TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR HAVE announced plans to move into a refurbished, 58,000-seater home ground in North London by the summer of 2017.
The Premier League are currently awaiting the final go-ahead, from local government and planning authorities, to break ground on a revamped White Hart Lane. Nonetheless, and with the publishing of the club’s latest financial report, Spurs are hopeful they will be able to move into their new digs in just over three years. The plan is to build the new ground beside the existing premises on a nine-acre plot of land.
If Spurs get the green light, they will need a host ground in the interim. Representatives from the club had lobbied for the new Olympic Stadium to be offered up but West Ham were given the nod. Spurs, according to Sky Sports, had looked into the option of a temporary move to Upton Park after West Ham vacate the premises. A London property developer has agreed a deal to buy the Hammers’ soon-to-be old ground.
The club is now looking into the possibility of making a temporary move to Wembley Stadium for the two seasons they will be homeless.
Spurs released their financial results today, which included the announcement of ‘a record new shirt partnership’ with insurance company AIA over five seasons. The club’s revenue for the year ended 30 June 2013 was £144.2m with profit of just £1.5m.
Chairman Daniel Levy commented: “Our current 36,000 seater stadium sells out and the waiting list for season ticket holders is currently in excess of 47,000. We cannot stress strongly enough how critical the new stadium is over the long-term to these raised expectations. We have the smallest capacity stadium of any club in the top 20 clubs in Europe, let alone the current top four Premier League clubs.”
Addressing the club’s current position in the Premier League, Levy said, “This season we have had to make significant changes, both in respect of coaching and playing staff and yet we are currently only two points less than last season’s tally.
“Whilst this season’s performances and results have not lived up to expectation, we believe our squad has potential and it is important that we all now show commitment and teamwork to get the best possible finish to the season.”
