St Andrews Development Being Considered

Instead of moving to a new stadium in the future, Birmingham City powers that be are now considering ground development at St Andrews.

Plans are to increase the current capacity of the ground to around 46,000 in a move that could show there is no need to move, but they will still remain in talks with Birmingham City council.

The idea is to rebuild the Garrison Lane stand.

Vice-chairman Peter Pannu told the Birmingham Mail: 'Things are in the pipeline. 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 show willing and show their support for eith scheme by showing up.

He added: '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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