With the takeover of Leeds United, new sole owner Andrea Radrizzani gave Whites fans a sense of hope that the club were on level ground for once. But he saved the biggest surprise for the end of June.
It was on the 28th June that Radrizzani fulfilled the broken promise that his predecessor Massimo Cellino made on purchasing Leeds from GFH Capital back in 2014. Cellino promised it, but Radrizzani delivered – for the first time in 13 years Elland Road was back in the hands of the club.
Leeds United fans had the place they informally refer to as ‘the Church’ back as their own place of worship.
Radrizzani talks about Leeds United – hints at stadium redevelopment
He began by replying to a question asking whether there was an exciting summer ahead for the club and its fans, a question that he readily replied to. Replying to this [0:40 on video], Radrizzani said: ” There is a big hope that we have started something that could make, bring some more joy in the future.”
He went on to praise the passion of the fans as being integral to the potential that the club has, before turning his sights to other plans and visions. He went on to state [1:13 on video] that: “as a club we need to invest more in our mission, to bring the facilities to modern times. When I arrived here I was a little bit shocked to find the club in the 70s, but I will work very hard from tomorrow to bring more innovation [inaudible] the football academy, equipment, also in general facilities.”
It is this “innovation…in general facilities” that is soon to take hold following the club’s recent planning application over the rebranding of Elland Road – the aim being to give it an exterior, cosmetic makeover. Leeds fans don’t have to worry though, there is no application to rename the stadium to anything other than what it is at the moment – Elland Road.
The proposals, put forward in the planning document, will see the fascia of Elland Road changed on the three areas highlighted in the above gallery. It will also bridge that important link that football fans like to see – the bridge between a rich past and a rich future going forward.
Radrizzani promised to buy back Elland Road; he kept that promise. Radrizzani promised to bring Elland Road out of the 70s; is this him starting to fulfil another promise he made?
