Birmingham consider ground expansion

John Curtis
Tuesday 12 October 2010 05:26 EDT
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Birmingham are considering redeveloping part of their St. Andrew's ground to increase the capacity to around 46,000 as an alternative to moving to a new stadium.

City have been looking at the possibility of moving away from their current home for several years and remain in talks about potential projects with Birmingham City council.

But vice-chairman Peter Pannu admitted rebuilding the Garrison Lane stand to significantly bolster the capacity from the current 30,000 was also an option.

Pannu told the Birmingham Mail: "Things are in the pipe-line. We are talking with the city council and doing project reports.

"Once they are available, I'll study them and discuss with (club owner) Carson Yeung and our consultants on this issue.

"The capacity of St. Andrew's is 30,000 and we are considering pulling down our old (Garrison Lane) stand as another option.

"For us to build this extended capacity, the indication from our experts is that it would be a size increase to 45,000, 46,000."

Pannu admits the Blues fans will have to embrace the proposed schemes to make them viable.

He said: "If we go up to 46,000, with our current average home gates of 25-26,000, then we would be 20,000 short of filling a redeveloped ground.

"That's why I call upon our fans to actively participate in making this dream a reality. There's no point in having a 46,000 stadium if we are not going to fill it."

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