Everton stadium plans taking shape
This week the projected design for Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore dock, were unveiled. The new ground, which is part of a city regeneration project should be ready by 2022.
A new state-of-the-art stadium is a key part of both past and now current plans for moving Everton forward and enabling the club to compete with the leading sides in the Premier League.
Other previous plans for a ground move, such as the Kings dock proposal or a move to Kirby, have fallen through. But given the city council’s backing and the resources of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, this project looks like it will finally happen.
The new ground’s look will be quite similar to the club’s current home Goodison Park. But with the Grand Old Lady definitely looking her age, Everton certainly need a new home fit for the 21st century.
The design incorporates some of the traditional aspects of Goodison but in a fresh, modern way. The initial response seems to have been positive from most supporters. The only question that still appears to be sorted out is the proposed capacity.
Although it will be a sad day when the Blues finally lock the gates at Goodison Park, it has been the club’s home since 1892 so a new ground really is long overdue.
As far as the Goodison site is concerned it sounds like the proposal is to turn it into a community space or centre. That’s a better idea than simply selling off the site to a developer. And it continues Everton’s fine tradition of work in the local area.
A new stadium will be critical to Everton’s development. For an example of what that can mean for a club and one that is very similar to the Blues, just look at Tottenham’s progress over the past few seasons.
Spurs, like Everton, one of the traditional giants of English football, have been overshadowed for years by the success of their north London rivals Arsenal.
But now they have one of the brightest, most well-regarded managers in the game and an excellent young team making real progress on the pitch.
For the past two seasons Tottenham have qualified for the Champions League and look likely to do so again.
Spurs’ revenue is up significantly and next season the club move into their brand new 62,000 seater stadium. This will surely solidify their position as one of English football’s leading clubs and allow them to build on the past season’s improvements.
It’s a model for how Everton might also move forward. I’m sure the hierarchy at the club are seeking to emulate Spurs’ progress.
As Everton won’t be moving into the new ground for several years, first of all there have to be substantial improvements on the pitch.
At the moment the Blues are a massive 24 points off the Champions League places. Trying to make up that gap will be a monumental task. It’s one that will tax the ability of the best available manager out there.
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This wasted season has been a major setback for the club. There were real hopes Everton could make further progress this campaign and possibly even challenge for a top-four place (although that never seemed very realistic to me).
Of course it’s possible that Everton have missed the boat so to speak and are trying to catch up too late given the huge resources and advantages of those established CL clubs.
Next: Can the Blues avoid derby day disaster?
Next season is crucial, if the Blues continue to fall further behind the top six clubs it will be almost impossible to claw back that gap.