Marine FC Unveils Ambitious New Stadium Plans in Media Launch

Yesterday, the Marine FC hosted a media-only event to unveil plans for a new stadium, followed by an exclusive event for season ticket holders. The media launch took place in the Carlsberg Suite of the 1894 Bar, located on the grounds of the Marine Travel Arena. This move represents a major step for the club, as they prepare to relocate approximately two miles to Edge Lane. Four years of careful planning have gone into this ambitious £8m project, with construction slated to begin in 2027. As Marine will retain its current grounds, this new stadium will position the club on par with Premier League, EFL, and most National League teams by giving them a second venue.

The club plans to upgrade from their current three-sided stadium to a state-of-the-art, four-sided venue, offering improved facilities and greater capacity. The new stadium will meet National League standards for seating, sizing and fan segregation to ensure compliance with the necessary regulations.

The Last Four Years: Growth, Success, and Plans for the Future

Since Marine's historic FA Cup draw with Premier League side Tottenham four years ago, the club has seen a significant rise in both attendance and revenue, prompting the need for a venue upgrade to accommodate the expanding fanbase. Following that high-profile fixture, revenue has surged from £350,000 in 2020 to £1.8 million in 2024. Attendances have also experienced a remarkable increase, rising from an average of 350 to 1,400 in just four years. During this period Marine has been promoted twice and is currently competing in the National League North for the first time in the club's history.

The Crosby-based side are no strangers to change, having made developments in 2021 to the Marine Travel Arena. The funds for these improvements were largely generated from the revenue of the FA Cup clash, with additional backing from locally raised high-profile figures such as Jamie Carragher and George Davis, the founder of Next.

The New Stadium: What’s in Store for Marine’s Potential New Home

The current Marine grounds, located in the heart of Crosby, will be retained for training facilities and as a community hub. The new stadium will be situated on a plot of land in Edge Lane, just two miles away from the existing grounds. With a capacity of 5,000, the stadium will feature increased runoff areas of 1.25 metres, ensuring compliance with National League regulations and preparing the club for a potential future promotion. Designed by local architect Tony Diaz, the stadium will feature a main stand strategically positioned to block both wind and sunlight from the pitch to enhance playing conditions.

CGI construction of the proposed new stadium - designed by architect Antony Diaz

Not only will the new stadium provide an enhanced fan experience, but it will also offer a wide range of community facilities. These will include a 20-bed hotel, five classrooms, a gym (primarily for the players but available for public rental) and bars. A health and wellbeing centre offering services like doctors, dentists, and mental health support is also planned to be on the grounds.

The community hub will feature a function room, a directors' boardroom, and a hospitality section. While the stadium will continue to use a 3G pitch for its lower maintenance costs, there is an ongoing concern regarding EFL regulations, as they currently do not permit 3G pitches. However, the club chairman remains optimistic that this ruling will change in the near future, should the club gain promotion to the EFL.

Why Edge Lane? The Perfect Spot for Marine’s New Home

Several plots of land were considered for the new stadium, including the playing fields at St. Mary's School, just a stone’s throw from the current ground. However, this option fell through as the landowners opted to hold out for a housing deal. Ultimately, the club settled for a site in Edge Lane through a partnership with housebuilding firm Bellway. The 30-acre plot will allocate 8.32 acres for Marine’s new stadium, with the remaining land designated for housing development. As part of the agreement, Bellway has pledged £2.5 million towards the stadium’s construction and is covering the majority of pre-planning application and planning costs.

Although the project relies on planning permission for the 22 acres of housing, there is cautious optimism. The land is currently classified as green belt, but potential policy changes under the new Labour government could ease restrictions. If approved, construction is set to begin in 2027, with the stadium development taking place in carefully planned stages.

Weighing the Risks: Challenges Ahead for Marine’s Big Move

With limited transport links to the new stadium, there are concerns that attendance could be affected, particularly for away fans who have previously relied on Blundellsands & Crosby station, just a 10-minute walk from the current ground. To address this, Marine CEO James Leary has confirmed plans for a dedicated Soccer Bus service running from the metro station to the new stadium. Additionally, the new site will feature a larger car park to accommodate increased capacity.

Ticket prices are expected to remain similar, with the standard £15 tickets staying in place. However, a new two-tiered pricing system will be introduced for premium seating. With attendance projected to rise by a further 25%, the increased revenue should help secure the club’s long-term sustainability. While this move marks a significant change for both fans and the club’s deep-rooted history, having played at their current ground since 1903, it also presents a rare opportunity to break the 'grass ceiling' and take Marine to new heights.