Simon Jordan is hopeful that Leeds United’s new stadium plans can keep Elland Road as one of the most intimidating arenas in the country.
Earlier this week the club unveiled pictures of plans to increase the stadium’s capacity from 37,645 to 53,000 as part of a modernisation project.
Councillors will now be discussing the pre-application phase of the process ahead of Leeds’ return to the Premier League.
Should the plans go ahead it will be a big upgrade for one of England’s most iconic stadiums, or as Jordan puts it, England’s most intimidating.
The former Crystal Palace owner said: “Having been an owner and gone round most of the stadiums, all of the significant ones in the Premier League and Championship, I always felt that the one that always stood out as the most intimidating atmosphere wise was Leeds.
“I don’t know why, at the time we played them they weren’t in good nick, Dennis Wise was managing them which always has its challenges when Dennis is involved, and they were in a league way below what you think Leeds should be involved in which was League One.
“Yet you still got this feeling… It’s certainly a big, big football club and the nature of that stadium, going to 56,000 with a fanbase that can fill it quite easily and probably has waiting lists.”
Co-host Jim White explained that Leeds have a 26,000-person waiting list for season tickets and that every home game has been sold out for the last six years.
Danny Murphy, who played against Leeds numerous times throughout a storied career also has a high opinion of Elland Road.
“As a footballer it’s a brilliant place to go as it’s always bouncing,” he said.
“They’re always hungry for it, they’re always passionate, the majority of their fans are local too so you don’t get that touristy feel.”
Jordan, though, did throw some caution ahead of the club’s top flight return.
“It may fall foul to the same issue that other clubs have that you’ve got a club now that’s back in the Premier League that will be part of the tourism mentality,” he added.
But Murphy is adamant that an upgrade is needed.
“It needs to be close to the pitch and have that old school feel,” he said.
“Last season and the one before I was there quite a bit and it is a bit tatty in places, it does need some refurb, it’s a bit tired.”
Leeds will now hold two exhibitions in May for fans and locals to find out more about the plans.
Leeds City Council have already backed the plans, and say it would make the stadium the seventh biggest in English football.
The timing for fans is also a treat, with the club already securing their Premier League return for the 2025/26 season.
With a massive 97 points and 93 goals scored, Daniel Farke’s side completed the job with three games to play and jump back up to the top flight where they played from 2020 to 2023.
