solihull R.F.C., home to professional rugby union side, the Bees. The clubs have submitted (Nov08) planning applications for facility and ground improvements which will see the Borough of Solihull offered a centre of excellence and a Community Foundation which will benefit its own populace and beyond. Solihull Moors were founded in 2007 by a merger of local sides Moor Green and Solihull Borough.

Workington

Following their recent rise in status, Workington are redeveloping their Borough Park home, to comply with FA regulations. The ground formerly played host to league football until the club's relegation in 1977.

Conference South

Cambridge City

The club face a potential eviction from their City Ground home in 2010. Their long term future regarding a new stadium is unclear, and it is possible they may be forced to share with their cross-city rivals, Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium or relocate to another settlement on a temporary basis.

Ebbsfleet United

Ebbsfleet United are planning to move to a new 8,000 capacity stadium as part of a wider commercial/leisure development in the Ebbsfleet Valley within the next 3–5 years. As at October 2008, the club's directors are investigating several sites within 3 miles of their existing ground, Stonebridge Road in Northfleet.

St Albans City

In 2006 the chairman of the club threatened to move them out of St Albans if the council wouldn't back plans to build a new 10,000 stadium on Green Belt land on the outskirts of St Albans. Little has been of the proposition since, and the current Clarence Park has been given a superficial makeover.

Other Non-League

Aylesbury United

Aylesbury United have been ground sharing with Chesham United since their eviction from Buckingham Road in 2006. There are plans to move into a new 10,000 seat stadium if plans to build a sports village are approved.

Bradford Park Avenue

Bradford Park Avenue had been planning to leave their current Horsfall Stadium for the redeveloped Grattan Stadium, which would be shared with Bradford Bulls. With this redevelopment being continually delayed, through, Avenue are now planning to build a new 20,000 capacity stadium in South Leeds.

Fisher Athletic

Fisher Athletic had plans to redevelop the Surrey Docks Stadium to bring it up to Football League standards by the start of the 2009/10 season. In November 2007 the club announced that it would prefer to move to a new 10,000 seat stadium on the site of the athletics track in Southwark Park, but the rebuilding of Surrey Docks Stadium remains a possibility.

Gloucester City

Gloucester City are currently groundsharing with Cirencester Town at the Corinium Stadium in Cirencester following the flooding of their Meadow Park stadium in 2007. Gloucester spent one season groundsharing with Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn in Nailsworth. They are now looking at a move back to the city of Gloucester. However, there has not been a site found yet for a return.

Halifax Town

Halifax had at one point been planning further ground improvements to The Shay, increasing the Main Stand to take capacity to over 10,000. Financial difficulties meant that development had to put on hold for the foreseeable future, leaving the Main Stand half-finished.

With the club resurrected as FC Halifax Town in the Northern Premier League First Division (North), the Main Stand was completed in March 2010.

Leigh Genesis

Leigh Genesis are moving to the 10,000 seat Leigh Sports Village which will be shared with Leigh Centurions rugby leagues club. The new stadium, replacing Hilton Park, is due to open in 2008.

Maidstone United

The club that re-formed following the relegation and dissolution of the original Maidstone United F.C. are currently playing their games at Homelands in Ashford, but hoping to construct a new stadium within the borders of Maidstone.

Matlock Town

Matlock are in process of rebuilding the North Stand, to bring the stadium capacity up to 2,757, from the previous 2,214 capacity.

St Helens Town

St Helens Town FC currently share Knowsley Road with St Helens RLFC, and plan to move with them into their new 18,000 seat stadium.

Truro City

As part of their strategy to become the first Cornish side to gain League status, Truro City F.C. have plans to build new facilities at a new site to the north of the city at Pencoose Farm, Kenwyn which will include a 16,000 all seater stadium, sports bar, training facilities and a youth academy.

Weymouth

On 27 August 2008, Weymouth F.C. outlined plans to construct a new 6,000 all-seater stadium, hoped to be open by 2012 when the area hosts sailing events during the London Olympics. A large part of the cost would be offset by the sale and redevelopment of the existing Wessex Stadium.

Worcester City

Worcester City are planning to move to a new stadium, leaving St George's Lane after more than a century. They have entered into an agreement with developers St Mowden to construct a new 6000 seat stadium at Nunnery Way.