Everton: Next stage of plans to overtake Liverpool are revealed
By Paul Taylor
Plans have been leaked for the new proposed stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, showing how positive and ambitious Everton are in their aims for the future.
If Everton fans are honest with themselves, they know they will never truly escape the shadow of Liverpool. The two teams’ respective trophy hauls pretty much guarantee this.
However, this doesn’t mean Everton can’t have a brighter future compared to their cross-city rivals. In this respect, they’ve been making all the right moves to achieve just that.
Bringing in Ronald Koeman as manager last year was a significant step, as he took the Blues to a seventh-place finish and qualified for Europe. Now it’s a case of building on this.
As such, Everton have embarked on a spending spree verging on the surreal. And nowhere is this word more appropriate, than in the case of bringing Wayne Rooney back to Merseyside.
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However, even this flurry of activity in the transfer market may be secondary, when it comes to demonstrating how ambitious the Toffees are. At least that’s our perception, after the latest turn of events on Sunday.
As reported by the Daily Mail‘s David Kent, plans have been leaked in respect of their new stadium project. And what stands out most, is the apparent aim to have a bigger capacity than Anfield.
As Kent notes, the plan is to have a capacity of 60,000 at Bramley Moore Dock. This would be an increase of 20,000 from Goodison Park, while also surpassing Liverpool’s current capacity of 54,000.
Such a move would take Everton into the upper echelons of the Premier League, on a par with Arsenal and just behind Tottenham Hotspur, who will hold 61,000 in their new stadium. (Manchester United leads the way, with over 75,000.)
In truth, these plans are more ambitious than originally believed and will result in higher construction costs. However, it should also result in a higher annual matchday income of more than £50 million. (As per Kent, Everton currently generate £18 million.)
As a final note, Evertonians can be reassured their team’s rich history is appropriately recognised at the new stadium. Based on what’s going on these days, the future is set to be pretty special as well.
Next: Should James McCarthy leave Everton?
What’s your take on the latest leaks of Everton’s stadium plans? Are you on board with their goals, or do you believe they’re slightly overambitious? Share your thoughts in the comments section.