Future of Olympic Stadium Decision in March 2011

The battle continues between London soccer clubs West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur over who will be given the right to move into the Olympic Stadium post-2012. Sir Keith Mills, non-executive director of Tottenham believes that the clubs should know of the decision as early as March 2011.

The two teams must convince the Olympic Park Legacy Committee (OPLC) that they have not only the club’s, but the legacy of athletics in their interests.

Speaking to insidethegames, Mills stated: “By the end of March they should say which of us is the preferred bidder and which of us they will work with exclusively for, say, six months to try and execute a deal. And if not, they’ll go back to the other bidder.”

Whilst the majority of West Ham fans have welcomed the proposal, Tottenham Hotspur chairman David Levy faced a barrage of upset shareholders who feel the club should not be moved.

A vast majority of fans are backing an alternative plan to redevelop White Hart Lane and turn it from 36,000 into a state-of-the-art 56,000-capacity stadium that preserves the same atmosphere as now.

The concept, however, is highly unlikely at a cost of around US$625m as it is restricted by a number of issues, not least the prospect of the club being saddled with debt. Add to this the fact that horrendous public transport problems in and around Tottenham already reach breaking point on match days, let alone coping with another 20,000 spectators.This has seen the club gain an interest alongside fellow Londoners West Ham, in a much cheaper option of relocation.