Danny Mills has backed the possibility of Leeds United extending their Elland Road capacity to 50,000, insisting that the West Yorkshire club would have no trouble filling it.  

Leeds are without Premier League football since 2004, but Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival at LS11 has coincided with an upturn in results that has ultimately led to more punters at Elland Road.

Bielsa’s side are sitting third in the Championship table this season, with the average highest home attendance in the division, which Angus Kinnear is often keen to drill home in his programme notes.

And, it was Kinnear who revealed last month that there were plans to extend Elland Road into a 50,000-seated venue, which has been a talking point in the local and national media.

Mills, formerly of Leeds, has backed the potential of that happening.

“You can’t buy a ticket at Elland Road at the moment,” he told talkSPORT. “It’s sold out every single week, 35, 36,000 plus. It’s tough. Season tickets have all gone.

“So imagine if they got to the Premier League, they’re talking about possibly extending the stadium and making it to 50,000. They would sell that out in the Premier League, week-in, week-out, no shadow of a doubt.”

Leeds’ last home game – a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers – was watched by 35,567, whilst the Centenary Game (Birmingham City) attendance was 35,731.

The Verdict

Mills has experienced Leeds when they’ve been at the peak of their powers as a club, with the former right-back playing for the Whites when they were in the Champions League.

First-hand he’s seen how the city backs its team, and it is hard to disagree with the fact that Leeds could sell-out a 50,000-seated stadium.

A lot might depend on promotion, but as things currently look, that could well come in May, and even if it doesn’t, Leeds are still a club on the up.

Thoughts? Let us know!