Stoke to expand Britannia Stadium

Stoke City have announced plans to expand the Britannia Stadium to the 30,000 mark.

The club are looking to obtain planning permission to fill in the area between the Seddon Stand and the Marston’s Pedigree Stand as they watch their supporter base continue to grow since their establishment as Premier League regulars after promotion in 2008.

Chief executive Tony Scholes said the decision to expand the stadium came after several years of ‘careful consideration’.

“The atmosphere generated by our sellout crowds since promotion to the Premier League has undoubtedly played a huge part in the club’s continued success and we have to be mindful of the fact that any expansion could have an effect on that,” he told the club’s official website.

“We have always said that we would be open to the possibility of expanding the stadium should we continue to remain in the Premier League and have the supporter base to fill it on a consistent basis.

“Home support levels are continuing to hold up very well as we enjoy our fifth season in the league and this was highlighted no more so than at our last home game with QPR. The attendance of 27,529 was our highest of the season so far and, with the visitors only taking up the smaller allocation, it shows that the continued interest of our fantastic support remains there.

Scholes added: “Stoke City are proud of a number of initiatives that are run throughout the local community to engage with current and potential new supporters.

“The club have already seen an increase from 15 percent to 25 percent of fans aged 21 and under visiting the Britannia Stadium, which is very encouraging.

“A possible expansion could, for example, enable us to look into housing supporters currently in the Family Stand who struggle to relocate to a group of seats together when they grow beyond the Family Stand age limits.”