One of these could see a second temporary stand added in time for the 2020-21 season. In October, Wolves’ head of marketing, Russell Jones, admitted that the chances of redevelopment work starting at Molineux in May 2020 were small, with plans to carry out the project “properly as opposed to quickly”. "If you want to develop young players from the academy you need time," says Shi. The plan, now, is to build on the success of the playing squad by transforming Molineux into a centre piece for the city as a whole. 104 grounds visited • Wolves' performances on the pitch during their first season back in the Premier League have delighted their success-starved supporters. The subject of expansion, or even a move from the stadium it has called home since 1889, has been a hot topic ever since the West Midlands club returned to the top flight last season. 40,000-50,000 is not a problem by my understanding. We see a benchmark that this club could grow to a 45,000-50,000 capacity in the medium to long term if we continue on the trajectory that we're continuing on. "Regarding the long-term we want to be one of the best in Europe, but you have to do everything step by step. Managing director Laurie Dalrymple announced the club’s intention to remain at Molineux at Tuesday night’s awards dinner with plans in place to increase the stadium’s capacity to in excess of 50,000. And the progress being made by Nuno Espirito Santo's side is running parallel to some exciting off-field developments. Wolves will also be opening its first ever megastore in China this summer. Predict 6 correct scores for your chance to win £250K. Wolves will be looking to build on their status within the city, bringing the council and major businesses on board. Many families, fathers and grandfathers watched Wolves. The rebuilding of the Steve Bull, Jack Hayward and Billy Wright Stands would expand the capacity of Molineux to 38,000, 43,000 and 50,000, respectively. Website by Glen Wheeler Ltd. All the latest news, blogs, videos, and up-to-the-minute media coverage from all the leading voices in the global sports venue sector – all in one place. In football, no-one can do everything in one day or one season.". "I've got no doubt whatsoever that we've got enough space here to stay at Molineux and I see Molineux as being intrinsically linked, both with this club's history, but similarly with the club's future as well," says Dalrymple. The club are looking to build a second temporary stand between the Jack Hayworth and Steve Bull stands, hopefully in time for start of 2020/2021 season. "For example, we are trying to sign boys at the age of fourteen or fifteen, so you need four or five years to wait for them to grow up. All Rights Reserved. And if we do that, we can see there is a clear pathway that will take us through to something that will be in the high 40,000s.”, Shi said: “The most important thing is to have enough capacity. "It's going to take time and it's going to require patience," Dalrymple continues. This would be located between the Sir Jack Hayward and Steve Bull Stands, mirroring the current Graham Hughes Stand which is in place between the stand more commonly known as the South Bank and the Billy Wright Stand. Chairman Jeff Shi said: “I would like to thank our ownership group, Fosun, for their full support and backing to open what will be a best in class Megastore for our Chinese fans. By Luke Hatfield Football Published: Mar 6, 2018 Last Updated: Mar 6, 2018. The South Bank was once a huge terrace that could accommodate up to 30,000 supporters in its heyday. We have been having long discussions with the council, the university, other key stakeholders in the area, the people we are going to be reliant on for this to develop,” said Dalrymple. Fosun bought the club for £30 million in 2017 and so far those steps have been pretty rapid. “A big part of it is going to centre around the infrastructure within the city and not just the football club. It is unlikely to be able to rely on the providence of Mendes’ agency to that extent without attracting the further attention of football’s regulators. Speaking to Wolves’ official website, Dalrymple said: “It is important to stress that these will not be safe-standing areas, and we will continue to have a management plan in place to ensure compliance with the government's all-seater policy. The club are looking to build a second temporary stand between the Jack Hayworth and Steve Bull stands, hopefully in time for start of 2020/2021 season. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. February 13 – Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Chinese-owned club with a deep and somewhat uncomfortable link to player agent Jorge Mendes, has further outlined plans for the redevelopment of its 32,000 capacity Molineux Stadium. But Dalrymple acknowledges that there is considerable work to be done to utilise the area properly and solve the current difficulties being experienced on a match day. Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple, speaking at a meeting of the Wolves Fans' Parliament, said: "We said the South Bank might be developed first but, in all honesty, we have had a slight shift in opinion. "Additionally, we have some football regulations, such as the accommodation of disabled supporters to factor into our stadium plans, as well as how we manage and execute our away fans segregation and location. The South Bank is set to be the first area targeted for expansion by Wolves chiefs Fosun. The Athletic website has now reported that while a masterplan to expand Molineux to a capacity of around 50,000 seats remains in place, it has been put on hold as the club seeks more short-term solutions. Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be exploring the possibility of using temporary seating to expand the capacity of their Molineux stadium.. Wolves expect to expand Molineux by almost 50 per cent in major redevelopment, Maguire, Cavani, Greenwood to miss PSG clash. explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. “I also want to place on record my appreciation to Yong Li, our sport fashion director in Fosun Sports Group, and his team for their tireless hard work. The proposal to expand the capacity of Molineux forms part of a four-phase plan to redevelop the stadium. Friday 24th January 2020. "As we've seen, and the statistics bear it out, the financial benefit [to the city] of this football club just performing in the Premier League, let alone potentially Europe where we want to be in the future, is already significant. "Yes of course, but we can ask Morgan Gibbs-White and Ryan Giles why they want to stay with us. "So I'm confident that everyone is going to pull together because we're going to see greater value for the whole community as to where this football club can go.". Wales placed into circuit breaker lockdown - but should it happen here? "Not just from Wolverhampton; from the Black Country and wider Midlands area. "A big part of it is going to centre around the infrastructure within the city and not just the football club. The expansion needs to be parallel to a progressive ticketing strategy that accepts there is a ceiling on disposable cash for the vast majority of people from Wolverhampton and surrounding areas. Molineux expansion: Five of the biggest home ends in English football. "This is not just a football club programme or project, this has to be reliant on everyone else coming together to support it. Conservatives and Labour are clashing over this - have your say, The Brum star posting the Instagram picture to her fans, Service aimed at helping 'damaged' kids is worse instead of better - report, More than one in ten of the 340 children known to Birmingham Youth Service were not receiving any education. chances of redevelopment work starting at Molineux in May 2020 were small, EFL clubs reject Premier League bailout proposal, Project Big Picture rejected by Premier League clubs, Belfast’s Casement Park set for planning approval, Spurs get green light for further stadium plans, Premier League clubs eligible for stadium rebates under Project Big Picture plans, Arsenal launches hospitality venture amid attendance impasse, Premier League, EFL and FA step up pressure on fan attendance, Fiorentina ready to invest €250m in stadium revamp, Parma presses on with Tardini revamp after takeover. Redevelopment of the ground relies on city support as well as the buy-in from other local stakeholders. Whilst that work is still being planned, the club needs a much quicker temporary solution to enable more fans to get through the turnstiles. Belgian side Club Brugge have unveiled plans for a new 40,000 seater stadium, New stadium forms part of Olympic village, will be used for 2023 African Cup of Nations, German side SC Freiburg will not be allowed to play league matches at the their new stadium at night or on a Sunday lunchtime, Club Brugge unveil plans for potential new 40,000 seater stadium, New 60,000 seater stadium opens in Ivory Coast, Freiburg banned from playing in new stadium at night or Sunday lunch. Dalrymple has also confirmed the South Bank will include railed seating next season in a move which appears to move football closer to a return to safe standing. There is flexibility around Molineux for development, with significant space behind the Stan Cullis and Steve Bull stands. We can’t do it all on our own.”. © 2020 TheStadiumBusiness News. Not only have they been instrumental in opening the megastore, but they have also designed and produced more than 300 new lines for our fans, including an even wider product line than we have in the UK. Wolves' Laurie Dalrymple and Jeff Shi tells Sky Sports' Johnny Phillips about the club's vision to redevelop Molineux. Plans show what Molineux could look like from the stands in new CGI's revealed at the 2018/19 End of Season Awards, CGI shows what Molineux could look like in new plans unveiled at the 2018/19 Wolves End of Season Awards. @SkyJohnnyP. "We are developing at the same time as other areas in the city are developing, so if everything happens in unison then this can become a really exciting place to visit and a really exciting place to be. 40,000-50,000 is not a problem by my understanding. Our. It’s reported that Wolves are looking towards a more cautious approach to gradually expanding and improving its historic home, rather than making a significant investment in a major redevelopment which would only return a financial benefit in the long-term. The subject of expansion, or even a move from the stadium it has called home since 1889, has been a hot topic ever since the West Midlands club returned to the top flight last season. Renovations began in 2012 when the Stan Cullis stand was re-done, but plans under then-owner Steve Morgan to continue work on the rest of the stadium failed to materialise as the club dropped down to League One. "There has never been any lack of ambition for us to take the capacity into the 50,000s or higher but we have to respect what the market dynamics are telling us, and we have to be adopting a more realistic and pragmatic approach that we are comfortable with," he said. February 13 – Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Chinese-owned club with a deep and somewhat uncomfortable link to player agent Jorge Mendes, has further outlined plans for the redevelopment of its 32,000 capacity Molineux Stadium. Wolves revealed the plans at their end of season awards dinner, Sign up NOW to get the latest Wolves news direct to your inbox.