Just as he promised in the summer David Sheepshanks is set to bring us details of the new North Stand. When TWTD spoke to the chairman as the season was about to begin he promised that the rebuilding of the North Stand would begin immediately that Town were safe in the Premiership.
As Town passed the forty points mark yesterday most observers are assuming that unless we suffer a catastrophic drop in form while all the sides at the bottom of the League go points crazy we are here to stay. Today David Sheepshanks announced that details of the next stage in development will be released next month. The new stand will be part of what is now being referred to as 'Portman Village' which also consists of the new hotel and multi-storey car park being planned for the Cattlemarket car park and the new flats which the Churchman's factory is being converted into.
The development of the North Stand is more tricky than work has been on the South Stand as Town don't own the land behind it. The South Stand has gradually risen behind the existing stand, but this won't be the case with the new development. The new stand will have to be built during the close season, although it is not likely to be entirely complete by August. When talking about this a few months ago David Sheepshanks said that it might be that North Stand supporters might find themselves ensconced in the South Stand at the beginning of next season, something which still appears to be on the cards.
TWTD has learned that the club has had three designs commissioned for the new stand, which will bring the ground capacity up above the 30,000 mark. The three designs apparently differ greatly with one very much in the style of the McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield. Presumably which of the three has been chosen will become clear when David Sheepshanks makes his statement in February.
George Burley has moved quickly to scotch rumours that we are about to sign Rangers player Claudio Reyna. The Town manager said of the story: "It's all news to me."
Meanwhile Southampton sources continue to claim that Hassan Kachloul is the man that Town are targeting. Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe said when asked about Town and Kachloul: "They have never dropped their interest."
Other sources suggest that talks have been ongoing since the Blues beat Southampton 3-1 at Portman Road in December. Town have continued saying just that they have a bid in for a Premiership player, as usual not naming any names. The identity of the other player Town are rumoured to be approaching remains a mystery.
Kachloul is meeting with Southampton representatives on Wednesday to try and thrash out a new deal with Glenn Hoddle's club. His current contract is up at the end of the season. If talks break down this could be the point that the player moves to Portman Road.