Leicester City's Walkers Stadium could be renamed and increased in size
The home of Leicester City could be renamed the King Power Stadium and expanded by a third in size.
City's new Thai owners say they want the ground, known as the Walkers Stadium since it opened in 2002, to share the name of their business empire.
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Walkers Stadium - the home of Leicester City
The consortium, which took control of the club last week, also plans to increase seating capacity from 32,500 to up to 42,000 over the next five years.
Club chairman Milan Mandaric said: "We have big plans to take the club into the Premier League.
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"We need a bigger stadium for that. There's a five-year target to increase the capacity to between 40,000 and 42,000.
"King Power is showing tremendous ambition and I'm confident that it will happen."
Vichai Raksriaksorn, owner of King Power, was reported to have told a press conference in Thailand yesterday the ground would be renamed the King Power Stadium in December.
However, Mr Mandaric, who remains a minority shareholder, said the name change was not set in stone. He said talks would take place with Walkers in the next two weeks, and suggested the club would ask the snack food giant for more money.
"I think it's important we ask about the renaming rights and ask for more money from Walkers," Mr Mandaric said.
"We are going to talk to them and talk to other people.
"Of course, King Power is a top priority as far as this goes, as it is in charge of the situation."
Mr Mandaric said the Walkers sponsorship, which he renegotiated when he took control of City in 2007, had a few years left to run.
But he said the club could pull out "under certain conditions".
He did not say what these conditions were.
A Walkers spokeswoman said: "We are extremely surprised to hear this news.
"We have a 10-year contract with Leicester City for the Walkers Stadium and are very proud of our connection with both the city of Leicester and Leicester City Football Club, which we hope will continue into the future.
"We look forward to discussing this matter with the new owner."
Gary Silke, editor of the supporters' magazine Fox Fanzine, said he did not expect a major reaction from supporters to any name change.
"I'm not surprised because one of King Power's main intentions is to spread its name in the West," he said.
"It's a good, cheap way of doing it.
"I don't think the fans are particularly attached to the Walkers name, it's just advertising a brand.
"In fact, the King Power Stadium perhaps sounds stronger."
Vichai Raksriaksorn, who is estimated to be worth £113 million, and son Aiyawatt, known as Top, were unveiled as the owners of the club last week after securing a 60 per cent stake.
A third, unnamed, Asian business person is set to join the consortium in the next few months, Mr Mandaric has said.
Comments
by coachman2
Friday, June 10 2011, 4:42PM
“We need to get in the Premiership first. No good having a big stadium and no one to fill it.I will still call it the Walkers.”
by roll, City
Friday, August 20 2010, 7:27AM
“Tony Lakeland you have never been to a game.”
by Richard Ryan ., Prince George B C , Canada
Friday, August 20 2010, 4:52AM
“I have been a city fan since 1965 an remember average attendance at 28,000 at best , with a county population of just less than one million and with the lack of well paying jobs there are only a limited amount of people who can afford the stupid admission charged . Reduce the players wages and the rest of the costs will come down , then more real fans will be able to come to the games we do not need a bigger stadium yet , regards Richard Ryan , Canadian Fox .”
by CRM, Sydney
Thursday, August 19 2010, 11:04PM
“Between 1954 and 1972 home attendances at League matches attracted 40,000 plus attendances on only eight occasions.”
by Pete, Glen Parva
Thursday, August 19 2010, 7:26PM
“I cant beleive the negativity of most of the comments above, its almost like they dont want the club to move onward and upward.
A biggar stadium would make us a more attractive club, which is paramount when trying to get to the premiership, were already the biggest club in the East Midlands, why not let the new owners prove it.
Ticket prices do need to be addressed though”
by Stormin', Hinckley
Thursday, August 19 2010, 6:13PM
“If LCFC gain promotion and maintain a place in the top six of the Premiership for the next five years then maybe, just maybe it would be worth increasing the seating capacity. Prices are too high but not compared to the likes of Man U' which is in the region of £47 a seat. Is that what we will have to pay in order to compete with the big clubs.”
by Miss Leicester, Leicester
Thursday, August 19 2010, 4:59PM
“Hi everyone, We must all appreciate how well the Walkers brand has represented Leicester for many years. As Walkers have designed such a prestigious platform for Leicester and a professional outlook for the Walkers Stadium. We should all feel proud to say how this brand has kept Leicester to be the finest at making snacks and also illustrating the sporting arena. This company represents Leicester very well, and there is no need to change the stadiums prestigious name. Please support the growth of this brand and let us promote Leicester F.C stadium and connect this with the Leicester Walkers heritage.”
by David, Great Easton, Rural, Leicestershire.
Thursday, August 19 2010, 3:56PM
“Tell you what, Gordon, is a nice change to have some 'GOOD NEWS' on the front page rather than all the death, destruction, drugs and mayhem we normally see.
Of course it's worthy, well done to the 'Merc'!!”
by Gordon, Anstey
Thursday, August 19 2010, 3:23PM
“Not sure that this is worthy of the main NEWS headline of the day - it comes over more like speculation on the part of the newest rich kid to get involved with the Club, particularly as the minority-holding rich kid says that the ground may stay as is namewise.”
by Filbert, leics
Thursday, August 19 2010, 2:47PM
“I rolled up at the ground on Sat, £32 for the cheapest seat on the day, coupled together with a few beers it's an expensive day out... prices need to come down.”