Molineux safety fears grow after debris incident amid years of stalled redevelopment | OneFootball

Molineux is under renewed scrutiny after Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1-1 draw with Sunderland was interrupted by a safety incident. A piece of metal fell from the roof area, hitting a supporter and prompting a partial evacuation of the South Bank.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the fan sustained minor injuries and, despite previous assurances over inspections and repairs, the episode has intensified concern about the stadium’s overall condition.

The John Ireland Stand opened in 1979 as the first step in a full rebuild that never followed, and Molineux drifted into decline. After the 1985 Bradford fire, safety rules shut two stands and, by 1986, the council had bought the site.

A phased rebuild from 1991 to 1993 produced the Stan Cullis, Billy Wright and Jack Harris stands, making Molineux all-seater. The 1979 Steve Bull remained.

The Stan Cullis was expanded in 2011 to 2012 with improved facilities and big screens, billed as phase one, but relegation in 2012 stalled momentum. Fosun’s 2019 plan for around 46,000, centred on rebuilding the Steve Bull, was paused during the pandemic, with focus shifting to smaller, corporate upgrades.

With relegation to the Championship now confirmed and criticism mounting, the pre-Covid expansion looks unlikely. Limited work on the Steve Bull appears likelier, with Jeff Shi saying in December that a rebuild project was ongoing and seeking greater council support. Councillor Stephen Simkins later said he was disappointed and that delays lay with the club, and Shi stepped down two days later.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com