Kevin Brennan MP calls for Millennium Stadium to be permanent home for football
Kevin Brennan MP calls for Millennium Stadium to be permanent home for football: 7th May 2002 Kevin Brennan, the MP for Cardiff West, has renewed his call for Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to become the new home of British football. Following a statement in the House of Commons by Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Brennan again urged the Government to shelve the plans to build a new national stadium at Wembley and use the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as the permanent home for the FA Cup and other major competitions.

In her statement, Ms Jowell told the House that extra time has been granted to the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL) in order for them to further refine their plans for the new stadium.

‘In the light of the success of this weekend's FA Cup Final – and also the Third Division play-off between Cheltenham and Rushden and Diamonds – it seems ridiculous for the FA to proceed with its plans to rebuild on the Wembley site. The process has been beset by problems – and a spiraling budget – from the outset.

‘As I have said before, research has shown that we do not need a new stadium at Wembley. The FA should abandon its plans, allow the English national team to play at club grounds around the country – another popular innovation since the demise of Wembley – and hold major finals at the Millennium Stadium.

‘The prime, central position of the stadium next to Cardiff Central Station, and the wealth of amenities afforded by the stadium – not least the sliding roof – mean that it is ideally suited to hold major matches and competition finals on a regular basis.

‘The Secretary of State is giving the FA extra time. As in football itself, extra time is likely to be followed by penalties; in this case in the form of massive debts from a £700 million Wembley White Elephant'.