Bristol Rovers Chairman confirms one site being explored for new stadium

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Comments 2 Sport Will Murray Bristol Rovers Reporter 19:00, 30 Sep 2026 View 4 Images Hussain AlSaeed, Chairman of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bristol Rovers and Exeter City at The Memorial Stadium, Bristol on 26 September 2026 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK) Bristol Rovers Chairman Hussain AlSaeed confirmed that the Woodlands Golf and Country Club site is being considered as an option to build a new stadium for the club, with the Kuwaiti businessman also confirming that redeveloping The Mem is 'impossible.' Article continues below In an interview with ITV West Country prior to Saturday's 1-0 win against Exeter City, AlSaeed said that the land on the golf course, which lies to the north of the M4 and east of the M5, is on the shortlist of a few potential new stadium sites. Article continues below "Well, I mean, I think it's among the shortlist that we're looking at," the Chairman said when asked whether it is on the club's shortlist. Article continues below "But nothing for sure, which one we're going for. But where we want to be, really where our fans is suitable in terms of traffic, suitable in terms of, you know, everywhere, the location, and so, you know, it's a difficult task." READ MORE: 'Belongs at a higher level' - Sky Sports pundit on Bristol Rovers' impressive form READ MORE: Every word Steve Evans said on Exeter, Bristol Rovers history, Thatchers Bar celebrations and more Explaining how many potential sites are on the shortlist, AlSaeed also said: "Well, actually, what we do is that we have a shortlist, and, you know, we've created, like, experts that help, you know, looking at those sites, and we've taken that shortlist, one by one. We don't really talk to all of them at once." He added: "So what we've done is that we put priority, like option one, option two, and so on, and we start talking to the first one and see if there is something that can be done. Ready for a Daily Challenge? Put your skills to the test. Whether you love word games, tricky cryptic crosswords, Sudoku, or our other brain teasers, you'll find a new favourite today! Play Now "If not, then we go to option two and option three, and like that. And that process takes time." The site on Trench Lane, Almonsbury, would be across the road from where plans for a huge new town housing development next to the M4/M5 Almondsbury interchange have been submitted. Developers want to build a total of 1,800 new homes, plus a new primary school with a nursery, a ‘mixed use local centre’ with shops and facilities, a sports hub and an extra-care complex of another 100 apartments. You May Like 2 Cards Offering $200 Bonuses Welcoming FICO Scores 670+CardCritics | [SponsoredSponsored](https://cardcritics.com/best-card-for-intro-apr-travel "2 Cards Offering $200 Bonuses") Undo The plan was originally submitted back in March, but took nearly five months to be validated and published by South Gloucestershire Council’s planning department. But already plenty of objections have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council for the 'new town plan'. This latest update from the Chairman comes after he told Sky Sports News on September 14 that Rovers are 'talking to the landowners to potentially purchase a land for the stadium.' "I think we moved from the idea of redeveloping the Memorial because of that red flag that we had in our studies," he said a couple of weeks ago. Article continues below "And I think now we're moving away into that, and we've got into, with help of the local expert, Gasheads, identify a shortlist of land that we can actually move into. And at the moment, we are talking to the landowners to potentially purchase a land for the stadium. "So that's at this stage, and we're taking one by one at the moment. So, hopefully, we could have some good news soon, but anyway, we're working very hard to work that goal." In Saturday's interview with ITV, AlSaeed described redeveloping The Mem as 'impossible,' due to the 'red flags' that he has spoken at length about in previous interviews. View 4 Images (Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK) "I think, look, this thing is very important to every one of us," he said. "I've taken this file from day one. It is very difficult and challenging. "We have looked at this stadium to see if we can, you know, renovate, you know, do this, everything to make it more family-inviting. "Extremely difficult. All the results came back with a red flag, so it was impossible, so since last year, now we concentrated on going outside the Memorial [Stadium]." He went on to say that "I want to stay here," but described it as "impossible to get all what we need in this stadium". AlSaeed also discussed the recent reported interest in Steve Evans from other clubs, which saw Hibernian linked with the Scotsman following the sacking of David Gray. The 63-year-old rejected these claims, though, telling the local media after the 3-0 defeat at Gillingham on September 19, 'I'm not going anywhere'. Rovers have picked up 15 points from their opening eight League Two games in the 2026/27 season, and under Evans, who was appointed in December 2025, have won a club-record 11 consecutive home league games. View 4 Images Hussain Al Saeed, Chairman of Bristol Rovers and Steve Evans, Manager of Bristol Rovers in the Thatchers bar after the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bristol Rovers and Exeter City at The Memorial Stadium, Bristol on 26 September 2026 (Photo: Rachel Le Poidevin/PPAUK) Speaking about the manager, AlSaeed said: "Well, I mean, we're obviously very much pleased with what Steve has done, in terms of the results, and in terms of off the pitch, it's been really terrific in terms of getting the players back. "When he came in, I mean, the players were down, you know, we were in the relegation zone. The fans were angry, disconnected. "And I think he did a marvellous job in, really, first building a good team, a good squad that actually can, you know, start winning, and then he took it from there and to the fans, and he took it there to the club and continued. "So I think he did very well. He loves the place here. He loves the fans, and I think he will be staying with us." The Chairman was spotted in the Thatchers Bar alongside Evans following the 1-0 win against the Grecians, five months after he was on the pitch at The Mem with the 63-year-old to announce that the nine-time promotion winner had signed a two-year contract with the club. Bristol Rovers Live on Whatsapp Join Bristol Rovers Live's Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone Bristol Rovers Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community. Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone. To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team. We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like. To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Click here to join our WhatsApp community. AlSaeed described his relationship with the club’s supporters as 'love-hate,' following his first investment in the club in August 2023. "Absolutely, I mean, I can summarise it in love-hate relationship," he said. "And at the moment, we are in the love relationship. "And last year, of course, when, you know, when things were not going well, obviously, they are upset. We are upset all along, understand their feeling, and we, you know, I came out last year, and I said, 'Look, you know, this is happening, but we will do it, we will fix it and we will get the things right.' View 4 Images Hussain AlSaeed, Chairman of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bristol Rovers and Exeter City at The Memorial Stadium, Bristol on 26 September 2026 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK) "And as you see, hopefully, it's only the beginning. But, yeah, I mean, the fans love and hate, and we love it, and we hope it continues that way." AlSaeed's interview with ITV finished with him discussing Rovers' promotion hopes this season, saying that returning to League One in the 2026/27 campaign is a 'very legitimate target,' before reaffirming his long-term commitment to the Gas. When asked whether he is still at Rovers for the long haul, he said: "Yes, absolutely. We haven't started yet. We're just in the beginning. Big, massive club. Hopefully more things yet to come." Article continues below READ MORE: 'Our home' - Fabrizio Cavegn sheds light on the Mem's impact after firing Bristol Rovers to record READ MORE: 'No doubt' - Steve Evans confident over Bristol Rovers Championship claim after Gas' Exeter win ENJOYED THIS STORY? Choose Bristol Live as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value. Follow Bristol Live: Facebook X (Twitter) Comments 2 2 Cards Offering $200 Bonuses Welcoming FICO Scores 670+CardCritics | [SponsoredSponsored](https://cardcritics.com/best-card-for-intro-apr-travel "2 Cards Offering $200 Bonuses") Undo Coolest Gifts: Here Are The 27+ Gadgets For This Year iu-billit.com | [SponsoredSponsored Shop Now](https://tick.storytelltv.com/fa74065a-1a08-4fa4-a5eb-ee7b40672c1b "Coolest Gifts: Here Are The 27+ Gadgets For This Year") Undo Foreclosure Auction Properties Listed - Take A Look.Find Foreclosure Auction Properties Offering Instant Value Now. 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