There is an update on the latest redevelopment and extensions plans at Bramall Lane.
Yorkshire Live reports that the first job under the ownership of Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad is redeveloping the Kop.
The plan is to remove the pillars from the stand to improve the viewing experience for the fans. Some improvements to the training ground at Shirecliffe are also among the immediate plans.
Prince Abdullah had hoped to complete this work before the beginning of next season. However, it is being held up because an agreement has still not been reached with former owner, Kevin McCabe.
The Saudi Prince won sole ownership of the club in September last year following a High Court case. McCabe was ordered to sell his stake in the Blades, as well as his assets.
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This includes the training ground, the Copthorne Hotel and Bramall Lane itself; among other things. Prince Abdullah was hoping that an agreement would have been reached by January this year.
Yet that has not happened and the two men are instead going to begin arbitration. It means that the improvements to the Kop and at Shirecliffe are now unlikely to begin until the summer of 2021.
Long-term Bramall Lane redevelopment plans
(Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
While there are small improvements set to take place in the short-term, the long-term plan is to extend the capacity of the stadium.
There has been no extension work at Bramall Lane since 2006. But the board definitely has plans to do so in the future – even if that is still likely to be some way off.
Once again, the difficulties securing the assets from McCabe is delaying things. As is the current coronavirus pandemic, which has effectively put the club on hold for the past three months.
Along with the extension of the stadium capacity, there are also plans to build a brand new academy and training complex. Again, this will not happen for some time, though.
