Sheffield United face a race against time to get the Bramall Lane refurbishment ready for the start of the new season.
The Daily Mail reports the project has been a “headache” with the renovations having taken longer than expected.
The Blades are undergoing the work to get the ground up to Premier League standards following their promotion. It is 12 years since they were last in the division and there are now additional requirements for stadiums hosting top flight fixtures.
The main area of improvement is the media facilities, which first opened back in 1955.
As a result of the refurb the club decided not to host any pre-season friendlies at home. Instead they are flying out to Portugal for a warm weather training camp before playing four away games.
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There was also a “sigh of relief” that they were picked to begin the new campaign on the road. The Blades will open the 2019/20 term with a trip to Bournemouth on August 10. It means they have an extra week to get things ready before their first match at the Lane against Crystal Palace.
What are Sheffield United doing at Bramall Lane?
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
The Sheffield Star has outlined the plans the club submitted to Sheffield City Council.
Firstly, the press box at the back of the south stand is being extended. The Premier League has strict rules over media facilities. This has resulted in around 100 fans being relocated to other parts of the stand and stadium.
A row of 121 seats extra is being put at the front of the south stand, which includes four wheelchair spaces and four for carers.
A new television studio is also being erected between the Kop and Tony Currie Stand. The two-storey, stilted structure will house commentators on match days and have a toilet and kitchen.
Finally, the platinum suite entrance is being improved after some of the room was re-purposed for the media.
