The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 23rd October) Council raise 'significant concerns' over the club’s travel plans

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Thursday 23rd October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Elland Road expansion: Fans left frustrated as bureaucracy threatens progress

It’s hard not to feel a burning sense of frustration over the latest developments surrounding the Elland Road expansion plans. We’ve waited years, decades even, for real progress on bringing our historic home into the modern era, and now it feels like bureaucracy could derail the entire project for yet another season.

The council’s planning process, which was supposed to take around 13 weeks, has already stretched to 20, and fears are growing that construction might not even begin until after another full campaign. For a club that has fought its way back to stability both on and off the pitch, the thought of more red tape and delays is unsettling.

The main sticking point, as always, seems to be transport. Leeds City Council’s latest report has flagged “significant concerns” over the club’s Travel Plan, with requests for revised frameworks and additional data. Of course, traffic and congestion are real issues-anyone who’s been to Elland Road on matchday knows that.

It feels like the club is being asked to jump through endless hoops. Active Travel England and National Highways have both lodged objections, and while Leeds United have been cooperating and updating their submissions, we’re still stuck in the mire of consultation and paperwork. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, and the longer this drags on, the more likely it becomes that the start date will slip well beyond May 2026.

What makes this harder to swallow is that the club clearly recognises the challenges and is actively addressing them. The goal of reducing car use, improving public transport links, and ensuring a safer matchday experience is being taken seriously. But progress requires momentum, and right now, it feels like there’s too much hesitation from decision-makers.

Elland Road at 53,000 capacity would be a symbol of how far we’ve come, a stadium worthy of our ambitions. Yet, instead of forward movement, we’re trapped in a cycle of reports, deferrals, and missed deadlines. It’s time for the council to match the club’s urgency and ambition. Leeds United are ready to invest, ready to build, and ready to elevate Elland Road into the 21st century!





Alarming DCL stats that will unnerve Whites fans

If scoring goals were judged on effort alone, Leeds United would be title contenders by now. The 1-0 loss to Burnley wasn’t just another dent in Leeds survival hopes; it was the fourth time in eight matches that Daniel Farke’s men have failed to score. That’s despite producing an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.63 at Turf Moor, proof, if ever needed that creating chances and burying that don't go hand in hand.

At the centre of the storm is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the man tasked with leading the line and, theoretically scoring the goals. He’s managed the first part convincingly; he does lead the line, but the second has become something of a disappearing act. He has managed just 22 touches in the opposition box this term, over 449 minutes of game time, less than five touches per 90 minutes!!!

According to the data gods, since the start of the season, Calvert-Lewin has underperformed his xG by a staggering 10.4. To put that into plain English, he should have scored ten more goals than he actually has, putting him in last place. Next is Nicolas Jackson with 7, followed by Beto (6.2), Darwin Nunez (6.1) and Keane Lewis-Potter (5.5). It's a bitter pill to swollow considering DCL's £120,000 per week (that's over half a million a month) salary.

[The Subhuman]

If xG had any meaning, I'd be worried.. But it's just a stat that fails to take virtually anything important into consideration. It also assumes every player/team is of identical quality

[CUSSIE01]

Anyone who’s ever been at meetings of both the public sector and private sector in business will know the jobworths who will go to any lenghts to avoid making a decision and delay and prevaricate to make themselves look important.
The only productive business meeting is when there are only two people invited and one of them can’t make it.

DCL has worried me since be signed him and he’s done very little to change my mind, we need to find a way to get Piroe involved more and he’ll bury some of those chances we’re creating.

[DDB220]

I know Elland Road holds a symbolic place in most fans hearts. But there is a reason why the majority of clubs build a new stadium rather than trying to upgrade the existing one. They tend to be located in densely populated areas with poor transport infrastructure. Inclusive of roads, rail etc.

The cost of improving travel links to the standard that some key stakeholders desire can be more costly than the actual stadium upgrade.

This may drag on and on, the club will rightly feel aggrieved that they are not responsible for upgrading roads in the area but the council will view this as a potential cheap vote winner.

I will not be surprised if 12 months from now the fanbase are again consulted on their feelings about a new purpose built modern stadium at a different location. Hopefully not Milton Keynes.

[Sean_Nile]

I know Elland Road holds a symbolic place in most fans hearts.

I will not be surprised if 12 months from now the fanbase are again consulted on their feelings about a new purpose built modern stadium at a different location. Hopefully not Milton Keynes.

The Brooklyn Dodgers moved to California in 1958, becoming the Los Angeles Dodgers after the National League owners voted to allow the relocation. This decision was largely driven by the team's owner, Walter O'Malley, who sought a new stadium that Brooklyn could not provide.

It's the American way.

[Barlow Boy]

As a regular attendee at ER, I’ve said it from Day 1, where is everyone going to park.

If it takes time to sort out, so be it. They need to get it right.

[GreennWhite]

Will it ever get built ? as according to pjm we are going to be back in the Championship next season, so would that not put the brakes on the rebuild ?
Just asking for a concerned friend

[whiteinfrance]

It's good to know we only lost by one goal V Burnley

[Irish Ian]

Xg= expected guff.

[DDB220]

As a regular attendee at ER, I’ve said it from Day 1, where is everyone going to park.

If it takes time to sort out, so be it. They need to get it right.

It is not so much the parking, the idea with big new projects requires realistic alternative ‘greener’ travel facilities that discourage car use. Elland Road is in a very inconvenient location in many regards. It is a while since I have been there but the traffic from memory is horrendous. It would not surprise me if they have prevented using any and all the local roads as a cut through with parking restrictions.
Any requirement for increased attendance has to mean no additional inconvenience to the local population, indeed there is an expectation that rather than getting worse, matchday traffic is reduced.

Building a convenient car park for matchday use is probably not a key feature. Park and ride will be on the agenda.

I think the upgrades to Elland Rd are a difficult proposition in terms of meeting some expectations never mind all expectations.

[DDB220]

Will it ever get built ? as according to pjm we are going to be back in the Championship next season, so would that not put the brakes on the rebuild ?
Just asking for a concerned friend

Well they were not prepared to commit to the expansion until we were promoted. If there is a danger of relegation I would not be surprised if they delay. Sponsorship revenue is significantly affected by a reduction in league status and I have little doubt that they will have identified the revenue streams applied to an upgraded stadium and the associated transport infrastructure and facilities.
Relegation = significant sponsorship reduction.

[WhiteRose]

Just like everything else in Leeds it’s blighted by the lack of a mass transit system. other newer stadiums are situated in far more densely populated areas but because of transport links like underground’s they are still viable. I have never believed Elland Road will ever be significantly developed, it’s in a bad location and the club never seems to find itself in a stable enough position to actually do it. The long term ambition should have always been to build a new ground elsewhere but with stadiums costing £500+ million these days it’s nothing but a pipe dream.

[Prisoner37]

If the planning officers waved everything through they wouldn't need so many of them.

Dither and delay is the job creation way.

[The Subhuman]

I'd imagine the slower the better really.

[Finnatic]

For as long as I care to remember, there has been talk about a rail link from Leeds station to somewhere behind the kop and the old training pitches.
Surely they could sort something out and then people from Beeston and the surrounding areas could also use it on non match days for going into Leeds city centre.

[Ellandback1]

It is not so much the parking, the idea with big new projects requires realistic alternative ‘greener’ travel facilities that discourage car use. Elland Road is in a very inconvenient location in many regards. It is a while since I have been there but the traffic from memory is horrendous. It would not surprise me if they have prevented using any and all the local roads as a cut through with parking restrictions.
Any requirement for increased attendance has to mean no additional inconvenience to the local population, indeed there is an expectation that rather than getting worse, matchday traffic is reduced.

Building a convenient car park for matchday use is probably not a key feature. Park and ride will be on the agenda.

I think the upgrades to Elland Rd are a difficult proposition in terms of meeting some expectations never mind all expectations.

Park and Rides - with the rides offering free ale!!!!

That'll do it!!!

[Barlow Boy]

It is not so much the parking, the idea with big new projects requires realistic alternative ‘greener’ travel facilities that discourage car use. Elland Road is in a very inconvenient location in many regards. It is a while since I have been there but the traffic from memory is horrendous. It would not surprise me if they have prevented using any and all the local roads as a cut through with parking restrictions.
Any requirement for increased attendance has to mean no additional inconvenience to the local population, indeed there is an expectation that rather than getting worse, matchday traffic is reduced.

Building a convenient car park for matchday use is probably not a key feature. Park and ride will be on the agenda.

I think the upgrades to Elland Rd are a difficult proposition in terms of meeting some expectations never mind all expectations.

From memory, I think they said when they build behind the West End to accommodate the new stand, that will mean the displacement of something like 400 parking spaces. Where are all those people going to park?.

Then they said they were going to do something with the car park next to the Peacock. Again, where are all these people going to park?.

As I get there at silly o’clock, with my parking space pretty much guaranteed at the pub, it doesn’t really affect me, but there has to be consideration for those who have no option but to travel by car particularly on night games when trains cease running earlier.

[YorkshireSquare]

For as long as I care to remember, there has been talk about a rail link from Leeds station to somewhere behind the kop and the old training pitches.
Surely they could sort something out and then people from Beeston and the surrounding areas could also use it on non match days for going into Leeds city centre.

They will never do it, it's the 'main' line to Wakefield and onto London, it's only two tracks and it's already congested.

There did actually used to be a station over the other side of Elland Road though it was closed in 1964.

[YorkshireSquare]

From memory, I think they said when they build behind the West End to accommodate the new stand, that will mean the displacement of something like 400 parking spaces. Where are all those people going to park?.

Then they said they were going to do something with the car park next to the Peacock. Again, where are all these people going to park?.

The area master plan has buidings on every car park with the possibility of a multi-story on the cornve of Lowfields Road and Elland Road. The tram connection would seem to be a must to satisfy matchday demand, because the buses in Leeds are awful.

[BlackHillsPaul]

If there is just ONE area of experience and expertise that I recognize in the 49ers organization, it's in getting a stadium project done. They built a brand new NFL stadium for the Niners in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Known to most of you as Silicon Valley. Some of the most expensive and heavily regulated land in the world. An EXTREMELY difficult political environment. It's hard for me to imagine the Elland Road project being more difficult than that. But if it is, we have the right people in place to get it done!