AlSaeed 'confident' in Rovers' development plans

Bristol Rovers owner Hussain AlSaeed said he understands fans have been disappointed by broken promises in the past but that he is "confident" in the club's work so far to redevelop the Memorial Stadium.

The Kuwaiti businessman purchased a majority 55% stake in the club's holding company in 2023 before acquiring the full shares last November from Wael and Samer Al Qadi.

"I always said you guys are the fans, you've been promised so many times but then nothing was delivered," AlSaeed told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We're not going to promise, but even until now, we have not shown the plans for the Memorial because of that.

"We're not sure what the council will approve and will not approve, so we don't want to get their [fans] hopes up and then have them disappointed again.

"We are confident that we are doing the work as we should be, and we're going with the right people, and once that is approved, we are going to show it to the fans."

The proposed work at the Mem, which Rovers has called home since 1996, includes upgrades to stands to increase capacity from 12,500 to 16,500 and also change the capacity from majority standing to seating.

The club are preparing to submit a second pre-application to Bristol City Council in March for approval, AlSaeed confirmed, after making amendments recommended following their first application.

"We are hopeful that soon after that we will get the approval for it," he added.

Bristol Rovers want to redevelop the Memorial Stadium and their training facilities

AlSaeed said he expected the work, when it does begin, to take "at least a season or two".

The plans also include changes to the training ground, known as The Quarters, which will see the men's team, women's team and academy all based "in one place" rather than separately.

A covered pitch is being built with the aim of moving the academy up a level from category three to two.

"Now we have only two pitches there, and we will make them six; that will allow the academy, and it will allow the first team and the women's team to train at the same time," AlSaeed said.

"We really feel the academy is very important, and we really feel this is the best thing for the club to have a good academy and to advance in that side, and the best way to do it is to do it in-house and to have them all in one place."