Bristol Rovers have hit a snag in their bid to redevelop the Memorial Stadium.
As a result, Rovers chairman Hussain AlSaeed conceded the club is now ‘looking at other options’ going forward, including a potential move away.
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Bristol Rovers have long wanted to redevelop the Memorial StadiumCredit: Getty
In a video shared on the club’s YouTube, AlSaeed revealed several studies conducted to assess the impact on traffic and transport during a possible rebuild returned with a ‘red flag’.
Another hurdle to clear is maintaining the parking capacity alongside boosting the stadium capacity, which has been described as ‘extremely difficult’.
AlSaeed estimated the work to date, which has comprised studies and consultancy on how feasible a redeveloped stadium would be, has cost £420,000.
Although a redeveloped Memorial Ground is a leading choice, AlSaeed revealed the ‘main goal’ is ensuring the club has a stadium befitting of their fanbase.
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“We are still exploring and still consulting with experts… if those things [issues] can be avoided and achieved with this current situation,” AlSaeed said.
“However, we are also looking at other options.
“For me, the most important thing is to get a good size stadium for this club, whether it’s the Memorial or anywhere else. That is the main goal.”
Rovers have called the Memorial Stadium, which sits 12,500, home since 1996.
However, the proposals to redevelop the ground would boost the capacity to 16,500.
The layout of the venue would also be changed from one that is predominantly standing to seating.
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The venue was opened in 1921 but has been Rovers’ home for 30 yearsCredit: Getty
It hasn’t exactly been a ground to everyone’s tastes, though, as talkSPORT’s chief live football anchor Adrian Durham described it as ‘impossible to love.’
“I am really taking it seriously and I have spoken about that and our intention, we have always said, is that this club deserves a better infrastructure, a better stadium all the way,” AlSaeed added.
“What we are looking at now is if there is any other way to try to make it a better stadium than what we have, is it worth the money that we’re going to spend to make that improvement, would that be good enough for the club?
“[Those are] All of the questions we are faced with and we are really taking careful study and consultation.”
AlSaeed’s update is the latest in what has been a tumultuous decade-plus for Rovers when it comes to a new ground.
The government green-lit plans for supermarket chain Sainsbury’s to purchase the Memorial Stadium in March 2013.
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AlSaeed reiterated the stadium plans were not as straightforward as some had hopedCredit: Bristol Rovers YouTube
As part of the deal, the ground would have been leased back to Rovers while a new venue was constructed in the north of Bristol.
The new ground, which was planned for a 21,700-capacity, would be built at the University of West England (UWE).
But those plans were foiled when Sainsbury’s, who had agreed terms to buy the Memorial Stadium for £30m in 2011, pulled out.
The supermarket giants argued Rovers breached the terms of their contract having failed to meet a cut-off date as well as petitions both for and against the plans as reasons why they withdrew from the project.
Rovers took the case to the High Court but lost, a verdict that was estimated to have cost the club £500,000.
The project was scrapped altogether in August 2017.
Bristol Rovers UWE Stadium timeline
June 2011 – Rovers announce plans to move to a new £40m stadium on land owned by the University of the West of England (UWE).
December 2011 – The club sign a £30m contract with Sainsbury’s to buy the Memorial Stadium and use the money to finance the new site
July 2012 – Planning permission for the stadium is approved by South Gloucestershire Council
January 2013 – Council’s planning department granted permission
February 2014 – Sainsbury’s pull out saying the ‘economics of the deal had changed’
March 2016 – Rovers’ appeal over Sainsbury’s deal with the club is rejected
May 2016 – Former club chairman Steve Hamer reveals Rovers close to agreeing a new contract with UWE to build a stadium
August 2017 – Rovers announce the club’s plans to build their ground with UWE have been abandoned
Rovers’ off-field worries have been matched by poor performances on it this term.
Steve Evans’ side sit 20th in League Two, three places and four points clear of the relegation zone.
A horror run of 12 defeats in 13 league fixtures plunged Rovers’ EFL status into uncertainty, although a 3-0 win over 22nd-placed Shrewsbury Town, the club’s first since September 27, helped stop the rot.
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Rovers are hoping to avoid their first relegation from the EFL in a decade, having slipped into the National League at the end of the 2013/14 campaign.
However, they returned to the EFL at the first attempt.