New stadium update...

[Jayesh87]

The breakdown of BenÍtez’s relationship with Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool’s American owners, has attracted most headlines in a turbulent few months at Anfield, but the greater priorities at yesterday’s meeting were how to refinance the £270 million loan with which they bought the club last February and the latest designs for a proposed new stadium in Stanley Park.

The meeting in New York, which ran late into the evening, was regarded as critical to the club’s long-term future and to the Americans’ hopes of delivering on the various promises they made when they bought the club 11 months ago.

BenÍtez’s future is known to be bleak after the events of the past six weeks, with the Spaniard seemingly certain to leave his job at the end of the season, but Hicks, Gillett and Rick Parry, the chief executive, were more concerned yesterday with resolving various critical issues off the pitch.

After their spectacular redesign of the stadium was dropped last month because it was too expensive, they examined presentations from two architect firms yesterday and also sought to settle on a business plan that would enable them to refinance their original loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland, which expires next month.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3156213.ece

[sonsofthedesert]

The breakdown of BenÍtez’s relationship with Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool’s American owners, has attracted most headlines in a turbulent few months at Anfield, but the greater priorities at yesterday’s meeting were how to refinance the £270 million loan with which they bought the club last February and the latest designs for a proposed new stadium in Stanley Park.

The meeting in New York, which ran late into the evening, was regarded as critical to the club’s long-term future and to the Americans’ hopes of delivering on the various promises they made when they bought the club 11 months ago.

BenÍtez’s future is known to be bleak after the events of the past six weeks, with the Spaniard seemingly certain to leave his job at the end of the season, but Hicks, Gillett and Rick Parry, the chief executive, were more concerned yesterday with resolving various critical issues off the pitch.

After their spectacular redesign of the stadium was dropped last month because it was too expensive, they examined presentations from two architect firms yesterday and also sought to settle on a business plan that would enable them to refinance their original loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland, which expires next month.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3156213.ece

So another story telling us what was discussed like they have inside knowledge but no actual info. Also ran late into the night, NY is about 5 hrs behind us so it is 5.30pm at the mo so how can that be late into the night, more like ran at normal american business hours.

[Jan-Erik]

The breakdown of BenÍtez’s relationship with Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool’s American owners, has attracted most headlines in a turbulent few months at Anfield, but the greater priorities at yesterday’s meeting were how to refinance the £270 million loan with which they bought the club last February and the latest designs for a proposed new stadium in Stanley Park.

The meeting in New York, which ran late into the evening, was regarded as critical to the club’s long-term future and to the Americans’ hopes of delivering on the various promises they made when they bought the club 11 months ago.

BenÍtez’s future is known to be bleak after the events of the past six weeks, with the Spaniard seemingly certain to leave his job at the end of the season, but Hicks, Gillett and Rick Parry, the chief executive, were more concerned yesterday with resolving various critical issues off the pitch.

After their spectacular redesign of the stadium was dropped last month because it was too expensive, they examined presentations from two architect firms yesterday and also sought to settle on a business plan that would enable them to refinance their original loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland, which expires next month.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3156213.ece

Nothing new in this article, only repeating what we already know.

[kurtangle01]

So another story telling us what was discussed like they have inside knowledge but no actual info. Also ran late into the night, NY is about 5 hrs behind us so it is 5.30pm at the mo so how can that be late into the night, more like ran at normal american business hours.

Exactly what I thought, mate. It's about 5.30 there so how would this hack know when the meeting ends? Just shows how much ****e they talk and how you should never really believe them.

They'll say anything to make themselves sound credible but as that line shows they're anything but.

[Shanks65]

Todays Daily Post

THE designs for Liverpool Football Club’s new home are expected to be released today after a crunch meeting in America.

Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett were joined by club chief executive Rick Parry in New York yesterday to receive presentations from two architectural firms pitching their plans for Stanley Park.

A source familiar with the situation insisted the meeting was to pick a stadium design.

But another source said the possibilities of bringing new investors into the club to spread the risk of building the new stadium could also be discussed.

There was also speculation the future of manager Rafael Benitez would also be discussed.

Last night Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle urged the owners to end “uncertainty” and “prevarication” surrounding the club.

The Government Office North West (GONW) confirmed it would not be calling in the 60,000 seater stadium plans given permission in November, but abandoned by the club in December when costs increased from about £300m to around the mid-£300m mark.

Dallas architects HKS were told to make their plan cheaper.

That stadium had the capacity to be expanded to 76,000.

Manchester-based AFL, behind a previous proposal rejected by Hicks and Gillett because it was “obsolete”, was told to improve on its scheme for Stanley Park.

Yesterday’s meeting was to choose between the two revised plans. Club chief executive Rick Parry has previously said the new design will have a capacity of around 70,000, requiring a fresh planning application.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/01/09/new-investors-could-be-lined-up-to-help-pay-for-new-liverpool-fc-stadium-64375-20328060/

[Tom]

Interesting to see that Peter is making a public statement.

[StevieG08]

Interesting to see that Peter is making a public statement.

Tom you will be able to help me out with this if you will, was there an article in the Echo in the summer from Bascombe where it hinted at the stadium never getting built? I think it went along the lines of a chronological breakdown of the next year if you know what i mean?!?

[Morten_nogamst_Pedersen]

Tom you will be able to help me out with this if you will, was there an article in the Echo in the summer from Bascombe where it hinted at the stadium never getting built? I think it went along the lines of a chronological breakdown of the next year if you know what i mean?!?

It's negative and depressing, so he'll probably be able to.

[Tom]

It's negative and depressing, so he'll probably be able to.

and also pretty accurate considering what happened subsequently. But then Chris knows nothing according to people on here

[AFII]

Turn the clock back - we’ve got to move on

Jun 9 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

NARCOTIC experts will be required to maintain a careful watch over Melwood and Anfield for the next two months.

It’s rumoured a consignment of chill pills are heading this way. How badly they’re needed. The tetchiness epidemic has spread since the end of the season.

While those charged with running our clubs talk about working tirelessly to make the signings to compete for the Premiership, the manager and supporters anxiously wait news of the delivery of promises.

Pre-season often feels like nothing more than a series of cut and paste jobs of interviews and stories which have been read many summers before.

Liverpool are undoubtedly at another crossroads.

If they don’t act to strengthen the squad with world class players, you can predict how the next 12 months will go.

The trend at this time of the year is to review how the last campaign has gone. Instead, how about a preview of what we can expect in the next few months if the proverbial fingers don’t come out?

June/ July: Liverpool continue to pursue several top-class targets, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make the deals happen, while manager Rafa Benitez’s mood switches from deeply frustrated to content depending on the levels of reassurance following phone calls from the owners. Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o are spotted touring the club museum. Harry Kewell picks up a niggling injury. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

August: Concerns are raised about why Liverpool have jetted to Hong Kong a week before a crucial Champions League qualifier. Meanwhile, as the transfer deadline approaches Benitez is still waiting for the arrival of a key player. He ends up working until midnight on August 31 trying to negotiate a deal, but it doesn’t happen.

Elsewhere, it goes unnoticed in the small print regarding Champions League ticket allocation that fans must have attended at least four reserve games at Wrexham’s Racecourse in order to qualify for a cup final seat should the Reds get that far. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

September: After a slow start to the Premiership campaign, the first in a series of articles appears complaining that the previous summer was a ‘missed opportunity’ as Liverpool already trail Manchester United and Chelsea by ten points. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

October: Rafa Benitez is condemned for playing an under-strength team in the Carling Cup. The Daily Mail describes the club’s performance as ‘the worst in 40 years’ and asks what Benitez has ever done other than win the Champions League and the FA Cup in his first two seasons. Two days later the Reds beat Real Madrid in the Bernabeu. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

November: Liverpool qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a game to spare prompting UEFA spokesman William Gaillard to describe this year’s competition as undoubtedly the worst ever, listing 25 incidents of poor ball control in the last three weeks. Gaillard is sacked by Michel Platini and replaced with someone who’ll be less insulting about Liverpool. Neville Neville says he’s deeply honoured to accept the job. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

December: Tom Hicks tells Liverpool fans they’ll be ‘very excited’ by the signings the club will be making when the January transfer window opens. Benitez signs an Eastern European on a pre-contract Bosman deal ahead of next season, but doesn’t make much fuss about it because he ain’t much good. Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o are spotted touring the club museum. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

January: Liverpool sign a full back for £2.5m. He’ll be sold in January, 2009 for the same price. Fans demanding new faces are urged to be more patient. Benitez works until midnight on January 31 trying to sign his prime target but negotiations stall. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

February: Real Madrid sack their manager and make an official approach for Benitez.

The Liverpool boss is known to be increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress and funds. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

March: The FA Cup and Champions League continues to offer hope Liverpool will win silverware this season. After another heroic European night at Anfield, the 12th man of The Kop is praised as being the difference. UEFA announces a generous 10,000 tickets each for this year’s finalists. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

April: Liverpool secure their top four place, qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Harry Kewell makes his return from injury. A team bonding session in La Manga ends in acrimony when a stray golfer hits John Arne Riise with a football. Executive box holders are assured they won’t be put into a ballot for cup final tickets because they’ve paid £40,000 more than season ticket holders for priority so are therefore proven to be more loyal.

May: Tom Hicks tells Liverpool fans they’ll be ‘very excited’ by the signings the club will be making in the summer. Benitez announces with deepest regret he’ll be joining Real Madrid. A Liverpool website asks the club whether it is possible to hoist aloft a Kop mosaic during the final home game, but instead of organising an emotional farewell to Benitez they choose to thank former director Terry Smith for his long service to the club. A key council meeting is held to discuss Liverpool’s new stadium plans.

June: Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o can’t even be bothered to visit the club museum. It emerges Liverpool’s new stadium plans are considered out of date and a fresh planning application will be made. It’s now scheduled to open in 2015. Liverpool fans are told to be patient as they yearn for new signings.

“There’s a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes,” says a club statement.

A nightmare prediction of the 2007/08 campaign? Or an abbreviation of sorts of the last 12 months?

Either way, we all need a holiday to let a season’s cynicism to drip out. See you in a few weeks.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...name_page.html

[Rich]

That's a tongue-in-cheek article!

[Exiled_red]

Does anyone know if this meeting went ahead and what happened regarding new stadium plans were they revealed? when will they be released?

I know this is a long shot but I thought I'd ask anyway!!

[Guest]

When you look back at that Bascombe article, you have to be impressed at the way he foresaw things.

[Shanks65]

Daily Post:

A DECISION on the designs for Liverpool FC's new home will be made in the next two weeks, it was revealed today.

A spokesman for co-owner Tom Hicks said "excellent progress" was made at a meeting with George Gillett and chief executive Rick Parry in New York yesterday to receive presentations from two architectural firms pitching their plans for Stanley Park.

In December a source familiar with the situation said the owners hoped to make a decision by Saturday, January 12.

It now appears that deadline has been put back.

A spokesman for Mr Hicks said: "We made excellent progress on the choice of stadium design and hope to have a final decision in the next two weeks."

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/01/09/lfc-stadium-decision-to-be-made-in-two-weeks-64375-20329577/

[livvy145]

Thanks Shanks.