Bristol Rovers Chair Steve Hamer Defends Club's Progress On Stadium

League One side Bristol Rovers Chair Steve Hamer "defended the club's progress in redeveloping the Memorial Stadium and building a new training ground," according to the BBC. The club's fans "have been left frustrated by the lack of movement since plans were initially outlined in the summer." Bristol Manager Darrell Clarke said that it is "hard to move forward with infrastructure" that is "30 years behind the times." Hamer said, "Everybody is frustrated. It's a bit like taking over a building that's been derelict for a long time." The club abandoned plans to build a new stadium at the University of West of England on Aug. 3 "after they were unable to agree terms." Bristol Owner Wael al-Qadi confirmed six days later that the club would instead look to redevelop its current home to provide fans with "something they have dreamt of." However, Hamer was "unable to put a timescale on the stadium's development," saying, "It's a marathon, not a sprint" (BBC, 11/24).