Manchester United announced the formation of a group called the Old Trafford regeneration taskforce, which will investigate the possibility of constructing a modern stadium, and determine how to fund the project as the club is unable to do it alone.
The biggest shareholder of United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, desires to build a new club headquarters at the current location of Old Trafford. The task force, headed by Sebastian Coe, is responsible for revitalizing the area and forming alliances with other organizations. Other members of the task force include Gary Neville, a retired captain of United, and Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester.
Ratcliffe stated that this has the potential to be a significant revitalization initiative for a region in Greater Manchester that has played an integral part in the industrial history of Britain. However, it currently requires new funding to prosper once more. The north-west part of England boasts a higher density of major football clubs than any other place in the world, yet it does not have a stadium on par with the likes of Wembley, the Nou Camp, or Bernabéu. This issue cannot be resolved by ourselves, which is why it is crucial for this taskforce to assist us in capitalizing on this exceptional opportunity.
Even though United will not be seeking grants, they will consider a variety of options, including public-private partnerships. Lord Coe, who is the World Athletics president and also served as the chair of the organizing committee for the 2012 London Olympics, stated that throughout his career in sports he has witnessed the potential for stadiums to bring communities together and drive social and economic growth. He believes this was evident in the venues built for the 2012 Olympics in east London and believes it is time for a project of similar scale and ambition in the north of England. Lord Coe is honored to be able to share his experience and support this incredibly exciting project.
The task force also has members from the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (Must), who have consulted with 30,000 fans.
I am very lucky to have had the opportunity to play in numerous matches at Old Trafford. These unforgettable memories cannot be erased. However, Old Trafford has gone through many changes in its past and it is evident that it needs to evolve once again to guarantee that Manchester United has a top-notch stadium that befits the greatest club in the world.
“I have the desire for Manchester United to succeed, but I also have the same desire for the neighboring community. The Old Trafford stadium should serve as a source of pride for all of Greater Manchester and promote sustainable and harmonious development in an area of the city that has been overlooked for far too long.”
According to Duncan Drasdo, CEO of Must, it is promising to witness the importance placed on involving fans in the decision-making process, especially through their representation on this panel. He also finds it exciting to see the passion and drive behind this project.
Source: theguardian.com
