Supporters have become frustrated with the AlSaeed ownership this season – now they will have a chance to ask questions of them
Hussain Al Saeed arrived at Bristol Rovers in August 2023(Image: Bristol Rovers FC)
Bristol Rovers owners have finally broken their silence and invited fans to submit their questions, which will be answered in an interview with Club TV next week.
Supporters have become frustrated with the AlSaeed ownership this season, especially concerning the redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium and the Quarters Training Facility.
The South Stand at The Mem was their first project and after they were granted planning permission for the new stand in November 2023, supporters were in the new facility for the first time a month later.
The new stand boosted the capacity of the stadium by more than 2,000, but the plans to modernise the rest of the stands within the stadium have not come to fruition yet.
In the recent Bristol Rovers Supporters Club AGM on Thursday, November 6, Director Of Commercial & Revenue Ritchie Bates and assistant head coach Jon Stead, spoke to those in attendance about a range of on-field and off-field topics, and during which, it was mentioned a statement would likely to released before Christmas. At lunchtime on Christmas Eve, a statement was issued.
In a statement issued today, Chairman Hussain AlSaeed wished fans a “very Merry Christmas” and said as 2025 draws to a close, he wanted to take the opportunity to thank every single person for their “passion, loyalty and continued support”.
AlSaeed says he plans to discuss the club’s long-term vision, short-term plans and future goals, as well as answering “as many support questions as possible”.
He said: “This time of year provides a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and take stock of the past 12 months. I want to offer supporters a comprehensive update on the matters that are most important to them. Next week, I will be sitting down with Club TV to conduct an in-depth interview, and I would like to invite you to submit your own questions for me to answer.
“During the interview, I will discuss our ambitions, strategy, long-term vision, key decisions, short-term plans, and future objectives. As part of this process, I will address and answer as many supporter questions as possible, providing as much detail as I can.”
Anyone who wishes to submit a question can do so here.
He concluded: “In closing, I hope the coming days give you the opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family and to enjoy the festive period.
“Thank you once again for your continued support of Bristol Rovers. This Club is built on the commitment and passion of its supporters, both locally and around the world.
“From everyone at the Club, I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Christmas, a successful New Year, and a healthy and prosperous 2026.”
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In August 2023, Chairman Hussain AlSaeed purchased a majority stake in the club, and two months later he revealed that under their regime, they would look to redevelop the Mem, instead of building a new stadium at the Fruit Market site.
These proposals included increasing the capacities in the East Stand and Thatcher’s End (North Stand) to take the overall capacity up to a figure between 16,000 and 17,000.
Fast forward to November 2024 and AlSaeed became the sole shareholder at Rovers, acquiring the remaining stake held by Wael and Samer Al Qadi. In an interview with BBC Radio Bristol three months later , AlSaeed said that when the work does begin, it will take “at least a season or two”.
During that interview with the BBC, AlSaeed confirmed they were planning to submit a second pre-application to Bristol City Council in March for approval, after making amendments recommended following their first application. “We are hopeful that soon after that we will get the approval for it,” he added.
But nine months on, no application has seemingly been submitted, with the last update for the stadium site on the Bristol City Council planning portal being to do with the discharge of conditions submitted in August 2024 relating to the South Stand redevelopment works.
At the same time, plans for The Quarters which included the men’s, women’s and academy teams to be accommodated at the same venue were supposed to be moving forward.
The last update Rovers supporters had on the redevelopment to the training ground was in January 2025, when AlSaeed told BRTV : “For the training ground, we have also submitted the pre-application in September 2024. We had [an] initial meeting, a very good meeting, with the council and we are waiting for their reply regarding our proposal for the training ground.”
Finally, in AlSaeed’s last statement to supporters in May 2025 , he provided the following update on the redevelopment projects, “Beyond the pitch, development plans for both The Memorial Stadium and our training facilities are progressing. Consultants have been appointed, and due diligence is being carried out with local authorities. We’re committed to getting this right and will present our plans once we are fully cleared to proceed.
“This relegation is a setback, but it is not the end of our story. We’re building stronger foundations: on the field, behind the scenes, and in the infrastructure that underpins long-term success.”
Now, supporters have the chance to get the answers they want by submitting a question here.
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