Crystal Palace chief ‘overjoyed’ by Main Stand approval

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish says the development of the Main Stand at Selhurst Park will allow the club to feel like it belongs in the Premier League.

He also believes it will become a grade-A facility along with the new academy training ground and the first team training ground.

The proposed £100million-plus rebuild of the Main Stand and the altering of the White Horse Lane End would see the capacity rise at Selhurst Park from 25,486 to 34,259.

The updated planning application was approved by Croydon Council last Thursday.

When asked how pleased he was by PalaceTV, Parish said: “Overjoyed. 

“Obviously, we’re not where we wanted to be, but we built an academy in the meantime.

“It’s great to get the support from Croydon Council. Unanimous support as well, which is fantastic. 

“All of the work is done in the community, and all of the benefits of having a new stand and what that will mean to the local area is fantastic.

“It’s brilliant for the club. As with the academy, the hard work really starts. We have got an agreement on principle on the land, which is very important.

“We’re much further forward than we were before. We’re in the process of getting all the construction drawings done and getting the construction companies on board and which we’re going to choose. 

“With residents at Wooderson Close, there are issues around that. We need to make sure they’re rehoused, so we have got to find a place to build six houses in Croydon.

“There is a lot of work ongoing in the background. But we’re full steam ahead doing it.”

Speaking on how transformative the new stand will be for the club’s growth, Parish added: “If you’re not moving forward, you’re standing still in the Premier League.

“Everton are building a new stadium. Aston Villa have got planning permission to enlarge the stadium, and Leeds are looking at more seats in their stadium.

“You’re non-media income is very important, but also what you can do for the community and the pride we can all take in the club.

“Gareth [Southgate England manager and former Palace captain] said at the academy opening that you don’t want to feel like second-class citizens. We really want to feel like you belong in the league and every facility we have is a grade-A facility.

“The academy is the first one we have like that. The first team training ground is there as well, so now what we need is a stadium which is fit for what we are, which is a very exciting, very dynamic, very diverse and locally represented football club.

“We want everybody to be proud of everything to do with the football club, and the stadium needs work – we can all see that.

“It’s a fantastically virtuous thing for the club, the area and the Premier League.

“We’re very excited about it and it’s fantastic to have the support of Croydon Council.”

PARISH PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD