Big Bramall Lane change? Sheffield United figure makes stadium claim | OneFootball

Sheffield United's chief exec, Stephen Bettis, has commented on a potential expansion of Bramall Lane

Bramall Lane is one of the most impressive and largest grounds currently in the Championship.

With a capacity of just over 30,000, Sheffield United have done a good job over the last 18 months of maintaining a large capacity despite their current position in the Championship.

However, with the rapidly increasing demand for improvements to how fans watch the game and the facilities at the ground, there will always be some disgruntled fans at any club hoping for advancement and development.

At Sheffield United, the main port of call is for improving the Kop End at Bramall Lane, which is the oldest current stand at the ground. A certain area in the stand had safe standing implemented back in September, but there are still main issues that Blades fans would want to see resolved.

Frustrations surrounding the four giant pillars connecting the roof and the ground have been raised, and Sheffield United's chief exec, Stephen Bettis, has addressed those at last night's Blades fan forum.

Sheffield United's chief executive responds to improvement demands for Bramall Lane

Speaking at the yearly fans' forum last night, Sheffield United's chief executive, Stephen Bettis, addressed many pressing talking points from Blades fans, including the redevelopment of the Kop End at Bramall Lane.

However, there isn't any indication that improvements will come soon, as he revealed that the cost to implement these advancements needs to have a sure return on them.

"I think we'd all like it to be redeveloped, wouldn't we, and the pillars come out?" he said, per reports from the Sheffield Star's Danny Hall.

"I know how frustrating it can be, but there's a cost implication, and if you do it, you want to do it right. There has to be a return on the investment.

"So, how do we do that? Do we make it bigger? Do we fill it? I'm not sure if we would. So, do we then put the prices up? I don't think anyone wants that, including me.

It's no secret that the Premier League parachute payment money runs out for Sheffield United come the end of this season, and with the Blades currently sat in the bottom half of the table, there's a high likelihood that next season could mark their first in the second tier without parachute payments since their promotion campaign in 2018/19.

Therefore, there'll be even further restrictions on how Sheffield United can operate financially in the coming years as they strive for a top-flight return.

As that takes full priority, the improvement to the main stand at Bramall Lane may have to be put on hold for the time being.

Bramall Lane updates will frustrate Sheffield United fans

In an ideal world, everyone wants to see improvements and upgrades being made to their stadium, as it increases capacity, atmosphere and overall fan enjoyment at games.

Therefore, there'll be some slight concerns that the higher-ups at Bramall Lane know that, while enhancements can be made, and clear ones at that, there may be nothing to come from that perspective for a few years still.

Ultimately, there's a bigger picture at play at Sheffield United, especially if Chris Wilder's side aren't able to put together a late play-off push and secure promotion come the end of the season, and that's ensuring that the club are sustainable and competitive without parachute payments.

Without the lure of Premier League football, there's a clear argument that the extra capacity wouldn't be filled, which would mean that the club would be losing money that they simply can't afford to lose.