29 May 2013 15:08:26
Has anyone heard anything regards extending St Mary's ground capacity in the not to distant future I seem to recall some talk about it earlier in season but don, t know if source was genuine or wind up! Given the new rules regards income v expenditure it would seem vital if we are going to be in a position to challange at highest level in the future.

1.) 29 May 2013
They said they won't as we only sell out with the big games

2.) 29 May 2013
St Mary's was built to nearly the same specifications as Derby countys Pride Park. There was news floating around the internet a few weeks ago about us getting the same extension they did (Google it, if you know St Marys you'll instantly see how that would work)
This was just internet gossip but as we all know it was planned by St Markus 3 years ago.
It was said when we get back to the prem, if we can stay up then the planning will come in during the second prem season.

3.) 29 May 2013
55k ish is the extension capacity - Imagine St James' park

4.) 29 May 2013
Apparently its if we hit top 8 which is a 2 year aim will be an extension on kingland side

clarkey saint

5.) 29 May 2013
They never said 'they won't'. We were 12th in the Prem attendance table with an average attendance of 30873 against capacity of 32500. Bearing in mind additional segregation at some games and full allocations not taken by away fans, that's virtually a sell out at every game. You are now an informed troll.

6.) 30 May 2013
They said at last game of season theywont

7.) 30 May 2013
Depending on our Success over a 2yr Period We Will Be Looking to Expand The Kingsland Side with an Upper Tier & Looking at Hitting a 45Kish Seater Stadium.
(Very Strong Source)

8.) 30 May 2013
Expansion may not happen at St Marys due to several issues, and Nicola Cortese has previously mentioned the possibility of a big stadium at an alternative location.

Currently there is nothing in the public domain regarding either expansion or a new stadium on an alternative site.

What is certain is that Cortese is fully aware of the implications of financial fair play rules. For us to seriously compete we will need a stadium almost twice the size of our current stadium - i. e in the region of 60,000 seats.

I fully expect something to happen fairly soon (within the next year) regarding either expansion, or planning permission being submitted for a new stadium.

I also have wondered whether this issue had something to do with the recent Cortese rumors. Any potential new stadium would cost a few hundred million, and Kathrin Liebher may well have had second thoughts at the cost of such a project.

9.) 31 May 2013
Would cost a hell of a lot of money, the same amount as building the stadium as it is now I'm told

10.) 31 May 2013
Just a thought, but the ford factory is due to close shortly.

That site is probably 2-3 times larger than our current site, has excellent transport links, and is on industrial land.

Potentially a new stadium here could be a boost to both the Saints, and the city.

Any thoughts?

11.) 01 Jun 2013
St Christopher

You are making all of us look silly.

We don't sell out for the majority of home games, why would we double our capacity within a year?!

12.) 02 Jun 2013
If I'm not mistaken the majority of our games are pretty much sold out. We've averaged over 30k this season when we've been languishing at the bottom of the table.

Let look at this sensibly. it would probably take 4 - 5 yrs to get planning through, and the stadium built.
If things go to plan we should be playing in Europe by then. Maybe not Champions league, but we should be in the chase. That additional attention we will have from being in the top half, will boost demand.

I agree that right now we wouldn't fill a 60,000 seat stadium, other than possibly against the biggest sides, but I do believe that if we make further big signings, and generate better success on the field, demand to watch the Saints will grow.

Also the implications of FFP mean that we will have to increase our gate receipts if NC wishes us to compete at the highest level - he has little choice.

13.) 02 Jun 2013
We did sell out our last 7 home games. Over the long run, if we expand now, we will benefit from it. If we expand in the future it will only cost more, the price of everything is going up and up, if we do it now, it will cost less and any game that has high demand like the last game of the season, we will be able to sell all the tickets.
The stadium needs a upgrade anyway, it is cheaply made, it needs more things that will give it character and things like a hotel which will generate more revenue.
I don't understand peoples reasoning when they say "there is no point in expanding now", to me there is every point, short and long term.

14.) 02 Jun 2013
When we're talking about expansion, some people seem to think that a decision is made, and 'ping' 20,000 seats appear on the stadium.

Expansion, or building a new stadium will take time. Expansion would necessitate reduced ground capacity for the best part of a season.

It's going to be a painful process, but it's clear from our academy that NC and the Liebher's aren't frightened in investing in our infrastructure.