Buckingham Group Files for Administration, Raising Concerns Over Liverpool FC’s Anfield Road Stand

The construction company responsible for Liverpool FC’s new Anfield Road Stand, The Buckingham Group, has filed a notice to appoint administrators, raising concerns over the completion of the new stand. The news arrives two days ahead of Liverpool’s first home game of the season, which was due to be the first game in front of the Reds’ new stand and with a 61,000 capacity.

However, delays on Buckingham’s work have meant that the new target date for completion is mid-October, but even that could now be in doubt. This Is Anfield understands that all construction workers and tradespeople were ordered off site at Anfield this morning.

Buckingham have also been responsible for the building of Fulham FC’s new Riverside Stand, but that project is now over two years delayed. It’s the work at Craven Cottage that is reported to have led to Buckingham filing for administration, with Fulham updating their supporters this week that the new stand won’t be completely ready until 2024/25 season.

Work on the Riverside Stand started in summer 2019 and was due to be complete in 2021, but Fulham were forced to delay the stand’s opening twice, before a phased opening that began last season. This news will be concerning to Liverpool supporters, who have been told that a similar approach will be taken with the new Anfield Road Stand.

A test event was held at Anfield on Tuesday this week in order to attain the safety certification for the Lower Tier, which remains largely the same as before development. The new Upper Tier, though, will not host supporters vs. Bournemouth on Saturday and Anfield’s capacity will be reduced to around 51,000.

Work on Liverpool’s Anfield Road Stand began in September 2021, with an aim of completion in time for the new 2023/24 season. The major concern now will be whether work can continue on the Anfield Road Stand while the company is in administration or if this will lead to further delays. The company responsible for the cladding of the new stand, subcontractor SD Samuels, filed for administration in December and was understood to be one of the reasons for the delays at Anfield.

Liverpool FC have been contacted for comment but have yet to respond.

The Impact of Buckingham Group’s Administration

The news of Buckingham Group filing for administration has raised concerns over the completion of Liverpool FC’s Anfield Road Stand. With all construction workers and tradespeople being ordered off site at Anfield this morning, it is unclear as to when work will resume on the new stand.

The delays on Buckingham’s work have meant that the new target date for completion is mid-October, but even that could now be in doubt. This news will be concerning to Liverpool supporters, who have been told that a similar approach will be taken with the new Anfield Road Stand as was taken with Fulham’s Riverside Stand.

Work on Fulham’s Riverside Stand started in summer 2019 and was due to be complete in 2021, but Fulham were forced to delay the stand’s opening twice, before a phased opening that began last season. This is likely to be a cause of concern for Liverpool FC as they may face similar delays with their own stand.

Liverpool FC’s Test Event

In order to attain the safety certification for the Lower Tier of Liverpool FC’s Anfield Road Stand, a test event was held at Anfield on Tuesday this week. The Lower Tier remains largely the same as before development, however the new Upper Tier will not host supporters vs. Bournemouth on Saturday and Anfield’s capacity will be reduced to around 51,000.

Work on Liverpool’s Anfield Road Stand began in September 2021, with an aim of completion in time for the new 2023/24 season. The major concern now will be whether work can continue on the Anfield Road Stand while the company is in administration or if this will lead to further delays.

Conclusion

The news of Buckingham Group filing for administration has raised concerns over the completion of Liverpool FC’s Anfield Road Stand. With all construction workers and tradespeople being ordered off site at Anfield this morning, it is unclear as to when work will resume on the new stand.

The delays on Buckingham’s work have meant that the new target date for completion is mid-October, but even that could now be in doubt. This news will be concerning to Liverpool supporters, who have been told that a similar approach will be taken with the new Anfield Road Stand as was taken with Fulham’s Riverside