Everton deal moves closer

With due diligence undertaken, a £200m takeover of Everton could be completed in the next few weeks.  It is understood that the pace of talks has picked up.   Two China-based investors are also interested, but they have made much less progress.

The club has emphasised that the construction of a new stadium nearby in Walton Hall Park will depend as much on a partnership with the city council as outside investment.

Stadium move for Torquay?

Torquay United are considering a move to an out of town stadium after the local council confirmed that Plainmoor was needed for housing.   Talks are taking place with an American firm that would see the company pay for a new 6,000 capacity home in exchange for the land.

Torquay were on the brink of closure last summer and are currently in the relegation positions in the National League.

Pope’s team is coming home

The football team supported by Pope Francis, CA San Lorenzo de Almagro, is to have a new stadium built on the one it was evicted from 36 years ago.   The picture above shows him displaying their traditional red and blue colours.

Stadium refit key for Bristol City

Bristol City majority shareholder Steve Lansdown sees the stadium refit currently under way at Ashton Gate as key to their ability to compete in the Championship and eventually aspire to promotion to the Premier League.

As it is the Robins cannot compete with teams with parachute payments, but the refit will boost capacity at the stadium to 27,000.  It is hoped that this will boost attendances, currently averaging 15,000, to over 20,000.

Spurs get go ahead for new stadium

Tottenham Hotspur have received planning permission for their new stadium at White Hart Lane.  The club hope to make the move into a £400m, 61,000-seat stadium in time for the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

In order to allow NFL matches to take place at the arena the new stadium will have a number of special features.  These will include a retractable pitch, larger changing rooms and extra facilities for medical treatment and physiotherapy.

Barca want to be first €1bn club

Barcelona have a six year plan to become the first club with €1bn in revenues.  Current revenues are €600m and it is felt necessary to lift them to counter the growing financial clout of the Premier League.

AFC Wimbledon to return home

AFC Wimbledon have received planning permission to build a new stadium close to their historic home in Plough Lane.   To be built on the site of an old greyhound stadium, the new ground will have a capacity of 11,000 with scope for expansion to 20,000.   The plan includes provision for 602 residential units and a leisure club.

Chelsea hopeful of securing Wembley deal

Chelsea are increasingly hopeful of securing a deal with the FA to use Wembley as their home ground whlle they redevelop Stamford Bridge.   The possible alternative was Twickenham which would be nearer to their main support base, but there were objectiosn from local residents.

If they get planning permission next summer, Chelsea are hoping to start work on the redevelopment in the summer of 2017.   They would then need to leave Stamford Bridge for three seasons for the start of the 2017-18 campaign.