Monday 18 February 2019 20:59, UK
Wolves are formulating plans for a major redevelopment of Molineux which could see the stadium capacity rise by almost 50 per cent, Sky Sports News has learned.
The plans are still in the early stages, and work is set to start in the summer of 2020, beginning with the expansion of the Steve Bull stand from its current 9,500 capacity to around 11,000.
After the work is completed, Molineux's overall capacity could rise from just under 31,000 to 46,000.
Renovations began in 2012 when the Stan Cullis stand was re-done, but plans under then-owner Steve Morgan to continue work on the rest of the stadium failed to materialise as the club dropped down to League One.
There was an expectation work could start on the South Bank, officially known as the Sir Jack Hayward stand, this year with it being doubled in size to a 10,000-seater single tier stand but plans under owners Fosun have changed.
Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple, speaking at a meeting of the Wolves Fans' Parliament, said: "We said the South Bank might be developed first but, in all honesty, we have had a slight shift in opinion.
"From a commercial perspective and for us to maximise all aspects of the stadium, as quickly as possible, it makes more sense to develop the Steve Bull first.
"Additionally, we have some football regulations, such as the accommodation of disabled supporters to factor into our stadium plans, as well as how we manage and execute our away fans segregation and location.
"Where we place away fans here is causing some frustration, it's fair to say, as when a club brings over 2,000 fans, there's little we can do other than put them in the Steve Bull lower.
"This is a situation, that we will actively seek to improve sooner, rather than later."
Dalrymple told Sky Sports News earlier this month the club had set a benchmark for the Molineux capacity to increase to 45,000-50,000 and has now confirmed 46,000 will be Wolves' first redevelopment target.
"There has never been any lack of ambition for us to take the capacity into the 50,000s or higher but we have to respect what the market dynamics are telling us, and we have to be adopting a more realistic and pragmatic approach that we are comfortable with," he said.
"So, with that in mind, we are presently looking at a further two phases to the project that would take the figure from 31,500 to about 36,000 in phase 1, with a view to a further phase lifting it to 45-46,000 in phase 2."
