We want to stay: Wolves fans say no to possible move from Molineux

More than 12,000 supporters have had their say in an Express & Star poll – and two thirds are opposed to leaving Wolves’ historic stadium.

• Express & Star comment: Wolves success is great, but at what cost?

Ambitious club bosses are set to decide by next summer how best to expand the stadium to cater for up to 50,000 fans – and haven’t ruled out leaving Molineux, Wolves’ city centre home since 1889.

Fans said Molineux was the ‘heart and soul of Wolverhampton Wanderers’.

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But owners Fosun are keen to maximise what they see as the club’s huge potential with chairman Jeff Shi saying ‘crucial decisions’ have to be made on whether to expand Molineux or find a new home.

There is currently space for 31,700 seats at Molineux.

Huge plans to redevelop the ground were unveiled by ex-owner Steve Morgan in 2010 but later shelved when the club was relegated from the Premier League.

Fosun are now drawing up new proposals.

Hundreds of fans have left comments on the Express & Star's report about the plans, with most supporters against the idea of leaving Molineux.

They leave, I leave

Pensnett resident Neil Garbett, who has been a Wolves fan for the past 50 years, said he would refuse to watch Wolves if they left.

He said: “I’ve been a Wolves fan since 1968, and a home and away season ticket holder for many years. If they leave the Molineux, I won’t go to another game.”

Jack Meredith, from Dudley, added: “[It would] rip the soul out of the city centre, absolutely awful idea.”

Bosses have pencilled in plans to double the size of the South Bank to a single tier 10,000-seater stand, with work due to start next summer.

But Shi’s comments throw that into doubt.

Season ticket holder Aaron Brookes, from Wolverhampton, said: “Lets hope they don’t, this is our home, no way, this can’t happen.

"If it does, all good they have done will probably be undone, there is plenty of room for them to make it as big as they want."

Andy Clark, also from the city, added: “Not for me. Molineux is the heart and soul of Wolverhampton Wanderers.”

Upgrade?

Several clubs have built new stadiums in recent years to cater for more fans and increase profits from ticket sales and commercial activities, including Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs.

A potential move has been welcomed by some Wolves fans, with 33 per cent claiming it is needed if the club is to compete with the best in the Premier League and Europe.

Darren Matthews, from Wolverhampton, said: "I'm split. Molineux is full of history, it's our home but then there's only so much development it can take.

"It just shows Fosun are seriously ambitious and want us in Europe's elite. I've always said our stadium isn't going to be big enough to cope with demand. It's a tough one."

Jake Bill, owner of Bilston-based Aquavac Exterior Cleaning Specialists, added: “Molineux as it stands will not take us financially where Fosun wants to take us.

"We need extra revenue streams coming into the club if we want to compete at top level. Would prefer if possible to buy as much land as possible around the ground to accommodate a bigger stadium."

Managing director Laurie Dalrymple said on Sunday that leaving Molineux would be a ‘last resort'.

He told the Express & Star: “Whilst we have always been clear about our ambition to grow Wolves on and off the pitch, leaving Molineux would always be a last resort for us.

“We have a magnificent stadium in the centre of the city, but finding space around Molineux to reach our desired capacity may not be easy.

“However, our ambition remains focused on developing a stadium in the city centre that delivers attendances that could reach over 50,000.

“Ultimately, our focus is on growing the club whilst experiencing success on the pitch, and supporters should be encouraged by the direction we are heading.”