£40m Molineux plan is still on hold, says Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey
Wolves this afternoon said the £40 million redevelopment of Molineux is to remain on hold – despite the team winning promotion back to the Championship.
Chief executive Jez Moxey told the Express & Star that any cash not ploughed into strengthening the team will continue to be channelled into the £8m redevelopment of their Compton Park training ground, rather than starting phase two of the Molineux rebuild.
Phase one was completed in September 2012 when the £20m, 7,700-capacity Stan Cullis Stand was opened. The next stage would see the Steve Bull Stand rebuilt.
Mr Moxey said: "It's exactly the same situation as it was – we're concentrating on the training ground.
"That project is well under way – we're halfway through it – the steelwork is being erected and that's where our capital expenditure is being focused on this season and it won't be finished until September.
"So there are no plans at the moment to do anything structural with Molineux.
"Capacity crowds and demand and football success would ultimately change that. But we hope to see a rise in crowds from this season to next season."
Wolves have announced plans to present the League One trophy at the Carlisle game at Molineux on May 3, the final game of the season. But fans have been warned they must stay off the pitch.
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Mr Moxey said: "We will ask the fans to remain in the stands to allow our team to celebrate this achievement with all of the supporters in a proper fashion.
"If fans run onto the pitch, they're going to spoil that.
"We're asking the fans to give our players the opportunity that they deserve to receive the trophy in a professional way and then celebrate it by walking it around the pitch to say thanks, and for them to thank the fans."
Meanwhile city mayor Milkinder Jaspal said today he had written to the club to invite the team to the Mayor's Parlour for a Civic reception.