Leeds United fans have overwhelmingly voted in favour of leaving their Elland Road ground for a new stadium, the club announced today.
Season ticket holders and supporters club members were asked to vote on the proposed move and after 28,250 issued forms were sent out, 16,276 came back in favour - more than 87 percent of those who voted. Those against numbered 2,301.
Leeds have been at Elland Road since they were formed in 1919, taking over the ground from the defunct Leeds City. It is the only ground they have played at since joining the League in 1920 and the current capacity is 40,204.
Their proposed new 50,000-seater stadium is to be built near the A1/M1 motorway at Skelton, to the south of the city and is likely to be ready for the start of the 2004-2005 season.
Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale told a news conference: "I'm absolutely amazed by the size of the vote for the move. I thought it would be a lot closer than this.
"I'm part of the Leeds supporters for who this is an emotional time and decision. But clearly as chairman of this club I have a responsibility for its future and for future generations of supporters.
"This vote shows what we believe is the best way forward, both economically and development wise, is the best way forward to enable us to compete with the best in this country and in Europe."
The recent success enjoyed by Leeds under manager David O'Leary was rounded off last season by reaching the semifinals of the Champions League. This season, his side are among the favourites for both the premier league and the UEFA Cup.
The club said on its website that such success "made it obvious that the Elland Road stadium was inadequate to capitalise on the new found status the club now enjoys in the Premiership and in Europe."