'We are ready and waiting when Wolves are' - Wolverhampton Council leader hits back at Jeff Shi comments and insists club behind delays to Molineux regeneration plans
The leader of Wolverhampton Council has hit back at comments made by Jeff Shi in an interview last week, insisting the authority is ready to move forward with plans to improve Molineux.
Wolves chairman Shi had previously said the club 'wanted' and 'needed' more support from the council to bring plans to regenerate the Steve Bull stand to life, and claimed he had yet to see the council's plans for the project.
However, Councillor Stephen Simkins, leader of Wolverhampton Council, has said he was 'disappointed' by Shi's comments, and revealed the reason behind the hold-up with the redevelopment plans has come from the club's side, rather than the council's.
Councillor Simkins said: “We were disappointed by Mr Shi’s comments regarding a lack of support from the council for the football club’s plans. We have a long and proud history of supporting our football club – indeed, our crucial intervention in 1986 saved the club from collapse.
“In recent years we have worked with colleagues at the club on a number of joint projects aimed at transforming the area surrounding the stadium.
“Recently, we worked with the club and university to develop an ambitious Molineux Quarter Masterplan, commissioning and paying for expert commercial and master-planning advice for all partners.
“More recently, we worked with the club to potentially bring significant investment to a space outside the stadium in the shared ownership of the club and the council.
“We have also part-funded a review into how the stadium could be better utilised for major music concerts. Experts made a number of recommendations which we hope to see progressed as hosting major concerts at Molineux would bring thousands of visitors to our city centre and boost the local economy.
“Unfortunately, the club did not move forward with any of these plans, but we are ready and waiting to progress them when they are.
“Fans can be assured that the council wants nothing more than to see Wolves succeed at the highest possible level. We will continue to have a constructive and positive relationship with the club and hope to take plans forward.”
Shi's comments came in a controversial interview with BBC Radio West Midlands, in which he acknowledged that the club 'sold too many players' in the summer of 2025.
When asked for an update on plans to improve Molineux, Shi said: "We have a project ongoing now for the Steve Bull stand, we are talking to a partner now and I'm waiting for the offer.
"Maybe in December we will have a solid offer in our hands, to rebuild part of the Steve Bull stand and have more venues for hospitality and events, to make it a more modern stand.
"People agree the Steve Bull stand is the stand that maybe needs more work now, so that's happening. I don't have a timeline, but I'm waiting for the offer to know what we can do.
"For the stadium, I feel we need some support from the council too. For any new stadium or new stand, we need it for different purposes, not just matchdays.
"Not only for football fans, it should be for the whole city. I want more support [from the council] and I haven't seen it yet, for a plan for that area.
"The stadium is at the core of the city and we can do a lot."
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