Simon Jordan drops Leeds bombshell after being left ‘intimidated’
Leeds United’s expansion of Elland Road has left Simon Jordan fearful of the stadium’s famous atmosphere being affected.
Leeds are bound for the Premier League once again after two years out of the top-flight, and thumped Bristol City 4-0 on Monday to move one step closer to the 100-point mark and the Championship title.
Daniel Farke’s side put on a clinic of the very best attack United have had to offer this season, as Ao Tanaka and Wilfried Gnonto’s goals either side of half-time were added to late on by Largie Ramazani.
Ramazani’s brace off the bench – his first scored within 60 seconds of his introduction – capped off a dominant performance from the Whites, and attention will now turn to a crucial summer transfer window.
Football Insider revealed on 11 April that six members of Farke’s squad are seen as Premier League-ready, and while Leeds’ short term focus will be on the market, even bigger plans are in the pipeline.
Simon Jordan makes Leeds plea amid Elland Road plans
Elland Road is set to become a Premier League stadium once again, and recently-released details of 49ers Enterprises’ plans to expand Leeds’ long-time home have sent supporters into raptures.
Delayed by a year after Leeds’ failure to achieve promotion last season, the 49ers’ plans to expand the North and West stands at Elland Road will see the stadium’s capacity raised from 37,900 to 53,000.
Simon Jordan and Danny Murphy, however, contrasted in their views of how Elland Road’s famously fervent atmosphere could be affected, as they debated the 49ers’ plans on talkSPORT (30 April, 11:42).
Jordan said: “It may fall foul to the same issues that other clubs have – you’ve got a club that’s now back in the Premier League that will be part of the tourism mentality.
“Having been an owner who went around all the significant stadiums in the Premier League; the one that always stood out for me as being the most intimidating atmosphere-wise, was Leeds.
“You still get this feeling – it’s a big, big football club, and the nature of that stadium, going to 53,000 with a fanbase that can fill it quite easily.“
Murphy added: “It’s a brilliant place to go because it’s always bouncing – I think the majority of their fans are local as well, you don’t get that touristy feel at Elland Road.
“It depends how they do the new plans, I would imagine it will still be close to the pitch and have that old-school feel. It is a bit tatty in places, it does need some refurb.”
Leeds must avoid Elland Road atmosphere drain
Jordan isn’t the only figure concerned at the impact that expansion could have on Leeds’ atmosphere, as Keith Wyness told Football Insider that “too much change” at Elland Road could disaffect hardcore fans.
A seismic increase in corporate facilities – expected once the new West and North Stands are completed – was also a point of conjecture to Wyness, who worried that “normal” supporters could be priced out.
Elland Road’s atmosphere and attendances have been through their peaks and troughs down the years, but as some of the world’s best teams turn up on a bi-weekly basis, Leeds fans will be in the mood to make their voices heard.