TOTTENHAM and West Ham could go head to head in a battle for control of the London Olympics stadium in 2012, after it emerged that both clubs had put in bids for the Stratford venue.
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West Ham’s interest in moving from their current Upton Park home to the Olympic site is well known and yesterday Cartlon Cole and Scott Parker were among the players who delivered the club’s bid to the government.
“I’ve been around the stadium and it is fantastic,” said Parker.
“I really hope we get it.”
Tottenham’s bid came as a surprise, however, not least because the north London club only yesterday had plans for a new ground on their current White Hart Lane site approved by the local council.
But final permission is still needed from London Mayor Boris Johnson and he’s a Chelsea fan, a breed not usually known for its love of Tottenham.
“It is only prudent and good management that we investigate all possible options for the club,” said Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman.
So far, it has been assumed that the Olympic bid is cover in case Johnson gives the new White Lane the thumbs down, but Levy hinted that cost factors could come into play.
“We have always maintained that we wouldn’t undertake any project that could undermine the overall financial stability and future success of the club,” said Levy.
Estimates by West Ham for the conversion of the Olympic stadium into a 60,000 football ground come in at £150M, while the new Lane project is reckoned to cost £400M.
On top of that, Tottenham’s bid for the Olympic site is made even more financially attractive as it has been made in conjunction with entertainment giants AEG, the company which runs the O2.
