Work could start on new Wolves' stadium this year

May 3 2009 by William Oliphant, Sunday Mercury

But last night, a club spokesman said he knew nothing of the plans.

He told the Sunday Mercury: “It’s news to me. The club chairman has already stated, a year ago, that we were looking in the long term at redevelopment of the stadium.

“Since that announcement we’ve had to deal with all sorts of rumour and speculation, and this is just one of these examples.

“We are in discussion with a lot of different people at the moment but for the time being we’ve got nothing to announce and we don’t comment on speculation.

“When we’ve reached the right stage, we will tell fans what may be going to happen.”

Wolves have been playing at Molineux Stadium since 1889, just over a decade after they were formed.

The stadium’s current total capacity is just over 28,500 and last saw expansion in 2003 when the temporary Graham Hughes stand provided 900 extra seats, but these were removed in 2006.

In 1979 the club opened the John Ireland stand, which cost £10 million to construct. At the time it was the most expensive development at any football ground, and the cost of building it nearly led to the club going bankrupt.

More recently in 1993 the stadium was revamped, bringing it up to its current capacity. At the time it was one of the largest stadia in England but it has since been eclipsed.

When chairman Steve Morgan announced his tentative plans for renovation last year it was estimated that the improvements would bring the capacity up to 40,000.

Boss Mick McCarthy and his players will collect the Championship title trophy and their medals after today’s final game against Doncaster Rovers at Molineux.